HAMPTON, NH – Hampton United Methodist Church (HUMC), located at 525 Lafayette Road, Hampton, New Hampshire, announces that after 37 years in the ministry and 12 years at HUMC, current Pastor, The Reverend Dr. Steven Notis is retiring on June 30 and The Reverend Susan Frost has been appointed, effective July 1, 2022. She will become the first female pastor to lead the congregation.
“Pastor Sue” most recently served at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Dover, New Hampshire. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. In addition to her Pastor role, she is involved with the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church (NECUMC) and currently serves as Spiritual Director at Neighborhood Seminary, a program of spiritual direction and theological education for laypersons who want to better understand God’s plan for their lives and the neighborhood they live in. Pastor Sue also participates in NECUMC Foundation’s Jump Start program, which collaboratively provides creative ideas on how to invigorate churches and their outreach programs. Pastor Sue is married to Mike Bennett, a retired United Church of Christ pastor, and has two adult children, Beth, and John.
“It has been an honor to serve the Methodist community in Dover over the last five years and I am grateful to the HUMC for welcoming me into their church family,” said Pastor Sue. “God called me to ministry, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to not only lead the congregation, but to be a guiding light for all members of the Hampton-area community. My door is always open to anyone seeking help or guidance.”
“We thank Pastor Steve for his 12 years of service at HUMC and wish him well in his next endeavor as he continues in ministry, leading retreats and teaching part-time at the Insight Meditation Center in his hometown of Newburyport,” said Laurie Dufour, Church Secretary, who has been a backbone in the church for more than 35 years. “On behalf of the entire staff and congregation, I look forward to working with Pastor Sue to continue the important work we are doing within the church and Seacoast communities.”
Hampton United Methodist Church is proud of the vital role it plays in the community. Its outreach and mission work extends throughout the Seacoast and beyond. Locally, it provides space for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon meetings, as well as Meals on Wheels, and its food pantry is open every Wednesday. HUMC is also an active partner with Seacoast Family Promise, a non-profit agency that helps in guiding families who are experiencing homelessness toward stabilized housing.
All are all welcome to worship at the church at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings. An 8:00 am beach service is also held during the summer months on North Beach, at the end of 18th Street. As is the tradition in the United Methodist Church, holy communion is held on the first Sunday of each month. HUMC also offers a youth Sunday School program and nursery care.
If you would like more information, visit: hamptonnhumc.org, call the church office at 603-926-2702 or email hamptonumc@myfairpoint.net.
