For nearly 200 years, Panama United Methodist Church has been a part of the Panama community. Through all of the changes over the years, by the grace of God and with the unending support of the residents of this area, our church has grown stronger.
We seek to blend traditional and contemporary worship forms so that people of all backgrounds and generations can experience the presence and power of God in their lives.
Leadership Team
Rev. Steven M Taylor, Lead Pastor
Steve heard a calling to follow Jesus when he was 12 and answered the call to be a pastor in 2002. He has been married to his wife Stacy since 1993 and they have two grown, married children, Benjamin (married to Brianna) and Abigail (married to Andrew). Steve has a passion for worship and leadership. Connect with him on Social Media to learn more.
Debbie Johnson
Administrative Assistant/Ministries Coordinator
Administrative Assistant/Ministries Coordinator
After being raised in church, asking Jesus into my heart as a young girl, and experiencing rebellion years as an older teen, thankfully in God’s mercy, He drew me back to Himself when I was 24. Life has been a series of unexpected twists and turns with incredible highs and excruciating lows since. Rich and I recently celebrated 45 years and have raised 3 sons. Each has a wonderful wife and we have 12 precious grandchildren to pray for and enjoy now, too. I’ve always worked around our family’s needs and consider it a joy to be using God-given gifts and talents here at PUMC now while working with precious brothers and sisters. I praise God that he not only authors our faith but loves us enough to continually be perfecting our faith, as well. His mercies truly are new every morning.
Cindy CartwrightTreasurer
Cindy and her husband Ray (married in 1979) were led to Panama United Methodist Church in 1990. Over the past 30 years Cindy has served on the Finance Team for over 20 years as Recording Secretary having just taken over the Treasurer position recently. She has also served on SPRC, and co-chaired Vacation Bible School for a couple of years when her children were younger. Cindy and her husband have two grown sons, Daniel (married to Anna) and Bob. They also have two grandsons, John and Thomas. Cindy enjoys using her administrative gifts to serve at PUMC.
Jon Cable
Custodian
My name is Jon Cable. I have been the custodian at PUMC since 2018. I also do set up in our community room and gallery areas as needed. I have been married to my wife, Becky, since 1995 and have two kids, Josh and Gracie. I enjoy helping others where I can and playing pickleball when possible.
Julie Nagel
Music Director
PUMC has been my church family since I was a child. My childhood years are heavily infused with memories of attending Sunday school and church, youth group, and playing the piano. Throughout the years, I have served in various roles, including choir member, Sunday school teacher, Junior Choir director, and accompanist, and I have been the Music Director for the past dozen or so years. God blessed me with a mother who had a deep love for music that she instilled in her children, as well as a Christian piano teacher who fostered my development as a church musician.
I am married to my husband of thirty five years, Richard, mother of two adult daughters, Jenna and Olivia, mother-in-law to Jay, and grandmother to our 5-month old granddaughter, Sloane. I work full-time as a social worker for Chautauqua County Hospice & Palliative Care.
Krista Odell
Music Accompanist
Krista has lived in Panama and attended the Panama United Methodist church her whole life. She has been employed as a School Counselor by both Clymer School District (1994-1997) and Falconer School District (1997-Present). Her daughter Natalie attends college at Alfred University and her other daughter Lilly still attends Panama High School. Krista has served the church in numerous ways over the years including choir member, special music performer, VBS volunteer, Sunday school teacher, member of various committees, and currently as choir and praise team accompanist for many years. This church has always been an important part of her walk with Christ and music draws her close to his side both as a way to serve and worship.
Joan Monroy
Connections Teacher
I have worked at the afterschool/Connections program here at Panama UMC for 15 years. I have been married for 43 years and we have five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. We lived in Guatemala, Central America, for 24 years where I taught English as a second language. In addition to working as a Connections teacher, I am a teacher’s aide for U.P.K. at Panama Central School.
Sandy Crossley
Connections Teacher
My name is Sandy Crossley. I have worked with the after-school program/ Connections for 14 years. I met my husband, Ken, in 1990. The same year I started working in childcare. We have been married for 28 years. We have one adult daughter, Katie. I am blessed to be able to use the gifts that God has given me to encourage, help and build relationships with the students at Connections. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing card and board games, crafting and traveling with my husband.
Tara Hosier
Connections Teacher
My name is Tara Hosier. I am 30 years old and have worked at Connections for 4 years. I also work at Panama Central School and Joann Fabrics. My favorite sport is volleyball and I help my mom coach the Panama Volleyball team. I am a big Buffalo Bills fan. My two puppies are named Cooper and Chloe. I have two twin brothers named Derek and Kyle and they are two years younger than me.
Maddie Post
Kids Ministry Director
I am from Camp Hill, PA, and graduated from Messiah University in Mechanicsburg with a BA in Christian Ministries. While at Messiah, I met my husband, Andrew. We just were married in 2021 and have always enjoyed spending time outdoors together. Youth group is what brought me to my faith and the reason I discovered my calling to ministry. The friendships and relationships I built with others helped teach me that the friend I have in Christ is a relationship that needs tended all the time. Along with the relationships of people, I have always felt a strong responsibility to care for and steward the earth.