Religion can enter someone’s life in many ways, but for Martha Epstein, United Methodist Church’s new pastor, faith has been a constant presence.
Martha Epstein outside of New Canaan United Methodist Church. Credit: Connor Markey
Born to a United Methodist Minister in Brooklyn, N.Y., Epstein would graduate from White Plains High School before attending Cornell for her bachelor’s degree. She would later go on to receive a master’s in Elementary Education from Pace University in addition to a master’s in Divinity from Drew University.
While she would spend the first 10 years of her career working as a kindergarten teacher, Epstein found a new purpose in life once she started to spend her Sundays as a substitute pastor.
“As time went on, I felt more and more called, I know people use that word a lot, but more and more this pull to be in the church, to work with people of all ages,” Epstein told NewCanaanite.com. “I was going through a bit of a rough time where I was teaching so I would come home from that and I didn’t feel as good. I’d come home on a Sunday morning from subbing as a pastor and I’d feel great.”
Prior to her move to New Canaan in July, Epstein was a pastor for a church in Clinton. She is currently the sole pastor at New Canaan United Methodist Church.
“I love the theology and the philosophy of our founder John Wesley, that we look at the scripture using our experience, our tradition, and our reason,” said Epstein when describing how she came to appreciate the Methodist faith. “I love how he always pushed acts of piety, as well as spirituality. So it wasn’t just coming into the church, but it was doing things out in the community, doing lots of mission work.”
Despite having moved only a month ago, Epstein has already become involved in the New Canaan community, attending the last week’s addiction awareness vigil as well as several local Rotary Club meetings. Her impressions of the town are very positive so far, she said.
“I love it, I’ve been to a couple of the Waveny concerts, and I’ve really enjoyed them,” said Epstein. “I love that feeling of a supportive, small town. I’ve just been given such a warm welcome.”
Epstein has encouraged members of her church community to attend the church’s Welcome Back Day rally on Sept. 8, which will feature food in addition to a bouncy castle.