Published: July 11, 2008 01:48 pm            

2 pastors under 1 roof

Husband and wife serve different UM churches in Portage

The Revs. Michael and Mary Ann Long don’t see themselves as rivals when it comes to saving souls at two separate United Methodist churches in Portage.

The couple, who have been married for 26 years, have answered a call to lead congregations at two churches separated by only a few blocks in the borough.

Michael, 52, will pastor members of Trinity UMC, 817 Caldwell St., and Mary Ann, 51, will lead the congregation of Bethany UMC, 700 Farren St.

“There’s no competition when it comes to serving our churches because we both work for the same boss,” Mary Ann said.

“There are plenty of people to welcome into each church.”

Michael said the biggest advantage will be being able to spend more time serving and less time commuting.

“I had to drive quite a distance in my last church, and I can see a cooperation of our churches when it comes to community projects,” Michael said. “I have been home for lunch more in the last week than the previous three years.”

Both ministers seemed pleased with their new assignments, although they are just beginning to learn the lay of the land and become acquainted with the people.

“One of our biggest challenges right now is getting unpacked and settled,” Mary Ann said.

The couple finds themselves in an unparalleled, but pleasant situation by pastoring separate churches in the same community.

“There are about 20 couples in the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference who are each pastors, and I know of only two couples who serve churches in the same community,” Mary Ann said.

The assignments were made by the Rev. Thomas Bickerton, conference bishop.

Mary Ann, a native of Gibsonia, Allegheny County, has served seven congregations and their communities during the past 25 years.

Michael, a native of Terre Haute, Ind., has served one interim and six full-time appointments in Western Pennsylvania. His ministry spans 14 congregations in Indiana and the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

The Longs both hold master’s degrees in divinity from Kentucky’s Asbury Theological Seminary.

The Longs have two adult daughters, Anna and Jessica.

The pastor-parish relations committees of each church have invited the public to a welcoming reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Portage Volunteer Fire Company’s hall.

“The Lord has blessed these two churches with two new pastors, who are husband and wife, and serve Christ,” said Tyler T. Hazlett, Bethany administrative council member.

“The Long family will be bringing many talents to the Portage area to spread the word of the Lord.”

        

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