Meet Cassidy

The Staff Parish Relations Committee was excited to share this past Sunday that we have hired Cassidy Smith as our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, beginning June 24. Cassidy will move to Portland from Michigan, having received a Master’s in Ministry and Counseling. Cassidy’s call and passion to work with young people is evident from her eagerness to form relationships and journey with students as they grow. In addition to her enthusiasm for intergenerational ministry, she brings experience working with children and youth of different abilities and situations, both inside and outside of the church setting. Cassidy is an excellent communicator, collaborator, and is eager to serve in a more inclusive space as she learns more about The United Methodist Church. We expect this to be a wonderful experience of mutual growth and shared ministry. 

Cassidy and Drew Hogan, our current Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, will overlap at the end of June so both can be present for Kids Camp. As previously announced, Drew has just graduated from the Claremont School of Theology with a Master of Divinity, is set to be commissioned as a Provisional Elder in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference on June 16, and will be leaving his position here at First Church to be the pastor at Tabor Heights United Methodist Church here in Portland beginning July 1.

We will celebrate Drew’s last Sunday after the 10:30 service on June 30. We are excited for Drew’s next season and to welcome Cassidy here to First Church! Please be in prayer for Drew, Cassidy, and our church families as we work through this transition.