Pastor Teresa C. Smolka has been appointed as the new minister at Ohltown United Methodist Church in Mineral Ridge.
Smolka, who began her duties July 1, previously served as minister at churches in Leetonia and Washingtonville.
She earned his undergraduate degree at Hiram College. After graduating from
Hiram, she taught Studio Art at Southington High School and Kent State Trumbull branch continuing education department. She also worked as a photographer, then resumed teaching at McDonald Elementary and later was a substitute teacher in the Liberty School System.
Smolka is currently attending the Methodist Theological School of Ohio to complete her Course of Study
Prior to coming to Ohltown in Mineral Ridge, Pastor Smolka served at Leetonia First United Methodist Church in Leetonia and Robbins Memorial United Methodist Church in Washingtonville from 2009 to 2012. She also served at Church Hill United Methodist as the Director of Youth ministries from 2004-2010
She enjoys planning and leading worship services which are engaging and tries to involve the congregation in worship through liturgies, unison prayers, songs and other activities that invite the participation of the entire congregation.
Smolka has been working with the various worship teams to reach out in mission to the community. She looks forward to continuing with past mission projects and implementing new mission outreaches. One new project in the works is a self-defense class for woman that will be offered at the church.
She enjoys working with Christian education and hopes to form a new youth group for ages 13-18 in the very near future. She also serves as a representative of the Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors for the East Ohio Conference as well as serving as the Mahoning Valley District Compass group coordinator.
Smolka lives in Liberty with her husband, Joseph, and daughter, Carol Ann.