St. Paul’s Church of Palmer called Reverend Steven W. Sousa as their new minister in 2022. Steve, his wife Lucy, and daughter Madalina reside in nearby Fiskdale, Massachusetts.

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Having grown up in Granby, Massachusetts, Rev. Sousa has been actively serving in pastoral ministry for over thirty-five years, working with churches throughout Massachusetts. His education includes undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and ministerial training at The Stevens School of Lenox (now Maryland College & Seminary).

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Rev. Sousa’s extensive experience in Christian ministry spans both Protestant denominations and non-denominational churches. With a focus on family ministry, Steve has led youth and children’s groups, including founding and administering the Springfield Christian K-12 private school. During his pastorate at the Living Gate Evangelical Free Church in Granby, he played a key role in organizing the Great Awakening Music Festival, which took place there for several years. He also helped establish Vacation Bible School at the church, which became the largest and most well-attended in the area. In every church he has served, Rev. Sousa has initiated nursing home ministries, bringing music and words of comfort to seniors.

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Known for his warm and empathetic personality, Rev. Sousa is widely respected as an effective pastoral counselor. He shares, “My heart and most sincere desire is to bring a sense of peace and wholeness to individuals and their families, especially those on the margins of our communities.”

 

Speaking about St. Paul’s, Rev. Sousa continues, “St. Paul’s Church of Palmer, part of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, has a long history of ministry to the Palmer community. Its unique approach to ministry and worship is rooted in a message of love—a love that welcomes all people and affirms who they are, without expecting conformity to religious conventions. Our church is a place where people can explore the spiritual life as unique individuals with their own beliefs and experiences.”

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Rev. Sousa is excited about the future of St. Paul’s Church and the active ministry it will continue to offer to the greater Palmer community. He shares, “Some of the church’s plans for the coming months include a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ Sunday, a Young Teen Dance, the start of the ‘All Voices’ teen youth group, a Candlelight Christmas Eve celebration, a Holy Week Seder Supper, a ‘Blessing of the Motorcycles,’ and classical and folk concerts. We also offer small groups for spiritual development and reflective meditation.”

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— Taken from Palmer Journal Register, September 2022