Rev. Anna Blinn Cole installed as District Superintendent of the Adirondack & Albany Districts
Updated: 7 hours ago
By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator | Email
Friends, clergy, and laity from across Upper New York gathered at Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 27, to celebrate the installation of the Rev. Anna Blinn Cole as Superintendent of the Adirondack and Albany Districts of the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church.
The service opened with the processional hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” followed by a call to worship led by the Rev. Sara Baron of Schenectady: First UMC. The Rev. Dr. Meredith Vanderminden of Queensbury UMC, welcomed those gathered and offered the opening prayer. The Combined Districts Choir performed “Doxology for a New Day,” followed by a reading of Psalm 96 by Ben Croft of St. Paul’s UMC in Castleton-on-Hudson.
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez celebrated the installation of Rev. Blinn Cole as District Superintendent of the Adirondack and Albany Districts. He spoke of her deep love for God, people, and community, as well as her commitment to embodying God’s love, mercy, compassion, and justice.
“She is never settled with the status quo. She always has a good question that takes us to a deeper reflection of what is possible,” Bishop Burgos said.
Bishop Burgos also highlighted Rev. Blinn Cole’s love for the local church and her belief in its ability to bring lasting transformation into the world. He said her discernment and decision-making are grounded in the belief that the local church is where “long-term sustainable world transformation” comes from and moves outward into the world.
During the covenant service, Rev. Blinn Cole, surrounded by members of the Susquehanna and Upper New York Missional Cabinets, affirmed her commitment to the ministries of supervision and leadership. In turn, the congregation pledged to support and uphold her through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Symbols of district superintendency were presented by clergy and lay leaders, each representing a vital aspect of ministry. Each gift was accompanied by a charge to live out ministry faithfully in Christ’s name.
Eva Ryan presented Rev. Blinn Cole with a Bible, charging her to be among the people as one who proclaims the Word—for the edification of believers and the conversion of the world.
April Snow offered water, calling her to be renewed in her baptism and to renew the congregation in theirs.
Bruce France presented the bread and cup, symbols of communion, urging her to keep the church in communion with Christ and His Church.
Pastor Thaddeus Pinckney presented a hymnal and the Book of Worship, to guide the people in prayer and praise.
Robyn Vernon and Hannah Lasher presented the towel and basin, symbols of servant leadership, calling her to be among the people as one who serves.
The Rev. Jan Rowell presented a stole, calling her to shepherd the people as a pastor.
The Rev. Steven Smith presented the Book of Discipline, a reminder to strengthen the connection among United Methodists.
Roger Ellis presented a globe, symbolizing the call to lead the Church in its mission to all the world.
Joy became a central theme as the service continued. During children’s time, pink ribbons
were shared throughout the congregation as a symbol of joy, leading into “To Ask the Lord’s Blessing” by the Schenectady: First UMC Bell Choir. Three readings from Luke 1 followed, setting the stage for Rev. Blinn Cole’s message, “Called Toward Joy.”
Rev. Blinn Cole reflected on her own discernment and the call that would ultimately lead her to serve as a superintendent.
“Last December, as the bishop already referenced, I got a call from him that I really wrestled with. To serve as a superintendent would mean leaving the local church, a place where I had been living out my call in the most authentic way I knew,” she said.
That discernment came as she was preparing for the third Sunday of Advent, when the pink candle represents joy. Drawing on Mary’s response to God’s call, Rev. Blinn Cole spoke about finding joy even when answering that call can bring uncertainty and fear. The pink stole she wore during the service, made for her by a close friend from college and received during that time of discernment, became a symbol of that message.
“Joy is what grows in us when we walk through what is unknown toward God’s promise,” she said.
Rev. Blinn Cole closed by extending that message to those gathered: “When God calls you, know that you have been created to do hard things in the name of love that is greater than you could ever imagine.”
Following the message, the Cobleskill UMC Choir performed “Plowshare Prayer.” The service then moved into Holy Communion, with Rev. Blinn Cole offering the invitation and the Rev. Nancy Dibelius leading the confession.
The Rev. Dr. Nick Bufano of Newtonville UMC invited those gathered to support the Africa University Women’s Dormitory Project. Susquehanna and Upper New York Conferences are partnering to raise $1.5 million to build a new 92-bed women’s dormitory at Africa University in Zimbabwe, helping address the university’s need for additional on-campus housing.
During the sharing of the bread and cup, Joanna Feuer, Superintendency Administrative Assistant serving the Adirondack and Albany Districts, performed “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” followed by “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” from the Schenectady: First UMC Bell Choir.
The service concluded with the congregation singing “Here I Am, Lord,” followed by a benediction from Rev. Blinn Cole’s mother, the Rev. Mary Beth Blinn, and the recessional hymn, “The Trees of the Field.”
The installation marked the beginning of a new season of leadership for Rev. Blinn Cole and the Adirondack and Albany Districts, with a message of cultivating joy while answering God’s call.
Watch a recording of the livestream from the installation service here.
