About | Hawley UMC

Our Ministry Paths

Encounter God (in worship and music ministries)

Walk Together (in faith through education and formation)

Seek to Serve (the world in mission and outreach)

Rev. P. Andrew Weidner
I am an Ordained Elder in the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, currently serving the Hawley and Lakeville United Methodist Churches.

I began my ministry by serving the Pleasant Mount, Orson, and Whites Valley UMCs in 1998 while working full-time at the University of Scranton. Following the 9-11 disaster, I left the University of Scranton to attend Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ to pursue my Master of Divinity degree, which I received in May, 2005. I was Ordained and Elder in Full
Connection at Elm Park UMC in May, 2008 and began my journey within the former Wyoming Annual Conference and current Susquehanna Annual Conference before retiring from full-time ministry in 2020.

As a retired Elder, I served as Associate Pastor at the Elm Park UMC for five years until being contacted by my District Superintendent on my birthday in June, 2025 asking if I would consider serving the Hawley and Lakeville UMCs, which brings me to my current appointment.

Our History

Hawley United Methodist traces its history to the 1840's. In 1849 a class gathered regularly and Hawley was included on the regular preaching circuit. The church was chartered in 1851 and a building project was underway. The original church building was dedicated in 1853. The structure has been renovated many times over the years and the building projects that began in 1998 created the Great Hall and Memorial Walkway.

The physical church building has been present on the corner of Church and Maple for over 160 years, but it's the ministry of the church that continues to impact the community. People know the congregation is an inclusive faith community with a passion for mission. Ministries like Thanksgiving with Friends, Sojourner's Cafe, the Community Pantry, and Road to Bethlehem draw the community into relationship with congregation throughout the year. The church also hosts several support groups throughout the week. It is a joy to serve the Hawley community as one of the historic churches on Church Street.

SAFE SANCTUARIES:
Our church and other churches have policies and procedures which reduce the risk of child abuse, youth abuse, and vulnerable adults abuse. We call it Safe Sanctuaries. The objectives are to keep children, youth, and vulnerable adults away from any predators. In order to use these procedures and the policies, every 5 years we renew our 3 clearances and after we have the clearances, we take Safe Sanctuaries Training.