For nearly 200 years, Panama Methodist Church has been a part of the Panama community. Through all of the changes over the years, by the grace of God and with the unending support of the residents of this area, our church has grown stronger.
We seek to blend traditional and contemporary worship forms so that people of all backgrounds and generations can experience the presence and power of God in their lives.
Leadership Team
Rev. Paul Winkelman, Lead Pastor
Originally from Northern Illinois, Paul met his wife Melissa of twenty years at SUNY Potsdam, where both of them studied to be secondary social studies teachers. Paul taught in different schools for about five years, and then spent some time working with at risk youth in Tompkins County, New York. Paul then started seminary in 2010 and graduated from United Theological Seminary in 2014. Paul has served as the Lead Pastor of five Methodist Churches, prior to becoming the Lead Pastor at the Panama Methodist Church. Paul has a deep love for Jesus, for people, for the church, and for the Bible.
Ashley Taraska
Ministries Assistant/Administrative Assistant to the Pastor/Financial Secretary
Ashley Taraska is from Russell PA. She is married to her Husband Jason; they have two dogs that are so precious as if they are their own children. Ashley attends a Baptist Church, she is active in the praise team, Sunday school, Bible studies, and enjoys taking part in VBS. Ashley is so excited to expand her learning and growth, as well as her love and faith that she has for God and all people.
Ashley has been employed part-time at Warren General Hospital, as an Emergency Room Care Technician for eighteen years. She enjoys taking care of people and making a difference in people’s lives. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, baking, cooking, and outdoor activities. She loves Christian music and to sing.
Cindy CartwrightTreasurer
Cindy and her husband Ray (married in 1979) were led to Panama Methodist Church in 1990. Over the past 30 years Cindy has served on the Finance Team for over 20 years as Recording Secretary having just taken over the Treasurer position recently. She has also served on SPRC, and co-chaired Vacation Bible School for a couple of years when her children were younger. Cindy and her husband have two grown sons, Daniel (married to Anna) and Bob. They also have two grandsons, John and Thomas. Cindy enjoys using her administrative gifts to serve at PMC.
Jon Cable
Facility Manager
My name is Jon Cable. I have been the Facilities Manager at PMC since 2018. I also do set up in our community room and gallery areas as needed. I have been married to my wife, Becky, since 1995 and have two kids, Josh and Gracie. I enjoy helping others where I can and playing pickleball when possible.
Julie Nagel
Music Director
PMC has been my church family since I was a child. My childhood years are heavily infused with memories of attending Sunday school and church, youth group, and playing the piano. Throughout the years, I have served in various roles, including choir member, Sunday school teacher, Junior Choir director, and accompanist, and I have been the Music Director for the past dozen or so years. God blessed me with a mother who had a deep love for music that she instilled in her children, as well as a Christian piano teacher who fostered my development as a church musician.
I am married to my husband of thirty five years, Richard, mother of two adult daughters, Jenna and Olivia, mother-in-law to Jay, and grandmother to our granddaughter, Sloane and grandson, Beau. I work full-time as a social worker for Chautauqua County Hospice & Palliative Care.
Krista Odell
Music Accompanist
Krista has lived in Panama and attended the Panama Methodist church her whole life. She has been employed as a School Counselor by both Clymer School District (1994-1997) and Falconer School District (1997-Present). Her daughter Natalie attends college at Alfred University and her other daughter Lilly, attends St. Bonaventure. Krista welcomed a Son-in-law August of 2022, and her first Grandchild, Ezra November 2023. Krista has served the church in numerous ways over the years including choir member, special music performer, VBS volunteer, Sunday school teacher, member of various committees, and currently as choir and praise team accompanist for many years. This church has always been an important part of her walk with Christ and music draws her close to his side both as a way to serve and worship.
Joan Monroy
Connections Teacher
I have worked at the afterschool/Connections program here at Panama UMC for 15 years. I have been married for 43 years and we have five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. We lived in Guatemala, Central America, for 24 years where I taught English as a second language. In addition to working as a Connections teacher, I am a teacher’s aide for U.P.K. at Panama Central School.
Sandy Crossley
Connections Teacher
My name is Sandy Crossley. I have worked with the after-school program/ Connections for 14 years. I met my husband, Ken, in 1990. The same year I started working in childcare. We have been married for 28 years. We have one adult daughter, Katie. I am blessed to be able to use the gifts that God has given me to encourage, help and build relationships with the students at Connections. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing card and board games, crafting and traveling with my husband.
Tara Hosier
Connections Teacher
My name is Tara Hosier. I am 30 years old and have worked at Connections for 4 years. I also work at Panama Central School and Joann Fabrics. My favorite sport is volleyball and I help my mom coach the Panama Volleyball team. I am a big Buffalo Bills fan. My two puppies are named Cooper and Chloe. I have two twin brothers named Derek and Kyle and they are two years younger than me.
Maddie Post
Kids Ministry Director
I am from Camp Hill, PA, and graduated from Messiah University in Mechanicsburg with a BA in Christian Ministries. While at Messiah, I met my husband, Andrew. We just were married in 2021 and have always enjoyed spending time outdoors together. Youth group is what brought me to my faith and the reason I discovered my calling to ministry. The friendships and relationships I built with others helped teach me that the friend I have in Christ is a relationship that needs tended all the time. Along with the relationships of people, I have always felt a strong responsibility to care for and steward the earth.