Staff
The Reverend Shawn Hannon
Pastor
Pastor Shawn is a 2010 graduate of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. He began his call at Hope in the summer of 2010. While he spent four years learning and serving churches in South and North Carolina, as a Jamestown, NY native, Western New York has always been home. He is glad to be back.
He is married to Carol Hannon. They met while attending SUNY Geneseo in the mid-2000s. They have enjoyed making their first home together here in Arcade, and have two little dogs that enjoy tearing it up.
Pastor Shawn has a background in youth and outdoor ministry. He is a former camper and staff person at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Bemus Point, NY. He has also served camps in urban settings and oversees in Madagascar. He served as Director of
Youth Ministry at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC from 2006-2010, and took one year off there (2008) to serve as intern pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC. In seminary he was recognized for gifts in Greek and New Testament, and in his senior year was recognized with awards in both Preaching and Biblical Studies.
When he is not working at church or around the house, Shawn’s favorite place to be is on the golf course. He also enjoys recreationally playing all sorts of sports and fiddling with his guitar.
Paul Blackwell
Director of Music
Paul Blackwell grew up in Cheektowaga, NY area, as a son of a Lutheran pastor. He attended Concordia College in Bronxville, NY for his bachelor degree, and the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for his masters degree. He teaches high school and middle school chorus and general music in the East Aurora School district. He has written many original compositions for both church and school choirs. He lives in Delevan with his better half, Jennifer, and his two daughters, Helena and Cora.
Carol Boldt
Administrator
Carol Smith Boldt has been helping out in Hope’s church office since 1984. She was born in Machias, and moved to Yorkshire when she was in second grade. She took a medical secretary course at Alfred State Tech. Carol married Al Boldt in 1959, and they have lived in Yorkshire since then. Carol worked in a doctor’s office in Arcade until their oldest son, Mike, was born in 1963. They have two other children, Sue Dressel and Pete Boldt; five grandchildren-Steven, Rachel, Kara, Alyssa, and Megan; and one great-grandson- Blake Boldt.
Al and Carol joined Hope in 1965. Carol’s responsibilities at Hope include working on worship bulletins and the newsletter, tracking “official acts,” Nursery School finances, and general office work. She has been the treasurer of the Pioneer Association of Churches in 1993. Al and Carol’s favorite thing to do is help their kids with projects-especially babysitting grandchildren. Carol’s hobbies include quilting and genealogy.
Margie Rung
Administrator
Margie Rung has worked as secretary and bookkeeper at Hope since 2000. Previously, she worked as a bank secretary for 14 years. She has been married to her husband, Gary, for 31 years and they have two children and a Siberian Husky, named Angel. Matthew is a senior at SUNY Brockport where he is getting his Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science. Jessica is a senior at Pioneer High School and plans to go to Alfred State for Vet Tech, and then plans to continue on to become a veterinarian. In her spare time she likes to read, cross-stitch and do jigsaw puzzles.
