Rev. Julie Songer Belman delights in her new appointment to Bethel UMC in Columbia! For the past four years Julie has pastored at First UMC Winnsboro. She previously served as Minister of Evangelism and Outreach at Shandon UMC in Columbia.
While Julie relishes the opportunity that leading a congregation like Bethel presents – setting a vision, preaching and teaching God’s Word, cultivating the mission of the church – her deepest passion is walking with people as they discover the depth of God’s love for them in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Julie grew up in Irmo, South Carolina and is an honor graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill. After college, she moved to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway. Following three years of leadership in her Manhattan church, Julie felt the call to ordained ministry. She graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.
Julie is certified in “Women and Theology” and traveled with the World Methodist Evangelism Institute to Chile and Paraguay, South America. Julie is passionate about connecting the Gospel story to the everyday lives of extraordinary disciples. She feels most joyful when serving others and sharing God’s love with all. Julie is excited to see what God has in store for Bethel Church and the Forest Acres community!
Julie enjoys performing in community theatre and spending time with her family. Her husband Travis is an avid tennis player and an executive with AT&T. They have been blessed with three children: a son James, and boy/girl twins Ray and Marlow.