Rev Michael McNamara
About Me
Greetings! I am a Presbyterian Pastor who offers Spiritual Direction as well as group instruction on Meditation and Contemplative Awareness. I believe contemplative practice nurtures healthier relationships (of all kinds) and that healthier relationships are the foundational to forming just communities. I am firmly rooted in the Christian Tradition but open to working with folks of all spiritual persuasions. I have been a “parish” pastor for a total of 12 years and currently serve a congregation in Victor, NY. Professionally speaking I am also a Biology Teacher (certified by New York State), although at the moment I am a full time Pastor.
I am most interested in helping the spiritually curious find deeper connection with the Divine in whatever way they experience that sense of the “greater than self”. To me, spirituality is all about our interconnectedness, the glue that binds us together. When we take time to strengthen and deepen our Spiritual health, we are not only helping ourselves, but ultimately we are helping the various communities we participate in.
My personal spiritual journey became one of significant transformation after a divorce. In the aftermath, wrecked with the guilt of a failed relationship that resulted in me not being there full time for my two boys, I left pastoral ministry and for a time the Church, a career I had had for 8 years at that point.
In the searching that followed, I eventually found my way to receiving communion for the first time in roughly two years. Receiving the elements led to the overwhelming experience of being loved and accepted despite all my faults. I wept. Since then I have embraced the forgiving and deeply loving nature of the divine, something that is present even when we can not forgive or love ourselves.
Being single for the first time in nearly a decade also gave me insight into the ways the traditional Christian Church structures were not serving the spiritual needs of younger people. The Church had become disconnected from the reality of so many people and had very little to say to the real life challenges so many facing.
It would easy to say my goal was to do church differently, in a new way, but in reality I realized it was more about returning church life to attending to the spiritual needs of the community, fostering a community committed to nurturing spiritual growth and healthier just relationships.
I also realized that not all people are able to do that sort of work in a church setting, and also made a commitment to serve anyone seeking spiritual deeming regardless of religious affiliation or lack of it.
If you have a sense that there is something deeper within you that you need to connect with, reach out and I would be honored to work with you to define a spiritual discipline that works for you, that you can do, not just something you “should” do. I come to spiritual direction with a wealth of practices that have stood the test of time and that can be adjusted to your spiritual strengths and needs.
Even if you do not feel a desire to engage in Spiritual Direction or Guided Silent Meditation I hope you find something in the midst of this website that speaks to you and aids you on your own journey.
Credentials
Education
Master of Education 2022
Roberts Wesylan University
7-12 Biology Education and Special Education
thesis: Literacy in High School Science Education
Master of Divinity 2008
Union Theological Seminary in New York City
thesis: Christianity and Environmentalism
Bachelors of Arts 2001
Ithaca College
Environmental Studies
concentration: Environmental Thought
minor: Philosophy
Certifications
7-12 Biology & 7-12 Special Education
New York State - 2023
Leading Silent Group Mediation and Silent Retreats
Shalem Institute - 2020
Final Paper: Rock Climbing as Community and Spiritual Practice
Minister of Word and Sacrament
Presbyterian Church USA - 2012