Called through the Upstate New York Synod - ELCA as an Associate in Ministry in November 2007, Patsy Glista serves as the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) Coordinator for upstate NY and is located at LutheranCare in Clinton, NY. She is retired from the American Red Cross where she served six years as Executive Director of the Utica Chapter. Throughout her 15+ years with Red Cross she served in various paid and volunteer leadership positions, both in NY and Michigan, including Deputy Executive Director, Emergency Services Director, and chair for the Central NY Blood Services committee. Prior to coming the Utica Chapter Patsy was employed as the Senior Nutrition Outreach Coordinator for the Oneida County Office for the Aging. She is a member of the LDR Biennial Conference planning committee; a long-time member of the Upstate NY Synod's older adult ministry committee, Christians in Action for Seniors Team (CAST), and secretary for her congregation's Women of the ELCA at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Utica.

Patsy holds a Bachelor's of Social Work degree from Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan; a certificate in Geriatric Pastoral Care from the Center for Aging, Religion, and Spirituality at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota; and a Certificate in Management from Utica College. She completed her theological coursework through Trinity Seminary's SELECT program and the Capital Region Theological Center. A strong believer in community collaboration, she also serves on various community boards and committees at local and regional levels.

Patsy, will work no more than half time including one day a week in the Syracuse Office doing financial oversight, helping us ask questions about and reshape operations, and providing staff for Synod Assembly. She will continue serving as chair of the Synod Assembly Planning Team as well as continue developing the LDR network throughout the synod. Patsy brings wonderful organizational as well as spiritual gifts. We're thankful for her willingness to serve during this transition time.

Patsy can be reached by phone at the Syracuse Synod office.