New York-Connecticut District

Superintendent

Rev. Elizabeth J. (Betsy) Ott

Betsy Ott is a member of the New York Annual Conference and serves as the superintendent of the New York/Connecticut District. A life-long Methodist, Rev. Ott grew up in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State and is the daughter and grand-daughter of Methodist clergy.

She attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. degree in sociology with a minor in religion from Excelsior College of the State University of New York. Betsy was awarded the M.Div., magna cum laude, from the Theological School of Drew University where she received several academic scholarships including the Georgia Harkness Scholarship and the Patterson Prize for excellence in Old Testament Studies. She received additional training in demographics, evangelism, preaching, Just Peace, conflict resolution, and boundaries and sexual ethics.

Before entering ministry Rev. Ott worked in various business and not for profit settings. An active community volunteer, Rev. Ott brings experience gained from participation on various committees and boards as a lay member within The United Methodist Church, for the PTA, and for a time as a member of a village Architectural and Historic Review Board.

Within the annual conference, Betsy has served on many district and conference committees and as the chair of the Boundaries and Sexual Ethics Committee, the budget chair of the Connectional Ministries Vision Table, and as the chair of the Evangelism Committee. She feels privileged to have mentored candidates for ministry seeking commissioning and ordination. Betsy served as pastor to the churches of Westbrookville, Trinity-Boscobel, Lake Ronkonkoma and Park Avenue before being appointed to the superintendency.