Meet Pastor Susan Joseph Rack

Rev. Susan Joseph Rack grew up as a Lutheran in Milwaukee, WI.  She graduated from St. Olaf College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Religion (with a minor in dance) after which she spent an extra semester of study at Birzeit University in Palestine and Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and various places in the eastern Mediterranean.  Susan graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Theology in Old Testament in 2021.  She served 3 summers as chaplain and curriculum writer for Johnsonburg Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center during her seminary years.  Susan is also a trained Domestic Violence Responder, a Non-Violent Communication practitioner and an authorized Enneagram teacher.

Susan was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament of the PCUSA the Sunday after 9/11, 2001 and began her pastoral ministry as an Associate Pastor for Education in Wilmington, DE.  In 2003 she became solo pastor of a small, impactful, out-of-the-box church in Martinsville, NJ, and discipled there for 17 years.  Susan became pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses in September 2022.  Her passion in ministry is curating spiritual growth experiences in both Christian and Interfaith worship, and retreat settings.  She has also been instrumental in building 2 outdoor labyrinths… to date.  All this is in service of fostering a spiritual foundation for Jesus-followers to be equipped for sustained social justice action.

Susan enjoys singing, hiking, gardening, and cooking and is a formidable Hand and Foot Canasta player.  She also enjoys live theater, opera and dance performance.  

She and her Reverend husband Paul Rack reside in Trumansburg Village. 

Music Director

Stan Stewart is a preacher’s kid who ended up being a church musician. Creating music for worship has been an anchor in his life. “I have witnessed the potential of music in congregations all over the world. I want the music we make to help us open a window to heaven on earth.”

While studying at Brite Divinity School (Fort Worth, Texas), Stan learned the pipe organ from Emmet Smith. His primary piano instructor in his adult years has been Jim Ridl. Though his singing and vocal ensemble work has many influences, he has been deeply influenced by the work of Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon.