“Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37-39
Cristina Glover became the Administrative Assistant at HUMC in the Spring of 2017, and she continues to serve in that position. She was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and moved to Buffalo, NY, with her mother and older sister, Jenifer, when she was in Elementary School. Her first language is Spanish, and she is a Baptized member of Iglesias Cristiana Discipulos de Cristo in Puerto Rico. Upon arriving in the United States, her family attended various churches. These included those of the Spanish language, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist. Her family found meaning in the worship of many different congregations. Cristina and her older sister attended VBS at the Clevehill UMC every summer, close to their home.
Cristina began taking viola lessons at the age of 11. She played in the school orchestra throughout Middle and High School and still enjoys playing today. Among her many High School interests, Cristina was President of the Foreign Language Club. With the help of a School Advisor, she wrote a grant for a program called “The Friendship Circle.” This after-school program encouraged students to develop healthy emotional habits through creative writing and journaling. Students met and shared their creative poetry and writings without judgment. Cristina attended Niagara University, where she majored in English Literature. She was involved in the Yearbook Student Life Committee and sang as part of the Chapel Choir. She had a deep fascination with World Religion and graduated only two credits short of having a minor in Religious Studies.
Cristina lives in Buffalo with her husband, Ryan, their daughter, Phoebe, and two cats named Buddy and Molson.
Before working at HUMC, Cristina worked at the Western New York Chapter of The March of Dimes Foundation as a Market Specialist. She was responsible for coordinating and executing cost-effective fundraising events to meet the foundation’s fundraising objectives. When her branch merged with Syracuse and Albany during an organizational restructuring, all of the staff were laid off. Cristina is a longtime volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Western New York, where she serves as a Troop Leader, a Service Unit Team Leader, a Leadership Experience Coach, and a Product Program Specialist. She also serves as the President of the Parent Teacher Organization at the school where her daughter attends. She helps plan fundraisers, school dances, and social events to benefit the school’s foundation.
When free time allows, Cristina enjoys traveling, leisure reading, woodworking, photography, scrap booking, baking, cake decorating, sewing quilting as well as camping and hiking. She also has recently started recreating Bob Ross’ masterpieces by following along with his “Joy of Painting” videos. Cristina values her family greatly. She calls her grandparents at least every other week and visits her parents and brother often. Her two closest friends live out of the area, but she looks forward to seeing them whenever possible.
Thank you, Cristina, for your strong commitment to your Faith, Family, and HUMC
This article originally appeared in the January 2020 Circuit Writer, updated July 2023