Rev. Julie S. Kolacz is a native of Venango County where she started her journey as disciple of Jesus Christ at the age of eight by attending Sunday school and church in Pleasantville. Pastor Julie graduated from Grove City College where she majored in psychology and religion. She holds a M.S. in community counseling from Georgia State University and a M.Div. in pastoral counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Her ministry with the UMC first began in 1999 when she was hired as a director of Christian education.  Shortly thereafter, she was a director of youth ministry.  She has pastored local churches since 2005 primarily in rural communities and most recently in Oil City, PA.  Julie has ten years of experience serving as a part-time chaplain at Meadville Medical Center (extension ministry).  She has worked as a mental health therapist in various community settings. Pastor Julie was ordained as an elder in 2016.

Julie’s passion in ministry is bringing healing and wholeness to the body of Christ through preaching, teaching, pastoral counseling, and discipleship. In her free time, she enjoys natural beauty and recreational activities – hiking, cycling, kayaking, and physical fitness.

Julie has a son, John Stephen, a cadet in training at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.  Additionally, there is Bandit, her Shih Tzu canine companion.

Julie is currently serving Blacklick Community UMC.