OUR CLERGY
Reverend Joseph Bash
Retired June 1998 - May 2022
Reverend Joseph Bash was born in Charleston, South Carolina but reared and educated in New Haven, CT. He graduated from James Hillhouse High School. Rev. Bash served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps (Honorable Discharged). He worked in the Aircraft Engine Industry (Pratt & Whitney) for thirty (30) years twenty (20) as a Foreman in Quality, retiring in 1993.
Reverend Bash has certificates of completion in Management, Labor Relations, and Communicating; Results and HIV/AIDs Seminars in both New Haven and Wallingford, CT. Studies at New Haven College, South Central Community College and has received a B.Th. from Boulden Seminary Wilmington, DE.
Since 1947, Reverend Bash has been an active member of St. Paul Union American Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME). He has served as a Church School Teacher and Superintendent; Usher Board; Choir/Chorus Member; Trustee Board; Steward Board; Organizer and Member of Prayer Ministry. In 1975 led by the Holy Spirit Reverend Bash pursued the ministry of Evangelism.
Reverend Bash was appointed a Local Preacher in 1989, ordained a Deacon in 1992 then an Elder in 1993. His Pastoral Assignments include Springfield Gardens, Queens; St. John UAME Church, Bronx, New York and St. Paul UAME Church, New Haven where he has served as Pastor from 1998 until 2022.
Rev. Bash is known for his evangelistic caring nature. In his youth he was voted Youth of the Month, City of New Haven. He continues to visit the sick and convalescent of both his membership and the community; has been a Facilitator for Grieved Persons of Deceased Members, and has served as a Member of Racial Imbalance Council of West Haven. He has served on various Conference committees, received a Certificate of Commendation from the West Haven Police Department, and numerous letters of appreciation from various community organizations and churches.
Reverend Bash has been married to Lila Flynn Bash for fifty (61) years and is the proud father of 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Additionally, they have raised twin nieces as their own daughters, since they were 13 months old.
Reverend Westin Robinson
Reverend Westin Robinson was ordained as a deacon in the UAME church in August 2020. A graduate of Boulden Seminary of Wilmington, Delaware (B.A. in Theology), she holds an Associate Degree in Theology also from Boulden Seminary in Wilmington, Delaware. She has certificates in Eschatology 1-3, Church Polity, Spiritual Leadership, Music Ministry Development, Christian Ethics, and Spiritual Growth and Maturity. She takes on going Pastor Leadership classes with Rev. Clegg of Rushing Rivers Gentle Streams.
Westin remembers fondly growing up in Western Ave Baptist church in Cambridge, Mass where she was Baptized at an early age by Rev. Doc. Frye. Her family moved back to New Haven Connecticut in her early teen years and became members of St. Paul U.A.M.E. Church. She left home at 15 years of age and embarked on a Journey that has shown her that even though she went through some difficult years just like the scripture says in Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future. That is what she constantly tries to give to others that are where she was, and that is hope and a future in Jesus.
Her favorite scripture is Psalm 34:1, “I will Bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continually be in my mouth.”
Rev Westin currently resides in New Haven, CT with her husband William, Sr. They have 4 children Wayne, Montese, William Jr., and their only girl Taylor, and they are Blessed with 6 beautiful Grandchildren.
Reverend Dr. Asa Cort
Rev. Dr. Asa Cort is a Deacon in the U.A.M.E. Church and joined the ministry in 2016. Prior to joining the U.A.M.E., Rev. Cort was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Cort is currently attending Boulden Seminary to earn his Bachelor’s of Theology. Asa earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Johnson & Wales University in Providence Rhode Island. He then earned his Master’s of Business Administration in Finance from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT and then earned his Doctorate of Business Administration in Finance from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. In addition to his ministry at St Paul, he currently works in Wealth Management and teaches Finance and Economics. Rev. Cort has a passion to teach the word of God and has a desire to teach stewardship and helping those with physical and mental disabilities.
Asa is married to his wife Jasmine Cort and have two children, Aubrie and Jacob and their dog Jackson.