Retirement Announcement
Matthews UMC Family & Friends,
Today in worship, Pastor Chuck announced his retirement as of June 30, 2025. The leadership Pastor Chuck has provided to Matthews UMC (MUMC) over these past nine years has driven our church through some of the most challenging in history and set a path for success for future generations. His passions around racial-bridge building, forging community partnerships, and striving to create a community as diverse and hospitable as God’s kingdom will leave an indelible mark on our nearly 150-year-old church. Under Pastor Chuck’s leadership, MUMC clearly carried out our mission to Reach, Teach, Praise & Serve while being guided by our vision, which is carved in granite in our Narthex, to become an all-inclusive Christian community which lifts high the Cross and shares the love of Jesus.
We are grateful beyond measure for the way that Chuck and Karen have faithfully served the ministries and families of MUMC and wish them all the best on this next season of time with grandchildren and family. Please mark your calendars for June 8 following the 11:00 service to celebrate Pastor Chuck and his 47 dedicated years of service to The United Methodist Church.
Since the early days of the Circuit Rider, United Methodist congregations are subject to a change in the appointed pastors from time to time. The appointment of the Senior Pastor as well as the appointment of the next Executive Pastor will be made by the Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference and his District Superintendents otherwise known as the “Cabinet”. Two retirements in the span of a few months provided the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) the unique opportunity to work alongside the Bishop and the District Superintendent Dan Pezet to provide input to the Bishop and Cabinet as to who we are as a church and the type of pastor that we believe would be well suited for this congregation. We, the SPRC, trust the United Methodist Church appointment process and believe that who is eventually announced as the appointed Senior Pastor will be precisely who Matthews United Methodist needs moving forward. In addition, the SPRC has likewise been afforded the opportunity to provide our input on who would be a good fit for the role of Executive Pastor to work alongside of the new Senior Pastor.
On April 27, 2025 at all three services the SPRC will announce the names of the to be appointed Senior Pastor as well as the newly to be appointed Executive Pastor. In addition, in another unique opportunity, you will have the occasion to meet and hear from our new pastors during the All-Church Gathering on April 28 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Please mark your calendars for this important time together! (Event will also be livestreamed & recorded.)
We are hope-filled for this next season at MUMC and feel that joy will be palpable around our pastoral appointments.
With joy and anticipation for this next season,
MUMC Staff Parish Relations Committee
*Stay tuned, details forthcoming for the retirement celebration on June 8!
