In this season of Easter joy, we give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.

• The congregation extends heartfelt thanks to Sue and Doug Kelcey and Vickie Giese for organizing a wonderful Easter egg hunt for our children. The joy and excitement of the kids were a gift to witness, and we are grateful for the care and effort that made this special time possible.
• We also give thanks to Kristi, the members of the chorus, and especially Blake for the beautiful music shared during our Easter service. The choral performances were truly inspiring, and the voices of both our choir and guest vocalists filled the sanctuary with a depth and richness that lifted our hearts in worship.
• We are grateful for the musicians who enriched our Holy Week services. On Good Friday, Megan Riddle offered a moving presence on the snare drum. On Easter Sunday, we were blessed by Jeff DeMaagd and Andrew Golden on trumpet, Allison Whiddon on horn, Meggan Hinds on trombone, and Jose Perez on tuba. Their gifts added beauty and power to our worship as we celebrated the risen Christ.

We give thanks for each person who shares their gifts so faithfully, helping us experience the joy and presence of Christ together.

Hallelujah! He is risen!

I am still smiling and quietly humming the songs from Easter morning. What a beautiful time of worship and fellowship! With 100 people in attendance, we truly raised the roof in praise. Thank you for being part of it—whether you joined us in person, online, or in prayer and spirit. I am deeply humbled by your love and support.

I am also filled with joy and gratitude that I will spend the next few years with you in this sacred space. It is a true blessing, and I promise to work diligently so that you feel blessed as well. I encourage you to carry the hope of Sunday into Monday—and into every day that follows. God’s promise remains: we are never alone. The joy we experienced on Sunday is always available to us through our relationship with the risen Christ and with one another. Even now, I feel a current of holy energy when I reflect on this past weekend.

We do have a few important family matters to discuss. Because these decisions affect our entire congregation, I am calling a Family Business Meeting on April 26th, immediately following the morning service. We will share a meal together and then discuss recent developments and future plans.

A key focus will be the need for committee members and volunteers to support our ministries and outreach. I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and encouraging everyone to attend. If you are unable to join us in person but would like to participate, please email me at [email protected].

Let us come together for food, prayer, and honest, loving conversation about our church family. More details about lunch will be shared soon. In the meantime, please keep this meeting—and our church—in your prayers.

It was such a joy to welcome back Linda Anderson and Charlotte Holder this past Sunday. They have been missed, and it was wonderful to see them again. To all our visitors and those who join us from time to time, please know how much it means to see you as well.

I hold each of you in prayer, asking God to bless you with strength, wisdom, and health. We may not be a large congregation, but we are mighty in Christ, and God is moving among us in both seen and unseen ways. You won’t want to miss what God is doing at Saint Matthew.

If transportation is a concern, rides are available—just reach out, and we will be glad to arrange one for you. If you are unable to attend in person, you can worship with us online at saintmatthewumc.com by selecting “Videos.”

Please continue to keep Rev. Max and Jackie in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their dear friend, Rev. Harry C. Meisner, who passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Max shared that he is deeply grieving while also giving thanks for their 60-year friendship. There are no service plans yet, but I know he would be comforted by your prayers, messages, or cards. We will also have a card available this Sunday for everyone to sign.

There are many others on our prayer list who need our continued support. Let us remain faithful in praying for one another and in serving God with love and compassion.

With deep love and respect,

Mary

I am still taking in all that is happening in the life of our church. This is a meaningful and tender time for all of us, and I find myself holding it with both humility and gratitude. Being named your senior pastor is a blessing I do not take lightly. Over the past year, God has been at work in my life in a deeply transformative way, and you have been an important part of that journey. Your faithfulness and commitment to Saint Matthew have given me strength and encouragement along the way.

I am also deeply grateful for Rev. Mike Love and Susan Love. Their presence among us is a gift, and I trust that God has brought them here to walk with us during this season. As we continue forward, we do so while honoring the many years of faithful service that have shaped this church, and we give thanks for the life and ministry that have brought us to where we are today.

This is a time to move gently and faithfully. We will take our time, honoring what has been and preparing for what is to come. We trust that God is guiding us, even now, and that we are being led where we need to be.

As we look ahead to Easter, we will have Easter lily order forms available on Thursday and Friday for those who would like to honor or remember loved ones during this holy season.

When I think about being in ministry together, my heart is filled with joy. I am thankful to be walking this path with you, and I trust that God is not finished with us yet.

With love,

Mary

As I step into this new season with our church family, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for the foundation that has been laid by Rev. Max Brennan and the countless families of Saint Matthew United Methodist Church. Max’s departure marks the close of an extraordinary chapter, one built on steadfast devotion, gentle leadership, and a sincere love for God’s people. Clearly, this congregation has been shaped in meaningful ways by years of thoughtful teaching, compassionate care, and a ministry rooted in grace.

Although I am not new to Saint Matthew, this is a new experience for me and for you. Many things will not change in this new season. My love and respect for you will not change, except to grow stronger as we grow together in Christ. I have already walked with you through seasons of celebration and seasons of sorrow. The strength of this community, the deep sense of connection, and the spirit of hospitality I have witnessed are evidence of your love and respect for one another.

Stepping into this role is both humbling and inspiring. I do not come to replace Pastor Max. No one can ever replicate the unique calling, gifts, and experiences that shaped the ministry he offered over the years. Instead, I come to build upon that legacy, honoring what has been while walking with you into what God is preparing next.

Transitions are sacred moments. They invite us to look back with thankfulness and forward with expectancy. As we bless Pastor Max into his next adventure, we celebrate not an ending, but a new beginning, both for the pastor who has faithfully served and for this congregation that continues to grow, evolve, and seek God’s leading.

Someone said to me on Sunday, “It is difficult to carry grief in one hand and joy in the other.” That wise soul is correct, and living in the bittersweet is something this congregation has done together for decades. We are always in a season of birth and death, health and illness, crisis and peace. More importantly, we are always in the presence of God, who loves us without limit and walks with us through these transitions.

I am honored to join you in this next chapter. My hope is to listen well, to learn from the rich history of this community, and to serve with courage and humility. Together, we will continue the good work that God has started here, trusting that the seeds planted by Pastor Max will keep bearing fruit in the years to come.

Please join me in prayer as this new season of rest, renewal, and discovery begins. May it be filled with joy, peace, and the assurance that a lifetime of faithful ministry has made a lasting difference.

I look forward to walking this journey with each of you, and I am grateful for the privilege of being your pastor.