Clergy in the United Methodist Church are “itinerate”; they are appointed to a local church for a season. Earlier this year, we bid a difficult goodbye to Pastor Jim Bolton. But we have now reached the time where a new “chapter” will begin under the leadership of our new pastor, Rev. Mike Chapman.
The Chapmans have arrived in Pitman! Soon, we will celebrate their arrival to PUMC and we’ll kick off our ministry together with them.
A Bittersweet Transition…
In January 2024, District Superintendent Rev. Glenn Conaway called a special meeting with our Staff-Parish Relationship Committee. Rev. Conaway announced that our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton, was not going to be reappointed to our church. Pastors in the United Methodist Church are appointed to a local church on a year to year basis, and most serve somewhere between 5-10 years. Pastor Jim had been with us for 10 years.
It was a difficult meeting.
But, several weeks later, Rev. Conaway called another meeting to introduce our new pastor, Rev. Mike Chapman. Pastor Mike and his wife Jackie made a big impression on the committee, and we began to look forward to serving Christ under their leadership and inspiration.
It was a joyful meeting!
Pastoral appointments in the UM Church begin on July 1. When a change is made, typically the “outgoing” pastor shares his/her last Sunday with their church at the end of June and then takes a 2-week vacation to work through the transition.
At the end of June, Pastor Mike and his family said goodbye to their churches in Dennisville and Tuckahoe, and then moved into our parsonage. On Sunday July 7, we will worship together with the Chapmans for the first time.
It will be a time of celebration and hope!
Not Alone in Transition…
Due to family health issues, Pastor Jim decided to retire before his term was to end on June 30. His last Sunday with us was March 3. But we were not left alone. Rev. Glenn Conaway, our District Superintendent filled the gap. First he filled it personally, by joining with us in March (and June), and then he filled it by arranging tor guest speaker Rev. John Redkoles to worship with us. Lay speakers Jim Kier and Steve Crispin also helped to fill in. Pastor John led our worship during the months of April and May and then re-joined us at the end of June.
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- Rev. Glenn Conaway
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- Rev. John Redkoles
The Celebration is Ready!
Pastor Mike’s appointment officially begins on July 1, but his first Sunday with us will be on July 7. It’s going to be a big day! During the service, the Chapman family will be introduced, Pastor Mike will preach his first sermon at
PUMC, and then he’ll lead us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Then- after church, we’ll all get together for a big community-wide Barbeque! Hamburgers and Hot Dogs might have been the staple on July 4, but we’re sticking with them on July 7 too! As the kitchen grills cook the burgers and ‘dogs (and while the air conditioner keeps the Fellowship Hall comfortably cool!), we’ll gather together to enjoy a covered dish lunch. Besides the food, we’ll have a chance to celebrate the arrival of our new pastor and to meet Pastor Mike, Jackie, Micha, and Grace.
WHO: Anyone and Everyone!
WHAT: A BBQ Lunch to welcome the Chapmans to Pitman
WHEN: Sunday July 7, 11:30’ish (immediately after the 10:15 AM service)
WHERE: In the church Fellowship Hall
COST: None! (But if you can bring a “covered dish”, a signup form is available in the Narthex).
Welcome Chapmans!!!
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- The Signboard joins the Celebration
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- Jackie & Pastor Mike
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