PARCHMENT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

GOD WANTS TO DO GREAT THINGS THROUGH YOU!

ABOUT PARCHMENT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Parchment UMC is a United Methodist Congregation.

Jacob Kindleberger, city founder and himself a Methodist, believed that every town needed a church; so in 1924 he built the Community House, just a block from Kindleberger Park. This became the first home of the Parchment Methodist Church. 

 

From the very beginning we have always been an active, community-involved church.

 

Today we continue that community engagement through community events.

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WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Come as you are!

We welcome you, we love you,

and offer HOPE! 

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

We highly value our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

OUR HISTORY

SMALL BEGINNINGS

  1. Riverside Sunday School organized 1912
  2. Jacob Kindleberger founded and built the Community House in 1922
  3. Construction of new church begins in 1965, consecrated in 1966

  4. In 2006 an unknown arsonist set fire to the church, centered in the narthex. It caused tremendous damage, making it necessary to move worship service to the social hall of St. Ambrose Catholic Church.

    With Dan Minor as pastor, Eric Born as lay leader and Bob O’Boyle as church board chair, a building committee was formed, with Tim Lasher as the chair. The congregation voted to form a pledge program to fund the reconstruction and expansion of the building.

    The construction took two and a half years to complete. Besides restoring the damaged spaces of the church, other areas were added: gymnasium, choir room, bridal room, and storage areas.

    We lost many members during this time of disruption.

    The building was rededicated in 2008.

     

OUR STAFF

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Pastor

Joe Shaler

Pastor Joe comes to Parchment United Methodist after recently serving both Wayland and Dorr churches. Previously he was the pastor for Otsego United Methodist.

Sherry Parmater

Administrative Assistant

A native of Kalamazoo, Sherry spent most of her life in Montana and the West. She was a professional oboist and administrator of arts organizations.

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Julee Shelton

Music Director

Julee's background is in private piano teaching, public school music and choir K-12. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's in Music from Western Michigan University.

Music is a universal language and Julee's passion is connecting others through music to bring joy to their hearts and souls.

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Staff

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Sara Araujo Gutiérrez is a dedicated and passionate pianist with a rich educational background and performance history. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance at the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico in May 2020 and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Piano Performance at Western Michigan University.

Melanie Snell

Custodian

I have been the custodian at PUMC for close to twenty years. I am passionate about gardening. I like planning, planting, and even weeding. Watching my garden flourish gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

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Jim Pierce

Lay Leader

I was born and raised in upper Lower Michigan. I have been involved in a church most of my life. For 31 years, I was a civil servant for the State of Michigan. I am a trained servant of the people. I sing in the choir and also head of security. I read the scripture monthly and preach when called upon. I also preach monthly at a local retirement community and offer the scaraments to shut-ins as well as performing hospital visits.

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Sara Araujo

Keyboard

Sara Araujo Gutiérrez is a dedicated and passionate pianist with a rich educational background and performance history. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance at the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico in May 2020 and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Piano Performance at Western Michigan University, anticipated to complete in May 2024.

 She has served as a graduate assistant since 2022, providing instruction in Piano.

Her commitment to music is also showcased through extensive performance travel,

HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS