Pastor Jim Winkler’s Retirement Message

From the beginning, Lynelle and I have deeply cherished our experience here at PUMC. You have welcomed us, blessed us, and helped us feel right at home. Painesville UMC has excellent leadership in all key areas with a dedicated cadre of staff and volunteers who serve with faith, commitment, and love, helping to keep things running smoothly and working cohesively. From worship to mission projects to community connections, this church has so much to offer!

Think about it. This vital church is blessed with wonderful worship and music ministries, hospitality, our Concert Series, many mission projects, fellowship events, Discipleship classes, prayer ministries, the Food Pantry, Stitchers, GriefShare, Coffee Wagon Ministry, 12 Step groups, and our connection with the Tabernaculo de Painesville. And we paid 100% of our apportionments for three years in a row! Yes – we are blessed to be a blessing to others!

Visionary leadership has brought focus as we plan for a future with hope. How will we reach out to more people, younger people, and more diverse people? We will do so by faith, through prayer, with access to resources beyond our walls, with strategic planning that looks to the future, and that Wesleyan emphasis upon faith and  work to accomplish God’s purposes. Remember ora et labora – pray and work! We have a ten-year facilities plan developed by our Board of Trustees. We are developing a ten-year plan for mission and ministry. How can we reach out with hospitality to all in the name of Jesus?

 With wisdom and insight from his cabinet, Bishop Hee Soo Jung has appointed an experienced, dedicated pastor who is well-known to this congregation. Rev. Edgar Brady, with Bertha at his side, can provide the necessary pastoral leadership to help us live into a vital, visionary future with hope. The appointment of Rev. Brady inspires me as we have been friends and colleagues for years. I am grateful for the discernment  of the bishop and cabinet in sending Rev. Brady and Bertha to serve the Lord here at Painesville UMC!

 In this time of transition, I invite all of us to be in prayer (ora!) as together we do the work (et labora!) of preparing for a vital future with hope.  Lynelle and I will cherish our remaining time in partnership and ministry with you. Then, following our transition next summer, the best way you can say “Thank You!” to Lynelle and me will be your continued diligence in doing the work of our Lord here at PUMC!  May God continue to bless the mission and ministry of this beloved church!

Best of All Is God Is with Us!

Rev. Jim and Lynelle Winkler

Pastor Jim Winkler will retire effective July 1, 2025.  Reverend Edgar Brady has been appointed to begin on the same date. 

Welcome Rev. Edgar Brady!

We’re looking forward to welcoming Reverend Edgar Brady as Pastor of the Painesville United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2025.   During this time of transition, the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church has provided us with the below training materials that will help us engage in meaningful conversation. Info Below:

 www.ohioumc.myabsorb.com 

1. Create a login at the “Sign Up” prompt

2. Use the magnifying glass icon – enter the phrase: Rule of Christ

3. Click on the training. It is composed of 7 units, totaling 56 minutes

UMC – Recommended Bible Study: A small group study of Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Ministry for  Congregations. Click Here for PDF.