2023 Retirements

I’m not him – you got me confused with some other guy." 

Like Jonah, who needed to be surrounded by folks who would toss him overboard so he would “dive” into his call, I too, with encouragement of friends, mentors, and family, dove deeper into my call. Like Jonah, in the fish’s belly, I have known the dark night of the soul, and like Jonah, I too have come out on the other side humbled/chastened/loved (hopefully, not too odorous) and ready to serve. Like Jonah, I have been a prophet

about the need for change, and like Jonah I have, as often as not, been a reluctant prophet.

Briefly, I want to thank my lovely wife Sherri, our sons, Ben, Tom and Sam, my parents, my family of origin and extended family. I wish to thank the congregations I served: Stevensville, 1990 - 1993; Bridgman: Faith from 1993 - 2000, New Buffalo: First (later Water’s Edge) from 1993 -2017 and Holland: First from 2017 – 2023. And not least of all, to all the people with whom I have shared this strange journey called ministry – some clergy, many laity – all of you have been a blessing. Thank you, it’s been a slice.

Finally, there’s this. Through it all, God was there. In the good times, God was there. In the challenging times, God was there. Just like Jonah, even when I couldn’t feel it, God was there. God is always there…

Bradley S. Bartelmay [(FE) FL 1990; D 1996; FE 2002]
1990 Stevensville (Assoc); 1993 New Buffalo, Bridgman: Faith; 2000 New Buffalo: Water’s Edge (name change 2012); 2017 Holland: First

others challenging.

I was fortunate to play a part in a dozen people following their call into full time pastoral or lay ministry. I was honored to provide instruction on preaching and worship to beginning pastors through the License to Preach School. I enjoyed years as a camp counselor and dean with high schoolers at Lake Louise and mini-campers at Kinawind. At each congregation we built or remodeled, we added art and visuals, and used creativity to enhance worship. 

Beyond the   local church I served at district and conference levels.

I am grateful to God and the people of each congregation for these opportunities to assist people in connecting with God, deepening their faith, and finding ways to put their faith in action to make a difference.

Early on, more experienced leaders offered me opportunities to serve and lead within the conference. I am now ready to confidently turn over spiritual leadership to so many excellent younger clergy colleagues.

Experience taught me: when transporting someone unstable, use child-lock doors; don’t experiment with new communion bread on Easter; turn off your mic before blowing your nose; use suspenders with a Santa costume; have fun and laugh at yourself; trust the next generation.

Richard W. Blunt [(FE) D 1985; FE 1998]
1986 Ogdensburg (Old Mission Peninsula); 1993 Manton; 1999 Reed City; 2008 Lowell: First; 2014 Okemos Community Church

Location for many years before coming back into ministry.  Thanks to our Bishop and that wonderful DS, Rev. Hice, I have served at a church I consider the cream of the crop—Linden UMC, in Linden, MI. 

Four years after going on Honorable Location God took me 

into an area where the growth that was truly needed took place.  For 13 years I have served at one of the very best hospices in the State of Michigan: Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice as a Spiritual/Emotional Care Advisor.  These 13 years taught me many valuable things about myself and working with all types of people…it’s made me into a much, much better pastor. 

I look forward to spending more time with my four children, their spouses (my bonus children) and our 7 grandchildren.  I also look forward to continued service for Christ at Linden UMC as their pastor.  Again, special thanks to Bishop Bard and Rev. John Hice who believed in me, and my ministry potential.

Robert J. Easlick [(HL) P 1986; F 1989; HL 2004]
1987 Calumet, Mohawk-Ahmeek; 1990 Laingsburg, Middlebury; 1993 Whitemore Lake: Wesley; 2001 incapacity leave; 2002 Blissfield: Emmanuel; 2004 Honorable Location; 2020 Linden (ad interim)

envisioned with great anticipation the day when that would be me. I have felt similar emotions in recent years while watching many of my contemporaries retire. Nevertheless, as I prepare to soon join them, the realization of this graduation into perpetual senior status has a strangely different feel to it.

Beginning with my first clergy appointment in 1984, I pledged two things that I have continued at every stop along the journey.

• Pledge #1: I promise to give the best I have to offer from the first day of my appointment through my last.

In these waning moments of active service, I have tried to hold true to this promise, regardless of circumstance and/or the level of realized accomplishment. At the end of the day, I am confident I will ultimately achieve the first of these two pledges, whatever the final grade may turn out to be. My family, colleagues, congregants, and friends have been instrumental in this endeavor along every ministry setting, for which I am ever grateful.

• Pledge #2: After I retire, I plan to sink into oblivion.

Regardless of how easy or difficult the first pledge has proven to be over several decades; I have no doubt I will successfully achieve this second pledge in glorious fashion. Until we meet again…. God bless you.

Donald J. Emmert [(FE) P 1983; F 1986]
1984 Ontonagon, Greenland, Rockland; 1990 Pinconning; 1995 New Baltimore: Grace; 2000 North Central Macomb Regional Ministry: Mt. Vernon (assoc); 2001 Treasurer’s Office Staff; 2003 Conference Benefits Administrator (¾), Associate Treasurer (¼); 2006 Conference Benefits Officer; 2017 Michigan Area Benefits Officer; 2018 Director of Benefits and Human Resources; 2020 Director of Benefits and Human Resources and interim Director of Admin Services and Conference Treasurer; 2022 Director of Benefits and Human Resources   

are too many to mention within the denomination and beyond, THANK YOU!  My husband, Tom and my mother, Anne are no longer with me, yet each of their unconditional love and support were God’s beacon of light to me in so many ways for so many years.

I’m uncertain where my next chapter in life will take me. But I do know that I want to continue to be a disciple of Christ and to continue doing God’s work (after a short rest period) in whatever ways the Holy Spirit leads me. So I’ll be keeping my ears open for that “still small voice,” and my eyes and heart open to people and circumstances that God will certainly bring into my life.

May God’s blessings be abundant in all of yours lives, Rev. Patricia a Haas

¹² I know there is nothing better for us than to be joyful and to do good throughout our lives; ¹³ to eat and drink and see the good in all of our hard work is a gift from God.  Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (VOICE)

Patricia A. Haas [(FE) PL 2003; PE 2011; FE 2014]
2003 Pokagon; 2011 Keswick  

Breedsville and Townline United Methodist Churches. On July 1, 2008, I received the appointment to both churches as a Licensed Local Pastor. July 1, 2014 I became the pastor of Riverside United Methodist church where I remain. Leaving a job making over $80,000.00 annually for $100.00 weekly seemed foolish to many people. My calling was a spiritual calling. A calling where I trusted God and never looked back. Oh! God is good, all the time and all the time God is good.

The greatest attribute for serving all churches is serving God’s people. Being a servant of God’s people is the greatest honor that I have had. Serving people is what has given me the strength to remain strong, at heart, in pastoral ministry.  

My greatest sadness is losing my partner in ministry…my beautiful wife Linda Haase. She has been my strength. Rest well Linda.

God loves you and so do I!

David L. Haase [(PL) PL 2008]
2008 Townline (PTLP ¼) and Breedsville (PTLP ¼); 2014 Riverside (PTLP ¼) and Coloma (Assoc) (PTLP ¼); 2016 Riverside) PTLP ¼)

back to faith made by Laura, my young love who was to become my wife. From then, Christ Jesus became my center of and my vision. God continued to shape me through my discernment and acceptance of the call and my journey through the decades. I am a child of the Detroit Conference, nurtured in the womb of Dearborn: First Methodist. Their confirmation of the outward call in 1975 was an act of grace and hope. My theological and pastoral skills were sharpened by gifted faculty and students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Deacon’s Ordination under the hand of Bishop Loder in 1976 was a moment of empowerment. Elder’s Ordination by the hand of Bishop Ammons impressed on me a weight of responsibility which I have ever felt. Appointments to Kalamazoo: Millwood, Hartford, Traverse City: Asbury, Grand Rapids District Superintendency, Northville: First, Royal Oak: First, and Crossroads/East Winds District Superintendency have each been valuable gifts forming my spirit. It has been a joy to serve, an incredible honor.

I look forward to more time with Laura, who has been my confidant, consultant, and partner throughout this ministry journey. Retirement will not mark the end of ministry but be an easing in life’s tempo and a turning to more specific expressions of ministry.

John H. Hice [(FE) P 1976; F 1980 W.MI]
1977 Kalamazoo: Millwood (Assoc); 1978 trans. to W.MI conf; 1979 Hartford; 1987 Traverse City: Asbury; 1995 Grand Rapids District Superintendent; 2000 trans. to Detroit Conference, Northville: First; 2008 Royal Oak: First; 2016 Crossroads District Superintendent; 2019 East Winds District Superintendent 

I cannot do better than Mary Oliver’s closing lines from “In Blackwater Woods,” as I think toward this retiring, this jubilation -

To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.

Christopher Lane [(FE) D 1982; FE 1988] 1986 Transferred from Holston Conf; 1986 Winn, Blanchard-Pine River, Coomer; 1990 Muskegon: Crestwood; 1995 Grand Rapids: Genesis (Co-Pastor); 2007 Martin, Shelbyville; 2009 Traverse City: Central (Assoc); 2021 Traverse City: Central (Senior)  

Madison, N.J., in 1983. The church was in the South Bronx in the neighborhood I grew up in. It was hard convincing my family that it was not a “special Appointment.” I received my Deacons Orders in 1982, and I was off to Central UMC in Detroit, where I served as an associate minister for two years. I received my Elders orders in 1986 and went back to Harlem, NYC, where I served until I was appointed to John Wesley UMC in Detroit in 1989.  In 1992 I was appointed to Peoples UMC. Where I served for ten years.  I was appointed to serve St. Timothy UMC in 2003, where I had a stroke and consequently lost my voice in 2012. I went out on disability for nearly a year before being appointed to the last church I would serve in active Ministry, St. John UMC: Pontiac, where I will serve until July 1, 2023. In many ways, the United Methodist Church was a bridge over troubled waters in my life. I will always be eternally grateful to the Lay and Clergy members for helping me grow in God’s Grace through the experiences I was afforded throughout my forty-year Ministry. All glory and honor go to God, whom we know through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Lester Mangum [(FE) P NY, 1983; F 1986]
1983 New York City: Willis Avenue; 1985 Transfer to Detroit Conf, Detroit: Central (assoc); 1986 Director, Young Adult Housing Project of Metropolitan Community Church, NYC (NY Conf, par. 425.1); 1988 Detroit Human Services; 1989 River Rouge: John Wesley; 1992 Detroit: People’s; 2003 Detroit: St. Timothy, West Outer Drive; 2005 Detroit: St. Timothy; 2012 medical leave; 2013 Pontiac: St. John

daughter-in-law who are happy and healthy. And we all know Jesus personally. And I’m looking forward to spending more time with our eight grandchildren. God is good!

I’m blessed to have mentors who care enough about me, to be honest, and direct. And parents who did the same. Most of all, I’m blessed that God chose and anointed me to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

I spent 25 years working in an industry that knew no limits. My career took me around the world several times, and I met people from more countries than I can remember. Yet, all this was nothing more than preparation for ministry with a community in peril. Supported by a small, faithful congregation that doesn’t accept limits.

One of my daughters heard my first sermon. “It’s not fair,” she said to me afterward. “You had a successful career before giving up everything to serve God. Can’t I have my career first?” Responding with words that only the Spirit could know, I replied, “Of course. I didn’t find true joy until I gave in to God’s will for me. You can wait as long as you want.”

Tommy L. McDoniel [(FL) FL 2010]
2010 Flint: Asbury

and Gagetown United Methodist Churches in 1991.  Appointments to Kochville UMC in Saginaw, Birmingham First UMC, St. Luke’s UMC in Rochester Hills and Midland First UMC followed in the years 1991-2019.   In 2006, I completed a DMin in psychotherapy/pastoral counseling and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and certified in Extension Ministry as a Pastoral Counselor.  As an extension minister, I served as the founding Executive Director and Pastoral Counselor/therapist at Fresh Aire Samaritan Counseling Center from 2009-2020 and as Pastoral Counselor of Inner Life Transformations Counseling Center from 2021-2023. 

From an early age, I felt that my life was not my own…that I was being called to something even though I didn’t know what.  During that time, I read this quote: “Our life is a gift from God, what we do with that life is our gift to God.”  Faithfully claiming and living this statement is what has guided my life and my ministry for the past 30 years.  I am grateful for the Community (individuals within the denomination and beyond) that have helped to foster deep personal/spiritual growth and transformation in my own life over the years as I sought to engage more deeply in the discovery, claiming and sharing of this gift.  I pray that the sharing of my life through my gifts, skills, and self through personal relationship has helped to foster similar growth and transformation for others!

Lisa M. (McIlvenna) Semmler [(FE) P 1990; FE 1993]
1991 Owendale, Gagetown; 1995 Saginaw: Kochville; 1999 Birmingham: First (assoc); 2004 Rochester Hills: St. Luke’s; 2008 Samaritan Counseling Center Southeast Michigan (¶344.1d); 2010 Midland: First (assoc) (½); 2011 Midland: First (assoc) (½) and Clinical Director/Pastoral Therapist, Fresh Aire Samaritan Counseling Center (½); 2021 Transitional Leave; 2021 Inner Life Transformations Counseling and Coaching Center, Pembroke Pines, FL (¶344.1b,c)

earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD.  
~Jeremiah 29:11-13a, NLT

These words spoken to the prophet Jeremiah are the ones that have sustained me throughout my life and ministry. It has been a wonderful journey--from my very first appointment as a part-time Local Pastor at Saugatuck United Methodist Church, then on to Ganges and Glenn, Lake City (my first full-time appointment as an Associate Member), to my final appointment at Evart/ Sears/ Avondale United Methodist Churches. Each of these congregations have poured into my life and enriched my ministry. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with people I would never had the privilege of encountering if I had not said “Yes” when God called me into the ministry process in 1999. Gary and I have been blessed to serve these communities and each have left a heart print on us. We are looking forward to what God has in store for us next as we retire to the home we are having built in Southern Indiana (we are especially looking forward to milder winters than those in Northern Michigan!).

Jean M. Smith [(AM) FL 2002; PL 2003; FL 2006; PL 2009; AM 2010]
2001 Saugatuck; 2005 Saugatuck, Ganges; 2005 Ganges, Glenn; 2010 Lake City; 2019 Evart, Sears; 2021 Evart, Sears, Avondale

in youth ministry, then mission work, and then in camping ministry. The journey began as a youth pastor in Fayetteville, North Carolina at Haymount UMC in 1984. Years later, with the counsel of Dr. John Bergland, I finally gave in and went to Duke Divinity School in 1992. I served at Resurrection, Hopewell, and Avery Parrish. After ordination I began my ministry in Michigan in downtown Detroit at Metropolitan with Dr. Bill Quick, but also ended up serving in small towns along the way as well. 

I’d like to share some lessons that God taught me along the way. In each and every stop I found the most important thing was to show the community how much you care. I also found that the way to show it was different in each stop. I worked hard to develop my strengths in ministry, but ironically, I have found that God used the broken parts more than my strengths. I wish I had won fewer arguments and debates; and made and strengthened more relationships. Remember, your spouse is called to ministry too. They have been with you and supportive through it all. If they say you’re wrong, realize that it’s true and move on, they’ll never steer you wrong. Thankfully Christ has been with us through it all.

Reed P. Swanson [(FE) P 1995; F 1998]
1995 Detroit: Metropolitan (assoc); 1998 Richmond: First; 2004 Tawas; 2008 Clarkston (assoc); 2010 Stony Creek; 2017 Frankenmuth; 2018 Crystal Falls: Christ, Amasa: Grace (½); 2018 Pickney: Arise

she remembers me lining up my dolls and stuffed animals to preach to them.  Then I took a round cookie cutter and made a host.  I then proceeded to take one of her best goblets to be my Communion chalice, which after a few uses I broke!  So, she was not surprised when her former Catholic daughter found herself led by God to a denomination where women could become pastors!

I appreciate deeply the two seminaries, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston IL USA) and Trinity Theological College {Singapore} for giving me a foundation upon which to create ministry.  I am grateful to the six Michigan congregations with whom I have shared ministry.  Most of all, my husband John VanOudheusden and my three children Kara Lewis, Harrison Rider and the late Jon Rider gave me their support in all the joys and pressures of clergy life.  I could not have done it without them – and God’s amazing grace!

Surgeon VanOudheusden [(FE) D 1994; FE 2005]
1996 Family Leave; 2002 Marcellus; 2007 Jackson Trinity/Parma; 2012 Evart; 2017 Evart, Sears; 2019 Monroe: St. Paul’s

In September of that year, I received a call from the Port Huron District Superintendent to fill the pulpit for two churches that were to have a halftime pastor.

In December of that year, DS was unable to find a halftime Pastor. The SPRC asked if I could be their Pastor. I gladly accepted and have served many churches since.

Donald L. Wojewski [(FL) FL 2005]
2004 Memphis: First, Lamb; 2005 Omo: Zion; 2005 Rose City: Trinity, Churchill; 2008 Rose City: Trinity (½); 2008 Rose City: Trinity, Glennie; 2011 Standish: Community, Saganing Indian Church; 2012 Jeddo, Buel; 2013 Avoca, Jeddo, Ruby; 2018 Jeddo, Avoca; Caseville; 2020 Caseville (60%), Hayes (40%)

town or a resort village church, there has been a place for my skills and gifts (including my “growing edges”) to help others find their stories in God’s story, the story of grace.

Each of you in this Michigan Conference (commissioned and ordained in the Detroit Conference 2005/2008) have shaped my understanding of ministry.  One of my greatest joys is the work I was given on several District Committees on Ordained Ministry, hearing a call to ministry, and affirming that call, supporting candidates and licensed local pastors, and celebrating each one’s growth in pastoral formation and as disciples of Christ.

The mentors and colleagues ready to listen and challenge, the opportunities to learn new skills, and the support of superintendents and bishops found in this Michigan Conference have sustained me and helped me to thrive in ministry. 

Thriving, living into the fullness of the image of God, not just surviving, has kept my head above water (literally, having survived and recovered with a whole community after the worst national disaster of 2014).  Then follow that with a 3-year intensive in adaptive leadership through a pandemic.  Without those who have served before me and those who serve with me, I would not have known the gifts of perseverance, determination, and compassion needed to keep serving those God loves.  I am forever grateful. 

Susan M. Youmans [(FE) PE 2005; FE 2008]
2005 Caring Covenant Group Ministry: Davison (assoc); 2008 Farmington: Nardin Park (assoc); 2012 Warren: First; 2018 Lexington