A Joy and a Concern:
This news has been shared gradually among the congregation. It was shared with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee,
with the Strategic Planning Committee, with the Church Council, and recently, with the Charge Conference to which the whole congregation was invited.
The decision has been brewing in my mind, and (as is required) I informed the Bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry in
late October. But I have not, until now, put it in writing where the whole congregation will see it.
I will be retiring from active pastoral ministry as of June 30, 2024. I will be 66.5 years old, the age at which someone
from my birth year attains full retirement age for Social Security. Although I will have only been at Kenmore UMC for three
years, I have been a pastor for 38 years. It has been my great honor to have served 8 charges containing 10 churches
in 9 counties in western New York. Some were long appointments (10, 9, and 7 years), and some short (2 years as a
student pastor, a 1-year interim, and three 3-year appointments). I am glad to say that in none of the charges did the
local church ask me to leave (although undoubtedly some folks were glad to see me go.) I have also been the spouse
of a pastor (and District Superintendent, and seminary Dean) for 42 years.
We do not yet know, and it may be several weeks into 2024 before we do know, who will succeed me as the Lead
Pastor of Kenmore UMC. Please pray for Bishop Hector Burgos Nunez, District Superintendent Carlos Rosa-Laguer,
and the Bishop’s Cabinet (the 6 District Superintendents) as they consider the needs and desires of Kenmore UMC for pastoral leadership.
Please pray for Cathy and me as we seek a place to make a home in the Buffalo area.
And as you always have, please pray for the ministry of Kenmore UMC.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Matt Stengel
