04/12/2026
Friends, the following announcement regarding pastoral appointments was given at the end of all services today. We do apologize for cutting our livestream before it was made - we had services meeting later in the day that deserved the opportunity to hear this first hand.
The Staff Parish Relations Committee, in consultation with our District Superintendent, Kevin Burney, has decided to change the clergy position for River City to a half-time position, which will also have an increased focus on youth and young adult ministry.
We are beginning the process of hiring a new leader to continue the vision for River City, with the goal of having him or her in place by July 1. We are deeply grateful to Pastor Renee for her faithful and caring ministry over the past 5 years. Pastor Renee has made the decision to begin personal leave on July 1, as she discerns her next steps in ministry.
Pastor Maikel will be taking a full-time appointment at Buechel UMC. Maikel has been serving part-time with us and part-time with Buechel, but needs to be full-time at one church. We are excited for him as the ministry at Buechel grows and he pursues ordination as a Full-elder in the Kentucky Annual Conference. Pastor Maikel will also be serving as the Hispanic Ministries Coordinator for the Kentucky Annual Conference. We are also thankful for Pastor Maikel and his dedicated service to our church since 2017. We will be receiving an appointment for a new part-time Hispanic pastor.
Both Pastor Renee’s and Pastor Maikel’s last Sunday will be June 21. Finally, we are grateful that Pastor Adam will continue to be appointed as Senior Pastor at St. Matthews United Methodist Church and will be beginning his 10th year as our pastor in July.
Additionally, our Bishop and Cabinet have invited Pastor Adam to serve in a new role as a District New Church Development Cultivator. This is a part-time role that will allow Pastor Adam to remain rooted in the life and ministry of our local congregation while also helping guide conference-wide efforts to form new faith communities and strengthen discipleship across the conference.
We ask for your prayers for Pastor Renee, Patrick, and the River City congregation during this transition. We also ask for your prayers for Pastor Maikel, Lily, their family, and the TDA congregation. Pastor Renee and Pastor Maikel have led our congregation with love, passion, and excellence during a season of major transition. We know you will want to bless and support them during their final months with us. We hope to make announcements about incoming leaders for both of these positions beginning in May and details will be forthcoming about opportunities to celebrate both Pastor Renee and Pastor Maikel, as well as the leaders who will follow them.
