2023 Ministry teams
Wellsville United Methodist Church
2023 Ministry Teams
Church Council (meets 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 7 pm)
Chair Clayton Otwell 913-832-6231
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Lay Member Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Alt. Lay Member Heather Otwell 913-269-3322
Pastor Parish Relations Heather Otwell 913-269-3322
Trustees, Chair Angie Miller 913-219-1287
Finance Walter Key 785-418-3350
Financial Secretary Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Treasurer Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Lay Leadership Kathy Symes 785-883-2128 or 913-669-6979
Worship Ministries Kristal Crist 913-683-1255
Mission Team Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Membership Susan Key 785-883-2049 or 785-229-2049
District Leadership Rep Carol Milroy 816-835-0997
Memorial Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Scholarship
Disaster/ Carol Milroy 785-242-3114
Local Church Rep
UMW Presidents Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Recording Secretary Sharon Hart 816-509-7259
Trustees (meets 3rd Thursday at 7:00 pm)
2023 2024 2025
Miriam Johnson Sandy Early Lyle Mills
Ginny Honomichl Sharon Hart
Angie Miller
Staff-Pastor-Parish Relations (meets as needed quarterly)
2023 2024 2025
Susan Key Paul Manny Harley Broers
Anita Anderson Heather Otwell
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Pastor Kathy Symes 785-883-2128 (office) or 913-669-6979 (cell)
Lay Member to Annual Conference Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Alternate Lay Member to Annual Conference Heather Otwell
Lay Leadership (Nominations)
Lyle Mills 785-248-1861
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Pastor Kathy Symes (Chair) 785-883-2128 or 913-669-6979
Finance (meets 2nd Wednesday at 6:00 pm)
Chair Walter Key 785-418-3350
Church Council Chair Clayton Otwell 913-832-6231
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Financial Secretary Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Treasurer Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
SPPR Rep. Beth Watson
Trustee Rep Angie Miller
Lay Member/Annual Conf. Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Congregation Rep. Sharon Savage
Congregation Rep. Lauren O’Dea
Membership
Chair Susan Key 785-883-2049 or 785-229-2049
Worship Ministries
Kristal Crist (Chair) 913-653-1255 Pastor Kathy (Co-chair) 913-669-6979
Angie Miller 913-219-1287 Mary Ball 785-883-2358
Carol Fleming 785-883-4121
Mission Team (meets 3rd Thursday of every month @ 6 pm)
Cindi Mills 785-248-1275 (chair) Sharon Hart 785-883-4152
Lyle Mills 785-248-1861 John Good 785-248-1087
Lisa Neis 785-312-4313 Ginny Honomichl 785-691-5298
Marilyn Poor 785-883-2529 Miriam Johnson 785-883-4076
Memorial & Scholarship (meets as needed)
Cindi Mills chair 785-248-1275 Heather Lawrenz 785-330-2481
Lenore Mauslein 928-486-6168 Gene Harris 785-883-4051
Anita Anderson 785-766-0526 Sandra Hausler 785-418-4778
Janet Broers 785-594-3738
Connection Crew
Janice Caruthers (chair)
Marilyn Poor 785-993-2529
The pastor is the administrative officer of the local church and therefore is an ex officio member of most committees (¶ 244.3, 2012 Book of Discipline). Ex officio members are members of a committee by virtue of their office, not because they were elected. Unless otherwise specified by the Book of Discipline, ex officio members have both voice and vote.
The exceptions, as directed by Judicial Council decision #500, are the board of trustees and the pastor-parish relations committee. The pastor is not an ex officio member of either.
Membership on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee is defined in Par. 266.2 of the Discipline and includes the restriction that "No staff member or immediate family member of a pastor or staff member may serve on the committee". Therefore the pastor is not a member.
Discipline Pars. 2519 and 2520 give specific instructions as to membership on and election to a local church Board of Trustees.
Since the pastor is not added to the Board of Trustees in the legislation defining membership we conclude that the pastor is not a voting member. As the church's administrative officer the pastor meets with the Board of Trustees but would be entitled to vote only if elected to the Board.
2023 Ministry Teams
Church Council (meets 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 7 pm)
Chair Clayton Otwell 913-832-6231
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Lay Member Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Alt. Lay Member Heather Otwell 913-269-3322
Pastor Parish Relations Heather Otwell 913-269-3322
Trustees, Chair Angie Miller 913-219-1287
Finance Walter Key 785-418-3350
Financial Secretary Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Treasurer Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Lay Leadership Kathy Symes 785-883-2128 or 913-669-6979
Worship Ministries Kristal Crist 913-683-1255
Mission Team Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Membership Susan Key 785-883-2049 or 785-229-2049
District Leadership Rep Carol Milroy 816-835-0997
Memorial Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
Scholarship
Disaster/ Carol Milroy 785-242-3114
Local Church Rep
UMW Presidents Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Recording Secretary Sharon Hart 816-509-7259
Trustees (meets 3rd Thursday at 7:00 pm)
2023 2024 2025
Miriam Johnson Sandy Early Lyle Mills
Ginny Honomichl Sharon Hart
Angie Miller
Staff-Pastor-Parish Relations (meets as needed quarterly)
2023 2024 2025
Susan Key Paul Manny Harley Broers
Anita Anderson Heather Otwell
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Pastor Kathy Symes 785-883-2128 (office) or 913-669-6979 (cell)
Lay Member to Annual Conference Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Alternate Lay Member to Annual Conference Heather Otwell
Lay Leadership (Nominations)
Lyle Mills 785-248-1861
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Pastor Kathy Symes (Chair) 785-883-2128 or 913-669-6979
Finance (meets 2nd Wednesday at 6:00 pm)
Chair Walter Key 785-418-3350
Church Council Chair Clayton Otwell 913-832-6231
Lay Leader Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Financial Secretary Janice Caruthers 785-218-6596
Treasurer Cindi Mills 785-248-1275
SPPR Rep. Beth Watson
Trustee Rep Angie Miller
Lay Member/Annual Conf. Beth Watson 785-883-4824
Congregation Rep. Sharon Savage
Congregation Rep. Lauren O’Dea
Membership
Chair Susan Key 785-883-2049 or 785-229-2049
Worship Ministries
Kristal Crist (Chair) 913-653-1255 Pastor Kathy (Co-chair) 913-669-6979
Angie Miller 913-219-1287 Mary Ball 785-883-2358
Carol Fleming 785-883-4121
Mission Team (meets 3rd Thursday of every month @ 6 pm)
Cindi Mills 785-248-1275 (chair) Sharon Hart 785-883-4152
Lyle Mills 785-248-1861 John Good 785-248-1087
Lisa Neis 785-312-4313 Ginny Honomichl 785-691-5298
Marilyn Poor 785-883-2529 Miriam Johnson 785-883-4076
Memorial & Scholarship (meets as needed)
Cindi Mills chair 785-248-1275 Heather Lawrenz 785-330-2481
Lenore Mauslein 928-486-6168 Gene Harris 785-883-4051
Anita Anderson 785-766-0526 Sandra Hausler 785-418-4778
Janet Broers 785-594-3738
Connection Crew
Janice Caruthers (chair)
Marilyn Poor 785-993-2529
The pastor is the administrative officer of the local church and therefore is an ex officio member of most committees (¶ 244.3, 2012 Book of Discipline). Ex officio members are members of a committee by virtue of their office, not because they were elected. Unless otherwise specified by the Book of Discipline, ex officio members have both voice and vote.
The exceptions, as directed by Judicial Council decision #500, are the board of trustees and the pastor-parish relations committee. The pastor is not an ex officio member of either.
Membership on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee is defined in Par. 266.2 of the Discipline and includes the restriction that "No staff member or immediate family member of a pastor or staff member may serve on the committee". Therefore the pastor is not a member.
Discipline Pars. 2519 and 2520 give specific instructions as to membership on and election to a local church Board of Trustees.
Since the pastor is not added to the Board of Trustees in the legislation defining membership we conclude that the pastor is not a voting member. As the church's administrative officer the pastor meets with the Board of Trustees but would be entitled to vote only if elected to the Board.
Lay Leader & lay member to annual conference
As the representative of the laypeople in the congregation, the lay leader meets regularly with the pastor to discuss the state of the church, opportunities for ministry and the vision of the congregation. The lay leader is a member of the charge conference, the church council, the staff-parish relations committee, the finance committee, and the lay leadership committee. We also meet to discuss our hopes and dreams for the congregation and to better understand our roles in advancing toward the vision for ministry.
The Lay Member of Annual Conference represents and informs the local congregation about The United Methodist Church in the conference and around the world. Our lay member helps build the connection between the congregation and all United Methodist churches. Lay members are to serve on the church council, the committee on finance, and the committee on pastor-parish relations in addition to being a member of annual conference.
The Lay Member of Annual Conference represents and informs the local congregation about The United Methodist Church in the conference and around the world. Our lay member helps build the connection between the congregation and all United Methodist churches. Lay members are to serve on the church council, the committee on finance, and the committee on pastor-parish relations in addition to being a member of annual conference.
staff, pastor, parish relations
Are you interested being a bridge between the pastor and the congregation? As a member of the SPPRC you will meet quarterly to be in conversation with the pastor in order to build a strong positive relationship between the pastor, the staff and congregation. This committee encourages, strengthens, nurtures, supports, and respects the pastor and staff and their families. They confer regularly about the personnel conditions and issues that affect the congregation’s total ministry, including healthy life-work balance. They help the staff set priorities.
As a member of this committee you will take part in recommending compensation, travel, housing, and other financial matters to the church council through the finance committee.
This is also the committee that work with the district superintendent when a pastoral move happens.
The Staff, Pastor, Parish Relations Committee is the only committee whose meetings are not open to the congregation due to the confidential nature of their work.
As a member of this committee you will take part in recommending compensation, travel, housing, and other financial matters to the church council through the finance committee.
This is also the committee that work with the district superintendent when a pastoral move happens.
The Staff, Pastor, Parish Relations Committee is the only committee whose meetings are not open to the congregation due to the confidential nature of their work.
board of Trustees
More of a hands-on type? The Trustees are always looking for a few good men & women to help out! The Trustees are charged with making decisions about all church owned buildings and grounds. They meet on the 3rd Thursday evening of each month to review ongoing projects and make decisions about future projects. They also get together several times a year to work around the church – inside and out – just for general maintenance and clean up. Interested? Pastor Kathy would love to hear from you!
finance committee
Do you have an understanding and an appreciation for biblical stewardship and the management of all that God provides? Are you someone who can see the importance of a budget that supports the mission and vision of the WUMC; as well as the importance of the other 'worldly' financial issues that the church deals with such as the day-to- day bills? If you are, we could use you on the finance committee! It falls to the finance committee to propose the budget; then raise, manage, and distribute the financial resources of the congregation to support and strengthen the mission and ministry of the congregation.
The Finance Team is made up of the finance chair, treasurer, finance secretary, pastor, chair of the church council, lay leader, lay member to annual conference, a representative of the board of trustees, a representative of the SPPRC and two at large congregation members.
The Finance Team is made up of the finance chair, treasurer, finance secretary, pastor, chair of the church council, lay leader, lay member to annual conference, a representative of the board of trustees, a representative of the SPPRC and two at large congregation members.
connection crew
Our Connection Crew is forming! The Connection Crew’s mission will be to create a sense of belonging by making sure every visitor, member, and guest feels special and welcome in our church home. We are looking for volunteers to help us reimagine what hospitality looks like! If you think you would like to be part of our new Crew or have suggestions, give Pastor Kathy a call or stop by for a chat during the week or after church on Sunday.
MIssion Team
Do you feel led to follow the gospel message about loving your neighbor? Our Mission Team will help you follow your passion! Our Team has ongoing projects to help those in our community as well as occasional day mission trips. One example is the Blessing Boxes located at the south end of the church - these are filled several times a week and are free to anyone in the community looking for help with their next meal or a hygiene product. The boxes are also kid friendly and you will often see some youth ride their bikes up so they can grab a quick snack on their way home from school. And on the second Sunday of every month the Quarter Tube is out during worship so you can fill the tube with all those quarters you've been saving! Each year we vote on a new mission that will benefit from your generosity. This year we have been supporting Della Lamb, a North Kansas City non-profit organization, that works with low income families in the area of early education, social services, refugee services and youth services. Our Mission Team is always working to further the kingdom of God for the transformation of the world. You can become a part of this vital ministry of the WUMC - just ask Pastor Kathy. She will be glad to point you in the right direction!
Worship Team - There are Angels among us!
Do you have a creative side just waiting to be unleashed? Maybe being part of our Worship Team is just the place for you! You’ll work side by side with Pastor Kathy as we plan and decorate for the special seasons in the church. We will also brainstorm about the worship service and how we might make it more appealing and inviting. Come and be one of the ‘angels’ among us!
memorial/scholarship
The Memorial/Scholarship committee works on the behalf of families who have entrusted us with funds donated in memory of their loved ones.
Memorial funds are typically received from the family and friends to honor and remember a church member after their death. Our committee is the 'caretaker' of the memorial funds. They work together to faithfully make decisions about how the memorial funds will be spent.
The scholarship funds are from three different families and are for either current members or those who have historic ties to the church. These funds need to be applied for annually and are to be used for higher education purposes.
Memorial funds are typically received from the family and friends to honor and remember a church member after their death. Our committee is the 'caretaker' of the memorial funds. They work together to faithfully make decisions about how the memorial funds will be spent.
The scholarship funds are from three different families and are for either current members or those who have historic ties to the church. These funds need to be applied for annually and are to be used for higher education purposes.
membership Secretary
Did you know that membership records are one of the most-requested records of a local church or church archive. People conducting genealogical research are often searching for membership and baptism records kept at the local church. The Membership Secretary is responsible for keeping those records accurate and up to date. The records for all membership rolls (baptized members, professing members, constituents, affiliate members, associate members, people removed from the roll of professing members, people removed from the roll of baptized members), are to be reported annually to the charge conference.
There is to be an annual audit of the membership records so that the church council will have a true picture of their current reality. Oftentimes people want their names on the membership roll but are not fulfilling the vows taken when they joined the local church - to faithfully participate in the church's ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness. It is through the annual membership audit that the Membership Secretary and the Pastor prepare a list of those who no longer support WUMC. A letter is sent to the member asking what we can do to bring them back into full participation. From their response we either move forward into full relationship or we request that their name be removed from our membership roll during the next church conference. Our prayer is always that we are able to bring them back to full relationship, and if not at WUMC, at least that they are fully participating in the life of another church.
There is to be an annual audit of the membership records so that the church council will have a true picture of their current reality. Oftentimes people want their names on the membership roll but are not fulfilling the vows taken when they joined the local church - to faithfully participate in the church's ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness. It is through the annual membership audit that the Membership Secretary and the Pastor prepare a list of those who no longer support WUMC. A letter is sent to the member asking what we can do to bring them back into full participation. From their response we either move forward into full relationship or we request that their name be removed from our membership roll during the next church conference. Our prayer is always that we are able to bring them back to full relationship, and if not at WUMC, at least that they are fully participating in the life of another church.
Nominations and lay leadership
This Ministry Team is the only one in the local church that the pastor chairs! The pastor and members of this group come together each fall to begin the work of evaluating each Ministry Team and its leadership. It then falls on this team to match members to ministry areas. Throughout the year we take note of those church members who seem to have a passion in one area or another within the church. We understand that people of all ages and abilities are called to serve God but many times it is up to us to identify, encourage, enable and support these members as they consider how they might become more involved. If you are someone who loves working with people and aren't afraid to maybe bring your conversations with other church members to a deeper level, Pastor Kathy would love to have a conversation with you!
women in faith
Women of Faith is the new name of the United Methodist Women. This group is currently reimagining themselves here at Wellsville UMC. We will update this section as more information becomes available.
church council
The Church Council is the administrative side of the mission and ministries of the church. We meet monthly to evaluate, plan and implement church programs to ensure we are currently meeting our Mission Statement - To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known. We receive reports from each of the ministry areas listed above. From those reports we look to the future as we make our decisions, realizing that as leaders of the WUMC, we have a great responsibility to faithfully represent the congregation in our work.
The membership of the Church Council is made up of the chairpersons of each Ministry Team (or their representative), the chair of the Church Council, the church treasurer, a representative of the Women in Faith, the recording secretary, the membership secretary, the lay leader and the pastor.
The members present and voting at any duly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.
The membership of the Church Council is made up of the chairpersons of each Ministry Team (or their representative), the chair of the Church Council, the church treasurer, a representative of the Women in Faith, the recording secretary, the membership secretary, the lay leader and the pastor.
The members present and voting at any duly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.
