June 18th, 2026

Church News

Upcoming Events

  • June 19th Church office closed for Juneteenth holiday
  • June 22nd Summer office hours commence (Mondays to Thursdays 10am - 1pm; Fridays Closed)
 

Prayers from Sunday

  • With gratitude for all who contribute to our times together on Sunday mornings.
  • For everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and their friends, family, and advocates who support them. May we all embrace and see in each other our sacred and inherent worth and belovedness.
  • Of healing for Kim after a fall - PP
  • Of healing and recovery for Bob Standon, nephew of Marion and Bill Williams, who underwent stem cell implant surgery - MW
  • Thanks for all the prayers being said for the healing and recovery of Bob Standon - MW
  • For Nathanael Y. and Elisabeth I. as they are married this Saturday in Huntsville, AL, and for their family and friends as they travel to celebrate with them.
  • Of joy for Frank F. who is being discharged from rehab and going back home with Chris. Continue to surround this family with your love.
  • Of healing for Frank F. as he continues to recover from surgery and for Chris as she cares for him - NC
  • For Bill C. as he struggles with a decision.
  • For Rev. Bill Presnell who died on Saturday 6/13/26 after a brief time in hospice care. Bless his wife Nancy and their family and friends as they grieve his death and give thanks for his life that in Christ lives on.
  • For the McGookin and Salvas families, friends and classmates of Callum McGookin who died last week. Bless all who are grieving.
 

Those who are planning on joining the Chatham United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 21, 2026 are left to right: Catalina Geier, Frank Geier, Debra King and Lynda Mansfield.


If you are interested in joining the Chatham UMC, and supporting the church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, please contact Pastor Jeff at revjmarkay@earthlink.net

 


Altar Flowers


The flowers in the chancel this Sunday are in loving memory of Rev. Tanya Bennett.


Barbara Bennett

 

This Sunday’s service on June 21st will feature Mike Maguire and Peter Hill, organ, four-hands performing Greig’s Morning from the Peer Gynt Suite, Op. 23. Join us!

 

A Note from the Staff Parish Relations Committee

The Staff Parish Relations Committee is very pleased to support the Renewal Leave of our Senior Pastor, Rev. Jeff Markay. Our district superintendent Rev. William Williams has encouraged all full-time pastors in the district to work with their SPRCs in planning time of Renewal Leave as a healthy spiritual practice that ultimately bears fruits in the lives of the pastors and the churches they serve. Pastor Jeff will be taking July and August as a well-deserved Renewal Leave during which he and his wife Julie will be traveling together, visiting friends and family, and unplugging from the ministry demands of the churches they serve. We have encouraged him to not check emails, so if you have an important email that you want him to read, please send it in mid-September. In early September, Pastor Jeff will be doing some continuing education and taking some vacation time while at a wedding in Colorado. His first Sunday back in the pulpit will be September 20, 2026. We hope you can come to our 10am worship on Sunday, June 28, 2026 when we will bless Pastor Jeff.


We also hope you will come to worship throughout the summer. We are grateful for Rev. Sharon Yarger, and Rev. Dan Gepford who will be preaching, and leading worship with Peter Hill and various musicians during the Summer Sundays. If there is a pastoral emergency in our congregation, please contact the church office or a member of the SPRC committee who will then contact Pastor Sharon, or another United Methodist Pastor in our area, who are providing pastoral care while Pastor Jeff is away. The SPRC has also encouraged our ministry with our online congregation by posting previously recorded and posted messages and sermons throughout the summer.


I write on behalf of the Members of the SPRC including Edie Myers-Arnold, Abby Klug, Jenee James, Jan Dvorkin, Steve Davis, Annie Walker, Betsey Ashoka, Leah Van Doornik and Dave Bramwell, and am grateful for their service to the church.


Sincerely,



Hal Burlingame, SPRC Chair

 
 

WILLIAM B. PRESNELL

The Rev. Dr. William “Bill" Presnell

Born: 12/6/34

Entered Life Eternal: June 13, 2026


 

Visitation Hours for the Presnell Family and Friends: Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 4-8PM.

 

Bradley and Son Funeral Home

345 Main Street

Chatham NJ 07928

_________________________________________


Funeral for the Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Presnell

Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:am

Rev. Jeff Markay officiating

Bradley and Son Funeral Home

_________________________________________

 

Cards of condolence and love can be sent to

Nancy Presnell

250 Ridgedale Ave. Unit F2

Florham Park, NJ 07932

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Drew University Theological School

Green Village UMC

Christ Church in Summit NJ.



 

OBITUARY OF WILLIAM B. PRESNELL

The Rev. Dr. William B. Presnell passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026. He was 91 years of age. Born in Pana, Illinois, he attended and graduated High School in Urbana, Illinois. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy as a radioman and electronics technician aboard a twelve-person seaplane. He held a BA degree from the University of Illinois, Master of Divinity and Dr. of Ministry degrees from Drew University and a Master of Theology degree in Pastoral Counseling from Princeton University.


Bill was an ordained United Methodist Minister and served three parishes in northern New Jersey as pastor from 1965-1979. In 1976 he was licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and practiced in Madison, NJ until he retired in 2020. Along the way, Bill acquired an AAMFT Approved Supervisor status and trained numerous persons for licensure over the years. He also served as adjunct instructor at Drew University for 46 years, teaching numerous courses in the M. Div. and D. Min. programs. Bill leaves behind numerous colleagues, friends and students associated with his time at Drew University and through his service to the Methodist Church, and was highly regarded by his contemporaries.


Bill touched so many lives and had an indelible gift for truly “seeing” people. He was a quietly intelligent, thoughtful, steady, calm and loving force in the lives of all who knew him. He enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors, traveling, sailing, swimming, reading, attending concerts, visiting museums, woodworking, trips to the shore, as well as spending time with his family. Bill’s thirst for knowledge was unceasing, and he believed that people always have the potential for growth.


Surviving William is his devoted wife Nancy, four children, William, Jonathan (Max), Tom (Kathy), and Katherine (Brian); a stepson David, ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a sister Caroline, a brother Jerry, and several beloved nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his younger sister, Retha.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Drew University Theological School, Green Village United Methodist Church and/or Christ Church UCC, Summit, NJ.

 
 

Dear Friends,

Rich Kennedy died recently after a few weeks on hospice care and a longer journey with Parkinsons Disease. I spoke with his wife Faye recently and she was relieved he was no longer suffering, and at peace with the Lord. We had some time of prayer over the phone and gave thanks for Rich, and his faithfulness which lives on. Rich and Faye were faithful members of the Chatham UMC for many years and moved to Heath Village in Hackettstown NJ 15 years ago. They still have a special place in their hearts for Chatham UMC.


A Memorial Service will be held at Heath Village Auditorium on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 1:30pm followed by a light reception. Cards of love and support can be sent to:


Faye Kennedy

245 Heath Village

Hackettstown NJ 07840



With love, with prayer and with trust,

Jeff

 

We’re looking for about 10 members of our congregation to help welcome people into our church during Chatham’s July 4th Parade! Many people attending the parade stop by for cold water, a restroom break, or a cool place to relax — especially on a hot day.


If you can volunteer to assist for 2 – 4 hours between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., please sign up on the sheet across from Pastor Jeff’s office or contact Ron Yarger at ryarger01@gmail.com


 

Chatham United Methodist Church is seeking a dependable, hands-on Facilities and Custodial Coordinator to care for and support the church property, including our on-site preschool. This full-time, in-person position (with flexible scheduling and a possible part-time option) combines daily cleaning, routine and preventive maintenance, seasonal upkeep, and support for church and preschool operations. The ideal candidate takes pride in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming building, works well independently, and lives within a reasonable commuting distance with reliable transportation. The role offers approximately 40 hours per week, along with paid vacation, access to a voluntary UMC pension fund, and additional gratuities for services such as weddings, funerals, and special events



Qualifications

  • Experience in custodial work, facilities maintenance, building operations, or a related role preferred
  • Basic knowledge of plumbing, heating, ventilation, lighting, and general safety practices preferred
  • Ability to perform physical work, including lifting, bending, climbing ladders, cleaning, and seasonal outdoor work
  • Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage routine priorities reliably
  • Strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a cooperative attitude
  • Background checks are required for all staff

 

How to apply: Please submit your resume and a brief note of interest to the Staff Parish Relations Committee at: info@chathamumc.org

 

To support the community and ministries here at

Chatham UMC.

Feel free to keep writing checks, or giving through our website, or now through Zelle!

Thank you for your generous support of our community and ministries here at Chatham UMC!

With Gratitude, The CUMC Finance Team

 


Help keep our food pantry and weekly distribution sustained.


 Click Here to donate online!


Want to know more about our Pop Up Pantry and how to help? Check out our webpage.


Or, if you wish, you can contribute directly online by visiting our donation page.

Online Worship Liturgists Needed!


Please sign up to record yourself reading scriptures; this will be a blessing to our online worshiping community. 

Sign up here.

Bread Ministry


The bread ministry is looking for more volunteers to assist in collecting bread from Panera. Please contact the church office for more information.

Communities of Care


If you wish to receive a call, a text or an email from someone at the Chatham UMC community please contact the church office.

Chatham United Methodist Church

460 Main Street

Chatham, NJ 07928

(973) 635-7740

Email: info@chathamumc.org

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