We invite you to join us in-person each Sunday at 9:30am for a meaningful and memorable worship experience! We have Sunday School for both children and youth during worship following the Message for Young Disciples each week.
If you can't join us in-person, we invite you to join us on Zoom at 9:30am or on our YouTube channel the day after worship to access a recording of service. We hope to see you soon!
Montville UMC is a loving, inclusive, integrity-filled, and supportive church that offers hope and purpose to all people.
STAFF
Donald Kirschner
Pastor
Pastor Donald Kirschner feels incredibly blessed and extremely excited to be a part of all God is doing at Montville UMC! Although originally from Sun Valley, CA, he moved to Waxahachie, TX at the age of 11, and now finds himself calling NJ home. Before coming to Montville, he served as pastor at the First UMC of Mt. Holly in Mt. Holly, NJ from July, 2015-June, 2018, first as part of a Young Clergy Initiative while in seminary and then as a licensed local pastor for his third year of ministry there. In 2014, he received his B.A. in both Psychology and Christian Ministries from Azusa Pacific University in southern CA. In 2017, he finished his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Pastor Donald is passionate about exploring new avenues to reach out to those who are marginalized, discovering creative ways to do church, and forming meaningful spaces of encounter whereby people can experience the transforming love and grace of God. He enjoys running long distances, singing and playing guitar, writing reflective journal entries, and spending time with his wife Katherine and daughter Marlena. Donald and Katherine met during his first semester of seminary and married on October 21, 2017. Katherine is also a minister, serving as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sussex.
God is certainly at work in our community and at Montville UMC. Pastor Donald has immense gratitude for all that has already taken place and looks forward to all that lies ahead as God continues to use our church and its ministries to be a bright light for others and for God’s kingdom.
Steve Ginefra
Director of Music
Steve began guitar lessons at age 10, having been inspired by The Beatles debut on American TV. After hearing the pipe organ several years later, he decided to become an organist and church musician. He majored in Music at Rutgers University in the 70's and has been a music director at many churches for over 40 years. Steve has also taught piano and guitar for many years.
His interests include art, Gothic architecture and nature. He has a brother, two sisters, four nieces and two nephews. He has resided in Clifton for thirty years, and is very pleased to be serving at MUMC as the Director of Music.
Karen Ausland
Children & Youth Christian Education Leader
Karen serves those who are 6th grade and up on a weekly basis in Sunday School and prepares our curriculum for both children and youth. Karen has always enjoyed working with children of all ages and has done so for over 30 years. She has worked with students with emotional and behavioral disorders in both private and public high schools. She has taught children of all ages in Sport Skills and Gymnastics. Karen was also the Sunday School Teacher and Youth Group Leader for the middle school/high school at Abiding Peace Lutheran Church for many years. She was a volunteer tutor at St. Peter’s Orphanage and went on to become a foster family for one of the boys residing there. Karen has been married for 30 years and has two grown daughters and a grandson.
LEADERS
Like other United Methodist congregations, Montville UMC has a number of volunteer leaders who support and guide the church. Positions include the Chair of Church Council, Lay Leader, Treasurer, Trustees and Children's Ministry Coordinators among many others. We are exceedingly grateful for the ways they serve God in the church.