In early July, parishioners of the Titusville United Methodist Church plan to welcome new co-pastors Stephanie Dion and Mathew “Matt” Enzler, both graduate students at Princeton Theological Seminary, who will provide full-time pastoral leadership for the church.
The student co-pastors will succeed the Rev. John Wesley Morrison, retiring after more than 33 years as an ordained elder of the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church at five different United Methodist churches across New Jersey, including these past seven years in Titusville. Morrison delivered his final sermon as TUMC pastor on Sunday, June 11, followed immediately by an all-church farewell BBQ.
Morrison plans to pursue research, writing and wide-ranging reading, as well as continuing his active involvement in interfaith dialogue, especially with members of the Muslim community.
Effective July 1, Dion and Enzler plan to begin their appointment as part of the GNJUMC’s “Mosaic Ministries” program, introduced several years ago to provide pairings of competitively selected students at area seminaries with the opportunity to gain immersive experience in jointly leading a local United Methodist congregation, while completing their academic studies.
Dion, of Dunedin, Florida, just completed her third year of a four-year dual-degree program at PTS in which she will receive a master of divinity degree and a master of arts degree in Christian education and formation.
Enzler has lived in many areas of the country, from Washington, D.C. to Washington State. He left his law career and started volunteering at a local soup kitchen in Spokane, Washington, before entering seminary. He is in his second of an anticipated three years at PTS, working toward a master of divinity degree.
Founded in 1806, Titusville United Methodist Church is located at 7 Church Road, at the corner of River Road (Route 29) and Church Road in Titusville. All members of the public are invited to help welcome the new co-pastors during their first TUMC worship service on Sunday, July 2, at 10 a.m., followed immediately by an all-church luncheon in honor of the new pastoral team. More information is available by phone (609) 732-2622 or online at titusvilleumc.org.
Matt Enzler and Stephanie Dion, new co-pastors at Titusville United Methodist Church.,
