5-28-2024 5:48am

Pastor Paul Meyers and his wife Kendra to begin the next chapter of their lives

(L-R) Doris Tropp, Administrative Assistant, Tom Roderick, Music Director, Pastor Meyers, Jaimie Cross, Worship Leader and Kathy Cizerle, Business Administrator and Director of Family Ministry.

It’s been fourteen years since Pastor Paul Meyers and his family moved to Roscoe, Illinois. Pastor Meyer was ready to take on the task of leading the congregation at Roscoe United Methodist Church (RUMC).

A retirement celebration honoring Paul and Kendra will be held June 2, 2024, 1 - 5 p.m., at the church. There will be a 3 p.m. presentation. (No gifts, please)

Pastor Meyers' official retirement is June 1, 2024, then it’s off to Maine to begin the next chapter of their lives. The couple fell in love with the area several years ago and hoped to make the area their permanent home one day. Now the time has come.

Pastor Meyers has been an active leader at RUMC and the Roscoe community. He has not only helped make the church a thriving and growing place of worship, but has also immersed himself in community services and organization.

Meyers served as senior chaplain for the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department and Village of Roscoe Police Department for over 11 years.

Pastor Meyers grew up in Sycamore, Illinois. His wife, Kendra is from Maple Park, Illinois. Kendra has worked as a neonatal pediatric physical therapist at Mercy Hospital.

The couple have raised three children: Camille, Katrina and Brandon. The children went through the Kinnikinnick School system, including Hononegah High School where Camille and Katrina ran track. Meyers coached track while the girls were at Hononegah.

Pastor Meyers said he is proud of being a part of the community in Roscoe and helping build a strong church community. RUMC currently has approximately 580 church members.

RUMC is involved in community activities such as the Roscoe Lions Club Fall Festival and Hometown Holiday. They raise funds throughout the year for missionary work and outreach programs. During the summer months, members offer a free ice cream event - "That Thursday Thing" - in the church parking lot, with games and ice cream for everyone.

Each summer, auxiliary members grow a huge vegetable garden. The bountiful harvest is donated to the Rockton Food Pantry.

Financial campaigns benefit specific projects such as the recently completed Serenity Cremation Garden on the church grounds.

RUMC employs 16 staff members. Administrative Assistant Doris Tropp has worked with Meyers for the past 13 years. She said the current staff works very well together. “Pastor Meyers created the staff, and put the right person in each position.”

Jaime Cross is the Worship Leader and Education and Director of Christian Education. “We are so happy for him, but so sad to see him go.”

Kathy Cizerle is the church business administrator and Director of Family Ministry. She said everyone works together to make daily operations run smoothly.

“This is the greatest staff that I have ever worked with,” Pastor Meyers said. “They work so well together, and can handle just about any problem that arises.”

Music Director Tom Roderick felt that the greatest accomplishment in the last few years was how the staff and leadership handled the difficult years during the COVID epidemic.

“Thank you to the Roscoe/Rockton communities, for welcoming my family.” Pastor Meyers said. “Thank you to Hononegah Community High School for great education and sports activities, and thank you to RUMC for sharing great ministry together for 14 years.”

Pastor Meyers said he isn’t sure where the future will lead him, but it is likely to be filled with new adventures and experiences.

RUMC and the Roscoe community will welcome the new church leader, Pastor Ryan Sutton, in July, 2024. Pastor Sutton comes to Roscoe from Princeton, Illinois.