Rev. Daniel F. Bogre
Senior Pastor

Email: dbogre@rrumc.org
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE STORY AT RRUMC

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 - New King James Version

Welcome to Rocky River United Methodist Church! Right off the bat, I want you to know that we are not a place or a building. We are a people and a vision. At RRUMC, God has shown us that “It’s All About the Story.” We believe that everyone’s story is completely beautiful and unique. Some stories are shattered and broken while others are healed and put together.

What we feel is most important about your story is that Jesus Christ always has been, is, and always will be a part of it. While your story was broken and shattered, Jesus was there. When your story was healed and put back together, Jesus was there. Our vision is to create a church where your story is welcomed, loved, and accepted as you find your heart opened to see Jesus in the midst of it. We do that through four key chapters that make the beautiful connection between your story and Jesus’ story: 

1. Worship

2. Loving God

3. Loving Neighbor

4. Generous Giving

These four chapters describe our mission – how we help people meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their story. Our vision and mission drive everything that we do and don’t do here at RRUMC. We will stop at nothing to find a new way to meet people right where they are in the midst of their story. 

At RRUMC you do not have to “fix” your story before coming here. The Bible is filled with examples of Jesus consistently going to meet people in the midst of their stories. Whether it was the demon-possessed man in the tombs, the woman caught in adultery, or calling the disciples, each time Jesus went to find them where they were. That is the same Jesus that we worship at RRUMC. I hope and pray that you will give RRUMC the chance to discover your beautiful story. We are not asking you to change it. We are just asking you to open that story up to Jesus and what he is doing here at RRUMC.

I hope that you will give me and RRUMC the chance to get to know your story. I already know that it is totally beautiful and unique. I know that because Jesus has always been a part of it. Please look through the rest of this Story Connection Book and begin the journey of meeting Jesus Christ right in the midst of your story.

His,
Rev. Daniel F. Bogre

Pastor Paul Bennett
Associate Pastor

Email: pbennett@rrumc.org

I am delighted to be able to greet you on behalf of Rocky River United Methodist Church. As you try to work out God’s plan for your life, I want you to know that you are in good company here at Rocky River United Methodist Church. As a church, we are known for a lot of things. But above all, know that we are a family of ordinary people seeking to find purpose, to make sense of all of life’s ups and downs, together, as a family. Together, we acknowledge that God alone can guide us through the struggles that we face, and God alone can save us from our own brokenness and sin. God alone can empower a group of ordinary people to not only find freedom, but to then turn and set the world free in his name.

Out of my own brokenness, God called me into full-time ministry when I was 20 years old. I could only respond by telling God how unworthy I was, and reminding him of my many weaknesses. Yet God delights in meeting us in our weaknesses. And I would eventually come to submit to his amazing plan for my life. That doesn’t mean I have it all together; no, far from it. But through the support and encouragement of my brothers and sisters around me, and through the grace of God that is born anew in me each morning, I am able to press onward in the journey.

Friends, God has an amazing plan for your life, too. And I pray you might consider inviting Rocky River United Methodist Church to be your family along the way. It is in the community of the body of Christ here in the church that each of us finds the love, hope and encouragement that we need to discover exactly what it is the Lord has in store for us. Regardless of where you find your church family, though, I pray God will meet you there. And I pray that in the presence of the Almighty, you will find the incredible joy and peace that can only come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Pastor Paul A. Bennett

Sheri Swartz
Director of Church Ministries

Email: sswartz@rrumc.org

Quinn Bennett
Director of Children's Ministries

Email: qbennett@rrumc.org

As a mother of three, I have come to realize how true this quote really is. As parents, we are constantly trying to help our children find their story as they learn respect and responsibility, interact with their peers and find their place in this world among all the sports, activities and opportunities they are granted. Whether it be through soccer, football, ballet, etc., my prayer for your child is that they begin their story with Christ. I pray that by looking through Christ’s eyes, they can be a better ballerina, soccer or football player. As my own children play in their respective sports and activities, my greatest hope is that they will take what Christ is teaching them and bring it to the context they are involved in. I truly believe that if they are meant to excel in an activity, they will excel further with Christ on their side while keeping Him first above all. 

Here at RRUMC my first job is to teach your children what it means to put Christ first and what that looks like when they are away from church on a Sunday morning, to help you as parents in the process you have already started and to be a helper in raising your children in Christ. I would love to be a part of the process to help your family find ways of applying the love and truths of Christ to your everyday lives simply and effectively. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”  The Lord has plans for the families here at RRUMC. I pray that your family will join us and begin your story with Christ alongside of us.

Steven Young
Director of Youth Ministries

Email: SYoung@rrumc.org

Welcome to Rocky River UMC! My passion is for students to learn, embrace, and live out their story. We live in a world full of narratives, but only the story of Jesus Christ has the power to transform a life for eternity.

The Rocky River youth program exists to help students meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their stories. It’s important for students to know not only the story of Jesus, but also for students to surrender their stories into the hands of Jesus.

We are all about taking students right where they are in life and helping them to realize and reach their full potential in Jesus Christ.

Life as a student can be difficult and challenging. I’m excited to meet that challenge with the uplifting and hopeful words and actions I have learned through many years in youth ministry.

Rocky River UMC is a great place for students to experience a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment for them to strengthen or start their faith walk.  All students are welcome here at Rocky River UMC. I can’t wait to listen to and become a part of their story!

Lynn Gorton
Faith Community Healthcare Professional

Email: lgorton@rrumc.org

Grace and peace to you from your Faith Community Healthcare Professional.  I have been given the privilege to serve our church family and tend to their physical and emotional needs. Also, as Lay Minister, I have the honor to help you along your spiritual journey as part of the Pastoral Care Team.  

I am deeply passionate about supporting and empowering women to recognize their strength and incredible resilience which includes mentoring our Ladies in Faith Together Bible Study. My goal is to create a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive environment at both Story and Rocky River United Methodist Churches.

Outside of my ministry, I find great joy in nature, whether it’s hiking or exploring the beauty of God’s creation. Being outdoors is always an opportunity to pause and reflect on the handiwork of God. As a grandmother, I take to heart where God reminds us in the book of Proverbs that grandchildren are the crown of my life.  
 
”Now you are the body of Christ, and each one is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 
 
I look forward to connecting with you in the midst of life-always confidential. Please contact me by phone or email, with any of your needs related to your well-being. I would be honored to walk alongside your journey.  Your church family asks you to come and see our welcoming congregation. You have a place at the table. Taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Vanessa Wagner
Sports Ministry Coordinator

Email: vwagner@rrumc.org

Aaryn Holland and Margery Wanosik
Nursery School Co-Directors

Email Co-Directors: RRUMNS@gmail.com

Hello! We are current teachers at the nursery school and are now thrilled to be the co-directors as well!  We are honored to be a part of RRUMC and a church ministry that was created more than 50 years ago. We have both had the ability to witness how loving a place RRUMNS is as a parent of a Nursery School student and now have the ability to continue to grow with the preschool as the Co-directors. We enjoy having the opportunity to witness each child beginning their journey to learn their gifts and strengths. At this age, we also strengthen the practice of how to be a caring and giving little person. We love to see the transformation that happens in preschool for our students!

Here is a little bit about both of our backgrounds! Aaryn went to Baldwin Wallace for her undergraduate degree in Education. She continued her studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned a Master’s in Education. She became certified in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Intervention Specialist and has a Reading Endorsement. Margery went to Ashland University and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education and then a Master’s in Education. She also is a current instructor at the Rocky River Recreation Department so you are bound to see her around town! We both taught in the classroom previously and are excited to be a part of the most precious age at RRUMNS!

We are pleased to continue to have the opportunity to use our past school and job experience right here in the community we live in. We enjoy meeting each family where they are in their life and educational journey. We truly are a family at RRUMNS and would love for you to join it! We thank the church staff and members for the support they have given the Nursery School all of these years.

Fondly,
Aaryn Holland and Margery Wanosik

Robert Kimmel
Harbor Worship Leader

Email: rwkimmel@yahoo.com

Lisa Thomas
Twice Blessed Free Store Director

Email: lthomas@rrumc.org

Lisa Sierk
Director of Endowment Ministries

Email: lsierk@rrumc.org

Office Staff

Office Email: office@rrumc.org

Music Ministry Staff

Matthew Dolan
Music Director

Email: mdolan@rrumc.org

Jeffrey A. Acker (Organist) Email: papaj57@sbcglobal.net

Carmen G. Massaro (Director of Fuller Sounds Handbell Choir) Email: cgmassar@aol.com

Lynn Young (Director of Joyful Sounds Handbell Choir) Email: bymusic75@gmail.com

Michael Cook (Audio/Video Engineer) Email: cookmi0421@gmail.com