Meet Our Pastor
Pastor Shannon Blosser
Shannon Blosser is the pastor of Mount Olivet and Benwood-McMechen UMC in the Wheeling, W.Va. area. He is an ordained elder in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is particularly focused on how the witness of faith creates inclusion and acceptance of those with disabilities within the church.
Before entering ministry, Shannon wrote professionally as a sports and news writer for West Virginia and North Carolina newspapers. He also wrote for a public policy organization that focused on higher education reform. Shannon lives in McMechen, W.Va., with his wife, Abbi, sons, Noah and Tad, and their cat, George. He is an alum of West Virginia University and Asbury Theological Seminary. In his spare time, you can find Shannon watching WVU athletics, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, or attempting to play golf.
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, 9:00 AM to Noon
Wednesday Office Hours are now at Benwood-McMechen UMC from 9 AM to Noon
Public Office Hours: Tuesday – Benwood Wendy’s, 12:30 pm-2:00 pm & Thursday – Elk Grove McDonald’s, 1:00 pm -2:30 p.m
*subject to change based on ministry needs each week.
Support Staff
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:
Linda Reed & Heidi Schmidt
MUSIC:
Bill Frank-Sunday Morning Choir Leader
Vicki Harvey – Monday Evening Worship Leader
COMPUTER / PROJECTOR
A. J. Proger – Sunday Morning
Maddi Wysong– Monday Evening
Heidi Schmidt – PowerPoint Designer
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Susan Haught
Church Leadership
Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church has several committees collaborating to support the church’s ministry. Per the Book of Discipline, the basic organizational plan for our church includes:
- Charge Conference
- Church Council
- Pastor- Parish Relations (PPR) Committee
- Board of Trustees
- Finance Committee
- Nominations and Leadership Development Committee
Other committees/ positions include: Lay Leader , Lay Member of Annual Conference, Membership Secretary, Lord’s Pantry, Outreach, Nuture, Wellness, United Women in Faith, & Prayer.
You can click on each position to learn about its responsibilities and requirements. If you are a member of Mt. Olivet UMC and are interested in joining one of the committees, please speak with Pastor Blosser. The Nominations and Leadership Development committee appoint members to committees. Each committee has a three-year term.
Current Commitee Members
Church Council – Gary White, Chairperson
Lord’s Pantry Chair-Sue Doughtery
Worship Chair-Pastor Shannon Blosser
Director of Nurture–Heidi Schmidt
Lay Leader-Susan Haught
Director of Outreach–Susan Haught
Annual Conference Delegate-Heidi Schmidt
PPR Chairperson- Joyce Caldwell
Trustees Chairperson-Dave Ransom
United Women in Faith President–Rhea Berisford
Youth Coordinator—Susan Haught
Finance Chairperson-Joe Wright
Financial Secretary-Chris Richter
Treasurer–Linda Reed, Interim
Wellness Coordinator-Brenda Gittings
Prayer Coordinator-Heid Schmidt
District Conference Delegates-Janet Andrews; Jim Hall
Board of Trustees – David Ransom, Chairperson
Members include: Class of 2022 – Mona Knollinger, Connie Wright, Brenda Gittings; Class of 2023 – Jim Dougherty, Jim Hall, Susan Haught; Class of 2024 – Dave Ransom, Tim Reed, Neil Miller.
Finance Committee – Joe Wright, Chairperson
Members include: Joe Wright, Chair; Chris Richter, Financial Secretary; John Burke, Fred Richter, Patti Hoffman, Jim Dougherty, Susan Haught
Pastor-Parish Relations – Joyce Caldwell, Chairperson
Members include: Class of 2022 – Chris Richter, Barbara Minton (McMechen UMC); Class of 2023 – Sandy Miller, Joyce Caldwell, Becky Smith (McMechen UMC); Class of 2024 – Tim Reed, Annie Gracik (McMechen UMC).
Nominations and Leadership Development Committee – Shannon Blosser, Pastor; Susan Haught, Lay Leader; Heidi Schmidt, Annual Conference Delegate
Members include: Class of 2022 – Jim Roth, Karen White, Janet Andrews; Class of 2023 – Linda Reed, Kim Prisner; Class of 2024 – Jean Dougherty, Vicki Kane, Fred Richter.
A.C.T.S. Women Online – Heidi Schmidt, Facilitator
Bereavement Dinner Ministry – Joyce Caldwell, Connie Wright, Carrie McGlynn
Blood Drives – Brenda Gittings, RN
Facebook – Jane Gracey, Jessica Lipinski Carte
Scrip Gift Card Sales – Joe Wright, Linda Reed, Gary White
Maintenance – Fred Dougherty, Dave Ransom
Membership Secretary – Linda Reed
Mt. Olivet News e-Newsletter – Heidi Schmidt
Parish Nurse/Health & Welfare Coordinator – Brenda Gittings, RN
Prayer Team Coordinator – Heidi Schmidt
Upper Room Women’s Bible Study – Heidi Schmidt, Facilitator
Vacation Bible School – Janet Andrews
Website – Abbi Blosser