our pastors

senior pastor:
Charla Gwartney

Pastor Charla is excited to lead Stillwater First UMC as senior pastor. Arriving in July 2024, Stillwater First is her eighth appointment as a United Methodist Pastor. She’s been serving churches for 27 years. Her loves are preaching, teaching, and developing leaders. Her newest interest is spiritual formation and practices of prayer. Her leadership is collaborative, with the clear goal: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She likes to read, kayak, and enjoy new restaurants with her husband Kurt. She’d love to see you in worship and connect with you over a cup of coffee or tea when you have time.

associate pastor:
cindy robertson riedel

Pastor Cindy joined the staff of Stillwater First United Methodist in June of 2019. Cindy completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Spanish from Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois. Cindy received her Masters of Divinity Degree having studied at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. Cindy and her husband, Mark, are blessed to be the parents of five adult children. Cindy finds great joy in spending time with Mark and family, traveling, and being in nature.