Meet our pastors & ministry directors.

Charla Gwartney

Charla Gwartney

Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor

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.
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.
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Cindy Robertson Riedel

Cindy Robertson Riedel

Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor

Pastor Cindy joined the staff of Stillwater First United Methodist in June of 2019. While in college she majored in Business with a minor in Spanish (even earning her Certification of Fluency in Spanish from the University of Mexico), and then later went to seminary to obtain her Master of Divinity Degree. As an ordained minister, Cindy has served as an Associate Pastor at Muskogee First UMC, and as Senior Pastor at Foyil UMC, Boise City / Kenton UMC’s, and Ponca City St. Paul’s UMC. Cindy and her husband, Mark, are blessed to be the parents of five adult children. Cindy finds great joy in spending time with her family, traveling, being in nature, and sipping a warm cup of coffee!
Pastor Cindy joined the staff of Stillwater First United Methodist in June of 2019. While in college she majored in Business with a minor in Spanish (even earning her Certification of Fluency in Spanish from the University of Mexico), and then later went to seminary to obtain her Master of Divinity Degree. As an ordained minister, Cindy has served as an Associate Pastor at Muskogee First UMC, and as Senior Pastor at Foyil UMC, Boise City / Kenton UMC’s, and Ponca City St. Paul’s UMC. Cindy and her husband, Mark, are blessed to be the parents of five adult children. Cindy finds great joy in spending time with her family, traveling, being in nature, and sipping a warm cup of coffee!
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Keegan Rose

Keegan Rose

Director of Worship and Music

Director of Worship and Music

Keegan has been at FUMC Stillwater since June of 2023. Keegan holds an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has been professionally involved with church music since 2015. His wife Maya is the worship leader at Jones UMC. They and their three pets live in Edmond, Oklahoma where they spend their free time with family, playing pickleball and disc golf, and performing around the metro.
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Janelda Lane

Janelda Lane

Director of Youth Ministries 

Director of Youth Ministries 

A sign in Janelda‘s office reads, "All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus." Living this motto, Janelda has been in youth ministry since the 90s. She’s a mom to everyone, a complete Bible nerd, and a lover of art, coffee, and a good rom-com.
A sign in Janelda‘s office reads, "All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus." Living this motto, Janelda has been in youth ministry since the 90s. She’s a mom to everyone, a complete Bible nerd, and a lover of art, coffee, and a good rom-com.
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Gabe Lane

Gabe Lane

Assistant Director of Youth Ministries 

Assistant Director of Youth Ministries 

Gabe is an avid gamer and desires to dive deep into scripture honestly. If he’s not doing research for one of his Bible studies, a conspiracy theory, or which pair of sneakers he’s going to buy next, Gabe’s creating graphics for the youth group, gaming with friends, or walking around the lake.
Gabe is an avid gamer and desires to deep dive into scripture honestly. If he’s not doing research for one of his Bible studies, a conspiracy theory, or which pair of sneakers he’s going to buy next, Gabe’s creating graphics for the youth group, gaming with friends, or walking around the lake.
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Irene Upson

Irene Upson

Director of Children's Ministries

Director of Children's Ministries

Irene enjoys spending time outside with her family and has recently discovered for herself the joy of podcasts, making her mundane chores more interesting. She loves any creative outlet and has a serious sweet tooth!
Irene enjoys spending time outside with her family and has recently discovered for herself the joy of podcasts, making her mundane chores more interesting. She loves any creative outlet and has a serious sweet tooth!
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Vickie Raper

Director of Early Childhood Center

Vickie is a boy mom that has been married for 27 years, and has been a teacher at Stillwater First UMC's Early Childhood Center for over 28 years! She loves houseplants, cats, and a variety of feathered and furry creatures. 
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Sapeida Myers

Director of Food Ministries

Besides making amazing meals twice a week for our church family and the Stillwater Community Dinner, Sapeida is also the mother of an amazing autistic child. She enjoys family time, movies, and, of course, food. 
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Meet the staff.

Daniel Guthrie

Business Administrator 
When not at the office, Daniel enjoys golf and time at the lake. His heart is focused on Jesus, his family, and the OSU athletics.

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MacKenzie McNeil

Administrative Assistant
Not only is she the voice behind the phone, MacKenzie's also our top angler! If she's not at the lake, she also enjoys painting and time with her family!
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Tim Santeyan

Accounting Specialist
Tim loves to go on bike rides and walks with his family during the week, as well as play guitar and listening to good worship music. 

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Garett Reding

Communications and Tech Coordinator
Garett loves song writing, teaching about the Bible, spending time with his family, deep conversations, talking with scam callers, and gaming with others online. 
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David Lane

Facilities Manager
David is the one to call when there is a problem that needs fixed! Outside of the office he is an avid NASCAR fan and a Wesleyan Fellow.
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Savannah Wyant

Custodian and Maintenance
Savannah is a loving mom who enjoys activities like movie nights and crafting! She is always excited to go on adventures and spending time with her kiddo!

Mason Moore

ECC Custodian and Maintenance
Born in the wheat filled plains of Kansas, if there in one thing Mason loves, it's tractors! Any era, and brand, Mason is a certified tractor man!  

Austin  Thrasher

Custodian and Maintenance
Austin is an Oklahoma native who enjoys the peace and quiet of the outdoors. As our newest handyman, if you have a problem, yo, he'll solve it! 

Dana Ayers

Organist
Just because Dana is a retired choir teacher doesn't mean she living the quiet life. Dana is an active member in local theater, as well in our church's worship services. 

Christy Barnes

Nursery Coordinator
Christy is known by many for her sweet and fun nature. Speaking of sweet - she is quite famous around the church for her delicious sweet baked tea rings as well!

Klaus

Certified ESA and Goodest Boy
When not helping edit weekly video reels and running our livestreams with Garett, Klaus loves visiting the kiddos at the Early Childhood Center and sneaking snacks from Sapeida at staff meetings.