United Methodist Church Pawnee, Welcome Pastor Randy Sharp!
By Cindy Ladage
Pastor Randy Sharp was welcomed to the United Methodist Church July 1, 2025. The church celebrated with an ice cream social to introduce him to the community. A resident of Auburn, Illinois, he currently serves three church communities, Pawnee, Divernon, and Warrensburg, Illinois. “I am in Pawnee, two Sunday’s a month,” Pastor Sharp said. 
When he isn’t presiding over the church on Sunday mornings, one Sunday a month, Kristina Shelton, President of the Administrating Board speaks. “I am a certified Lay speaker,” she said, adding that she has been with the church for 31 years.
The other Sunday Dr. Bev Matthews presents the message. In Divernon, Pastor Sharp is assisted by Bill Pflug, and Sherri Clarke. Pastor Sharp said that the Divernon church is similar to Pawnee.
Growing up in Illinois’ Marion County, Pastor Sharp graduated from Patoka High in 1970. After receiving his degree in journalism, he worked at AT&T for 44 years. Marrying in 1998, his late wife Caralyn brought three beautiful children into his life and today he has seven amazing grandchildren.
Pastor Sharp shared that when he was six or seven, he wanted to be a minister like his grandfather, who was a Methodist reverend. It took a while, but he made it happen. “I waited until I was 70,” he joked.
In 1993, Pastor Sharp felt the call to become a certified lay speaker. He started serving right after his certification, then sought licensing school in the summer of 2023. Before serving at Pawnee, he ministered congregations at Farmersville, Raymond and is currently finishing his 3rd year at Warrensburg.
This very busy ministerial staff are ensuring the Pawnee community receives God’s word and the message of His love. “We try to exemplify the love of Jesus Christ, and extend church beyond the walls of the building,” Pastor Sharp said, adding, “We try to remain Biblically based.”
At the church they have been upgrading as funds provide and recently got new chairs with assistance from a Senior Services grant. They also revamped a former storage room into a community room and Fellowship Hall that is available for meetings and events. They want their church to be a cornerstone of community activity.” We are always willing to host community events.”
Kristina Shelton added that they try to be visible in the community through the events they offer, inviting people in the community to join in. Recent events include the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, Chicken dinner, and Mostaccioli Dinner, as well as their Soup and Chili Dinner, which is one of their most popular fundraisers. “We were sold out by the end of the evening!” Kristina added.
Taco Tuesday is also a popular event as well as Girls Night Out a day to honor Mother’s Day.
At the Pawnee Methodist Church, they celebrate first responders with an appreciation dinner. Member Kim Cobb gave remarks expressing their appreciation for first responders work I the community.
Holidays are big at the Pawnee Methodist Church, they provide treats to the youth of town in the parking lot with members decorating their vehicles, they sell nuts for Christmas holiday baking, and each year Shellie McEvers provides a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. “It’s great opportunity for us to give thanks for all of God’s bounty and His blessings on our church,” Kristina added.
During the Christmas holiday, the church fills Christmas Stockings made by the Mission and Outreach committee and offers them in coordination with the Pawnee Food Pantry. Parent’s Day Out is a popular event where parents can complete holiday decorating, shopping etc., while the kids get a chance to play games and have their own celebration. A true Pawnee tradition is the Cookie Walk and Craft Sale that is popular with residents in the community and beyond. 
During Holy Week, the United Methodist Church offers Palm Sunday Worship Service, Maundy Thursday Service, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They open their doors and their hearts to everyone during this holiest of seasons celebrating Christ’s Resurrection.
Children are at the heart of the church with Vacation Bible School open to all. This year’s theme is Snowball Mountain and takes place July 12-16. When the school year starts up, the church serves the community purchasing backpacks and book bags for the Pawnee Schools. Last year along with the help of Scheels, they offered 50 backpacks and filled school supplies for children in town. Youth had the opportunity to attend a cooking and Bible study class offering a chance to learn about the Bible, and to cook at the same time.
Seniors are also welcome for the Senior’s Free Lunch offering speakers, a meal and a chance to fellowship the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Bingo is also a popular senior even held every 2nd Tuesday of the month with coffee and donuts and lots of fun. “It is important to minister to older people, and it is a constant effort to get younger people,” Kristina said, adding that they h are hoping to work in the near future with the Pawnee Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The United Methodist Church also joins in community events like Pawnee Prairie Days. They sold popular walking tacos, and soft drinks each evening of this important community event. The church also celebrates Veteran’s and Memorial Day with a special worship recognizing Veteran’s sacrifice. Pastor Sharp is also active in the Pawnee Ministerial Alliance. He is interested in working together with community churches to improve the lives of the local residents.
Fun events like Paint Day also offer some lighthearted fun. On the more serious side, they offer Christian based Grief Share, led by Dr. Bev Matthew PSYD, LCP, a CLM and supply pastor. This is an opportunity for anyone grieving to join in guided fellowship. This takes place the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-12 a.m.
This small, but dynamic congregation welcomes volunteers for their busy events and can provide service hours for scholarships and clubs. Their team is small, but mighty. You can find out more about the Pawnee United Methodist Church on Facebook, or their website. Pastor Randy telecasts his sermons, and they can be followed online, or from their YouTube channel. The online services have been very successful with an average of 275 views. “It is also shared a lot,” Pastor Sharp added. “We have a lot of traffic.”
Welcome Pastor Randy Sharp, thank you for ministering to the United Church congregation, and community of Pawnee. 