Leadership Board
Servant Leaders in Action.Meet The Leadership Board
We are grateful for the dedicated individuals who serve on our Leadership Board, guiding our church with wisdom, faith, and a commitment to our mission. Each member brings unique gifts and perspectives as we seek to fulfill God’s call in our community.
Our board operates on a rotating schedule, with members serving in designated “classes.” This structure ensures continuity while allowing new voices to join in leadership. Click the link below to learn more about our current board members:
Guiding Principles
The Leadership Board for Chelsea First has unanimously approved the “guiding principles” that will broadly guide how the church will operate as it moves closer to full implementation of the simplified accountable structure adopted in in 2024.
The guiding principles say, in part that Chelsea First is a “vibrant, intentionally inclusive, justice-seeking faith congregation.”
The guiding principles are the permission-giving policies, procedures and practices that protect and allow the ministry of the church to function on a day-to-day basis within healthy boundaries. They outline areas of responsibility for the Leadership Board as well as key areas of local church operations.
Adopting the guiding principles by May was one of the initial, first year goals established by the Leadership Board under the streamlined simplified accountable structure for church operations.
The document, approved at the board’s May 13 meeting, can be read in full by clicking the link below.
If you are interested in serving, have a question or comment, we’d love to hear from you!
If you are unsure of how or where you would like to serve, you are invited to fill out the “Gifts Inventory”. The Gifts Inventory can reveal skills and talents you’d like to share or explore with the church family. It will also let leaders know the ways that you want to engage and volunteer.
Leadership Board Information
The Leadership Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month, typically 6:30-8 p.m. in Room 207, and meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is February 10, 2026
Mike Vanderspool will continue to chair Leadership Board
Mike Vanderspool has been re-elected chair of Chelsea First’s Leadership Board for a second year. The board voted unanimously to support his continued leadership at its Jan. 13 meeting.
During 2025 Vanderspool guided the newly formed Leadership Board through its first year of operations under the simplified accountable structure of church governance. The 11-member board agreed that the church would be served well by a second year of his leadership.
“It’s gratifying to have the support of my fellow Leadership Board members and I look forward to an exciting year ahead at Chelsea First,” Vanderspool said.
During the first meeting of the new year, the board also welcomed three new members: Andrea Alford, Curt Collins and David Shaw. They now take over for Dawn Goellner, Mary Hoey and Ray Stankewicz who served one-year terms.
- Andrea Alford, 53, is a research scientist at the University of Michigan. She has been involved with the Connect children’s ministry, the Rezound Handbell Ensemble and the Monday Night Bible Study.
- Curt Collins, 49, is a pharmacist specializing in infectious diseases, working with care teams at local hospitals. He is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Curt and Emily are the parents of two young daughters.
- David Shaw, 66, is a retired mechanical engineer now living at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He has been an active member of several different faith communities as he moved from his native New Jersey to Michigan.
During the time set aside during the meeting for leadership development and spiritual formation, Vanderspool led the board through an exercise of thinking about what characteristics church leaders should possess.
He started by sharing two Bible passages that speak to the topic: Act 6:1-6 and 1 Timothy 3:1-10. The board also discussed how best to proceed in 2026 with the dedicated time during each meeting for leadership development and spiritual formation in the coming year.
Among other matters at the Jan. 13 meeting:
- Tammy Melvin, communications coordinator for the church, walked the board through the church’s website, explaining why topics were organized in a particular way and how she keeps the website up to date. She also manages social media for Chelsea First and prepares graphics for important events in the life of the church.
- Monthly consent agenda items were approved unanimously. These items include the minutes of the December 2025 meeting and the November 2025 consolidated financial report.
2026 Approved Board Meeting Minutes
Chelsea First
Our church culture
Chelsea First United Methodist Church (Chelsea First) is a Christ-centered congregation with a positive, open, and engaging spirit. We are a church for everyone, at all seasons of life, and bring a grounded, engaged, and supportive approach to Christian worship while working passionately toward making a positive impact in our community.
© 2025 Chelsea First UMC
CONTACT US
Chelsea First UMC
128 Park St., Chelsea, MI 48118
📞 (734) 475-8119
✉️ info@chelseaumc.org
📍 Get Directions
STAY CONNECTED
Follow us on: