HOWLAND — After 15 years leading the congregation at Howland United Methodist Church, Pastor Matt Darrin and his family are leaving for a position in Carrollton.
Nearly 350 people from the church and other local Methodist churches gathered Dec. 21 to thank the Darrins for their service, which included overseeing additions to the church building.
The final service was a Christmas-themed cantata that included the Darrin family singing and the choir directed by Samuel Darrin. The family also was at the church’s Christmas Eve service.
“We are glad you could be with us and celebrate at the musical service. We thank you for being part of our lives,” Matt Darrin said.
Darrin said he was reassigned to another church starting in January because another pastor had to step down for health reasons.
He told the congregation the move is emotional not only for him but the entire family.
“I have been incredibly blessed to serve here as pastor for 15 years. That is an unusually long stay for a pastor,” Darrin said.
He said when the family came to the church, his youngest daughter Elizabeth was in preschool and she is now in college,
Darrin said when they arrived 15 years ago, the church had low membership and today is strong and vital, with many ministries and programs.
Darrin said the church and its members have been a family to him, Janel and the children.
The family stood outside the sanctuary doors greeting people who thanked them for their service. The family was treated to lunch in the sports / recreational area of the church, which was added during Darrin’s tenure.
Bob Gribling of Howland said as an active church member, he has worked with Darrin.
“He was able to work with everyone in the church. He showed he was a very caring person and anyone who needed to speak with him, he was there to listen and support them. He opened the church to everyone. I very much enjoyed having him here,” Gribling said.
Gribling said what was unique was Matt and Janel Darrin’s four children, Gabrielle, Sam, Christian and Elizabeth, all have been part of the church’s music ministry and grew up in the church,
“They are an amazing family. They were all very active in the church,” Gribling said.
Gribling said the congregation has grown to between 200 and 300 members since the Darrins have been here.
He said there were two additions to the church while the Darrins were there — a large sports and recreational area to the south of the building, and a large meeting and welcome room with stained glass windows at the east side of the building.
Gribling said there will be interim pastors until a permanent one is appointed by July.
In addition to the Howland church, the Darrins have helped with ministry and music at the Methodist churches in Braceville, Brookfield, Hubbard and McDonald.
Samuel and Gabrielle Darrin both are teachers in the music field and serve as lay ministers at Methodist churches in Brookfield and Hubbard. Samuel also has served as music director at the Howland church.
Ken Conklin of Warren said the Darrins will be greatly missed and will be remembered for all they did for the church during their 15 years.
“They helped in building up this church. Matt Darrin did a tremendous job,” said Dick Lytle of Howland,
Jeff Ward of Warren said the Darrins have many contributions to the church and have helped with the growth of the congregation.
“It has been a blessing they stayed for 15 years,” said Andy McCracken.
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