Announcement from the Staff Parish Relations Committee of Channahon United Methodist Church
Hello, Channahon United Methodist Church Families and friends!
My name is Amanda Francisco, and I am the chairperson of our CUMC Staff Parish Relations Committee.
As we know, the United Methodist Church appoints pastors through an itinerant system that is based on a yearly appointment system (July 1-June 30). Bishop Dan Schwerin and the Northern Illinois Conference Cabinet, with the assistance of our District Superintendent, Brian Gilbert have appointed Reverend Ayla Samson to begin serving Channahon United Methodist Church full time as of July 1, 2025.
Pastor Ayla has a collaborative leadership style and is committed to building healthy and enriching relationships that bring growth and vitality to the life of the church. She is described as a creative, out-of-the-box thinker that provides excellent Pastoral support, amongst many other wonderful attributes. She is committed to work with the congregation to reach out and service the larger community in effective and innovative ways. Pastor Ayla has a personal passion for fine arts, is committed to sharing this passion with children and adults. She is active at the Annual Conference Level, serving in a multitude of capacities including the Chairperson of the Annual Conference Board of Global Ministries. She also holds three additional positions including board member of the National Asian American and Pacific Islander Clergy Women Association, Member of the Executive Committee and Board member of the Asian American Language Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries, and President of the National United Methodist Pakistani Caucus of the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists.
Pastor Ayla received her B.A. Degree from University of Punjab, Pakistan, her Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, and completed post graduate work at Maryknoll School of Theology in New York and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She has also graduated from Northern Illinois Institute of Congregational Development offered by Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
Personally, Pastor Ayla is married to Rev. Dr. Zaki Labib Zaki who currently serves as Senior Pastor of Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church. They will reside at our parsonage located in Channahon. They are the proud parents of 5 young adult children whom we are looking forward to meeting!
We are thrilled to welcome Pastor Ayla and her family as they begin their ministry at CUMC. Pastor Ayla’s first Sunday in worship will be July 6 at our 9:00 am worship time. We will have a formal welcoming Sunday July 13, followed by a welcoming reception.
Kris Hayden, Church Admin, office@channahonumc.org, 815-467-5275, ext 10
Brittany Alcantar, Music Director director@channahonumc.org
Meghan Sweet, Treasurer sweetswim247@comcast.net
Timothy Scates, Pianist