Our Staff
Rev. Cindy Lunsford
Greetings from Salem UMC!
I am so excited you have chosen to visit our website and hope you will visit often. Salem UMC loves company! We look forward to the day when we can meet you in person. It is my hope that you will join us for 11:00 a.m. worship at Salem UMC (Weaverville) soon. It will be my privilege to welcome you, please introduce yourself to me when you visit!
I am a second career retired ordained elder in The United Methodist Church. I was appointed to Salem Chapel UMC July 1, 2024. I have a grown son and daughter-in-law with three grandchildren in Ohio. I am married to another clergy, Rev. Warren Lunsford, who is appointed to Clark’s Chapel UMC, Weaverville. He has a son in Florida.
Before being called to full-time clergy ministry in 2004, my work was in the field of k-12 special education and school administration in k-12. I served 13 years prior to retirement as an elder in UMC churches in the Western North Carolina Conference.
I retired at the end of June 2021 to prepare for knee replacement surgery, which has now been completed! People tell me jokingly that I “failed at retirement,” since I continue to serve in pastoral ministry while retired!
My passion is to provide biblical teaching and walk with you with the grace and love of Jesus Christ, equipping you to share your faith in God with others. I consider it a true joy and privilege to work together with the people of Salem UMC and the surrounding community to bring compassion and healing in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Pastor Cindy’s Bio:
- Retired Public School Teacher, Special Education Specialist, and Administrator
- Undergraduate degree in k-12 Special Education from Southwest Missouri State University
- Masters in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University
- Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School
- Church Leadership: Sunday School teacher, Choir Member, Women’s Retreats, Celebrate Recovery Leadership, VBS, DCOM, Mentor for Candidates for Ministry