About Pastor Karen
Reverend Oehl was reared in a United Methodist parsonage as her father Reverend Dr. Bill McCartney served churches in western Pennsylvania and East Ohio (Epworth Euclid UMC, 1971-1981, Canton District Superintendent, 1981-1987). Pastor Oehl attended high school in Shaker Heights and graduated from the College of Wooster in 1981 with a degree in history. She taught at Hathaway Brown School before receiving her call to ministry. While attending the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, she worked at the United Methodist Church of Wooster as Adult Ministries Director (1992-1996). Since her graduation from seminary in 1996, she has served the Marshallville/Easton UMC 1996-2002 and the Apple Creek UMC, 2002 - 2006.

Pastor Oehl is married to Frank Christopher "Chris" Oehl, an attorney in private practice in Wooster and Assistant Prosecutor, Holmes County. They have two daughters, Kirsten Elaine Oehl, a junior at Baldwin-Wallace College, and Maren Elizabeth Oehl, a high school senior.

Reverend Oehl has served in many capacities within the East Ohio Conference and in the educational field in communities where she has lived.

Rev. Oehl continues to be interested in growing disciples of Jesus Christ through vital worship, serving together, and being grounded in the Word.  She loves to teach, be involved in music, and get to know people.

Each member of the congregation is encouraged to keep Reverend Oehl and her family in daily prayer as they find ways to serve Christ in Brecksville.

Outdoor Education
I loved church camp, and from the time I was 9 years old I spent a week each summer at camp if I possibly could, going into my adult years when I would volunteer for a week at one of our church camps.  I am a preacher’s kid, and went to church all my life, but the faith training I received at camp was the most personal and precious to me.

Right now we are in the season when many schools are taking a group of students (usually 6th graders) on an Outdoor Education trip.  A few days away from school at a camp is a wonderful opportunity to have hands-on science experiences, build strong interpersonal relationships, and practice group dynamic skills.

In the Bible you will see Outdoor Ed at work in God’s salvation plan, as well.   A beautiful garden was the ideal spot for the first human beings, who were learning to love the earth and its creatures.  The Israelites were formed as a nation during their 40 years of outdoor education!  Jesus found outdoor settings—away from institutions and cultural separations—to be a perfect place to teach.

What outdoor education opportunities do we have?  Well, we still have church camps that provide a week of Christian community and activity in a powerful way.  There are more kinds of camp weeks than ever, for children, youth, and families.  Check it out!

Once again the church is sponsoring a men’s softball team.  What could be nicer than to come out on a summer evening to cheer and chat, and get to know each other better?  (Lisa Drew leads the way on knowing how to get the most out of this.)  Our Vacation Bible School will begin with a family picnic, and have the feeling of outdoor ed, since it is Christian teaching in a different setting.

And you and your family may have other opportunities to praise God, step away from your normal routine, and appreciate the earth and its creatures this summer.  Take some time to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, setting aside worries and cares to be taught by the Creator of us all.