Bonduel, Gillett UMC churches get new pastor

Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner was recently appointed to be the pastor of Bonduel Zion and Gillett Tabor United Methodist churches.

“It is truly my honor to serve not only one but two churches within the beautiful Shawano and Oconto counties of Wisconsin,” Cottrell-Duebner said. “I am a third-generation pastor in my family. My parents were and are still very active with my home church, Oneida UMC. My mother has been the pianist for Oneida for over 46 years, and she recently joined the staff at Bonduel Zion as their pianist. My father is a talented guitarist, and he is also the groundskeeper for Oneida UMC.”

Cottrell-Duebner was raised in Seymour, graduating from Seymour High School. He has always lived in the area because family is everything to him. After attending UW-Green Bay, Cottrell-Duebner worked in retail management for 15 years.

Cottrell-Duebner currently resides in De Pere with his spouse of five years, Benjamin Duebner, who until recently was the finance treasurer at Oneida UMC.

Prior to being licensed, Cottrell-Duebner served as Oneida United Methodist Church’s staff parish relations committee chairman and lay speaker.

“Having served in two different roles within the church for over seven years made me want to seek more in Christ’s name,” Cottrell-Duebner. “With the help of former pastors, family, and friends, I took my leap of faith into bigger waters, and I attended licensing school where I eventually became a licensed local pastor. I firmly believe that God’s work is never finished and serving as a disciple to Christ for his people has been by far the most satisfying in my heart.”

Next spring, Cottrell-Duebner will continue his theological education by attending seminary school.