Team

Our Pastor

Rev. Dione Corsilles, Pastor

Pastor Dione Corsilles is an ordained elder in the Pacific Northwest Conference. He was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, completed a Degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and his Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He has served churches in Seattle and Chicago and as a Hospital Chaplain in Chicago.  Dione values his career in Search and Human Resources prior to church ministry.

Dione loves learning about cultures, life stories and contexts that shape people. He values inclusion and differences, and creating spaces to share grace, goodness and gifts with others.  He enjoys musicals, sports, community meals and family time with his spouse, Sarah, and three children.

Karen Smith, Church Council, Chairperson

Karen has been attending Sumner UMC for 50 years! She grew up in this church, attending Sunday School, Youth Group, and Confirmation classes.  Karen and her husband Tim, have been married 30 years and have been long time Sumner residents! They have raised their children in this church and enjoy the closeness and support of their church family.

Karen has been a registered nurse since graduating from WSU in 1989. She is currently a School Nurse administrator for Tacoma Public Schools.

Suzanne Dinwiddie, Lay Leader

Suzanne has been a United Methodist as long as there have been United Methodists, first coming to the church at the time of the union between the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren. She believes deeply in our Wesleyan theology and in the value of being part of a larger connectional church. Over the years, she has been active in congregations in California, Washington, Kentucky, and again in Washington, participating in Bible studies and other small groups, as well as serving in many administrative and technical roles. She has also served in camping ministry and district training opportunities.

Suzanne’s deep desire is for Sumner United Methodist Church to be a truly welcoming place for people of all generations, backgrounds, needs and interests. She hopes we can provide ways to connect with one another in doing life together, to grow in knowledge and spiritual formation, and to serve the needs of our local community as well as our state, nation and world.

Suzanne and her husband Sid have been married for 46 years and have one adult daughter who teaches orchestra in the Puyallup School District. In retirement, Sid works part time as an industry consultant. They have also cared for multiple pet hedgehogs for the past 25 years, particularly rescues and those with medical issues, currently sharing their home with three special rescues.

Joyce-Hopkins-Organist

Joyce Hopkins, Organist

Joyce joined the music team at Sumner UMC in 2013 after substituting in area churches for many years. An organist since age 14, she continues to study privately with Joseph Adam, Director of Music at St James Cathedral in Seattle. In addition to music, Joyce enjoys photography and volunteering as a historical interpreter at Fort Nisqually in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.

Robyn Honeysett, Missions and Community Engagement, Chairperson

Robyn did not grow up in the church but had the opportunity to attend Vacation Bible School as a child then attend Seattle Pacific University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and committed her life the Lord. She has attended Sumner UMC since the early 1990’s and feels very at home amongst her fellow parishioners.

Robyn is looking forward to connecting resources in the church, our community and world, creating a partnership to help make life better for those whose paths we have the privilege of crossing. Robyn hopes to see Sumner UMC be a resource of support for our community and beyond.