As of July 1st, the McKnight United Methodist Church will have a new minister. He is William "Bill" LaVelle, Jr. Pastor LaVelle has been a pastor since 1983, serving pastorates in Johnstown, Clarion, Acme, and Finleyville, PA. His wife of 33 years is Shyrl. The LaVelle's have five children. Their eldest, a son, lives in Oregon. One daughter is a student at Clarion State University and three daughters are living at home.

Mrs. LaVelle is an active participant in her husband's ministry. She describes their working relationship as being like "two mittens". Pastor Bill, an avid fisherman, is coming to McKnight United Methodist Church from Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, Johnstown, PA. Prior to Johnstown, Bill was an associate minister in the First United Methodist Church, Clarion, PA. He began full time ministry at Acme United Methodist Church in 1989.

Bill and Shyrl grew up in Washington, PA. After graduating from high school in 1968, Bill attended electronics school and worked for approximately 13 years as an electronic technician. Along the way Shryl and Bill married, acquired a 7-acre farmette (her words) in Washington, PA and believed that their life was set. Shryl was employed outside the home. Both Shryl and Bill were leaders in their local Methodist church. In January 1981, while attending the Methodist Conference on Evangelism being held in Pittsburgh, Bill felt the call to the ministry. Subsequently, and with Shryl's concurrence and support, they sold the farmette and Bill left his job to begin studying for the ministry. Bill completed his undergraduate degree at California University of Pennsylvania and obtained his Master's of Divinity (MDiv) at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Bill loves to sing in the choir and is supportive and experienced in many of the ministries that our church offers. He is a believer in continuing education and has attended leadership training programs given by the Willow Creek Association in conjunction with the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, founded by Rev. Bill Hybels, and the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, near Ashville, NC.