On behalf of Vendor Members Group, our heartfelt sentiment and love go out to the immediate Gobrecht family and church family on the sudden loss of Pastor Chris in December of 2023. 

Pastor Chris was inspirational in fulfilling our vision at the current facility and location. We are grateful for his support of our local community engagement, for being a kind friend to each of us throughout the years, as well as allowing us to use your dedicated parking space during our events. 

Pastor Chris, your smiles, sermons, hearty appetite, chess matches, hearty appetite, and presence during our events will be dearly missed.

The Rev. Chris Gobrecht, pastor of Timonium United Methodist Church, died unexpectedly Dec. 2 following a cardiac event. He was 58. 

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Rebeca, at 2429 Chetwood Circle, Timonium, MD 21093-2533. A memorial service is planned for this Spring.

His unexpected death has shaken all those who loved him. His constant and profound witness to the love of God will stand as his legacy to The United Methodist Church

Chris Gobrecht served as a pastor at Grace UMC in Hampstead, Taylorsville UMC in Mt. Airy, New Covenant UMC in Cumberland and Timonium-Fairview in Timonium. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on appreciative inquiry and evangelism. His hobbies included chess, hiking, and softball. He and Rebecca have two grown daughters, Danielle and Alexandra.

A letter to the congregation, sharing the news of Rev. Gobrecht’s death, closed with words he had chosen for the previous Sunday’s benediction: "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus … God is faithful."