Senior Pastor - clarewc@gmail.com
Clare wasn't always a pastor. She started out as a regular person with a regular career and a
hectic schedule-probably not that different from yours. But one day, about 25 years ago, God
started pushing Clare to leave her regular life and to follow a new path as a United Methodist
Minister. So that's what she did, and she's never been quite the same since. She's still a regular
person, but her priorities have changed a lot!
Clare is married to Reverend Tony Chance, who retired as a senior Pastor of First United Methodist
Church of Jacksonville in July 2018 after 23 years in ministry. Pastor Tony also wasn't always a pastor.
Before God came knocking on his door, Tony was a professional singer and entertainer, having cut
17 albums (that dates him, doesn't it?) and appearing in London, Las Vegas, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.
Clare and Tony married on New Year's Day in 2007 and share five grown daughters: Devon, Lauren
(+ spouse Candi), Lela, and Emily. They are also obnoxiously proud grandparents of Lincoln, Miller,
Carter and Lucas. And don't ask them about their dogs, Bella and Howard, unless you really want to
hear about them. (Seriously).
Pastor Clare came to Avondale in 2013 after serving as the pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church
in Orlando for seven years. Before that, she was on staff at First United Methodist Church of Ormond
Beach. Before becoming a minister, Clare was Vice President of Marketing for a not-for-profit hospital
system and for a consulting company that helped big organizations to strategize for success.
Clare graduated from St. Mary's preparatory school in Raleigh NC (where her mom was the academic dean).
She got her Bachelor's Degree from Duke University, her Executive MBA from Crummer Graduate School of
Business at Rollins College, and her Master's of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.
Pastor Clare loves serving God with the people who are Avondale United Methodist Church. A diverse group
of Christ-followers, Avondale welcomes ALL people, regardless of economic status, ethnicity, gender
identity/orientation, nationality or ability. That diversity makes worship at Avondale a rich experience--
Come and see!
.png)
