What is correct salutation when addressing note to retired Methodist Preacher?

Answer 1

When a United Methodist minister retires, he or she is called a superannuate minister. His/her status with the Annual Conference, of which he or she is a member, remains unchanged. These ministers' titles do not change. So long as they remain ministers in good standing, they remain members of the Annual Conference (not a member of a local church) until their death. Then their names are listed among the deceased in the annual Journal of the Conference. At death, their graves are marked by the Board of Archives and History as having been an effective member of the annual conference.

Answer 2

Address the envelope:

The Reverend Jim Smith

Address the salutation:

Dear Rev. Smith,

In a body of text,

I invited The Reverend Jim Smith to speak to us on Thursday.

The above are the most formal.

Of a more informal address would be to shorten Reverend to Rev.

The Rev. Jim Smith

Dear Mr. Smith,

I invited The Rev. Jim Smith...

There are other common forms, such as Pastor, Chaplain, Deacon, Associate Pastor, but those are all titles that relate to the job description of the clergy person.

Answer 3

Address the envelope to 'Revd Arthur Jones' or 'Revd Mary Smith'. Start the letter 'Dear Revd Jones or Dear Revd Smith' and finish 'Yours sincerely, ....'