Alexandria District:
Scott Beck, St. Paul
Church to which you are moving: Saint Paul UMC
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Wesley Grace United Methodist Church
Family: Wife-Jamie, 2 daughters-ages 14 & 10, 2 Dogs-Marley & Chloe
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Reaching the people of the city of Woodbridge with the love of Jesus Christ alongside the people of Saint Paul UMC!
What are you most passionate about in ministry? I am passionate about reaching city people with the Gospel so they can go out to other areas and spread the Good News!
What was your very first job? I was a paper boy! (real great way to get to know everyone in the neighborhood!)
Fun fact about you: I am a huge Pittsburgh Sports fan, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gennie Bowles, Prince of Peace
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Hot Springs Charge- Staunton District
Family: I live with my brother Page who just graduated from culinary school and got a job in DC. My best buddy is Charles Wesley the wonderdog, my 70lb lap dog
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I am excited about working to do some intentional community outreach and revitalization
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Worship that sends us out to serve in the spirit of the Gospel
What was your very first job? Resident Advisor at Virginia Tech
Fun fact about you: I got my motorcycle license last year and love riding my bright blue Honda CB750 Nighthawk
Jay Campbell, Mount Vernon
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Director of Youth Ministries at Fairfax UMC
Family: Wife – Katie who works at General Board of Church and Society and we have a 3 year old Shiba Inu dog named Rue
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Geting to lead worship, plan opportunities for spiritual formation and help the church dream about how to engage our community
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Spiritual formation, worship, journeying with people, helping people grow
What was your very first job? Working with a neighbor in his landscaping business to mow lawns
Fun fact about you: I grew up with a pet skunk named Fred for about 10 years as a kid/teenager
Pia Diggs, Messiah
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Messiah (2 years as a Congregational Leader), Wake Forest School of Divinity 2016
Family: I am married to Samuel Mattison, Sr. and I gained an amazing bonus, a son. Our son is 10 years old and loves meeting new kids, playing basketball and soccer. We are originally from the Carolina’s. I am from NC and my husband is from SC. We enjoy traveling, relaxing and laughing. My husband works in DC in education. We genuinely have a heart for people and thoroughly enjoy our work in serving.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I am excited about serving Messiah. I look forward to the many ways that we will continue to support one another’s spiritual growth.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? I love the ‘Ah-ha’ moments. There are many times that God allows us to experience, witness and cultivate them. That’s what makes this work beautiful!
What was your very first job? I was an intern to a courier at a law firm in high school. I was confident I wanted to be a lawyer until this experience. The next summer I was a cashier at Winn-Dixie.
Fun fact about you: I watched the fireworks over the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt for New Year’s 2016. It was awesome!
Abi Foerster, St. Thomas
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: St. Stephen’s
Family: Lacy is my husband of 16 years. We have a 12-year-old daughter and we have a pet cockapoo named Bailey.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Meeting new people
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Sharing Christ with Children
What was your very first job? Candy Striper
Fun fact about you: I’ve been skydiving. I’ve been to 38 of the 50 states. I’ve visited the Holy Land, Korea, Scotland, France, and Brazil once; and England, Mexico and Canada twice.
Grace Han, Trinity
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: St. Matthew’s UMC
Family: Husband Chris Meserole, and two children ages 7 and 5
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Being a neighboring church.
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Spiritual depth and growth, being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.
What was your very first job? Shelver at the Columbus Public Library.
Fun fact about you: Both of my parents are United Methodist clergy.
Christina Hart-Perkins, Washington Farm
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Crewe UMC on the Farmville District
Family: Husband, Nathan and five daughters. We also have a puppy and two rescue cats.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? The opportunity to have new challenges, to listen and learn about the people of Washington Farm and to learn to live in NOVA.
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Presenting the Gospel in a way that makes people excited to go out and live with joy in whatever way God is calling them.
What was your very first job? I was a nanny for a two and four year old.
Fun fact about you: I have had a snowball fight on the Fourth of July.
Minoo Kim, Fairfax/new site
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Associate Pastor @ Good Shepherd UMC (Dale City)
Family: Grace is my wife’s name.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Being with the Fairfax community.
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Preaching the Gospel.
What was your very first job? Busboy at a restaurant in Tysons Corner
Fun fact about you: I haven’t watched the original Star Wars trilogy.
Jiyeon Kim, St. Stephen’s
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Korean UMC of Greater Washington, Associate Pastor
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Meeting new people and learning about culture and tradition of new church
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Preaching, building relationships with people, praying, developing programs, etc.
What was your very first job? Math tutor
Fun fact about you: I’m learning kickboxing (first time ever although I’m taking some break during my transition).
Mac McKenney, Good Shepherd
Church to which you are moving: Good Shepherd (Alexandria District)
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Mount Olivet (Arlington District)
Family: My wife, Linda, and I have two adult children: Reid, who lives in Springfield, and Nora, who lives in Queens and teaches in Brooklyn. Over the years, we have shared our home with seven basset hounds, usually two at at time. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they have shared their home with us. We currently have a basset-beagle mix and an Irish wolfhound under foot.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Getting to know and serving in ministry with the people of such a remarkable faith community.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? I have always been passionate about working with youth, but I am equally passionate about teaching, preaching, pastoral care and outreach.
What was your very first job? Delivering newspapers.
Fun fact about you: I lettered in basketball at Wesley Theological Seminary.
Jason Micheli, Annandale
Emily Moore-Diamond, Aldersgate
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Chaplain, Mary Washington Hospital
Family: Husband Scott, Stepson, and three cats
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Seeing God’s grace live and move there, helping them to discern God’s dream for the community and church
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Relational discipleship, worship, and community immersion
What was your very first job? Pizza Hut waitress
Fun fact about you: I sang in a bluegrass band for several years.
Nickie Moreno Howard, St. Matthew’s
Church to which you are moving: St. Matthew’s
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Dulin UMC, Minister of Christian Discipleship
Family: Christian is my husband of five years. We have a grumpy old cat named Benny and joyful and loving goldendoodle named Miles.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I am most excited about exploring the ways God is calling myself and St. Matthew’s to serve the Annandale/Fairfax community and one another.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Equipping disciples and laypersons to respond to God’s call in their lives.
What was your very first job? Waitress at Pizza Hut
Fun fact about you: I’ve worked in 5 different annual conferences and 3 jurisdictions in The United Methodist Church! #methodistnerdalert
J. W. (Jae Woo) Park, St. John’s
Church to which you are moving: St. John’s UMC, Springfield (Alexandria)
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: St. Andrew’s UMC, Portsmouth (ER District)
Family: Hannah (wife or boss) and children in 7th grade and 1st grade, plus… one betta fish!
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Hope to learn and feel dynamics near my new church through much diversity
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Planning worship with various styles
What was your very first job? a piano accompanist for a Korean Army Chapel at the age of 9
Fun fact about you: Love to find out fantastic coffee shops
Sara Porter Keeling, Good Shepherd
Church to which you are moving: Good Shepherd
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Rappahannock Charge
Family: Husband Shawn, 3 kids
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Getting to know new people
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Inspiring people in their daily lives
What was your very first job? Dance teacher
Fun fact about you: I love to water-ski
Tommy Suh, Messiah
Kimberly Barker-Brugman
Church to which you are moving:Soul Story MinistriesChurch (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Zion UMC, in Spotsylvania, VAFamily: Hubby Kevin works for the U.S. Government, son is off to the University of Utah to get his PhD in network security, son is a sophomore at Virginia Wesleyan University, and our black lab/chow mix is just the sweetest and ‘tiggerist’ dog we’ve had (she loves to jump).What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new appointment: I absolutely love listening to people tell me how God is working in their lives. As a spiritual director its my job (best ever) to listen to your story and help you connect a little deeper with the Divine. And I love to teach – so if you need to learn new ways of connecting to God: learning lectio divina, or centering prayer, or….(in a group setting or as individual spiritual directee) – this kind of work makes my heart sing. And after having been to Church in the Wild, my latest fun thing to do – is coming up with new ways to integrate nature/creation in spiritual direction.What are you most passionate about in ministry? We are swimming in the Divine – but often we are so busy ‘living’ we can’t sense or see the Holy about us. I love to help people slow down and just ‘be’ so they can ‘see’ God in their lives and ministry. What was your very first job? I worked at Lenox Hill Camp in Bantam CT as a laundry worker doing the laundry for the campers all summer long. Fun fact about you: I majored in Botany and minored in Zoology at Ohio Wesleyan for my undergraduate degree. So when I tell my life story I often say I moved from the Creation to the Creator. I haven’t abandoned the Creation – as its a great window into seeing the Creator…but its a fun fact and it is leading me into connecting my ministry of spiritual direction through Soul Story Ministries into my justice issue of taking better care of Creation.
Arlington District:
Daniel Cho, KUMC-GW
Church to which you are moving: KUMC GW
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: FUMC in Flushing, NY
Family: Wife (Catherine) and three kids
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? New Environment, Opportunity and Possibilities
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Family, Discipleship and Missions
What was your very first job? Worked at a Deli and Camp Counselor
Fun fact about you. I can speak English, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Japanese
Melissa Dunlap, Vine*
Church to which you are moving: Vine
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: District Office
Family: Husband – Kyle, 2 Kids
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? New people
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Seeing the church reach young people
What was your very first job? Babysitter
Fun fact about you: I’ve lived overseas twice (Russia and Belgium)
Catharine Guest, Pender
JP Hong, Christ Crossman
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: The Hunger Church, Charles Wesley UMC
Family: Aimee (spouse) works as the director of the Seminar Program for the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, located right next to the U.S. Supreme Court. If you have a group wanting to address the intersection of faith and immigration, spirituality and poverty, or any other concern addressed by our Social Principles, she’s a great person to call! Outside of work, our not-yet-school-age children, function as our heads-of-household. One loves dinosaurs and quipping, “Share, share is only fair.” And the other loves rocks and not being fair.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Old sermons are new again! Yes! Wait, did I just say that? Okay, better answer? There’s excitement in discovering new ways God has been at work in another part of the connectional body of Christ.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? The kingdom of God is truly the kin-dom of God. And being invited to share in the life and ministry of another faith community, to connect with another part of the family of God, is pretty awesome!
What was your very first job? I worked as a cashier at the student store during my freshman year.
Fun fact about you: Grew up in Colorado from age four until I left for college, and I still haven’t put on a pair of skis.
Ho Kang, Smith Chapel
Church to which you are moving: Smith Chapel UMC
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Ashburn Korean UMC (I will be still serving at this church – two point charge)
Family: I have a wife (Yeon Me Kim) and two daughters. They are five and one years old.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Solo pastor and cross-cultural setting
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Preaching, mission and outreach
What was your very first job? Army officerFun fact about you: Once I lived with kiwis (New zealanders) in New Zealand.
Arum Kim, Graham Road
Church to which you are moving: The Vine – Graham Road Legacy
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Atlantic UMC & Church Transformation Coordinator of the Eastern Shore District
Family: Joon Shin (husband), a two years old sassy little girl, and two GIANT cats (20 lb+ each)
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I am excited about learning each one of faithful servants at Graham Road legacy congregation, and discerning together our faithful path for the future.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? I am passionate about engaging with the community around the church as well as an excellence in worship!
What was your very first job? My very first job was handing out leaflets for a local pizzaria in large apartment complexes in my hometown, Bucheon, South Korea.
Fun fact about you: I was a engineering major in college, but also enrolled in many elective PE classes including Archery, Golf, Snowboarding, Judo (earned a black belt), Dance sports (ballroom dances-Waltz, Tango, Quickstep), Physical Training, and Aerobics.
U. Tarah Lee, KUMC-GW
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Foundry UMC (Virginia Beach)
Family: Rev David Ryu (husband), two children
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Seeing God extend our mission field
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Discipleship and outreach
What was your very first job? Cashier at a corner store at the age of 11 ($3/hr)
Fun fact about you: Grew up playing road hockey in a small city in Canada
Jake McGlothin, Floris
Church to which you are moving: Restoration-Loudoun
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Floris- Serve Ministries
Family: Wife (Robin), 2 kids, and Maggie the dog
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Planting a new church!
What are you most passionate about in ministry?Relationships and sacraments
What was your very first job? Pizza delivery
Fun fact about you: I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia
Geitra Mickelson, Galilee*
Church to which you are moving: Galilee UMC
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Sterling UMC,
Previous career: National Symphony Orchestra; Current seminary: Wesley
Family: Neil: spouse of 20 years, children: one is 11 and going into 7th grade and Gabriel: 9 and one is going into 4th grade . Also Lily: 3 year old Scottish Terrier. The majority of our family lives in NE Ohio
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? My first appointment
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Worship
What was your very first job? Hostess at Bob Evans
Fun fact about you: I’ve held Yo Yo Ma’s cello
Flor Norris-Hoydilla, Crossroads
Jonathan Page, Herndon
Church to which you are moving: Herndon UMC
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Fieldstone UMC
Family: Wife — Kelly (soon-to-be teacher at South Lakes High in Reston); Dogs — Scotty, Winnie, Emmet.
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Getting to know the people of Herndon (church and community) and discerning how God might be calling us into the next season of ministry together.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Reaching un- and de-churched people with the good news of God’s love
What was your very first job? Kitchen help at Chick-Fil-A
Fun fact about you: I once grazed Mike Krzyzewski’s fist with my hand.
Bob Riggles, Floris
Martha (Marti) Ringenbach, Charles Wesley
Church to which you are moving: Charles Wesley
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Beulah/ Richmond/ associate pastor
Family: Spouse- Todd, 2 children
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Missions, good worship, getting to know great people
What are you most passionate about in ministry? Worship/sacraments, congregational care
What was your very first job? Camp counselor
Fun fact about you: My family managed a KOA campground. I lived 5 years in Germany.
Sunghyun Ryu, KUMC-Koinonia
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Korean Methodist Church
Family: Eunju (wife), no kids yet
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I came to join UMC for the first time so I am very thankful and excited.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? I am passionate to deliver the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ
Matthew Sergent, Andrew Chapel
Church to which you are moving: Andrew Chapel
Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Galilee in Sterling
Family: Wife, Barbara and 2 Daughters ages 19 and 17. Two dogs, Pixie and Buddy
What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Getting to know the people in the congregation and partnering with them in ministry both within and outside the church walls.
What are you most passionate about in ministry? The joy of sharing the good news with all people. Also, helping people get involved in ministry – God is not always looking for abilities as much as availability.
What was your very first job? Custodian at my Dad’s church in Bethesda, MD
Fun fact about you: I was a drummer in the Baltimore City Bagpipe Band. Yes, that means I wore a kilt!