Pastoral Staff

Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Senior Pastor
Ext. 21
pmoon@woodlakeumc.org

Pete Moon has served as the Senior Pastor of Woodlake UMC since June 2002.  He received his Masters Degree from Union/PSCE Seminary in Richmond, and a Doctorate from Wesley Seminary in Washington D.C.  His focus has been upon changing lives through Christ in the midst of a rapidly growing segment of Chesterfield County.  At the same time, he believes that the church must be invested in the lives of those who struggle for life in our Richmond Community and in overseas missions.  He has been married for twenty years to his wife Lynn and has five children.  In his spare time loves woodworking and building furniture.

Donna Holder has been attending Woodlake UMC since 1989 and came on board as a staff person in 1999.  She loves helping people to identify their God-given gifts and then to empower them to be in ministry in the world!  She is married to her husband, Ken; and has three children.  Her favorite book of the Bible is John and she loves all of the early kid’s movies, like “Aladdin” and “Jungle Book”, as well as “chick” flicks like “Sleepless in Seattle,” and movies that tell a good story like “Dances with Wolves.”  For fun she enjoys Tae Kwon Do (black belt), relaxing at the beach (Nags Head is our favorite place), hiking, kayaking, camping, reading, and playing the piano or listening to music.

Rev. Michael Whaley
Associate Pastor
Ext. 38
mwhaley@woodlakeumc.org

Michael Whaley serves as our Pastor of Missions and is head of the Mission Team, which organizes local and global mission trips and opportunities.

Denise Watkins joins our staff as a pastoral intern this year.  A nineteen year member of Woodlake United Methodist Church, she has served in a variety of capacities from children’s Sunday school teacher, VBS, Finance Committee, to Adult Small group leader.  Her career focus changed in 2004 through a series of events that led her to answer a call to ministry.   These events began with a speaking opportunity at a celebration for her 90 year old grandmother that led to a year long Disciple Bible Study with Pastor Donna Holder.  Through this study and a sermon about John the Baptist, she responded.  She is now a certified candidate for ordained ministry in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Knowing that we are only as strong as the people around us, she is grateful to family and friends for their support.  Mike Watkins is her husband and is employed at the Holiday Inn Koger Center South.  She also has three children.  Her mother still resides in West Virginia.  A brother and his family are in Charlotte, NC.  She is a current student at Union-PSCE Seminary and is in the second year of the Masters of Divinity Program.  Her undergraduate work was done at Wheeling Jesuit College in West Virginia.  She would like to thank Woodlake for this opportunity to learn and grow in the ministry.

Administrative Staff

Pam Johnston
Director of Stewardship
Ext. 23
phardey@woodlakeumc.org

Pam Johnston came on board as a staff person in 1997 and began attending Woodlake UMC in 1999.  She enjoys being part of a team that helps keep the church running so that people may gather and worship as well as meet other needs they may have.  She is married to her husband Herb and has three children.  Her favorite book of the bible is James.  Her favorite movie is Rigoletto and for fun she enjoys spending time with her family – what little time our schedule allows us to - reading and attempting to do Suduko!

Gretchen Georgas
Administrative Coordinator
Ext. 25
ggeorgas@woodlakeumc.org

Gretchen Georgas has been attending Woodlake UMC since 1999 and came on board as a staff person in 2000.  She enjoys listening to classical music and has a son named Nick who is currently attending the University of Kentucky.

Shirley Huffman
Treasurer
Ext. 26
shuffman@woodlakeumc.org

Shirley Huffman came on board as a staff person in 2007.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance & Economics from Northwest Missouri State University and prior Accounting experience in a non-profit organization.  Her husband, Charles, is a retired Army officer and they have a son, Aaron, living in Florida.  Shirley handles the funds for the church, oversees payroll, benefits, and works very closely with the Finance Committee on the budget process.  Her talents include singing in the choir and playing violin in the orchestra.

Sharon Takai
Communications Coordinator
Ext. 27
stakai@woodlakeumc.org

Sharon Takai has been attending Woodlake UMC since 2004 and came on board as a staff person in 2006.  She loves having the opportunity to use her gift of creativity for work in God's Kingdom.  She is married to her husband, Joe, and has two "babies" - their dogs Chuckie and Lexi!  Sharon has a BA in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University and enjoys painting, interior design, watching movies, reading Nicholas Sparks books, and spending time with her family at the lake.  Her favorite books of the Bible are Psalms, Romans and Ephesians.

Discipleship Ministries Staff

MaryKaye Cochran
Director of Discipleship
Ext. 33
mcochran@woodlakeumc.org

Since July 2006, MaryKaye has served as Director of Lay Ministries, overseeing the Good News Team and Lay Ministry Team.  Her background in Christian Education and new student programming provide a strong foundation for sharing her gifts and talents here at WUMC.  MaryKaye is originally from Ashland, Ohio, but has lived in Virginia for 33 years.  She attended the College of William and Mary as an undergraduate and majored in Psychology and Religion.  MaryKaye attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio for graduate studies in college student personnel.  Her professional experiences include directing the orientation program at Longwood College (now University) and serving as Christian Educator at Farmville UMC (Farmville, VA) and Duncan Memorial UMC (Ashland, VA).

As Director of Lay Ministries, MaryKaye enjoys the opportunity to get to know visitors to WUMC and help them move through the process of becoming a new member and finding a place to serve and be served here in the church and beyond.  She especially enjoys when people recognize their God-given talents and gifts and use them to glorify God and help further God’s Kingdom.  MaryKaye is married to Larry Cochran and they have three children, Jason, Samuel and Lauren, and a dog, Annie.  Her favorite book of the Bible is the Psalms and her favorite movie is the “Sound of Music.”  She loves to sing, scrapbook, and read whenever possible.

Beth Christian
Dir. of Children's Ministries
Ext. 28
bchristian@woodlakeumc.org

Beth Christian has been attending Woodlake UMC since 1997 and came on board as a staff person in 2001.  What she likes best about her ministry is the absolute trust and awe children have for Jesus.  The kids “get it” AND share it!  She is married to her husband Roger, and has four children ages 12, 15, 22 & 23.  Her favorite book of the bible is Romans.  Her favorite movie is The Sandlot and for fun she enjoys spending time with her husband.

Lori Snidow
Preschool Director
Ext. 59
lsnidow@woodlakeumc.org

Lori Snidow's official start date as the Director of the new preschool is January 1st, 2008.  Welcome Lori!  The new preschool's grand opening will be in the fall 2008 and will be accepting registrations for children ages 3 and 4 in January.  Click here for more information.

Barbara Wood
KidZworship Coordinator
Ext. 62
bwood@woodlakeumc.org

Barbara Wood has always loved serving children from an early age. She began her professional career as an early childhood educator in Chesterfield County after attending Longwood University in 1989. However, her greatest enjoyment comes when she is able to teach children God’s Word and what it means to them. She has been a member of Woodlake UMC since 2001, but has been a Methodist all her life. She has been married to her wonderful husband Roger for 17 years. They have two terrific kids. Her favorite books and movies are whatever her children are reading or watching at that time, but two of her personal favorite movies are "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" and A&E’s "Pride and Prejudice". Her favorite book to read is the Bible in a study with her sister’s in Christ. She enjoys making cards using her many stamps and playing with her dog "Persie", which is short for "Perseverance".

Linda Chapman
Nursery Coordinator
Ext. 55
lchapman@woodlakeumc.org

Linda and her family moved here in 1992 and began attending WUMC. She just came on staff as the Nursery Coordinator in June 2007.  However, she has been volunteering in the nursery for 15 years, so some of you reading this may have had a diaper change from her! (Just kidding)  She has loved children forever and feels God wants her to serve Him in this way. She truly loves your children and considers them treasures of her heart!  Her goal is to make our nurseries the happiest places on earth, the most spirit filled, and a ministry that ministers to the whole family.  She has two grown daughters, Rebekah who has two precious grandsons, and Amanda who has been a true joy! (which is also her middle name).  Her husband's name is Greg.  He is a Head Usher and wanders around the church every weekend, (movin' chairs and makin' the coffee and donuts).  They have been married for 35 wonderful years!  She loves to read and hang out at the beach or pool.  She feels honored and blessed to be a part of the WUMC staff!

Kris Coleman
Director of Youth Ministries
Ext. 35
kcoleman@woodlakeumc.org

Kris Coleman is our new Director of Youth Ministries and started in August 2007.  He and his wife were married in 1997 and they have two children.  He has been working with teenagers for the last 10 years and has loved every moment of it.  He enjoys a romantic walk on the beach, long conversations and his favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls. (Yeah Right!) On a serious note most of his time is spent with his wonderful family or hanging out with teens.

Marie Misiaszek
Director of Adult Ministries
Ext. 30
marie@woodlakeumc.org

Marie Misiaszek came on board as a staff person in November 2007.  Marie has had extensive experience in communications, training and development of training classes and material in the secular world.  Since joining Woodlake Church she has been active on various mission teams, co-chaired and led the recent Women's Retreat, served on the Lay Leadership committee, and has participated in and led a variety of small groups.  We are excited to welcome Marie to our staff at Woodlake and hope that you will join us in this welcome when you see her here at church.

Heather Kinkead
Small Group Coordinator
Ext. 57
hkinkead@woodlakeumc.org

Heather began attending WUMC December 2002. She quickly became active with the United Methodist Women, eventually co-leading JOY Circle, and was instrumental in starting the Mom’s Bible Study.  Heather assumed the role of Small Group Coach, and became a Team Leader in the Discipleship Initiative.  Heather and her husband, Kevin, co-facilitate a couples’ Small Group.  In February 2007, Heather accepted her current staff position as Small Group Coordinator.  Her responsibilities include scheduling, training, and coordinating WUMC’s Small Groups.  In this role Heather most enjoys watching people connect and grow closer to God, individually and as a group.  Her favorite book in the Bible is Psalms and her favorite Bible passages are Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 6:25-34.  Heather graduated from Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland, but is truly a “Hokie” at heart.  She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking, biking and water sports, with her family and dog whenever possible.  She also enjoys cooking and card making.  Heather and Kevin have three children: Blake, Rebecca and Clara, as well as a small household zoo!

Healing Ministries Staff

Pauline Elliott has been attending Woodlake UMC since 2002 and came on board as a staff person in 2003.  What she likes best about her ministry is how Jesus modeled a ministry of healing that has always inspired her work as a nurse and here she has a chance to use her healthcare background with her church family and community.  She is married to her husband David and has many “spoiled nieces” and a large extended family in the area.  She enjoys reading the New Testament but especially those covering the ministry of the Apostle Paul.  Her favorite movies are Pollyanna, Gone with the Wind, The Right Stuff and Pride and Prejudice Apollo 13.  For fun she enjoys gardening, romping with my Golden Retriever and Border Collie, reading, anything about space exploration and astronomy, hosting large gatherings of friends and cheering on the VT Hokies, and touring horse farms.

Erin Reibel
Assoc. Dir. Healing Ministries
Ext. 50
ereibel@gmail.com

Erin has been working at Woodlake UMC in a variety of contexts since 2001.  She has been married for 6 years and is the mother of two young children, which takes up the majority of her time.  Erin is also attending seminary at Union-PSCE and hope to graduate in May 2009.  She enjoys cooking and reading although she has very little time for either.  She enjoys her current role of working with the prayer service and visiting people in the hospital.

Larry Cochran recently started serving as Pastoral Care associate for WUMC in July of 2007.  In this position, he is involved with hospital visitation, with various aspects of the prayer ministry at WUMC and with Men’s ministry. He is currently a seminary student at Union/PSCE in Richmond pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree. He has been active with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission work in Cuba and with Habitat for Humanity. Larry is a forestry graduate of Virginia Tech and has worked 28 years with the Virginia Department of Forestry. He is married to MaryKaye Cochran, Director of Inviting Ministries and they have three children.  Larry enjoys spending time with his family.  He is involved with scouting with his son and loves going camping as often as he can with the scout troop.  Larry’s favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” His favorite book of the Bible is Acts where he sees God’s people expanding His kingdom to the ends of the earth.  Larry feels Woodlake UMC is a great place to continue the work of the early church by offering people Christ in our community and in mission throughout the world.

Gayle Turner came on board as a staff person in 2007.  She is actually a native Floridian, along with several generations of her family who still live all over the state. She is married to Mark (who plays in the Connect band) and loves to tell the kids that “her boyfriend is in the band!”  They have been married 25 years. She has two children, Josh and Ashley, who are both in college and make her very proud. (They both play with Connect as well!)  She graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Geology. She loves to play outside in the dirt as much as possible. Her favorite things to do are camp, read, cook, garden, turn teens and adults onto the Bible, laugh, and hang out with her family. She has attended WUMC since moving to Virginia in the summer of 2001. The entire family feels that God led them to this spot in the Richmond suburbs and they actually bought their house based on its proximity to the church.  She is excited about “feeding God’s sheep” and looks forward to increased fellowship with each person at WUMC.

Worship Ministries Staff

Darren Raley
Director of Worship
Ext. 29
draley@woodlakeumc.org

Darren Raley came on board as a staff person in 2001.  He loves being used by God and watching him change lives.  He enjoys being able to make so many different kinds of music and work with such amazing people!  He is married to his wife Julie and has a son named Campbell.  His favorite book of the Bible is Psalms, but Paul’s letters are great, and of course the gospels too.  His favorite movies are A Fish Called Wanda, Monty Python (any of them), Mel Brooks (the early ones) Sci-fi – Armageddon, Apollo 13 Serious films – Truly Madly Deeply, and Monster’s Ball.  For fun he enjoys reading (classics or sci-fi), but mainly spending time with my family – camping, canoeing, just hanging out together.

Michael Berkley
Assoc. Director of Worship
Ext. 34 mberkley@woodlakeumc.org

Michael Berkley is our Associate Director of Worship Ministries.  He leads the 8:15 Worship Service and also plays in the Saturday night Connect Praise Band.  He is passionate about bringing music into people's live, but especially those of our youth.  He came to WUMC by way of Clover Hill High School where he was a music teacher for many years, leading the Show Choir.  He brought those ideas and inspirations to WUMC and established Wonders of Worship, a group of 4th-6th graders who sing and lead worship several times a year.  As those children got older, he then put together the Rock Gospel Show Choir, which at that time was made up of all high school students.  That was three years ago and today the group has grown so large, Michael will be splitting the show choir into two groups, one for middle school and one for high school students.  He also leads our two children's choirs during the school year!

Shirley Pridgen
Pianist

Shirley Pridgen is our resident Pianist and plays during our 9:30 and 11 AM Sunday services.