Leadership

I am so excited to serve as pastor at Westover Hills UMC.  I have enjoyed meeting the people here along with the people in the neighborhood.  My journey to this church has included 30 years working with the Virginia Department of Forestry. I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in forestry and wildlife.  I attended Union Presbyterian Seminary and obtained a Masters of Divinity there.    I have also served at Woodlake UMC in the areas of men’s ministry, hospital visitations and assisting with a weekly prayer service.  In 2011, I began serving as pastor at Belmont UMC where I am still serving along with my service at Westover Hills UMC.  My wife MaryKaye and I have been married for 32 years.  MaryKaye serves as Executive Administrator for the United Methodist church’s Three Notch’d District. We have three adult children, Jason, Samuel and Lauren.   Our rescue dog, “Pippin” keeps us busy at home. We enjoy camping in our teardrop trailer which we named “Valerie”.  The name came from the song “Valerie” by Steve Winwood.  We also enjoy hiking in the state parks of Virginia and serving on United Methodist Volunteers in Missions teams to Cuba.

Music has been part of my life since the age of three. I grew up in St. Mary’s, Georgia, a small mill town. With only a few teachers available, my mom and grandfather were my first piano instructors. Once I was tall enough to reach the pedals, our church organist began teaching me the organ. At seven years old, I played my first worship service at Christ Church—and I’ve been playing ever since.
My greatest joy is sharing the gift of music with others. Here at Westover Hills, our preschool and hand chime/bell choirs always brighten my day, and our adult choir brings the beauty of music and the sung word to our worship services. We would love to have you and your family not only join us on Sundays but also take part in our music ministry. Together, let us “make a joyful noise!” 

I am obsessed with helping children & students grow into great BIG people!  I have been working in the field of youth development since 1996 and began as the Director of Ministries to Children and Youth here at Westover Hills UMC in 2017.   Prior to working here at WHUMC, I have been a Summer Camp Director and Directed a Before and After School Program in Virginia and Florida. I want young people to know that are uniquely and wonderfully made and are loved unconditionally by GOD and that they can be change makers in their community now (not some distant point in the future)!
Outside of the church I can be found serving as a Cub Scout Den leader here at WHUMC, coaching girls’ lacrosse and spending time outside with my two kids, two dogs and husband.

 Hi, I’m Janina! I’m the proud owner of 2 indoor/outdoor mobile coffee carts serving Richmond, VA and beyond. My goal is to bring a positive and genuine experience with every drink we serve and that extends to every interaction at Dream Kitchen. I'm excited to continue expanding my knowledge and helping manage a great kitchen for the Church and our Dream Kitchen Tenants in the community. Outside of the cart and kitchen, I'm proud to be a part of the Richmond City PTA Council and I love spending time with my friends and family, biking and reading. 

Hi! I am a Virginia native, born in Roanoke, and have been in Richmond since 1997. I received my BFA in Performance from Longwood University and my MFA in Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University. I am grateful to have worked in Arts Education and Entertainment for over 20 years, including the creation of the LIVE ART program for students and artists of all abilities. And now, I am beyond grateful to be able to fill the role of “Super Mom” for Daniel and Sophia AND be able to work here at WHUMC supporting the staff and congregation. In my spare time you may find me cooking, reading, gardening, painting, fixing up the house, walking, enjoying the water and walking Gus Gus.

I often tell folks that I have my “dream job”; creating the program and being the director of Westover Hills Preschool! I received my undergraduate degree in Special Education at James Madison University and my master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. My career in education spans over 32 years and includes teaching in both public and private preschool programs, as well as working for nearly ten years with the Department of Correction Education; evaluating and instructing juvenile offenders. Once my two children were born, I stayed home with them and when they were preschool-aged, we attended Bon Air Presbyterian Preschool (BAPP); an excellent program with which I know many of you are familiar. I subsequently taught at BAPP for several years and then worked with a Title I elementary school in Chesterfield Co. teaching at-risk kindergarten and first graders. More recently have worked as a Head Start educator in Richmond Public Schools. My family has lived in the Forest Hills community for nearly three decades and I have been so gratified to see so many young families settle into this vibrant and historic neighborhood in recent years.  In my spare time, I enjoy organic vegetable and flower gardening, tending my enormous collection of house plants, cooking, and caring for my two cats and very needy Rat Terrier.