Leadership

I was sent to Community United Methodist Church in 2006 and I have been here ever since! I grew up in the United Methodist Church, which is neither good nor bad, but what was good was the amazing people who "raised me" to understand that I was important, I was loved, and God gave me specific gifts and abilities for a purpose in this world. I went to Washington State University and worked as a youth director, attended seminary and served my first church the United Church of Ferndale UCC/UMC before I was appointed to serve Community UMC and Coeur d'Alene. What was instilled in me when I was younger was later re-affirmed and I felt called to pass that on as a pastor to those I serve. 
 
I have a completely ordinary family with a husband and two sons. We are messy, obstinate and sarcastic but I love us! Our cats drive us nuts because they don't get along, but we love them, too. Life is never boring and I work very hard at living gratefully!
Fun fact: I LOVE reading- ever since I got the library app Libby-  I can read and listen to books all the time! Life is good!

I grew up in southern Idaho, but I became a Coeur d'Alene boy when I was adopted at the age of eleven. When I wasn't playing soccer I shut myself in my room and played guitar. Little did I know that some years later both of those two things would be key elements in my life and ministry. I lead worship with my guitar and I coach Timberlake High School's varsity girls' soccer team.
My wife, Tamara, and I have been married more than twenty-five years and we have three wonderful children: Sierra, Jessica, and Nate. Today we have sons-in-law and precious grandchildren as well! I had a construction business for a time but in that season the Lord called me to ministry, so I laid down my hammer and picked up my guitar and Bible. For a time, my ministry was voluntary.
 
I continue to live out that call to ministry here Community UMC, and I find myself involved in ministries with people that continually challenge me and set free to learn, grow and respond to God in my life.

I have been in this position as a Worship Coordinator since July 2018. I'm a retired United Methodist Pastor out of the North Carolina Conference, which gives me plenty of experience in the workings of the church and its worship services. I also love music, so this was a wonderful opportunity for me.
I have three children: two married daughters and a son. I also have two beautiful grandsons.
Fun Fact: Many wouldn't believe it, but many years ago I went to Clown School and my clown name is Daisy.
Life Motto: Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

I've been with the Community United Methodist Church band since 2011 and the Contemporary Worship Leader since 2017. Music has encompassed most of my life since I was a kid. I joined the Cherub Choir at First United Methodist Church Marietta, Georgia when I was four years old. I've been playing guitar for more than forty years and have been in leadership positions professionally for more than two decades.
I've been married to my wife Georgie for twenty-five years and our family currently consists of three dogs and a cat.
 
Fun Facts: I walk dogs at the Humane Society two days a week. I also ride bicycles, ski and fly-fish. I love to collect vintage, American-made stringed instruments, which would have been sold through Montgomery-Ward or Sears catalogs

I was born and raised in upstate NY, but I have been on the move since college. I've lived in Germany and 10 states, and visited another 38 states and 3 additional countries. Our first move to N ID was in 1980. Over the years, friends and family kept us coming back which is why we chose to finally settle here.  I enjoy all animals, time with friends, and travel... obviously!
 
Fun Fact: I've been a vegetarian for 30 years.

I've been in this position with CUMC since 2008 and a member of this church for almost as long. I grew up in the area, have been married since 2004, and I have two fantastic boys. Being a boy mom is hectic, but wonderful. It's the best thing ever. In 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 cancer and it was definitely a very difficult season for my family. Since I've been in remission, however, my family and I have created a local bucket list to essentially become tourists in our hometown and fall in love with the area we live in. My favorite local attraction is by far the Hiawatha Trail. My family and I did that in the summer of 2018 and we loved it.
 
My boys keep me active, for sure, but on a rainy day my favorite thing to do is be at home with my family and read a good book.

The Pacific Northwest holds most of my memories and I love the beauty and peace of the area. I live in the Spokane Valley and love coming to spend time on the lake here in Coeur d'Alene.
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember but I just recently had the opportunity to finish college and receive a BM degree. I love worshiping through music and am so glad to be a part of the CUMC community as an organist/pianist. If you have favorite hymns to share, I'd love to hear.