Peakland United Methodist Church Staff
Timothy R. Gerde, Pastor
Scott Briggs,
Assistant Pastor
Steve Cox, Director of Music and Evangelism
Susan
Williams, Director of Youth and Education
Barbara Nelson,
Business Manager
Julie Young, Organist
Robert Armstead, Custodian
Peakland Preschool Staff
Marty Smith, Director
Robin Blackman, Associate Director
Timothy R. Gerde, Pastor
Dr. Timothy R. Gerde began his ministry at Peakland in July of 2001. A native of Minnesota, he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D. C. Tim's previous appointments have been in the Virginia Conference and include Vienna, Arlington, and Sterling. He brings extensive clinical training in hospital settings to his pastoral ministry. He very much enjoys teaching and working with youth and children.
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Scott Briggs, Assistant Pastor, (Part-Time)
Scott and his family joined Peakland in 2007. Scott, a native of Oklahoma, attended Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, then graduated from Lynchburg College with a major in economics and history and attended graduate school in Special Education at Regent University.
Scott now is working to answer God's call to serve us as a teacher and as a pastor. Currently he is planning to pursue graduate work at Eastern Mennonite University's seminary and candidacy in the Virginia Annual Conference. His primary responsibility at this time is worship leadership for the Horizons contemporary service.
Steve Cox, Director of Music and Evangelism.
Steve and his wife joined Peakland in 1974 and have been active members since. Steve is a professional music educator, having taught in the Amherst County and Lynchburg City Public schools for 35 years in high school choral and elementary general music. He has served as minister of music for several area churches before joining the staff in January, 2003. He is a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, The Chorister's Guild, and The Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians in Worship Arts. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory & Henry College and has done graduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University. As a choral director, he has had experience with children's, youth, and adult choirs. His high school show choir toured Russia in 1993. In addition to church and school music activities, he has served as musical director for the adult pops group and of musicals at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center.
The responsibilities of the Director of Music Ministries include directing the Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, Older Children's Choir, and Handbell Choir.
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Susan has been a member of Peakland since 1986 and throughout the years has been active in volunteering in numerous positions. She has a degree in Social Work from Radford University and a certification in Thanatology; the Study of Dying, Death and Bereavement from the Academy of Death Education and Counseling. Susan has years of experience working with children and youth as well as facilitating educational offerings and support for adults.
As Director of Youth and Education, Susan is responsible for coordinating administrative and program responsibilities for Christian education for all ages as well as directing the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) program. She works with the lay leadership in coordinating all programs.
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Barbara Nelson, Business Manager
Barbara has been a member of Peakland since 1986 and joined the staff in 1993. She received a B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and did graduate work in the M.B.A. program at Lynchburg College. Presently, Barbara is working toward completing her certification in Church Business Administration at Emory University, Candler School of Theology.
Barbara's responsibilities include administering the financial aspects of church operations, overseeing the daily operations of the church office and facility, and supervising support staff.
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Julie is both organist for the 8:30 a.m. service and the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday and the keyboard player for the Praise Band during our Horizons service at 9:45 a.m.. Julie's responsibilities include accompanying rehearsals with the Chancel Choir on Wednesday evenings and playing for weddings, funerals, and other special services.
Robert has been Peakland's custodian since 1987.
Robert's responsibilities include opening & closing the building and operating the heating/cooling equipment during the week and on Sunday mornings, maintaining the cleanliness of the facility during the week, making minor electrical, plumbing and equipment repairs, moving furniture and setting up tables for regular and special activities, and performing other duties as assigned by the Business Manager.
Marty, Director of Peakland Preschool, is a graduate of Lynchburg College with a B. A. in Education. She has served as Director since 1992. Prior to accepting this position, she was the Associate Director from 1991-1992 and a teacher from 1980 until 1991.
Robin Blackman
Robin, Associate Director of Peakland Preschool, graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and from the University of Virginia with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. She has held the Associate Director's position with the Preschool since 1994.
