Peakland United Methodist Church
4434 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
(434) 384-2791
At Peakland, we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world
as a welcoming community of grace, worship, service, and hope.
Church Leadership
Common Table
“The Common Table shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church. The Common Table shall be amenable to and function as the administrative agency of the Charge Conference.” BOD 2016, ¶252
“(A Lay Leader) shall function as the primary lay representative of the laity (by) fostering awareness of the role of the laity, meeting regularly with the pastor, (serving on the various ministry teams of the church), involvement in study and training opportunities, assisting in advising the Common Table of the needs for effective ministry in the church, and, informing the laity of training opportunities.” BOD 2016, ¶251.a.b.c.d.e.f
Chairperson: Don Wechsler (4)
Recording Secretary: Kim Ness (Staff)
Lay Leaders: Fran Inge (3), Paul Thompson (3)
Lay Member, Annual Conference: Sharyn Marks (5), Fran Inge (2) (Alternate: David Inge (2))
President, Trustees: Kevin Uhl (3)
Chair, Worship Table: Sharyn Marks and Harriett Darst
Chair, Discipleship Table: Associate Minister, Convener
Chair, Mission Table: Daneen Garcia (1)
Chair, Community Outreach Table: Director of Outreach, Convener
Chair, Nurture Table: BJ McGraw (3)
Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Karen Lorence (1)
Chair, Finance Committee: Julie Gerhardt (1)
Treasurer: Harriett Darst (3)
Chair, Lay Leadership Committee: Pastor
Chair or Rep, Pre-School Board: Kim Geier
Representatives, Youth/YA Ministry; Children’s Ministry: Sarah Mulligan
At-Large (Minimum of 3):
Connie Coleman (1), Rod Lorence (4), Irene Devine (3), Barbara Lyne (3), Mike Ohl (3)
Pastor: John Vest; Associate Minister: Andrew LaBar-Dietz
Program/Administrative Staff (Ex-officio): Linwood Campbell, Annie Williams, Cindy Harding, Kim Ness, David Drinkard
Lay Leadership (Nominations) Committee
“The charge of this committee is to identify, develop, deploy, evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation.” BOD 2016, ¶258.1
Pastor: John Vest*; Associate Minister: Andrew LaBar-Dietz
2022: Pam Jones (3)
2023: Linda Napior (2), Don Wechsler (2)
2024: Diane Wilson (3), Kim Ness (1)
Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee
“The committee shall reflect biblically and theologically on the role and work of the Pastor(s) and staff as they carry out their leadership responsibilities. The committee shall assist the pastor(s) and staff in assessing their gifts, maintaining health holistically and work-life balance, and setting priorities for leadership and service. The SPRC shall meet at least quarterly, in closed session, and (maintain strict confidentiality).” Duties include, “To encourage, strengthen, nurture, support, and respect the pastor and staff and their families; to promote unity in the church; to confer and counsel on matters pertaining to effectiveness in ministry; to provide an evaluation at least annually; to communicate and interpret to the congregation the nature and function of ministry in the United Methodist Church; to develop and approve job descriptions and titles for all but the Senior Pastor; to consult concerning continuing education, to enlist, interview, evaluate, and recommend lay preachers and ordained ministry candidates; (to serve as the personnel committee in the absence of a committee); to educate the congregation on the value of diversity; to consult on matters of pulpit supply.”
BOD 2016, ¶258.2
Peakland United Methodist Church
Ministry Teams
2022
(* Denotes Chairperson/Team Leader)
“The local church shall be organized so that it can pursue its primary task and mission in the context of its own community – reaching out and receiving with joy all who will respond; encouraging people in their relationship with God and inviting them to commitment to God’s love in Jesus Christ; providing opportunities for them to see strengthening and growth in spiritual formation; and supporting them to live lovingly and justly in the power of the Holy Spirit as faithful disciples.”
The Book of Discipline (BOD) 2016, ¶243
2022: Shirlee Raines (3), *Karen Lorence (3), Bridget Spencer (3)
2023: Duane Souers (1), John Buckley (1), Connie Coleman (6)
2024: Linda Milam (1), Pam Jones (1), Jeff Gray (1)
One (1) Lay Member of Annual Conference: Sharyn Marks
One (1) Lay Leader: Paul Thompson
Board of Trustees
“Subject to the direction of the charge conference, the board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by the local church and of all property and equipment acquired directly by the local church or by any society, board, class, commission, or similar organization connected therewith… (the board) shall not interfere with the pastor in the use of any of the said property for religious services or other proper meetings recognized by law or customs of the United Methodist Church, or permit the use of said property for religious or other meetings without the consent of the pastor…(the board) shall conduct annual reviews of the property and insurance… subject to the direction of the charge conference, the board shall receive and administer all bequests, all trusts, and invest all trust funds (unless the charge conference delates that responsibility to a permanent endowment committee)… (and) conduct an annual accessibility audit.”
BOD 2016, ¶2533.1.2.5.6
Chairperson: Kevin Uhl
Vice Chair: To be elected by trustees
Secretary: To be elected by trustees
2022: *Kevin Uhl (3), Claudia Mann (3), Will McChesney (3)
2023: Krista Wilson (3), Mike Ohl (3), Ed Frisa (5)
2024: Amy McAvoy (1), Rick Anderson (1), Elizabeth Austin (1)
Related to the Board of Trustees
Memorial and Honorary Gifts Chair: Gail Pond (4)
Columbarium Chair: Elizabeth Austin (12)
Grounds Coordinator: Mike Ohl (8)
Kitchen Coordinator: Claudia Mann, Duke Mann (9)
Landscaping Coordinator: Krista Wilson (2)
Safety Shepherd: Dick Potekhen (3.5)
HVAC Coordinator: Rich Judy
Handyman: John Buckley
Kitchen Renovation Task Force
Elizabeth Austin, Chairperson
Claudia Mann
Ed Frisa (Member and Trustee Rep)
John Buckley (UMMen and Trustee Rep.)
Rob Pearson (with consultations to include MJ and Dylan)
Ellen Geisert
Barbara Lyne
(Annie Williams - in consultation regarding the needs of the Preschool)
Staff: Business Manager
Finance Committee
“The committee on finance shall give stewardship of financial resources as their priority throughout the year. Responsibilities include to plan, strategize, and implementing ways to generate more resources for mission and ministries of local churches and beyond…. It is strongly recommended that the committee on finance, in collaboration with the common table, find creative ways to turn their congregations into tithing congregations…. The committee shall compile an annual budget and submit it to the common table for review and adoption…. It shall administer funds received according to instructions from the common table. The committee shall carry out the common table’s directions in guiding the treasurer(s) and financial secretary.” BOD 2016, ¶258.4
2022: Beth Coleman (11), Stewart Husted (3)
2023: *Julie Gerhardt (6), Sandra McDaniel (6), Bryant Haskins (3)
2024: Whitney Rinella (1), Brent Helms (1)
One (1) Lay Member of Annual Conference: Sharyn Marks
Chair, Common Table: Don Wechsler (4)
President, Trustees: Kevin Uhl (3)
Chair, SPRC: Karen Lorence (1)
Chair, Permanent Endowment: Brent Helms (1)
Chair Stewardship TF: TBD
Treasurer: Harriett Darst (2)
Chair, Preschool Board: Kim Geier
Staff (Ex-officio): Cindy Harding
Related to the Finance Committee
Assistant Treasurers: Rod Lorence (3)
Permanent Endowment Committee
“The purposes of the committee include the responsibilities to: subject to the direction of the charge conference, receive, administer, and invest (assigned) bequests; emphasize the need for all adults to have a will and an estate plan; stress the opportunities to make provisions for giving through UM churches, institutions, etc.; arrange for the dissemination of information that will be helpful in preretirement planning.” BOD 2016, ¶2534. 1.3.4.5.
Chair: Brent Helms
Treasurer: Harriett Darst
Asst. Treas: Rod Lorence (3)
Finance Chair: Julie Gerhardt
Staff Rep.: Cindy Harding
Discipleship Table
“In each local church there shall be a variety of small-group ministries, including the church school, for supporting the formation of Christian disciples focused on the transformation of the world. These small groups may concentrate on teaching and learning, fellowship, support, community ministries, and accountability. Members of small groups will build their knowledge of the Bible, the Christian faith, The United Methodist Church, and the societal context in which the church finds itself.”
BOD 2016, ¶256.1
Convener: Associate Minister
Kim Geier (Children’s Ministry)
Susan Zlomke (13) (Library/Historian)
Jodi Dolan (Children’s Library)
Martha Jones (12) (Nursery)
John Buckley (UMM, Adult Sunday School)
Diane Wilson (Women’s Fellowships)
Julie Gerhardt, At-Large
Sandy Wolanski, At-Large
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Related to Discipleship Table
Children's Ministry Team
“Children’s ministries – for, with, and by children – include all ministries involving children within the life of the congregational community, including but not limited to Sunday school, vacation Bible school, nursery ministries, children’s worship experiences, mission education experiences, intergenerational activities, and all weekday programs for children of all ages.”
BOD 2016, ¶256.2
Kim Geier (5)* (Chair)
Anne Cooper, Kim Geier (VBS)
Sarah Mulligan (Children’s Ministry Assistant)
Safe Sanctuaries Task Force
Debbie Bowman
Kim Patsell
Sarah Gray
Duane Souers
Preschool Board Rep: MJ Pearson
Andrew LaBar-Dietz (Minister of Discipleship)
Children are “acknowledged to be full human beings in their own right, but beings to whom adults and society in general have special obligations…. In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation and abuse.” Under the direction of the Common Table, this task force evaluates the church’s Child Protection Policy annually, and assures its implementation.
Nurture Table
“The nurturing ministries of the congregation shall give attention to . . . . Christian formation, membership care. Attention must be given to the needs of individuals and families of all ages.” This includes fellowship opportunities, promoting prayer and mobilizing the church to pray, nurturing and assimilating visitors to become new members.
BOD 2016, ¶252.2
Table Leader: BJ McGraw (3)
Elizabeth Austin (8) (Funeral receptions)
B.J. McGraw (6) (Member Care)
BJ McGraw (5) & Linda Napior (5) (New Member Dinners)
Lee Ohl (2) (Prayer Quilts)
Barbara Roberts (19) (Homebound/Prime Timers)
Barbara Lyne (3) Grief Books.
Mission Table
“We make disciples as we send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel.”
BOD 2016, ¶122
This committee oversees the mission and service projects the church engages in locally, nationally, and globally.
Chair: Daneen Garcia (1)
Randall Carter (Youth/Young Adult)
Associate Minister, Andrew LaBar-Dietz
At-Large:Fran Inge (3) Gail Johnson (3) Diane Wilson (1)
Mission Coordinators
REFP/Bloodmobile Coordinator: MJ Pearson
Churches for Urban Ministries: Andrea Salas
Fort Hill Community School: Susan Cox
Meals on Wheels: Sandy Wolanski
Park View: John Buckley
Interfaith Outreach Association: Jan McKee
Community Outreach Table
“We make disciples as we continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ
BOD 2016, ¶122
This committee also oversees the marketing and public relations of the church, spreading the word about Peakland.
Convener: Director of Outreach
Jeff Gray (5)
Annie Williams
Ellen Geisert
Staff: Linwood Campbell
Worship Table
The worship table focuses on short and long range planning of worship and on developing the congregation as an active, vital worshiping community.
Table Leaders: Sharyn Marks and Harriett Darst
Scot Wilson (IT, AV)
Emily Kelly (Acolytes/Crucifiers)
Jan Hickey (Readers for Horizons)
Pat Thompson (11) (Horizons Communion Steward)
Jan Hickey (Flowers)
TBD (Funeral Liaisons)
Lloyd Bryant (Liturgists – Trad.)
Karen Lorence (3) (Greeters)
Rod Lorence (3) (Ushers)
TBD (Weddings)
Jan Hickey (4) (Lent Coordinator)
Claudia Mann (3) (Easter Hospitality)
Lloyd Bryant (4) (Communion Coordinator)
Harriett Darst, Sharyn Marks (Advent Coordinators)
Barbara Roberts (at-large)
Staff: Linwood Campbell, Andrew LaBar-Dietz
Related to Worship Table
Altar Guild: Peggy Nolley
Flower Guild: Jan Hickey (Coordinator)
Funerals: Barbara Lyne, (Kim Ness, if needed)
Weddings: TBD
Communion Stewards: Lloyd Bryant (8:30), Pat Thompson (Horizons), Lloyd Bryant (11:00)
Peakland Preschool Board
“The purpose of Peakland United Methodist Preschool is to provide a program for the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschoolers, respecting each one’s individuality, all within an atmosphere of Christian love and concern. The school is a part of the non-profit, educational ministry of Peakland United Methodist Church and is offered as a service to the community. The school is open to all children regardless of race, nationality, creed, or gender.” - Mission Statement
2021/22: Rhonda Sydnor, Ginna Petrikonis, MJ Pearson, Gretchen Morgan
2022/23: Kim Geier*, Pam Jones, Michelle Uhl, Joe Crosby
2023/24: Nancy O'Brien, Kelly Camarda, Harriett Darst, Nan Buckley
Ex-officio:
Director: Annie Williams
Assistant Director: Alyssa Filiberto
Pastor/Assoc.: John Vest/Andrew LaBar-Dietz
Financial Secretary: Carolyn Kobek