Need to get in touch? Call our church office at 703-256-8330 or email office@annandale-umc.org .
Rev. Jason Micheli, Head Pastor
Ever since conscripted church attendance led to a surprising and converting encounter with the Risen Christ, Jesus has gleefully afflicted me with the right kind of nightmares and continues to tame my stubborn cynicism. Or should I say, Jesus is giving me different things about which to be cynical. After all, if Jesus is Lord and his grace without any ifs ands or buts, meanwhile the world knows it not, then my friend Stan the Man is dead-on right, “Jesus is Lord and everything else is BS.” Thus, I try to serve Jesus with the good humor and sheer hopefulness that befits a life of faith in a world that insists on acting as though Jesus is dead.
I’m an irreverent reverend with one smart wife who is an attorney and whose only poor decision was perhaps marrying me. I have two wonderful sons who continue to disobey their father by growing up. I’m the author of a few books. I write for outlets like Mockingbird and the Christian Century magazine. I host a podcast (we’re a big deal), and I have incurable cancer, which means I’m as terminal as you, dear reader. Also, I like pickles. As an Enneagram 8, I have no shortage of opinions or scarcity of words with which to express them. It also accounts for why sarcasm is my love language.
Proving that Jesus has a sense of humor, I’ve been a preacher since 2000. I’ve served congregations in New Jersey and Virginia. I’ve planted a church and I ministered as a prison chaplain back in the day.
You can check me out at https://substack.com/@jasonmicheli.
I’m an irreverent reverend with one smart wife who is an attorney and whose only poor decision was perhaps marrying me. I have two wonderful sons who continue to disobey their father by growing up. I’m the author of a few books. I write for outlets like Mockingbird and the Christian Century magazine. I host a podcast (we’re a big deal), and I have incurable cancer, which means I’m as terminal as you, dear reader. Also, I like pickles. As an Enneagram 8, I have no shortage of opinions or scarcity of words with which to express them. It also accounts for why sarcasm is my love language.
Proving that Jesus has a sense of humor, I’ve been a preacher since 2000. I’ve served congregations in New Jersey and Virginia. I’ve planted a church and I ministered as a prison chaplain back in the day.
You can check me out at https://substack.com/@jasonmicheli.
Rev. Peter Kwon, Associate Pastor
Unlike Jason with his unnecessarily edgy and forced jokes, Peter Kwon displays a gentle, calm and loving presence that will remind anyone of his homeboy JC.
A passionate young pastor, Peter is also tremendously gifted at befriending strangers, preaching and playing music on his guitar. Although he doesn’t care too much about archaic musicians and rock stars, he is deeply passionate about hip-hop, its culture and history. He is staying faithful to his mother’s command from fifteen years ago by staying away from the oven (for safety, of course), but finds preparing food using the microwave a lot safer and more efficient. In his free time, you can expect to find him in the corner of his bed, napping in the fetal position.
A passionate young pastor, Peter is also tremendously gifted at befriending strangers, preaching and playing music on his guitar. Although he doesn’t care too much about archaic musicians and rock stars, he is deeply passionate about hip-hop, its culture and history. He is staying faithful to his mother’s command from fifteen years ago by staying away from the oven (for safety, of course), but finds preparing food using the microwave a lot safer and more efficient. In his free time, you can expect to find him in the corner of his bed, napping in the fetal position.
Patrick Vaughn, Director of Worship
Pat Vaughn has been at Annandale UMC for over fifteen years, first as Director of Music Ministries and more recently as Director of Worship. In addition to wrangling the members of the choirs and handbell ensembles at church, he can often be found troubleshooting a sound system, sweeping the floors of Wright Hall or serving as the resident security man when the power is knocked out.
As a father of four and a husband of over 25 years to Margaret (she lost a bet), his love for travel and spending time with the kids is what keeps him going!
As a father of four and a husband of over 25 years to Margaret (she lost a bet), his love for travel and spending time with the kids is what keeps him going!
Elaine Woods, Director of Christian Formation
Elaine comes to us with a degree in Education with a strong background in theology and ministry. She worked as the Director of Children’s Ministries at Aldersgate UMC for 12 years, where she developed and expanded Christian education programs for children and collaborated with ministry leaders to provide intergenerational outreach events for both the congregation and local community. She has four adult children, a daughter-in-law, and a precious granddaughter who just turned two. She enjoys hiking and hopes to visit every national park (she has hiked 15 so far). She loves espresso and French pastries and delights in baking sweets.
At Annandale UMC, we believe children, their families, and young adults are a vital part of our ministry. It is also important we deepen faith and understanding of scripture across all ages at our congregation. With pastors, staff, and lay leaders, Elaine will lead the development of a vision plan for all Christian Formation at Annandale UMC, coordinate recurring formation programs for children and adults, develop and oversee special events for children and families and young adults, and cultivate lay leadership by identifying gifts and talents of parishioners and encouraging, empowering, and training volunteers.
At Annandale UMC, we believe children, their families, and young adults are a vital part of our ministry. It is also important we deepen faith and understanding of scripture across all ages at our congregation. With pastors, staff, and lay leaders, Elaine will lead the development of a vision plan for all Christian Formation at Annandale UMC, coordinate recurring formation programs for children and adults, develop and oversee special events for children and families and young adults, and cultivate lay leadership by identifying gifts and talents of parishioners and encouraging, empowering, and training volunteers.
Sarah Gates, Children's Minister
A native Mississippian, Sarah Gates moved to the DMV area in 2015 to pursue a career in international development. She will begin a (hybrid) Master of Divinity program at Candler School of Theology at Emory in fall 2025, with a particular interest in children’s ministry and chaplaincy.
Sarah has pursued her longstanding commitment to supporting children and youth’s education, employment, and development through various jobs and volunteer positions - including coordinating life skills and job readiness activities for youth and young adults in rural Colorado, researching the effects of war on primary school students in northern Uganda, and teaching Sunday school to young children through Godly Play since 2022. Sarah tends to prefer talking to children over adults and loves that Godly Play acknowledges that children have rich spiritual lives. Having grown up in the Church of Christ, Sarah began attending the same Episcopal church her father attended at LSU. While newer to the United Methodist Church, Sarah is delighted by the presence of Bibles in the pews and the richness of the musical offerings.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys trying to maintain her French language skills, writing essays on Christianity and culture for Mockingbird, and taking walks in Mason District Park while asking everyone if she can pet their dog. She takes Harry Potter very seriously and would love to talk to you about it.
Sarah has pursued her longstanding commitment to supporting children and youth’s education, employment, and development through various jobs and volunteer positions - including coordinating life skills and job readiness activities for youth and young adults in rural Colorado, researching the effects of war on primary school students in northern Uganda, and teaching Sunday school to young children through Godly Play since 2022. Sarah tends to prefer talking to children over adults and loves that Godly Play acknowledges that children have rich spiritual lives. Having grown up in the Church of Christ, Sarah began attending the same Episcopal church her father attended at LSU. While newer to the United Methodist Church, Sarah is delighted by the presence of Bibles in the pews and the richness of the musical offerings.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys trying to maintain her French language skills, writing essays on Christianity and culture for Mockingbird, and taking walks in Mason District Park while asking everyone if she can pet their dog. She takes Harry Potter very seriously and would love to talk to you about it.
Other Staff
Richard Bass, Communications Manager
rbass@annandale-umc.org
Richard is responsible for implementing a comprehensive communication plan to promote AUMC’s programs, activities, events and vision and to help strengthen the church’s role and identity in the community. Email him with anything you want publicized: upcoming events, articles for the weekly Connect email, etc.
rbass@annandale-umc.org
Richard is responsible for implementing a comprehensive communication plan to promote AUMC’s programs, activities, events and vision and to help strengthen the church’s role and identity in the community. Email him with anything you want publicized: upcoming events, articles for the weekly Connect email, etc.
Diana Dzikiewicz, Media Specialist
ddzikiewicz@annandale-umc.org
Diana is responsible for assembling and producing all publications and electronic display media, including the website. Email her with questions, comments, or requests regarding website and recorded service content.
ddzikiewicz@annandale-umc.org
Diana is responsible for assembling and producing all publications and electronic display media, including the website. Email her with questions, comments, or requests regarding website and recorded service content.
Harry Elanko, Business Administrator
helanko@annandale-umc.org
Harry is responsible for administering the business affairs of AUMC and is in charge of the work in the church’s administrative offices. Contact him to schedule a large-scale event at AUMC: a wedding, a funeral, and so on.
helanko@annandale-umc.org
Harry is responsible for administering the business affairs of AUMC and is in charge of the work in the church’s administrative offices. Contact him to schedule a large-scale event at AUMC: a wedding, a funeral, and so on.
Goldy Galeano, Custodian
Goldy and Mauricio are responsible for the cleanliness of the church and its furnishings.
Goldy and Mauricio are responsible for the cleanliness of the church and its furnishings.
Mauricio Marin, Custodian
Mauricio and Goldy are responsible for the cleanliness of the church and its furnishings.
Mauricio and Goldy are responsible for the cleanliness of the church and its furnishings.
Tom Sellner, Facility Maintenance Supervisor and Technician
propertymgr@annandale-umc.org
Tom performs or oversees the maintenance and improvements of AUMC’s facilities and equipment and oversees the work of the custodians.
propertymgr@annandale-umc.org
Tom performs or oversees the maintenance and improvements of AUMC’s facilities and equipment and oversees the work of the custodians.
Nakia Smith, Accountant
nsmith@annandale-umc.org
Nakia is responsible for the maintenance of all of AUMC’s accounts and financial records. Contact her for information on your giving statement.
nsmith@annandale-umc.org
Nakia is responsible for the maintenance of all of AUMC’s accounts and financial records. Contact her for information on your giving statement.
