Our Pastors, Staff, and Lay Leaders

Rev. Jason Micheli, Head Pastor

jmicheli@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 101

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.

Rev. Peter Kwon, Associate Pastor

pkwon@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 105

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.

Patrick Vaughn, Director of Worship

pvaughn@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 123

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!

Meredith Lamarche, Children's & Creative Arts Minister

mbond@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 104

Meredith started her teaching journey in 2008 at Henrico County Recreation and Parks where she first worked with preschoolers. She quickly fell in love with teaching and working with children and has been teaching in various capacities ever since. With a B.F.A from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Union Seminary in Richmond, Meredith loves to pair art and Christian education together and believes that art has a unique way of connecting us back to our Divine Creator. Among her many passions are spending time outdoors, exploring the arts (especially textiles and ceramics), and sharing the gospel news with the hurting and those in need. She’s often found thinking and sketching about out-of-the-box ministry ideas and loves baking, reading, and swimming.

Angela Wilmore, Executive Director of Weekday Children’s Programs

Angela’s first job was that of a nanny, and she later took over a daycare center owned by her grandmother. Over the next 30 years, she held positions at nonprofits, corporations, public schools and consulting firms where she led teams focused on early childhood education. In July of 2017, she became the director of AUMC’s Child Development Center, and in September 2018 became the executive director of AUMC’s three weekday programs. She has a degree in organizational management from Palm Beach Atlantic University, a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, and associate’s degrees in accounting and child development. 

Other Staff

Richard Bass, Communications Manager
rbass@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 113
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 | 703-256-8330, ext. 114
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 | 703-256-8330, ext. 100
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.
Miguel Kersey, Facility Maintenance Supervisor and Technician
mkersey@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 115
Miguel performs or oversees the maintenance and improvements of AUMC’s facilities and equipment and oversees the work of the custodians.
Goldy Galeano, Custodian
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.
Nakia Smith, Accountant
nsmith@annandale-umc.org | 703-256-8330, ext. 109
Nakia is responsible for the maintenance of all of AUMC’s accounts and financial records. Contact her for information on your giving statement.

Lay Leadership

Church Council 
Lay Leader/Church Council Chair: Pam Jones
Recording Secretary: Carol Burns
Annual Conference Delegates: Maribeth Day, Harry Day
Finance Chair: Jay Morris
Treasurer: Tracy Carney
Trustee Chair: Dana A. Goward
Staff-Parish Relations Chairs: Katy Padilla and Michelle Robinson
Mission Center Board Representatives: John Clarke and Ann Cooke
AUMC Foundation Board President: Rob Cannon
“5G Network” Stewardship Chair: Bill Iwig
Stephen Ministry Coordinator: Maribeth Day
Mission Chair: Teresa Beyer
United Women in Faith: Sandy Barker
United Methodist Men: Gary FitzGibbon
 
Finance Committee
Treasurer: Tracy Carney
Class of 2023: Jerry Beyer
Class of 2024: Paul Hartley, Lutricia Fields
Class of 2025: Jay Morris (chair), Rex Grigg

Staff Parish Relations Committee
Class of 2023: Debbi Iwig
Class of 2024: Michelle Robinson (co-chair), Daniel Hartley, Catherine Coley, Gerald Bruce
Class of 2025: Katy Padilla (co-chair), Brad Todd, Karli Eddinger, Sara Miller

Trustees Committee
Class of 2023: Dana A. Goward (chair), Gary Fitzgibbon, Peter Snitzer Jr.
Class of 2024: Becky Sellner, Brenda Poole, Beth Graves
Class of 2025: Ann Cooke, Dale Ruhter, Scott Fleming

Lay Leadership Committee
Co-chairs: Jason Micheli and Pam Jones
Class of 2023: Teresa Beyer, Sally Bizer, Bill Pemberton
Class of 2024: Pat Sherfey, Maribeth Day, Margaret Vaughn
Class of 2025: Christi Schwarten, Scott Taggert, Pam Jones

Foundation Board of Directors
Officers: Rob Cannon, President; Susan Clarke, Treasurer; Gary Fitzgibbon, Secretary and Board of Trustees Representative
Members: Teresa Beyer, Missions Committee Representative; Kyla Carney; Paul Hartley; Pam Jones, Lay Leader; Church Council Chair; Jim McConville; Rev. Jason Micheli, Senior Pastor; Jay Morris, Finance Committee Representative; Lauren Twomey

Mission Center Board of Directors
Dana A. Goward, Bill Iwig, Betsy Clevenger, John Clarke, Ann Cooke

Mission Committee
Teresa Beyer — Chair
Carolyn Staymen, Gerhard Beyer, Bill Iwig, John Clarke, Cyndi Jones, Brad Todd, Robin Patton, Betsy Clevenger, Steve Reynolds, Pat Sherfey, Scott Houghton, Dana A. Goward, Cory Culver, Dana B. Goward, Jay Morris, Karen Fleming, Ted Torsch

Please thank our AUMC volunteers when you see them for their time and dedication!