Our Staff

Pastor

Bryan Sisson was born in Fayette, AL in 1972 – My father (Jerry Sisson) was a United Methodist Pastor and was serving in Fayette (the same church I just came from) when I was born. I graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1990, and from Birmingham-Southern College in 1994. From there I went on to Candler School of Theology at Emory University where I graduated with my MDiv in 1997 (was ordained an Elder in our Annual Conference in 1999). I served Gadsden FUMC as Associate from 1997-2000, Vestavia Hills UMC as Associate from 2000-2004, Morningstar UMC in Chelsea, AL as Senior Pastor from 2004-2008, and Fayette FUMC as Senior Pastor from 2008-2011.

My wife, Tracy, and I met while I was in seminary (she is originally from Tucker, GA) and wed in 1998. Her background is in Interior Design – over the years she has worked for different interior designers and, while in Birmingham, for Southern Living. We have two daughters, Josie, age 7, and Riley, age 4. We also have Abby, our dog, and Rainbow, our cat – very important additional members of the family!!!

We are SO EXCITED about the opportunity to be a part of the Grace UMC Family.
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Bryan’s sermons are posted weekly to the blog.

Email Pastor Bryan Phone Extension: 801

Associate Pastor and Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Todd Noren-Hentz, came on board in October of 2008 as our Director of Youth and Family Ministries, and became our Associate Pastor in June 2011. Todd is married to Christy Noren-Hentz, who serves as the Children’s Pastor at First Christian Church in Huntsville and the Tutor Coordinator at University Place Elementary School.  Todd and Christy have a son, Carter, age 5 who enjoys wrestling with his dad, eating spaghetti, and playing with trains.

Todd grew up in Huntsville, where he was very active in the youth program at his church and was inspired to pursue ministry. He has degrees in Religion/Philosophy and Church Recreation from Samford University and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Grace, he was the Youth Director at Capital Heights UMC in Montgomery while he owned and operated an online book business, Colporteur Books. Prior to that, he served on the staff of 3 other churches. Todd’s parents and sister both live in Huntsville.

Todd spends a large part of his time leading our vibrant youth ministries at Grace, as well as developing the various Family Life Ministries made possible by our new building.  His newest position as Associate Pastor is still evolving, but greatly enriching our church.

Email Todd Phone Extension: 806

Director of Music

Gianna Gimenez is originally from Huntsville. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Birmingham-Southern College, and has also studied at The Cleveland Institute of Music. She has directed church and community choirs in the area for many years. Her music directing credits include musicals such as West Side Story, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, and many more. She has directed singers and instrumentalists of all ages in many different settings. She is also a private voice and piano teacher.

On the performance side, Gianna has sung major operatic roles including Gilda in Rigoletto, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and the title role in Suor Angelica, among others. She has sung roles in musical theater as well, and enjoys singing solo work in oratorios such as Messiah and The Creation.

Gianna is passionate about helping others worship through music.

Email Gianna Phone Extension: 807

Music Assistant

Curtis Lindsay, a native and resident of Athens, Alabama, is a senior majoring in music and minoring in philosophy at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he studies piano with Professor Sarkis Baltaian, voice with Professor Karen Young, and is assistant conductor of the choral program directed by Dr. Erin Colwitz. He is a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose works and arrangements have been performed at concerts and festivals throughout Alabama. As a pianist, he has worked in master classes with internationally acclaimed artists such as Dubravka Tomsic and Anne-Marie McDermott, and has been active throughout the Tennessee Valley for years as an accompanist, coach, and tutor in addition to his solo work. He has also worked as a jazz pianist and arranger in combos and big bands at the collegiate and professional levels.

Curtis grew up as a member of Tanner United Methodist Church, and has served variously as pianist and choir director with several churches in north Alabama. He has made a special and continuing study of the sacred chorale harmonizations and cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach, which form much of the basis for Protestant service music in the several hundred years since. In addition to music, he enjoys studying European languages, literature, and philosophy, hiking and camping, and video games.

Children’s Director

In the spring of 2005, we were pleased to bring one of our own, Beth Brannen, on board with our staff. She is our first Children’s Director, and this is an important step for our church! She comes to the position with not only experience in preschool ministries but with many ideas for creating and exciting, fun-filled, and inviting atmosphere for children. Beth, her husband Don, and her children Andrew, Lindsey, and Amanda have been a vibrant and active part of our church since we opened our doors in 2000.

Beth’s first priority is to help us continue to grow and develop our children’s ministries. She works hard with our Children’s Ministry Team to create an atmosphere where children grow in spirit and truth.

Email Beth Phone Extension: 804

Lay Ministry Coordinator

Joanne Weis came aboard our ministry staff in June of 2005. Joanne and her husband Mike, along with children Emily and Brandon, live here in Madison and were already deeply involved in the life of Grace UMC. Joanne serves as our Lay Ministry Coordinator in the office. Her focus is to coordinate, equip, and empower our many volunteers and Ministry Team leaders in ministries and programs. She also gives special attention to involving our new families in the ministries and activities of the church. She comes to us with experience and training in counseling, volunteer coordination, a passion for the church, and great gifts in administration. Her constant organizing of our people and programs unleashes us for freedom in ministry!

Email Joanne Phone Extension: 805

Office Administrator

Vicki Sheehy came to be a part of the Grace UMC team in late 2004 as our office administrator. She does a great job in office management and desk top publishing for the various needs at the church. She lives in Harvest and comes to us with a degree in data processing from Baker College in Michigan, as well as professional experience in computer operations and financial and travel management. She and her husband, Jeff, and daughters Ashley and Amanda are active in another United Methodist congregation.

Email Vicki Phone Extension: 803

Nursery Coordinator

Kalyn Polatty joined our staff in 2010 as Nursery Coordinator.  She ensures that our nursery is well trained and organized. She comes to us with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Alabama.  She has a heart for children, especially babies and toddlers. She also works for Rocket City Sitter, a babysitting service in town, as well as teaching the older twos class at Trinity Baptist Preschool.  She lives in Harvest, and has attended Grace for many years with her family as she was growing up.  She has become an active member of the church since she moved back to town in 2009 after finishing college.

Email Kalyn Phone Extension: 811

Facility Manager

Ben Allen, came on board in October of 2008 as our Facility Manager. He needed no introduction! Ben, his wife Susan, and their daughter Brittany have been part of Grace UMC and our predecessor church for over 30 years.

Ben handles the day-to-day operations of our buildings, grounds, and equipment. He is a member of the church staff and handles everything from routine maintenance to the supervision of volunteers, janitorial staff, and contract workers. Ben will ensure that grounds are maintained in a neat and attractive manner and make sure everything is set up for Sunday. He will lock and unlock as needed and maintain security.

Email Ben Phone Extension: 808