Pastor

Steve West came to Grace in 2004. Steve describes himself as a “husband, father, minister, musician, and writer.” He comes from a long line of Methodist pastors and “circuit riders” on both sides of his family, and he graduated from Grissom High School here in Huntsville in 1983. Prior to coming to Grace UMC, he served as founding pastor of Morningstar UMC, a new church in Chelsea, Alabama, for nine years. Before that, he served as Associate Pastor at Vestavia Hills UMC and pastorates at Randall’s Chapel UMC in Scottsboro and Fyffe UMC on Sand Mountain. He graduated Cum Laude with a Masters of Divinity degree from Emory University and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Birmingham-Southern College.

Steve has a love for music, worship, spiritual formation, and prayer. He sings, plays the piano, and plays the trombone. He leads singing and worship in various settings beyond the local church, and performs as a baritone soloist in community chorus works. He presently serves as coordinator for ordination services at Annual Conference and served for years on the Board of Ordained Ministry. He was elected by his peers as a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference. He is actively involved in retreat leadership for the Academy for Spiritual Formation, a program of the Upper Room for the renewal of the church. His devotional writings have been published in the Upper Room’s Alive Now and he is a columnist for The Huntsville Times. He has had music and hymn texts published in various Methodist resources. His composer’s bio is featured on the General Board of Discipleship’s Worship Website.

He and his wife Sandy, along with their children Debbie and Jeremy, love being a part of the community and our church. In their recreational time, they enjoy the great outdoors. Debbie is a student at Auburn University and Jeremy goes to Sparkman High School. Sandy is also an ordained United Methodist minister and serves in various settings. Fortunately for us, we get to see her often as part of the Grace family.

To read Steve’s personal blog, click Musings of a Musical Preacher.

To hear one of Steve’s messages, click last week’s sermon.

Email Pastor Steve     Phone Extension: 801

 
 
 

Associate Pastor

We are blessed to have Larry Hogan appointed to Grace UMC as our part-time Associate Pastor. Larry is a licensed lay pastor in the United Methodist Church, which means he is employed during the week at a secular job but serves in ministry as he is needed. He serves two small churches, Princeton UMC and Beech Grove UMC near Scottsboro, where he preaches on the first two Sundays of the month. Larry helps lead worship at Grace UMC on the other two Sundays, shares Children’s Sermons, and teaches adult studies such as Disciple Bible Study and other special ministries. He lives in the Monrovia area with his three children Katie, Kelley, and Slade.

Email Pastor Larry>     Phone Extension: 802(VoiceMail)

 
 
 

Director of Music

Nylea Butler-Moore is a gifted conductor, pianist, singer, and organizer. She began her ministry with us as accompanist for the 10:45 service in late 2004. In 2005, she became the Music Director, overseeing the Grace music ministry and conducting the adult choir. She assists our pastor in all matters of music and worship life within the congregation and especially enjoys creating worship services for Grace. She also volunteers as the children’s music leader and plays the piano on occasion in worship. Nylea is also a professional music editor, composer, arranger, and writer. She has had over 200 articles, anthems, arrangements, and musicals published by The United Methodist Publishing House, Abingdon Press, GIA, Shawnee Press, and others. She has an undergraduate degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee, a masters degree in conducting from Scarritt Graduate School, and has completed two graduate-level music education curriculum cores from the Kodály Center of America. Her varied experience in church positions over the years adds so much to Grace UMC. She and her husband Kyle live in the Monrovia community and attend Grace UMC along with their daughter Haley.

 
     Phone Extension: 807

 
 

Music Assistant

Andrea Patterson is a versatile musician who studied piano for many years and played flute in various bands, including the Birmingham Southern College Pep Band. Her musical tastes are broad, and she enjoys learning and playing music in many styles. She can play several instruments and is currently studying mandolin and violin. During her time at Grace, she has enjoyed playing keyboard/piano duets.

Andrea is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Auburn University and is an Electrical Engineer. Her interest in music worship began at an early age, and was nurtured during her time at Auburn Wesley Foundation. She began serving Grace initially when the church was meeting in a warehouse on Slaughter Road, and became a part of the praise band when the 8:30 service was added. In 2005, she became the Music Assistant to the choir for the 10:45 a.m. service. She and her husband Stan live in Madison.

 
 
 

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

 
 
 

Secretary

Vicki Sheehy came to be a part of the Grace UMC team in late 2004 as our church secretary. 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

 
 
 

Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Todd Noren-Hentz, came on board in October of 2008 as our Director of Youth and Family Ministries. Todd, his wife Christy, and their son Carter, are enjoying being back in Huntsville. This is a huge step for us, as it is our first full-time staff other than the pastor.

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 still live in South Huntsville, so they are enjoying being closer to home.

Todd’s gifts could not be better suited to our new full-time ministry. Approximately ½ of his time is spent in leading our vibrant youth ministries at Grace, and approximately ½ is devoted to developing the various Family Life Ministries made possible by our new building.

Email Todd     Phone Extension: 806

 
 
 

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. This is a great step for us, especially as we prepare to open our new Family Life Center.

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