Meet Our Team at Glendale UMC – Nashville
Rev. Stephanie Dodge
Lead Pastor | she/herI am a 2012 Graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary. I entered into ministry because I believe that everyone should be a part of the loving, supportive community that Christ offers each of us. In my free time I enjoy riding my bikes, working out, reading, and watching movies.
[Learn more about Pastor Steph here.]
Wesley Carroll
Music Director + Staff Pianist | he/himI was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee and graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2018 with a degree in piano performance. I have played music my entire life and was drawn to Glendale specifically for its inclusivity for all people. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community who has also struggled in the past to find acceptance in the church, I am excited to contribute to the worship experience for those who have found a home at Glendale. Also, because I am a human with taste, I love Dolly Parton!
Sveta Griffin
Youth Director | she/herI was born in Irkutsk, Russia and came to the USA when I was 9 months old. Living in Nashville almost my entire life, I have come to love southern culture; however, finding an inclusive and affirming church proved to be difficult- especially as someone part of the LGBTQ+ community. I found Glendale and am thrilled to be a part of the accepting community at Glendale. I have an associates degree in Anthropology and a strong background in teaching kids and working with youth. I also have a partner and 3 bunnies at home, all of whom I adore!
Kaylee Magro
ASL Interpreter | she/herI have lived in Nashville for 12 years and feel blessed to be a part of the Glendale UMC community. I am grateful for the non-judgmental, affirming people of Glendale who truly love like Jesus. I received my bachelors degree in ASL Interpreting where I specialized in performance interpreting. When I am not interpreting, I teach line dancing with New Boots Line Dancing. I have cheered for the Tennessee Titans and have 4 rescue chihuahuas that are my world!
Glendale’s 2023 Lay Leaders + Leadership Team
Katherine Buford
Lay Leader: Connection | she/her
Doug Crews
Lay Leader: Discipleship | he/him
Caddie Woodroof
Children's Education | she/her
Steven Adair
Communications + Worship | he/him
James Poland
Connection + Outreach | he/him
Kim Joyce
Finance | she/her
Mark Lynes
Mission + Service | he/him
Pat Citro
Prayer + Nurture | she/her
Gwen Watson
Prayer + Nurture | she/her
Matt Charlton
Property + Maintenance | he/him
Ryan Bell
Staff + Pastor Relations | he/him
Bud Hamblen
Treasurer | he/himOnline Worship
David Charlton
Livestreaming | he/him
Ben Bodenheimer
Online Engagement | he/himUnited Methodist Clergy at Glendale
Rev. Stephanie Dodge
she/herOrdained Deacon
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Current Appointment:
Lead Pastor, Glendale UMC, Nashville, TN
Rev. Matthew Charlton
he/himOrdained Elder
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Current Appointment:
Development Officer,
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary,
Evanston, Illinois
Rev. Hong Duk Kim
he/himOrdained Elder
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Current Appointment:
United Methodist World Mission Office,
Seoul, Korea
Rev. Larry Hollon
he/himOrdained Elder // Retired
Great Plains Conference
Most Recent Appointment:
General Secretary, United Methodist Communications, Nashville, TN
Rev. K.C. Van Atta-Casebier
they/themProvisional Deacon
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Current Appointment:
Associate Pastor, Director of Family Ministries, Foundry UMC, Washington, D.C.
Rev. Peter van Eys
he/himOrdained Elder // Retired
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Most Recent Appointment:
Senior Pastor, Crievewood + Glendale UMCs, Nashville, TN
Some of the People You’ll See…
The Bell Family
she/her + he/him“We weren’t necessarily looking for a church, but immediately felt at home at Glendale. Through some of the hardest times of our lives, the Glendale community always found a way to support us right when we needed it most. After having complicated relationships with church in the past, we have found a community of faith that we weren’t sure was ever going to be a part of our lives.”
– Courtney + Ryan
Rob Cowles
he/him“After stepping away from church for several years, I was hoping to find an inclusive and affirming church that teaches God’s love for ALL people – regardless of who we are. I immediately felt connected & have made some amazing friends. I found Glendale when I needed it most and feel so lucky and proud to be a part of this church.” – Rob
The Dolezal Family
he/him + she/her“We started watching Glendale’s services online and were refreshed by the inclusive & affirming theology. Soon after, we decided to get plugged in to a LifeGroup & that confirmed that Glendale was absolutely where we felt most at home.” – Jim & Rachel
Cat Huntsman
she/they“When I moved to Nashville 10 years ago, I struggled to find a church that supported my beliefs and open attitude. Glendale had been on my radar due to the messages of love and justice on the outdoor sign over the years. I knew from my first worship service that this place was going to be my spiritual home” – Cat
Lezleigh + Kevin Kleibrink
she/her + he/him“When we moved to Nashville in May 2021, we wanted to find a church that was INCLUSIVE of all of God’s children, not EXCLUSIVE. After visiting a few other United Methodist churches, we visited Glendale. We are excited to be a part of an inclusive church and to serve God through Glendale.”
– Lezleigh + Kevin
Ben Lee + Don Scholes
he/him“We have found a home in Glendale UMC, a place where every person is loved just for who they are. We are valued for who we are and where we are in our walks of faith – without judgment. We love the people we are meeting and look forward to continuing our journey of life here.”
– Ben + Don
John Lee
he/him“I have found a spiritual home that I was missing and wasn’t sure I would ever find; a caring, nurturing environment; and a reestablishment of my Christian faith. Glendale is a vibrant environment that works hard to live up to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and it is a joy to have found it.”
– John
The Murdock Family
she/her + he/him“Within the first few minutes of our first worship service at Glendale UMC, we knew we’d found, not just a church, but a community full of love. From the welcome message of inclusion, we knew we’d found a home and a place for our daughter to learn about and love Christ.”
– Jen, Ella + Chris
Claire Patton
she/her“It was important to me to find a church that was affirming and doing the work of being anti-racist. I wanted to be apart of a church where injustice in our world was spoken about and acted upon. After attending my first service, I know I had found my new church family. I am incredibly grateful for this safe space where I know that any and all are welcome.” – Claire
Aziza Rose
she/her“Before finding Glendale, I stopped going to church and started doubting my faith, leaving Christianity altogether. I found Glendale at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and started worshiping online and then in person. This is the first church that I truly feel welcome and at home.” – Aziza
Jay Williams
he/him“Before moving to Tennessee, we already knew that Glendale UMC would become our church home away-from-home. After the Special session of General Conference in 2019, I found Glendale and kept up with the good work of this faith community via social media. I was comforted knowing that there was an affirming faith community that the boys and I could attend. We are so grateful for the welcome and warm embrace of Glendale.”
– Jay
The Woodroof Family
he/him, she/her + they/them“As parents, to hear our children say that Glendale is the first church where they truly feel a part of a family – the first place where they have experienced God’s love – it’s both humbling and joyful. We are so blessed to have found our church home.”
– The Woodroof Family
