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.
Giulio Garner
Music Director + Staff Pianist | he/himGiulio is a musician from Honduras who has been living and studying in the United States for 10 years now. He is currently doing his graduate studies at Austin Peay in Choral Conducting. Giulio has been involved in music with the Mennonite Church in the past and believes in the “small-church” format and embraces the idea of a tight community within the organization. When he is not playing the piano or conducting, Giulio loves to play tennis and boardgames.
Glendale’s 2022 Lay Leaders + Leadership Team
Katherine Buford
Lay Leader: Connection | she/her
Doug Crews
Lay Leader: Discipleship | he/him
Alan Whitley
Leadership Team Leader | 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
Dusty Grimes
Mission + Service | he/him
Carol Pitman
Prayer + Nurture | she/her
Paul Citro
Property + Maintenance | he/him
Kellie Hargis
Staff + Pastor Relations | she/her
Bud Hamblen
Treasurer | he/him
Lydia Henry
Young Adults | she/herOnline Worship
David Charlton
Livestreaming | he/him
Paul Gómez
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. Cherie Parker
she/herOrdained Elder // Retired
Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Most Recent Appointment:
Senior Pastor, Hillcrest UMC, 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…
Mary Kate Allen
she/her“After 14 years out of church, I never knew I’d find the most perfect fit at Glendale. Our church is open, affirming, and we love everyone no matter where they’re from and who they love. God works within the walls our church, but also outside in the community as well.” – Mary Kate
Ryan + Courtney Bell
he/him + she/her“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.” – Ryan + Courtney
Sophie Dukes
she/her“I was born in Mississippi to a lineage of Southern Baptist Ministers but eventually left the church due to the cruel and vengeful image of God portrayed. Through friendships formed with Glendale members while playing sports in Nashville, I decided to give Glendale a try. From my warm welcome at the front door to the foundational gestures of friendship as I departed…I knew I’d found my new home. A home that, to this day, provides a safe space filled with friendship, love, and community.” – Sophie
Dusty Grimes + Chris Brazell
he/him“After being away from the Church for over two decades, we decided a couple of years ago that it was time to reconnect with the Christian community through an inclusive church. Once moving to Nashville, we began attending churches that were part of the Reconciling Ministries Network. At Glendale, the initial welcoming message and sermons that supported equality, social justice, and diversity resonated with us both as well as the overall vision of continued growth of ministry and fellowship. ” – Dusty + Chris
The Haynes Family
he/him + she/her“It was important to us that we find a church that acknowledged, supported, and openly accepted all people. I have two mothers and when trying to have our children raised in the church, it was important that they were not being taught that their grandparents were bad people for simply loving each other. When we found Glendale we were ecstatic!” – Jocelyn
Larry + Sharon Hollon
he/him + she/her“Hospitality, welcoming, authentic community, liturgical integrity, thick relationships, calls to serve are all part of the blessing of this inclusive and loving community. We gave considerable thought to why we would join the Glendale community. We both agree that the church offers an invitation to community that feels genuine and authentic.”
– Larry + Sharon
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
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
he/him + she/her“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.”
– The Murdock Family
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
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
