SHADY GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Key Persons
Becky Roberts joined Shady Grove in February of 2022 and serves as both the Director of Children and Family Ministries, and the Director of Connections. She brings with her a rich missional, faith-based background and experience, having lived in 4 different countries and two continents, serving as a volunteer and staff in five congregations over two denominations, and with professional training in physical sciences, mathematics, and music. Most recently, she worked at Asbury UMC in Odessa, TX as Director of Youth and Worship Ministries. Becky lives in East Henrico with her husband, Caleb, and their two daughters, Eleanor and Eve. She enjoys being a part of the Shady Grove community and looks forward to where God will lead us together!
Bryan's passion is guiding people to use their musical gifts skillfully and passionately in their service to God and the congregation, and to beautify the world around us. Since 2007 he has been the Minister of Music at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, where he conducts Chancel Choir, Cappella, Celebration Bells, various other small ensemble opportunities, and administrates the Music Ministry. Bryan is also an active composer, with music published by Hinshaw Music, Morningstar Music Publishers, H.T. FitzSimons, Augsburg Fortress, and MusicSpoke.com.
A Nebraska native, Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Most importantly, Bryan is husband to Nichole, and father of Morgan and Elliott. In his spare time he likes to read, improve his chess game, visit local historic sites and restaurants, (coffee, anyone?) and follows Nebraska football religiously.
Karin has been at Shady Grove United Methodist Church since 1987. She is the church Secretary/Receptionist. When you come to the church office Karin is one of the first people you will meet. She loves working with volunteers, interacting with the members, and enjoys her varied duties and ministry at Shady Grove. Karin and her husband Tom, have a grown son and daughter. She enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling.
Elizabeth (Liz) Fryer is a dedicated musician, accomplished pianist, and passionate music educator. Holding a Master of Music in Horn Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and Music Education from the Peabody Institute of Music, she's managed youth programs ranging from beginner piano, children's choir, to full youth orchestras and international brass programs. She currently is the choir director for Lucille M. Brown Middle school and is extremely excited to be joining the musical family at Shady Grove UMC to continue her dedication to music and music education.
Lori Smith lives in Glen Allen, VA with her husband Bryson Smith and their three children, Jackson(19 yrs. old), Mckinley and Madalyn (both 9 yrs. old). Lori comes to us with over 20 years of administrative experience. She previously served at Fieldstone UMC in Christiansburg and St. Mark's UMC in Midlothian. She is currently serving as the Coordinator for All God's Children Camp for the Virginia United Methodist Conference. She has a degree in Psychology from Ferrum College, where she met her husband. She enjoys hiking, baking, and all things Disney. Lori and her family have recently started exploring National Parks and Monuments and their challenge is to visit as many as possible.
Mary grew up in Newport News and came here most recently from Emory University, where she got her Master's in Divinity with a certificate in Christian Education. While there, her contextual education assignments were in refugee resettlement and campus chaplaincy, where she led Emory's campus wide worship, helped student religious leaders lead and plan events and programs, co-led Bible studies, and offered individual spiritual care. She has also worked and volunteered with a number of camps and missional non-profits around the Virginia Conference. At Shady Grove, she has been working closely with our growing youth ministry alongside the Youth and Young Adults Coordinator, teaches confirmation, serves as the staff liaison to the missions committee, and is excited to begin more work on rebuilding discipling opportunities at Shady Grove as we begin the new school year. Her email address is MaryElder@ShadyGroveUMC.org, and her in-office days are typically Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, but she'd love for you to reach out to schedule a meeting!
Matt grew up in Mechanicsville before getting his B.S. from George Mason University in Outdoor Recreation and attending seminary at Baylor University. Before coming to Shady Grove, Matt has had stops with Fairfax County and the YMCA managing recreational programming, in higher education with Baylor University and the University of Richmond, and with First Methodist Church in Waco leading college ministry. His passions include disc golf, finding the best breakfast food in town, and really just about anything outdoors. Catch him at the park with his fiancé, Hannah, and Great Pyrenees, Moose or on the couch watching Baylor sports. Though Matt is not much of a coffee drinker, he's always down to meet up for a meal as long as all-day breakfast is served!
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
- Communications Coordinator and Hyperlink Praise Band Director
Paul comes to us from Hanover County Public Schools after a 28-year career as the music teacher at Rural Point Elementary. He will continue in his role as the Hyperlink Praise director as he adds the role of Communications Coordinator. Paul is excited to serve Shady Grove in this new role, working to bring people closer to God. Paul loves playing the guitar and ukulele, and enjoys playing in several bands around the Richmond area. He also loves technology and computers, and has worked extensively on website design, event promotion, publications and media, and communication in his many years in the school system!
As Communications Coordinator, Paul will be the primary point-person for Shady Grove's communication, including the website and the weekly E-News. He will work with staff and congregation members to share announcements and information inside and outside the church. Look out for more news from him about how we can best work together to build energy and interest in the amazing things happening here, communicate about the life of our church, and share God's message of love in the world. Paul's office hours will typically be Mon-Thurs from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Feel free to contact Paul anytime at paulbakeman@shadygroveumc.org.
Job Titles:
- Minister With Seniors and Congregational Care
I am currently enjoying my "third career" and serving Shady Grove as Minister of Congregational Care and Senior Adult Ministry. After a long and varied preparation, (a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Penn State, teaching Audio at the Signal School at Fort Monmouth N.J., an M.S. in Communication from Clarion State College, a PhD again from Penn State), I was an Instructional Developer/Learning Lab Coordinator for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College for fifteen years. My wife Gerry, my daughter Keri (you may have known her as Keri Marston) and I first came to Shady Grove in 1984. I was blessed to chair the Communications Committee and briefly the Administrative Board. In 1991 and 1992 I took the first year and the first half of the second year of Disciple Bible Study. And after believing I'd never have to go back into the classroom again, I felt called into ministry and enrolled in seminary. I completed my work and was ordained an elder in 1995. While in seminary, I received my first appointment in 1993, I served in seven different appointments through 2022. Last year I retired from full time pastoral ministry and my wife and I moved back to Mechanicsville and Shady Grove. I am blessed to have the opportunity to once again serve Shady Grove. It's a joy to be able to meet and visit with our homebound members and friends, and to be church beyond the walls.
Following God's call, I went to seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and more significantly, this is where I married my awesome husband Drew Johnson who is ordained in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Church. After graduation from seminary, we moved overseas, where I served four churches in the British Methodist Church for three years while Drew taught at an all-boys Roman Catholic school. We returned to the states and headed out west where I served a medium-sized church in Idaho for five years within the Oregon Idaho Conference-and was ordained in 2006.