Gardendale - Mt. Vernon Staff

Rudy is a graduate of Troy State University (BS), Candler School of Theology (Master’s of Divinity), and Drew School of Theology (Doctor of Ministry). He is married to Gina, who is part of the Administrative Team that leads the Child Enrichment Center Ministry at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. They have two daughters, Bethany Reithmeier, and Kristin Osborn, who is a Cosmetologist in Gardendale. Rudy also has a grand son Cooper Osborn. He is the author of “Living the Abundant Life,” which is a basic experience in Christian Discipleship. Rudy is a recipient of the Denman Evangelism Award for the North Alabama Conference and a former nominee of the National Circuit Rider Award. His Spiritual Gifts are preaching, teaching and leadership. He was appointed to Gardendale-Mt. Vernon in 1999. Rudy enjoys golf, fishing and attending sporting events.

Judy graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1973 receiving a BS degree in Nursing. She worked as a part-time nurse/full-time mom for about 25 years. Feeling God’s call to the ministry, she pursued this avenue receiving her license as a Local Pastor at the North Alabama Annual Conference June 7, 2004. She was then appointed to Gardendale - Mt. Vernon as the Associate Pastor on June 9, 2004. She will continue her studies at Emory during the month of July for the next couple of years. Mike, her husband of 34 years, is a Real Estate Appraiser. They have 2 grown daughters. Rhonda is a 1^st grade teacher and Lindsey graduated with a BA degree in Graphics Design. Wes is Lindsey's husband and Maggie is Rhonda's daughter. Hudson, a male dachshund, is their pride and joy---when Maggie is not around! Hobbies she enjoys include tatting, cross-stitching, playing her psaltery, and reading.

Bill is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and Candler School of Theology. He received both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler. At the 2003 Florida Annual Conference, he retired after 38 years of pastoral ministry, 35 of which was in the Florida Conference and three in the North Alabama Conference. His last church was Vamo UMC in Sarasota. Bill joined the staff of Gardendale - Mt. Vernon in 2003. Bill is married to Kay and they have three daughters and one grandchild.

Paul Wiegert is a native of Northern California. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University in southern California is 1994, with a double major in Religion and Sociology. In the past he has served three churches serving as a youth director and other various areas of ministry. Paul has a beautiful wife which he has been married to for the past 8 years. Kelly is a Virginia native, and Director of Children's Ministries at GMV. They have three kids, Madeline, Trent, and Megan . Paul oversees Missions, Outreach and Hospitality ministries. He enjoys bringing the good news of Jesus to those who need it. Paul is a recipient of the 2006 Denman Evangelism Award for the North Alabama Conference.

Andrew Lewis was born and raised in Va. Beach, Va. He has always had a love of music beginning at an early age of 7 with learning how to play the piano. Later in life he learned how to play the organ also. He has served as organist, pianist for several churches and been music director for several community and school productions. He got the call to full time music ministry as a young adult. He received his BA in Church Ministries-Music at Averett Collge in Danville, Va. which is now Averett University. It was there that he met his wife, Deanna. They were married after her senior year in 1989. They continued their life together in Louisville, KY to further both of their studies. Andrew followed his ministry of music and Deanna found her gift working with preschool children at the Seminary Child Development Center. During these years in Kentucky, their daughter, Christine was born. She will be 14 in September and starting the 9th grade at Gardendale High. She has been studying private cello for 5 years and has enjoyed being first chair in her advance orchestra at school. She also loves to sing and play at the piano a little.
In 1994, the Lewis family moved back to Va. Beach to help Andrew's Father with some health problems. Andrew served at Thalia UMC for 9 years while in Va. Beach. In 1997 their son, Nathan was born. Nathan is all boy and loves to be outside and getting into stuff. He loves to figure out how things work. Nathan will be a 3rd grader at Gardendale Elementary this year. In 2003, the Lewis Family followed God's calling once again and moved to Burke, VA. to serve at St. Stephen's UMC. It was a great ministry for them there as God used them to show His love through the gift of music. They look forward to the time of arriving at Gardendale-Mount Vernon UMC and will look forward to getting to know each of the members and to work and minister with them. One thing you must know about the Lewis Family is that they do nothing without bathing it in prayer and follow God's leading very seriously. That is how Andrew operates his ministry and gives all the glory to God for anything.

Ben Hamm is a native of northeastern Ohio. He graduated from Huntington College in Indiana in 2000 with a B.S. in Youth Ministry and a minor in Bible and Religion. Before coming to Gardendale - Mt. Vernon in January of 2006, he served 5 1/2 years as the Director of Youth Ministries and First United Methodist Church of Cullman, AL. It was there that he met his beautiful wife, Ashley, who he married in January of 2003. They have no kids yet, but do have a very intelligent poodle named Chip. Ben oversees the Student Ministries and Family & Leisure Ministries. Ben is a sports and outdoors fan, and loves Frisbee golf, football and camping. He has a heart for helping students discover God’s love for them, grow in their faith, and share it with others.

Kelly Wiegert
Director of Children's Ministries
"Oversees" Older Adult Ministries
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Kelly is a native of Virginia and a graduate of Radford University. She has experience as a preschool teacher, daycare director and Christian education director in previous United Methodist churches. Kelly and her husband, Paul (the Director of Outreach), have three children: Maddy, Trent & Megan.

Connie, along with her husband Ron is a long- time resident of Gardendale. She grew up in North Birmingham, attending Mt. Vernon Methodist Church, and later moved to Gardendale. In 1978 she began her first area of ministry in Gardendale-Mt. Vernon as a preschool teacher. As the church has grown, God has continued to direct her path through different areas of service. Connie is presently serving as Business Administrator.

Connie and Ronnie have two sons and both of their families are involved in the many programs provided by the church. Their three grandchildren are their pride and joy, and having them attend daycare in the same building where she works everyday has been fun for all of them.

Jennifer is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Originally from Opelika, Alabama, Jennifer and her husband Erik moved to Gardendale in 2004, quickly became involved at Gardendale - Mt. Vernon. After joining the church in November 2004, she felt led by the Lord to fill the position of church receptionist. When the position of Executive Secretary came open in August, 2005, she was the logical choice to fill it. Jennifer and Erik have one daughter, Ella. She is their joy! In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys cooking and gardening. Jennifer, Erik, and Ella share their home with their two beagles, Otis and Grace, and their cat, Maddie.

Kathy is a native of Central, KY. She moved to Gardendale four years ago with her husband, Jackie, of 28 years. They quickly became very active in GMVUMC. They have three grown children. Her daughter, Jaclyn Ashby, is a teacher at Oneonta High School. Her son Matthew, has completed a tour for the United States Air Force, and is currently attending Owensboro Community College. Her son Mark lives in Fultondale and works for Norfolk Southern Railroad. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys spending time with her new granddaughter, golfing and gardening.

Gina Guess, is part of the Administrative team that gives leadership to the Child Enrichment Center (Childcare and Preschool ministry). She has been in this position for the past 7 years. Prior to Gardendale-Mount Vernon she was involved in establishing successful child care/preschool ministries at two other United Methodist Churches. She has twenty years experience in the childcare field 12 years as director. Gina received advanced training at the Pensacola Christian Academy as both a preschool teacher and administrator. She is the wife of Rudy Guess, the senior pastor, and the mother of two daughters, Bethany Guess Riethmaier, and and Kristin Osborn, and a grand son Cooper Osborn. She enjoys cooking for her family and church family. Her other hobbies include reading and singing in the choir and SONrise ensemble.

Kay Moman
Administrative Team - Child Enrichment Center
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Kay Moman and her family live in Gardendale. She is the wife of Anthony and they have 4 children Chris, Kimberly, Burnon and Preston. They have two dogs, Rock and Alma. They enjoy volleyball, baseball, football, and some soccer. Her ministry began in 1980-1987 at Birmingham First Church of the Nazarene Child Care, where she served as Administrative Assistant, bookkeeper, teacher and floater for all ages. She then served at Gardendale Church of the Nazarene Christian Academy between 1987-1995 as the school secretary, bookkeeper and teacher. In 1995, she was led by the Lord to serve as Children's Ministry Director for Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. In 1997 God called her to direct our child care program, The Day School. As two child care\preschool programs were merged together she was called to become a part of an Administrative Team for the Child Enrichment Center where she serves to date. She feels it is a wonderful opportunity God has given her to love and teach the children about His great love and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior in this ministry.