Rev. Dr. U.C. Washington SENIOR PASTOR |
Rev. Dr. U.C. Washington graduated from John Brown University with a Bachelor of Science in Administration, graduated Phillips Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity and his Doctorate. He loves preaching the gospel, sharing Christ's love and justice, and building the body of Christ as a caring and giving community.
Rev. Washington has been married to his beautiful wife, Mona for 42 years. He enjoys sports, exercise, good movies, history, spending time with family, various music such as gospel, contemporary spirituals, Motown, blues and country. Rev. Washington and Mona have two adult sons, Garry and Michael, and a house full of grandchildren. |
Rev. Gail Brooks Associate pastor |
Rev. Gail Brooks has been a United Methodist Pastor for 20 years and an ordained Elder in the Arkansas Annual Conference since 2011. She graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity and received certification in Spiritual Direction from Perkins School of Theology.
Pastor Gail is passionate about sharing the good news that God loves us all, especially with the marginalized and those who feel as if God could not love them. She is also very concerned about the way in which racism and white supremacy permeate our culture and the Church and feels compelled to address the issues of racial inequality and racial reconciliation in her ministry. There are three things that Pastor Gail values about pastoral ministry in The United Methodist Church: 1) our Wesleyan Theology of Grace 2) our practice of offering Holy Communion to all 3) the connection we share as United Methodists and our shared ministries around the world. Pastor Gail is married to Tim Brooks, has one son, Josh (Courtney), step-daughter, Anna (Eric) and granddaughter, Scout. Pastor Gail's favorite getaway is silent retreats in interesting places to simply be and to rest. |
Tami A. Bean Business Administrator |
After being born in Southern California and first finding her Christian faith in the Nazarene Church, Tami moved to Arkansas and graduated from Fountain Lake High School and then Hendrix College with an undergraduate degree in Business and Economics. Tami then spent four years as a CPA auditing banks and non-profit organizations before attaining her Master's in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. Tami's driving desire to help people has led to her volunteering at the CHI St. Vincent Foundation, her kid's schools, and serving the breakfasts to the homeless at Quapaw United Methodist Church. It was this combination of her faith, accounting and non-profit backgrounds, and her big heart that led to her immersing herself in the Business Administrator role at HVUMC.
When not at HVUMC, Tami is spending time with her husband of 21 years, Brian, and her 3 boys Anthony, Andrew, and Alec. Tami has been an active member of Pulaski Heights UMC since 1998 and likes to be outdoors, including gardening without a green thumb, having "still" moments on the porch in the morning, and any time she can get by creeks, rivers, sloughs, lakes, and especially the ocean. |
Kimberly Trice Administrative Assistant |
Kimberly is from Little Rock and attended McClellan High. She has been married to Clarence Trice since August 11, 2012. She and Clarence have been members of the church since 2012. She is the mother of three sons, Matthew (Jo), Mark (Katie), Luke (Hanna), and a proud Nana of six granddaughters and one grandson. She is a "PK" (preacher's kid) and thus has been in the ministry all her life.
She is currently co-teaching the Highland Sunday School class with Clarence. She loves singing, playing the piano, flea marketing, antiquing, and loving on her fur babies, Evie Belle and Layla Belle.. |
Sharon Burrall director of Music Ministry |
A lifelong church musician, Sharon Burrall has served as HV choir accompanist since 2011. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Henderson State University and Master of Music from University of Central Arkansas. As an educator, she has directed choirs on the elementary and secondary levels. Sharon is also an active flautist often performing on alto and bass flute in recitals and chamber concerts.
Sharon is married to Randy Burrall and together they have a daughter, Katie (Drew), granddog (Lucy) and fur babies (Barney & Paris). During her spare time she loves to work on her hobby farm, photography, and hiking. |
Betty Morgan Organist |
Betty Morgan received her BM in Piano Performance from Hendrix College and received her MM from Southern Methodist University. She worked for 25 years at First United Methodist Church, Fordyce, AR and Highland Valley has been blessed to have her expertise for 13 years. Betty has also been a private piano instructor for over 35 years. Outside of church, Betty has one furry baby, 5 year old Wesley, a West Highland Terrier.
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Crystal Taylor DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MINISTRY |
Matt Taylor Director of Youth Ministries |
Matt and Crystal Taylor met in 6th grade at Fuller Elementary in Little Rock where they both grew up. They were married in 1998 and have three children Spencer 19, Riley 16, and Harrison 15. They have been faithfully attending Highland Valley since 2014. Matt became passionate about the youth ministry while volunteering in the Children's and Youth departments at church..
As a teacher of 20 years, Crystal is excited to bring her love of children and knowledge of engaging curriculum to the Children's program. Matt and Crystal look forward to working together to help the children and youth of Highland Valley grow in Christ.
As a teacher of 20 years, Crystal is excited to bring her love of children and knowledge of engaging curriculum to the Children's program. Matt and Crystal look forward to working together to help the children and youth of Highland Valley grow in Christ.