Rev. Dr. Mary Henley
Senior Pastor
I am the Senior Minister here at Helena UMC. I have the privilege of working alongside our church staff and our congregation as we move forward as a church. I love to see the people of the church using their God-given strengths to transform our world. I consider it a joyful experience to get to serve in this capacity and I look forward to all that God has in store for Helena United Methodist Church.
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Rev. Ted Leach
Associate Pastor
Ted Leach served as a pastor in the North Alabama Conference and in the Memphis Conference, most recently as associate pastor at Vestavia Hills UMC (1991-2005) and as senior pastor of the Jackson (TN) First UMC (2005-2010). He served on the staff of the North Alabama UM Foundation from 2010-2014 and is currently Director of Community & Property Care for the North Alabama Conference Board of Superannuate Homes. Ted's wife Cathey is a retired elementary school teacher. She is active in a women's hiking group. She spent six months in 2014 on a solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. They live in Chelsea and have three grown children. In addition to working with the Conference's housing program for retired clergy and surviving spouses, Ted has served since August as interim pastor of the GoodHope UMC near Columbiana.
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Daniel deShazo
Director, Worship & Fine Arts
I am the Director of Worship and Fine Arts. I started at HUMC in July 2013. I direct the Sanctuary choir for the 9:00am service. I also coordinate most aspects of the worship service. I love to see all the different talents that our congregation has and use them enhance our worship!
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Gardner Moseley
Modern Worship Minister
I am the Director of Modern Worship, which means that I help coordinate and work with all things "modern" in worship here at Helena UMC, specifically the The Well worship service. I arrived at Helena UMC in the Fall of 2011, and I've loved every minute of being here! Worship is such an important part of each of our lives. We were all created to worship. For me, it's not the leading of worship that I enjoy. It's being able to join in worship with all that are here each week! We have some amazing worshippers here, which makes each week something I look forward to!
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Jeff Moore
Director of Student Ministries
Jeff Moore is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in advertising and a minor in creative writing. He and his wife Elizabeth have a daughter, Harper, who was born in 2013. Jeff served as Youth Director at Cullman FUMC for 6 1/2 years and is excited to be a part of the Helena UMC staff as Director of Student Ministries.
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Cynthia Dooley
Children's Minister
I have been the Children’s Director since 1993. I am responsible for children’s Sunday School, Children’s Church, and all of our children’s activities, such as VBS and Mission Day, as well as the liaison with the CCCE. Seeing children get excited about God is such a blessing and I enjoy helping them learn about God’s love as they grow in their faith.
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Sherri Smith
Director of Small Groups & Missions
I am the director of missional outreach and small groups/Sunday School classes for our church. I feel extremely blessed to be able to work for the church where my family attends. To be able to serve the church and the Lord is like planting a seed and watering it each day. I am able to watch the seed take root and grow into what God wants it to be!
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Sheila Thomas
Financial Administrator
I am originally from a small town, Tallassee, AL, and graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a major in Accounting. My husband Rusty and I celebrated our 24th anniversary in January 2014. We have two children; our daughter Mary Kate is 21 and attends Montevallo University and our son Ben is 19 and is a Freshman at the University of Alabama. Rusty and I live in Vestavia Hills and are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. I love to read, spend time with family and friends and see new places.
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Teresa Smith
Administrative Assistant
Hello, my name is Teresa Smith and I am so happy to serve as Administrative Assistant for Helena UMC. My responsibilities include staff support, membership, preparation and distribution of printed mail and email correspondence, prayer List, worship bulletins and the monthly Newsletter. It is such a pleasure and privilege to serve this church daily and feel that this is the place where God wants you to be.
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Jeannine Usher
Administrative Assistant
Jeannine has a diverse background which includes working at multiple area churches. She joined the HUMC staff in February 2014. She has held positions in the fields of marketing, non-profits, and advertising. She graduated from The University of Georgia with a degree in Broadcasting. Most recently, Jeannine worked at Independent Presbyterian Church in Congregational Care & Counseling. She and her husband Gifford have been members of HUMC since 1997 and have two grown children, Caroline Usher Dewberry and Gifford Davis Usher. She has truly enjoyed working with two churches in her career and loves working with her long-time church family at HUMC. Jeannine's responsibilities include staff support, vehicle and equipment reservations, updating the church website, Wednesday Dinner reservations, and scheduling facility and air usage.
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Elaine Huff
CCCE Director
I am the Children’s Center for Creative Enrichment Director. Previously, I was a 4K teacher at the CCCE for 20 years. As Director, I oversee the daily operations and lead the staff of both the playschool and preschool as well as caring for the children and their families who come through the school. I am blessed and honored to have the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of children and to work with a wonderful staff of teachers.
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