Staff

PASTORAL STAFF 

 

Randy Harry is Senior Pastor of Cashiers United Methodist Church.  Randy completed his theological studies at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC and has served churches in Ellenboro, Bessemer City, and Brevard.  From 2006 to 2009 Randy has served at St Timothy's UMC in Brevard.  Some of Randy's professional highlights include:

 

Prior to experiencing his call to ministry, Randy earned undergraduate and law degrees from UNC Chapel Hill.  He practiced law for twelve years in Norfolk VA.  When away from the church, Randy enjoys hiking with his wife Kristen and daughter Wren.

 

Matt Smith began serving as a pastor to Cashiers in June 2008. He often works in the areas of children, youth, missions and communications. While this is his first appointed position, Matt has worked with youth at two other churches, First UMC of Belmont, NC and Foundry UMC in Washington, DC. After leaving his hometown of Morganton, NC, Matt studied at UNC-Wilmington and Wesley Theological Seminary. He is honored to serve on the Western North Carolina Conference's Justice and Reconciliation Team.  Matt loves travel, exotic food, reading novels, watching movies and playing games.  Matt is married to Joanna Hudson and they have two sons, Simon and David.  Matt is presently on paternity leave with the arrival of David.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

 

Peggy Hormann joined our staff in October 2003 and serves as our Church Administrator.  Among other tasks, Peggy oversees the church calendar and controls the finances. While she has served in a variety of offices in her career, this marks Peggy’s first time working for a church. She studied at Indiana University’s Business School. Jim Hormann is Peggy’s husband. They have four grown children and their tenth grandchild was born in November 2009. She enjoys baking and decorating cakes, and gardening. Peggy and Jim lived for a time on a boat.

 

Sarah Henry began serving as our Church Secretary in January 2009.  In between responding to numerous phone calls, emails, and visitors, Sarah generates publications such as the bulletin and newsletter. Sarah is from Georgia, where she attended the University of Georgia. She has worked in a variety of settings, including two churches in Georgia. She is married to Mike Henry and has two college-aged children. When she’s not in the mountains, Sarah loves to sail and enjoys spending time with her children.

 

Sue Jones works part-time as our Office Assistant. She began working for the church in September 2007. Originally from Dearborn, Michigan, Sue studied at Henry Ford Community College. Before coming to work for the church, Sue was an insurance agent in Sylva for 23 years. Ed Jones is Sue’s husband. Sue is very active in the American Legion Auxiliary serving veterans and her community. Sue enjoys reading and listening to praise music in her spare time.

 

 

MUSIC

 

Tom Adams is the longest-serving member of our staff. He became our Director of Music in 1998. For most of his life, he lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was a high school band and choral director for 30 years. He also owned and operated a music camp. Tom is married to Debbie Adams, and has a grown son and two grandchildren. Raising horses takes up much of Tom’s spare time. Tom has a horse ministry called “On Eagle’s Wings” and is active in prison ministry.  

 

Bryan Heller has been our pianist since August 2005. He studied music at Western Carolina University. In addition to his gifts for performing the works of others, Bryan also composes sacred music. He teaches at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva and gives private lessons. Bryan lives in Balsam, NC with his wife Nadya and toddler son Alexander. He’s more than a casual fan of Star Trek. Besides Christianity, Bryan says Star Trek has been the most important moral influence in his life.