Cashiers UMC Staff
Aryn Williams-Ruebel
PASTOR
Pastor Aryn, is a native of North Carolina. She grew up in, East Bend, a small farming community in Yadkin County. She attended East Carolina University and earned a BA in Psychology and a MA in Health Education. After entering the workforce and trying on a variety of careers God called her into ministry. She began serving as a pastor in the local church and attending Candler School of Theology in 2012. Aryn, her husband Jay and their three daughters; Gracie, Norah and Journi moved to Cashiers in 2020.
awilliams1@wnccumc.net
Caroline Franklin
Church administrator
Caroline, a native of Brevard and has served as church administrator since 2022. She sings with the Cashiers Community Chorus, and volunteers with a variety of local non-profits. Caroline is married to Kenny and together have a precious daughter Abby.
Olga Kravets
Church Secretary
Olga joined CUMC in 2025. Originally from the Ukraine, Olga has lived in Cashiers for over 10 years and is a wonderful asset to our team. Olga is married to Alex and has two wonderful daughters Katherine and Sophia.
Bryan Heller
WORSHIP DIRECTOR and Pianist
Bryan Heller, originally from West Palm Beach Florida, has lived in North Carolina for some time. He owes a great deal of his music education to Alexander Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts. It was his studies there that led to a full paid scholarship to Western Carolina University, where he majored in Commercial & Electronic Music, with an emphasis on performance & teaching. Bryan has taught at both Smoky Mountain High School and Blue Ridge School & Early College, is the accompanist for the Cashiers Community Chorus, has his own private teaching studio and is the creator of his original program "Experience the Mountains", which is a combination of his visuals of North Carolina's natural beauty with his composition of original music. Perhaps one of Bryan's greatest achievements was accompanying the Smoky Mountain High School Concert Choir during a concert held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Today, Bryan lives in Cashiers with his wife Terra, and has three children - Alexander, Susannah and Vincent.
Mary Beth Brody is a local CPA, talented Soprano, co-leads our choir and is our handbell director . She has years of experience leading church choirs around the nation.
Sarah Hall is a retired music teacher from Blue Ridge School. She not only co-leads our choir but also leads the Cashiers Community Youth Choir
Tonya Gaddy, is our Minister of Hospitality. She ensures our space is beautiful, clean and well stocked so that we can have worship and community events in an amazing space.
David Hunter or facilities expert is a carpenter by trade and a fantastic asset to help keep our church functioning at its fullest. David is also an amazing drummer and has played with several local bands.