Dr. Terry L. Greer A. A., B. A., M. Div., D. Min.
Senior Minister
The Rev. Dr. Terry L. Greer is a native of Elizabethton, Tennessee, and served in the United States Army for nine years. His last military assignment was on the staff of the Deputy Commanding General at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He remains a member of the Redstone Arsenal Chapter of The Association of The Association of the United States Army. He is a graduate of Northest State College in Powell, Alabama where he completed his Associate of Arts Degree. He then enrolled in Athens State University, Athens, Alabama where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion with a focus on New Testament studies. He earned the Master of Divinity Degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from The Theological School of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Due to his love of Outreach and Evangelism his doctoral dissertation was titled..."Christian Hospitality as Caring Evangelism." The seminaries at both Emory and Drew Universities are United Methodist related institutions of higher education.
Terry has served in the North Alabama Conference since 1980. His student appointments include...Chestnut Grove (Gurley, AL), Randall's Chapel (Scottsboro, AL) and Bethel-Clare Pucell (Talladega, AL). Associate pastor positions followed at Latham Memorial (Huntsville) and as the Denman Minister of Evangelism at the historic First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1997 he was appointed as Senior Pastor of the Central United Methodist Church in Gadsden, Alabama. In 1999 he led the congregation into opening the first satellite church location in the North Alabama Conference, Central South. In 2002 both the downtown location and the satellite location relocated to Rainbow City, Alabama building a new 2.5 million dollar church facility. The church was renamed, Christ Central Church, A United Methodist Congregation.
He was appointed as Senior Pastor of the Decatur First United Methodist Church in June 2004 where he has led a successful 4.5 million dollar building constuction and renovation. He served on the North Alabama Conference Evangelism Committee for eight years, four as chairperson. He served for eight years on the Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, four as chairperson. He served for ten years as Assistant Conference Secretary. He has served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and several District Committees on Ministry throughout the years. He has served as a Clergy Mentor to several younger clergy since 1994.
Terry served as an Advisory Trustee for the Foundation for Evangelism at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina from 2002-2010. He was awarded the North Alabama Conference Denman Evangelism award in 1998 and the same year was named Gadsden District Pastor of the Year by his clergy peers.
He was presented the Lyndia Malvina Hammerly Distinguished Alumnus Award by Athens State University in May 2009. Dr. Greer was given the honor of a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary members of the First United Methodist Church in the Decatur Rotary Club, September 2005. He is an active Rotarian. He also served as President of the Scottsboro Kiwanis Club in 1987-1988 and was awarded the Kiwanian of the Year Award by the Scottsboro Kiwanis Club in 1989. He is a member of the Decatur Salvation Army Advisory Board and served in the same capacity with the Gadsden Salvation Army during his tenure there. He is a life-time member of PI TAU CHI, a national honor society of religion majors.
Terry's wife, the former Lisa Eidson of Scottsboro, is a Birmingham-Southern graduate with a degree in elementary education. She retired after twenty-seven years of public school service in August 2009. She continues to teach part-time in the Decatur City School system. Their daughter, Suzanna Faith is a high school student and member of the National Honor Society. She is an active participant in the Church Sanctuary Choir and the Decatur High School Chamber Chorus. Terry and his family love people and love serving others through their service in The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Sandra Locke-Godbey : B.S., M. Div., M.A., LPC
Minister of Visitation Email- sllg777@bellsouth.net
The Rev. Sandra Locke-Godbey has returned to our church staff as the Minister of Visitation. We welcome Sandra home! She served as the Associate Pastor here from 1976-1980. Sandra’s duties include visiting the local hospitals and shut-ins.
Sandra is a native of Huntsville, AL, she is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. She currently serves as the Decatur General Hospital Pastoral Counselor and offers counseling services at The Enrichment Center by appointment. Sandra earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in 1973, Graduated the Candler School of Theology Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia with a Master of Divinity 1975, received a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Alabama in 2007, is Certified in Thanatology from University of Alabama and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Sandra served Holmes Street United Methodist Church, Huntsville, AL as Associate Pastor in 1976, First United Methodist Church, Decatur, AL as Associate Pastor, 1976-1980, Priceville United Methodist Church as Senior Pastor, 1980-1988 (Somerville United Methodist Church, one year during this time), Moss Chapel United Methodist Church, Hartselle, AL, 1988-1990, West End United Methodist Church, Hartselle, AL 1990-1991, Chaplain for Hospice of the Valley, 1990-2005, and currently serves as the Decatur General Hospital Pastoral Counselor and offers counseling services at The Enrichment Center.
Sandra and her husband John have been married for 33 years; John is the Senior Photographer of the Decatur Daily. John and Sandra together will teach the Wednesday evening First Fellowship Disciple Bible Study.
Dr. Stewart Jackson B.S., M.DIV., D.MIN., L.M.F.T.
Minister of Pastoral Counseling
Dr. Stewart Jackson, native of Birmingham, AL, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.
He received a B.S. degree from Auburn University in 1971 and the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from Emory University in 1976.
As a pastoral counselor, he works with the religious and spirtual dimension of life regardless of the faith tradition of the person. As a marriage and family therapist, he works with the relationships that are troubling, confusing or painful. He is here at First Church one day per week as an independent Pastoral Counselor.
He is married to Robin, who is an artist and art teacher. They are the parents of three adult children and grandparents to four.
Lisa Charlton - Minister of Program and Nurture
Lisa has been an employee of FUMC since 1990. She joined the staff as a part-time Children’s Director and later became a full time director of Family and Children’s Ministries. In 1996, Lisa became the Program Director.
Lisa has a B.B.A. in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University.
Mallie Searcy - Children's Minister
Mallie joined the church staff as Children's Minister in March 2010. She served at Nursery Director at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham before coming to us. Mallie also served as Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at Birmingham-Southern College.
Mallie received her B.S. in Psychology from Birmingham-Southern College.
Beth Green - Youth Minister
Beth joined the church staff as Youth Director in August, 2003. She came to us from Trinity UMC in Birmingham where she had served as interim youth director, while teaching at Vestavia Hills Elementary, Liberty Park.
Beth completed her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. She also obtained a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from The University of Alabama in Birmingham.
Cindy McCulloch - Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor and Finance
Cindy McCulloch joined the church staff in April, 2007. Cindy has four years experience in church accounting and also owned her own business for ten years.
Cindy attended Calhoun Community College.
Alyson Quinn - Church Secretary
Alyson has been with First United Methodist Church since April 2001. In addition to her secretarial duties, Alyson prepares our Newsletter, Sunday Bulletin, Church Informational Brochures, and the Church Calendar.
Alyson obtained her B. A. from Athens State College with a double major in English and Psychology.
Barbara W.Sittason,B.S.,M.Ed.,A.A., Ed.D.
First Grace Child Development Center
Dr. Sittason retired from Decatur City Schools in 2007 after 36 years in education. She earned her B.S. in Special Education from the University of Alabama, her M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of South Alabama, and her Doctorate in Administration and Planning from the University of Alabama.
She was a teacher of children with emotional conflicts, a supervisor of E.C. classrooms and a supervisor of special education. Barbara was a principal for 23 years serving Somerville Road Elementary, Woodmeade Elementary and Gordon-Bibb/Leon Sheffield magnet schools.
She has two daughters: Wende, who teaches in South Florida and Whitney, who is the mother of her four grandchildren, who are the apple of her eye.
Jimmy Cantrell - Choir Director
Jimmy has been with FUMC for 37 years as of March 2010. Jimmy directs our Adult Chancel choir that sings at our 11:00 worship service on Sunday mornings.
Jimmy completed his B.S. at Athens College and obtained an
M. A. and E.D.S. at The University of North Alabama.
Karen Moore - Worship Team & Children's Choir Director
A graduate of UNA in Business management. She enjoyed electives like Collegiate singers, Chamber Choir and Opera Workshop to maintain a partial vocal scholarship. Presently, a member of ENCORE. Long time member of the Worship Team and Director since 2007.
Two children - Bryant a 7th grader and Baylee a 3rd grader.
Charles Elliot - Custodian/Maintenance
Charlie has been an employee of First United Methodist Church for over ten years as of August 2008. Responsible for setting up for meetings and church activities, Charlie also maintains and cleans our church properties.
Melissa Wiley - Housekeeper
Melissa joined our staff on October 1, 2004. She is responsible for the general cleaning of the church.
Gail Warth - Church Organist
Gail has served First United Methodist Church faithfully for over 30 years as our church organist. She plays for both the 8:45 and 11:00 services, as well as playing for weddings and funerals.
Gail obtained a B.A. in Music from Birmingham Southern College with a major in piano and minors in voice and organ.
Kim Bell-Church Pianist
Kim joined the First United Methodist Church staff in August 2003 and is our pianist for the 11:00 worship service and other special services.
Kim obtained a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from The University of North Alabama and an M.S. in Probability and Statistics from Auburn University.
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