Organization & Committees

Decatur First UMC is blessed to have an outstanding clergy and staff coupled with a vibrant, active membership. Many members serve in a variety of capacities, and in leadership positions that forward the mission of the church. There are three main groups that lead the work of the congregation:

Ministry Leadership Council
Decatur First UMC has one central Ministry Leadership Council that plans and implements the ministries of the church. It is the center of the internal structure and oversees support for and communication between Ministry Action Teams.

Ministry Action Teams
The Ministry Action Teams execute the vision of the Ministry Leadership Council and bring it to life.

Administrative Board
The Administrative Board provides administrative support and oversight for the Ministry Leadership Council.


Organizational Details

Administrative Board
The Administrative Board (AB) is the primary unit responsible for planning and implementing programs of nurture, outreach and witness for church members and the community. It seeks to infuse inclusiveness in all aspects of the church’s life. Members are chosen annually by the Nominations and Leadership Committee, which is chaired by the Senior Minister, and includes lay members of the church.

Chair, Quinn Hudson | qhudson@hudsongroupinc.com
Vice-Chair, Ty Tippett
Secretary, Quill Duncan
Treasurer, Harry Stillwell
Lay Leader, Sharon Brewer

Board of Trustees Chair, Bill Hauserman
Endowment Trust Committee Chair, Rick Shinall
Finance Committee Chair, John Bolen
Ministry Leadership Council Chair, Melissa Heffner
Staff Parish Relations Committee Chair, Bob Allen

Administrative Board At-Large Members

Chad Greer Greg Zimmerman Karen Horace Bill Ivey Bob Hope Clair Wallace Jason Clay John Copeland Josh Andrews George Hickman Caroline Patterson

Cliff Howard Joanna Putman Leigh Hooten Eric Tumperi Linda Tumperi Lucille Traylor Michael Head Stay Hall Virginia Knox Leslie Harrington

Ministry Leadership Council
The Ministry Leadership Council is comprised of the Ministry Action Teams. This council plans and implements the ministries of Decatur First UMC.

   Melissa Heffner, Committee Chair | mheffner@secondlookserv.com
   Melinda Mobley, Committee Vice-Chair | mmobley596@comcast.net


Ministry Action Teams
The Ministry Action Teams are the backbone of the Decatur First UMC church structure, working together to put faith into action in the church and the community.


Come As You Are (CAYA) Action Team
Eric Tumperi, Committee Chair
This action team helps to plan the Come As You Are worship services and other CAYA events. It also works to integrate CAYA more fully into the life and ministry of the Decatur First UMC congregation as a whole.
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Communications Action Team
Committee Chair TBD
This action team works closely with the Communications Staff person to circulate information to church members and the surrounding community.
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Creation Care Action Team
Ashley Knight, Committee Chair
This action team works on initiatives to improve Decatur First UMC’s environmental stewardship. Members of this group attend United Methodist conference-wide creation care events, including the Caring for Creating Conference and the GIPPY Awards. This action team spearheads a walk/bike/carpool to church day in the spring and the fall, works closely with Decatur First UMC’s Heavenly Harvest Garden committee, and works with other community groups at various park clean-ups around the City of Decatur.
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Discipleship Action Team
Julie Childs, Committee Chair
The mission of this action team is to exercise “radical hospitality” to make visitors to the church feel welcome, and to help new members become integrated into the Decatur First UMC family. Here they can be supported and nurtured as disciples, and become actively involved in the life and ministry of the church. The Discipleship Action Team organizes the Sunday morning greeters, the Cookie Couriers, the summer lemonade after church, and other hospitality programs.
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Drama Action Team
Sharon Brewer & Melinda Mobley, Committee Co-Chairs
This action team supports those who perform secular productions (popular plays and musicals), and non-secular dramatic readings, interpretations, and enactments from the Bible. The drama department puts on a production in October, with the proceeds benefiting the Honduras Mission Trip. A March/May production benefits Decatur First UMC’s Music Mission.
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Education Action Team
Harriet Kersey, Committee Chair
This action team is very active in selecting topics, scheduling teachers, and presenting testimonials for the small group studies.
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Family Ministry Action Team
David Mobley, Committee Chair
This action team organizes intergenerational events where our church family’s life is nurtured through fellowship and special activities. Annual events include a church picnic, an afternoon at the Big Apple Circus, watching an Atlanta Rollergirls derby, and church-wide holiday gatherings. The action team also provides informative and helpful events, such as the Single Parent Support Group. The Family Ministry Action Team is always open to suggestions from Decatur First UMC worshippers regarding what events they would like to see offered.
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Kids’ Rock Action Team
Karen Horace, Committee Chair
This is a child-targeted, biblically based ministry for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Kids' Rock! incorporates a variety of creative teaching techniques (e.g., video and drama) that are effective in the large-group format. In addition to the Large Group portion, there are Small Groups where leaders love and encourage children in all their endeavors.
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Mission Action Team
Fletcher Daley, Committee Chair
Encourages and supports the mission activities of Decatur First UMC by providing opportunities for the congregation to participate in local, national, and international organizations and programs. Major activities include Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM), Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM), Roy’s Toys, United Methodist Children’s Home, Youth Appalachian Service Project (ASP), Adult ASP, Honduras Outreach, and missionaries Ted & Carla Warnock.
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Senior Adult Action Team
Helen & Joel Byars, Committee Co-Chairs
This action team addresses the concerns and conditions of senior adults in our congregation and plans events for their edification and enjoyment.
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Shepherd Action Team
Committee Chair TBD
This action team is in communication with church members throughout the year to determine the needs of the congregation, and to evaluate key areas of ministry. This action team works to create a dialogue among the congregation, the church staff, and the ministers with the purpose of establishing what is most important to the health and the spiritual development of the congregation.
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Stewardship Action Team
Committee Chair TBD
This action team educates the congregation about all aspects of stewardship, and encourages its practice in all areas of life. This action team also implements an annual pledge campaign each fall.
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United Methodist Women (UMW) Action Team
Suzy Jennings, Committee Chair
This action team represents the UMW, a community of women who nurture and encourage one another in their spiritual growth, personal leadership, and transformation. As a member of UMW, each woman accepts the challenge to expand her concept of mission.
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Worship Action Team
Carole Enright, Committee Chair
From scheduling ushers and greeters, to planning Advent and Lent activities, to silver put-away, and funeral hospitality, this action team is a key component in implementing the worship services.
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Young Adult Action Team
Cameron Jones & Laura Perry, Committee Co-Chairs
This action team supports fellowship among the young adults of the church by coordinating social events, volunteer opportunities, religious studies and more.
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Young Children’s Action Team (YCAT)
Jill Ivey & Kari Knoblauch, Committee Co-Chairs
The Young Children's Action Team supports Decatur First UMC Children’s Ministries by coordinating activities and programs for families and children (infants - pre-Kindergarten), including the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, story time at the Children's Library, Sunday School Teacher Appreciation, and New Baby Recognition. YCAT action team members also volunteer on Sunday mornings, serving as 1st floor hall monitors to assist the nursery workers, Sunday School teachers, and Kinderchurch volunteers as needed.
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Youth Action Team
Kathleen Copeland, Committee Chair
This action team supports the vision and ministry of the Youth Leadership Team by seeking to understand the concerns of the youth at DFUMC and in our community, and engaging them so that they may grow in their Christian faith.
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