Contact Info

 

Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Douglas Gilreath
Dr. Gilreath is the Senior Pastor at Covington First United Methodist Church.  Pastor Doug came to Covington FUMC in June 2009 with his wife Lynn and children, Hannah, Hayden and Addie.  Pastor Doug graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1988 from Kennesaw College and University.  His plans upon graduation were to attend Georgia State University and complete a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.  However, he had become involved with a young adult Bible study and eventually committed his life to Christ.  Through a series of events, he began to experience a call upon his life to enter the ordained ministry.  After much prayer, discernment, and counseling, Doug entered the Candidacy program for Ordained Ministry and enrolled at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Doug served as the youth minister at Due West UMC in Marietta and as a student-pastor at Trinity UMC in Duluth.  After his ordaination as an Elder and Doug was transferred to the Mountain Valley Circuit in Cleveland.  After serving the circuit (Mount Pleasant UMC, Loudsville UMC, and Chattahoochee UMC) Loudsville UMC became a full-time appointment and Doug was appointed as their first full-time pastor in its 172 year history.  Doug served the Mountain Valley Circuit and Loudsville UMC for eight years.  In 2002 Doug was appointed to Locust Grove UMC and has served the church to this date.  In 2000 Doug entered the Doctor of Ministry program at Columbia School of Theology in Decatur, Georgia.  He completed his studies in 2004 and received his Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality. In June of 2009, Pastor Doug became our Senior Pastor at FUMC. Doug and his family love the United Methodist Church and growing in their relationship with God in Christ and the people and community they’ve been called to serve.

 
Associate Pastor, Rev. E. Gail Thompson
Reverend E. Gail Thompson is an Elder in the North Georgia Conference. Rev. Gail is the Associate Pastor at Covington FUMC.  Gail comes to Lawrenceville Road UMC, where she served as Pastor-in-Charge. Previous to that Gail has also served as the Pastor of Suwanee FUMC and as Associate Pastor at Mountain Park UMC, McKendree UMC and East Point FUMC.  In the Conference, she serves as a Mentor to those preparing for the ministry and was a long-time member of the Conference Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Committee.  She has held membership on several district committees in the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford, Atlanta-Emory, and Atlanta College.
Gail was a “late-bloomer” in her “ordained” ministry career, entering school again in 1996, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Candler School of Theology in 1998.  Prior to entering the ministry, Gail was the Senior Administrative Officer for Chemical Financial Services Corporation for 13 years, formerly working in pharmaceutical sales and as field coordinator for the American Cancer Society. 
Gail is actively involved in the spiritual leadership of the Walk to Emmaus community, with a particular love and passion for the Youth Division of WTE.  Gail has a strong calling for ministry with women and young people, as well as being a Stephen Leader and a big believer in small group ministry.  Gail says her favorite word is JOY, because it comes from the Lord and no circumstance can determine it. 

 

Children’s Director, Kye Haymore 
Kye Haymore is our Director of Children’s Programs. She is responsible for the education and nurturing of the FUMC’s children.  She is responsible for  overseeing Sunday School and Children’s Church on Sunday mornings, which includes coordinating teachers and volunteers as well as curriculum. Organizes Wee and Wesley Worshippers, holiday activities such as Advent, Lenten and Halloween, Family Night and Data Night activities, field trips and Vacation Bible School. Kye is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BA in political science and a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law.  She currently is a adjunct professor at DeKalb Tech.  Kye has been a member of Covington First for over 15 years.  She joined the staff in the fall of 2007 as one of the interim directors for children’s programming and she assumed the position permanently in January of 2007.  Kye has served in many capacities here at Covington First including a term as UMW President, as well as the Chair of the Sallie Fowler Circle. She has served as the Chair of the Preschool Committee and as the chair of Altar Guild and a member of the Worship Committee.  She has served on the Administrative Board and the Council on Ministries.  She has also served on the ADO District UMW team as the District Secretary.  Kye is a member of the Horizon Sunday School class and she has completed the Disciple I Bible Study.  Kye is married to Chris Haymore and she has one son, Warth, who attends preschool here at Covington First. Kye’s email is khaymore@fumccovington.org.

Music Minister, Scott Daniell 

Scott Daniell is our Minister of Music at FUMC.  Scott overseas all of our music program as well as directing the Chancel Choir, Handbells and Youth Choir.  Scott has faithful volunteers that assist in the three children’s choirs at FUMC. Scott is a very talented vocalist and musician and brings to FUMC a diverse and vibrant music program.As a graduate of shorter College, he spent many years as a High School Chorus Director working on a Masters Degree on Choral Conducting at the University of Georgia.  His choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall and the Washington National Cathedral.  Spending many years as a Presbyterian church musician, we welcome Scott to the Methodist Church.Scott and his wife Melissa have two high school age children, Matthew and Elizabeth. Scott’s email is alfredscott92@hotmail.com.

 

 

 Assistant Music Director, Joyce Stiehl

Joyce Stiehl is a member of our church family at FUMC.  She directs the Ila Randle Piper Handbell Choir and is the Coordinator of the Children's Choirs.

Joyce's email is jstiehl@gwalton.com.

 

 

 

Organist and Director of Senior Music, Becky Ramsey 
Becky Griffin Ramsey is a native of Atlanta, Ga., where she began piano at the age of five and was soon discovered t have absolute pitch. A graduate of Agnes Scott College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she pursued a career in church music while concretizing extensively as duo-performer with her twin sister, Alice Griffin Walker.  Mrs. Ramsey studied organ performance with Dr. Raymond Martin, Dr. Timothy Wissler and Sarah Martin.  She has completed Master Classes with Jean Langlais, Diane Bish Dr. Alec Wyton , Dr. Roberta Gary and Dr. Gerre Hancock.  As a part of the duo team Ramsey and Walker, Concert Organist and Pianists, Mrs. Ramsey has performed in Europe, Canada and Mexico.  In London, she played the organ at the historic Wesley’s Chapel.  In the United States, she has played the Hazel Wright Organ at the Crystal Cathedral in Gardens Grove, California: the largest church pipe organ in the world at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles; and the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world at Balboa park in San Diego.Mrs. Ramsey has performed in the southeast United States at Spivey Hall, Berry College, Reinhardt College, the Georgia Dome, and Emerson Hall of Emory University.  She has appeared as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the DeKalb Symphony and concerts for the Atlanta Music Club, the Southern Arts Federation, the Georgia Council for the Arts and other arts Associations throughout Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mrs. Ramsey’s recent achievements include postgraduate study at Valparaiso University in Indiana and certification form the American Guild of Organist as both Colleagues and Associate.  She and her twin sister are the only set of twins in the United States to complete the stringent requirements for the Associate ship on the same day. Mrs. Ramsey lives in Covington with her husband, Mayor Sam Ramsey.  Becky’s email is sambecky@charter.net.

Church Hostess/Special Events Coordinator and Youth Director,Jennifer Morganthall
Jennifer Morganthall is our Church Hostess.  Her responsibilities include overseeing the Kitchen and cooking our Wednesday Night Supper Meal, recruiting dinner helpers, providing meals and planning special church events such as Spring Fling, Fall Festival, special Sunday lunches and other special service receptions and meals throughout the year.  She is the staff liaison to the Trustees to address issues that are related to kitchen use.  All questions regarding use and care of the kitchen and equipment should be directed to Jennifer. Jennifer email is jennmorganthall@gmail.com.  Jennifer is married to Garth and is the mother to two daughters, Madison and Mallory.  They have been members of FUMC since 1999.
Jennifer is also our Interium Youth Director.  Her responsibilities include Youth Sunday School, Bible Study, UMYF fellowship, missions and activities of the youth of FUMC. 

 

 Preschool Director and Nursery Coordinator, Amanda Farill 
Amanda Farill is in her fourth year as Preschool Director at FUMC. She is responsible for directing, administrating and supervising the day to day operation of the preschool program and is a certified Kindermusic teacher. FUMC Preschool is a member of the North Georgia Preschool Association.  Amanda is currently enrolled in Mercer University getting a degree in Education. Amanda is also our Nursery Coordinator and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all nurseries for church related events. She facilitates the smooth running of the Nurseries on Sunday morning and for meetings and events during the week. Amanda is married to James and they have two daughter, Allison and Madeline and one son, Landon.  They have been members of FUMC since 1999. Amanda’s email is afarill@fumccovington.org.

 

Administrative Assistant,  Tamra Holder
Tamra Holder is our Administrative Assistant. Her responsibilities include greeting visitors, keeping the church calendar, doing the Sunday worship bulletin, assisting in the daily operations of the office and helping the staff with their administrative needs. Tamra is married to John and they have one daughter, Noelle.  They have been members of FUMC since 2003. Tamra’s email is tholder@fumccovington.org.

 

Administrative Assistant, Claudia Minge
Claudia Minge is our Administrative Assistant.  Her responsibilities include greeting visitors,  assisting in the daily operations of the office and helping the staff with their administrative needs, creating and publishing the Informer, brochures and all church communications such as maintaining the church website, congregation emails and mailings.  Claudia is married to Ed Minge, Media Chair. They have a daughter Katie and a son Patrick, who is married and has four children.  They have been members of FUMC since 1994.  Claudia's email is claudiaminge@bellsouth.net.    

 

Financial Manager, Jennifer Davis
Jennifer Davis serves as our new Financial Manager at FUMC.  Jennifer graduated from Emory with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.  She Lives in Loganville with her husband Matt and her two sons Michael and Ryan. Matt is an Engineer for the City of Covington Fire Department.  Jennifer's email is jdavis@fumccovington.org.