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Aldersgate Staff Rev. Greg Batson, Senior Pastor Rev. Karin Ellis, Associate Pastor Karin grew up in Mission Viejo, CA and attended the United Methodist Church. She went to Nebraska Wesleyan University where she received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Hearing a call to ministry, Karin then attended Boston University School of Theology and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1997. She returned to Southern California to be close to family and begin her ministry career. Karin is married to Steven and they have two children: Abigail who is 4 years old, and Paul who is 20 months old. In her spare time Karin enjoys reading, traveling, walking, crocheting, playing with her children, and occasionally scuba diving with Steven. Jennifer Kelly, Church Administrator As a seasoned professional in live production, Jennifer has learned the truth of the phrase "No Panicking Allowed" and "The show must go on!" Having grown up the daughter of a United Methodist minister, Jennifer has a lifelong background in the church. She has been an active member for most of her life and has had the opportunity to serve as acolyte, Sunday school teacher, assistant youth director, audio/visual technician and Chairperson of the administrative Council. Jennifer has had the unique experience of seeing the church not only from the pews, but from the church office as well. While other children traveled to exotic locations like Hawaii, Jennifer and her family, who lived on Maui, often vacationed in beautiful Redlands, California at the UMC annual conference. Jennifer is married to Patrick and they have one daughter, Shannon, as well as two cats. Patrick wants to know if anybody needs a cat. Or two?
Anna Ferraro, Accompanist
Anna achieved her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (emphasis on accompanying) at Cal State University, Fullerton and it was there that she began her organ study. Anna’s piano accompanying career took root in 1981 at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts / West where she continues to work as accompanist and/or musical director to vocal production classes and musical theater productions. 1982 marked the beginning of Anna’s church music career. She has been Organist or combined Organist – Music Director continuously since then, most recently at Laguna Country United Methodist in Laguna Woods, CA. Anna Ferraro is a prolific composer of instrumental and vocal music and has several cds available. At some point in the future, her web site will be up and running! Jackie Kush , Director Aldersgate Children’s Center She has earned her Early Childhood Education credits and Director qualifications at Irvine valley College. She has worked in the day care field since 1980. She grew up in Northern California and is one of five children. She resides in Irvine with her husband Ken. They have three grown sons, Ken, Scott and Mark. Kim Wilmoth, Director of Children’s Education Kim is the mother of two wonderful boys: Gavin, age 9, and Garrett, age 4. Kim’s husband, Scott, is also a teacher, teaching Biology at Katella High School. Scott has a passion for youth and helps out regularly with the youth group at Aldersgate. Both Scott and Kim were active in the District camping program for many years, serving as staff members and also as deans of youth summer camps. Kim is delighted to be at a church where there is such a strong focus on children and families. Her goal is to help nurture the spiritual growth of the children in the congregation and to provide opportunities for families to come together in Christian fellowship. Allison Horner, Coordinator of Creative Ministries Allison’s experience in dance and the performing arts is a gift she shares with the youth of Aldersgate at every opportunity. Her career in dance began at age 16, when she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle and later continued with American Ballet Ensemble, Ballet Austin and Staatstheatre Darmstadt in Germany. More recently, she has turned her focus to choreography and for the past two years, Allison has supported Laura Prior and the children’s choirs in choreographing their Christmas musical productions. Outside of Aldersgate, Allison has recently choreographed shows for Musical Theatre Orange County and the Huntington Beach Playhouse. Allison and her husband Bryn are the parents of daughters Tessa, age 16, Chloe, age 14 and Sydney, age 9. Allison is thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic Aldersgate staff. She envisions a bright future for the children of Aldersgate, full of many opportunities for spiritual growth and development. Scott Wilmoth, Co-Youth Director Mary Pauline Keough, Office Specialist Mary and her husband Pat enjoy being with their daughters, Judith and Jessica, along with their families, whenever possible. They also love to go on long rides on Pat’s Harley Davidson and Mary says that “riding on the back of a Harley makes me truly know what it is to trust God on a moment to moment basis…and how good life really is.” Mary’s other love is her beagle dog, Sammie. Norman W. Henke, Financial Secretary Norm is currently the church’s Financial Secretary, and has held this position for the last 17 years. He has also been President of the United Methodist Men, served 5 years as Lay Leader, chaired various other committees, and finds time to sing in the Choir Norm has an MBA from UCLA. His undergraduate work resulted in a BS in General Engineering from Iowa State University. He has received numerous leadership honors including being named a Fellow of the International Institute of Industrial Engineers. His career as an executive with a Fortune 20 company included overseeing all Operations functions for electronic plants in Iowa , Texas, California, Utah, Canada and Europe. Norm is married to Margaret who was recently honored as Laywoman of the Year for the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church for her work as Founder of the Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment. They have two children, Jeanne, who is Executive VP for a public relations firm in Leawood, Kansas, and David, who is VP of Finance for Zirmed in Louisville, KY. Norm and Margaret travel extensively, work tirelessly on behalf of the Environment, and have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Heidi Perez, Treasurer Heidi has attended United Methodist churches since childhood and started attending Aldersgate UMC with her family in 2000.
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The Reverend Greg Batson was appointed as Senior Pastor to Aldersgate UMC in July, 2009. Previously, he served as Senior Pastor for the First United Methodist Church in Burbank, CA. (2004 – 2009) and as an Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, CA (2000 to 2004). Rev. Batson was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in 2004.
tackling another one. 
Jennifer Kelly brings to Aldersgate UMC an eclectic set of skills and experience, including a BFA degree in Communications from Chapman University. She has spent a number of years in marketing and tradeshow management as well as print and digital media production. She has served as primary contact responsible for vendor relations, staff communications and talent scheduling. Her recent experience as production manager for Opera Chapman and as stage manager for nationally recognized inspirational speakers has helped to sharpen her organizational and managerial skills. She has earned an Expert MOUS certification in Microsoft Office and is proficient in Photoshop and Publisher. 
Jackie has been working at Aldersgate Children’s Center since June of 1996. Jackie joined the Aldersgate staff as a teacher for eight years and then as Assistant Director for three years before becoming Director of the Center.
Kim joined the staff of Aldersgate UMC in August 2006. She had been the Co-Director of Education for Santa Margarita United Methodist Church for several years. Kim has a passion for children and for teaching. During the week she works on a shared contract for the Magnolia School District teaching Kindergarten, which she has taught for nine years.
Allison has been attending Aldersgate UMC with her family for the past 13 years and has played an active role in church activities and endeavors prior to joining the staff as Coordinator of Creative Ministries. Her journey in working with children began after a joyous experience teaching Vacation Bible School at Aldersgate. Allison has since led Sunday School classes, served as a member of the Children’s Education Committee and shared the role of Director of VBS for seven years. In an additional, previously undisclosed VBS role, she has performed as the VBS “mascot” each year, taking on the role of a dog, horse, mouse, monkey, raccoon and most recently, a chipmunk. 
Scott has been involved in youth work for twenty-five years. He was active in UMYF at La Mirada UMC when he was in school, and was a volunteer youth worker at the same church for two years. He then became the first youth director Rancho Santa Margarita UMC and held that position for four years. Most of Scott's youth work has been done in the district camping program where he has served as a camp counselor, camp dean and camping coordinator for the Santa Ana District. He currently serves on the Conference Board of Camping, Outdoor, and Retreat Ministries. Scott has served as Co-Youth Director at Aldersgate, along with Lisa Pursley, since 2008. He enjoys working together with Lisa, serving the youth of our church and helping them grow in their faith. 
In 1986, Norm and his wife Margaret returned to California in his position as Vice President of Production Operations for Rockwell International. They joined Aldersgate UMC and Norman embarked on the beginning of his many contributions of service to AUMC.