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Shepherd of the Hills

United Methodist Church

Rev. Larry Gerber,

Senior Pastor

    Rev. Larry Gerber brings his ministry to Shepherd of the Hills on July 1, 2006. He comes from Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, where he was Senior Pastor for seven years. Prior to his time in Sun Lakes, Larry was the Central West District Superintendent. He has also served pastorates in New York State, other parts of the Greater Phoenix area, as well as an appointment in Las Vegas. Larry and his wife, Jane, have been in professional ministry for 34 years. The Gerbers celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in 2006. They have three grown daughters who have blessed them with eight grandchildren. Two of their daughters and families live in Las Vegas, while their youngest daughter and family live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

   

 Rev. Susan Brims,

Associate Pastor

    Rev. Susan Brims joins Shepherd of the Hills as Associate Pastor on July 1, 2006. Rev. Brims served as the Executive Associate Pastor at the Green Valley UMC in Henderson, Nevada. Prior to that, she served as Senior Pastor of the First UMC in Sun City, Arizona. Susan has served several other appointments in our Conference including appointments in Phoenix, Mesa, the Willowbrook UMC in Sun City, and in Kingman, Arizona. Rev. Brims has considerable experience as a Pastor and is well known for her gifts in administration, pastoral care, preaching and teaching. She has had additional training and experience in pastoral counseling, family systems work, and conflict resolution. She has served well in retirement community churches and understands the needs and concerns of a senior population. 


         

Rev. Dr. James Bonsell,

Associate Pastor

 Rev. Dr. James C. Bonsell joins the Shepherd of the Hills UMC pastoral staff as an Associate Pastor effective July 1, 2006. Rev. Dr. Bonsell comes to us from the Millersburg First UMC in Millersburg, Pennsylvania where he served as Senior Pastor. He has completed over 35 years as a Methodist minister in the Western and Central Pennsylvania Conferences where he served as Conference Mission Secretary and a member of the District Board of Ministry. At Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Rev. Dr. Bonsell will assume the role of Care Team Director. Rev. Dr. Bonsell is an experienced and well-qualified pastor in many functional ministries of the Church. He is well noted for his talents and skills in Pastoral Counseling, Care Ministry, and Membership Growth. Jim and wife, Ann, have two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

   

Rev. Franklin Greene

Pastor Emeritus

     Following his official retirement from the Desert Southwest Conference in 1988, Rev. Greene joined the Pastoral Staff of Shepherd of the Hills as Minister of Congregational Development. During his more than 10 years in that ministry, over 1300 new members joined our Church. Now in his 17th year at Shepherd of the Hills, Rev. Greene continues his loving and caring ministries to our members wherever they are needed. He is also Staff liaison to the Fine Arts Committee and other Church groups.

    

The Caring Ministries Team

Rev. Dr. James Bonsell,

Care Team Director

    

  Mrs. Esther Vallet, RN

Parish Nurse 

 

Esther Vallet, RN, has been the Parish Nurse at Shepherd of the Hills since early 1998 under a contract with Sun Health. She is an integral part of our Care Ministry Program serving members as health educator, personal health counselor, volunteer health group facilitator, healthcare system advocate, congregation and community health resources counselor, and spiritual caregiver.

  

Music Ministry

 Director of Music  Ken Goodenberger 
 Organists  Joan Mork,  Roberta Sambol

For More Information on the Music Staff, Go to the Music Ministry Page

Office/Finance Administrator

This position is open

Office Staff

Christina Rains,

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Members

Christina A. Rains was born in New York and has three children who live on the east coast.  Christina received her master's degree in both music and business. Christina worked in commercial real estate in New York and residential real estate in the Chicago area.  She moved to Sun City West in 2001 where she lives with her husband Jerry.  Christina enjoys singing and reading. 

Judy O'Neil,

Church Secretary and Administrative Assistant to Pastors

Judy O'Neil was born, raised and worked in northern Illinois.  She has been married to her husband, Jim for 36 years.  They have 3 children (oldest son lives in the East Valley) and 3 grandchildren.  Judy has taught school for several years and in her prior employment worked for a financial advisor.  She loves playing golf and visiting in the Midwest with her son, daughter and grandchildren.

Julie Calvert,

Accountant

Julie Calvert grew up in Colorado and served as City Clerk-Administrator for approximately 20 years for a small community in the Denver Metro area and for about 8 years for an accounting firm.  She met her husband Jerry in 1985 and recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.  Julie and Jerry moved to Sun City Grand in 2002 to escape the winters of the Colorado mountains and to work on improving Julie's golf game.

Custodial Staff

 

 Benito Balli, Custodian
   Pete Funk, Custodian