Leadership

Pastor & Staff

Rev. Jeremy W Scott

Pastor & Chief Joy Officer

Rev. Jeremy W Scott is a former software engineer turned pastor. He received his BS in Computer Science from Montana State University and his Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He has served churches in Ohio, Montana, and Colorado and  as the Vital Congregations Developer for the Mountain Sky Conference before becoming the pastor of the United Methodist Church in Johnstown in August 2018.

Pastor Jeremy has authored two books. Rotten Hobby: A True Story of the Unspoken Epidemic Sweeping America, chronicles his personal journey living with Type 2 Diabetes, and Witness Your Why: Evangelism for Every Church, which shares insights about evangelism learned from various new church starts.

Kariann Bandy

Director of Children's Education

Kariann Bandy has been a part of the United Methodist Church of Johnstown for over sixteen years, and feels fortunate to be a part of such a caring and supportive church family. She joined the staff of the Johnstown United Methodist Preschool (J.U.M.P.) in August of 1999, and is currently the Preschool Director. Her passion for children’s ministry and education is evidenced in her many years of directing and co-directing the church’s annual Vacation Bible School ministry. She currently serves as the Director of Children’s Education for the United Methodist Church of Johnstown, combining her love of education and heart for children’s ministry. Kariann feels blessed to experience the childlike faith, and open hearts and minds of the youngest in our midst through her positions at the church, and is thankful to share in these vital ministries.

Rebecca Knowlton

Director of Youth Ministry

Becca is a valued member of the Johnstown United Methodist Preschool staff and the Director of Youth Ministry for the church.

Kimberly Heinrich

Director of Music & Worship

Kimberly Heinrich has been a member of the United Methodist Church of Johnstown since 2000, and in 2002 she was appointed as Associate Musician. Sharing her love for God through music has always been Kimberly’s passion, and this appointment gave her the excuse to jump in head-first and lead the children’s choir, as well as congregational singing.

In 2015 Kimberly took on the role of Music Director and feels honored to continue to serve God, the congregation and the community through music. Kimberly is also thrilled to be on staff at J.U.M.P. At our preschool, Kimberly is the Assistant Preschool Director and always the music teacher!

Many families in the community know “Miss Kimberly” as the “music lady” – a title she’s proud to wear! Kimberly feels that God has blessed her with a gift, and He has also blessed her with the passion to share it. What a privilege to be able to share it every day to do the works of God.

Karen Vander Velde

Organist

Karen has been the Organist since 2002. She also accompanies and sings in the Chancel Choir and rings in the Bell Choir. She (and her husband Allen) was born in Wisconsin where she was a church organist for 20 years. Although she has lived in Colorado since 1980 she is still a loyal Green Bay Packer fan.

Nicole Hill

Office Manager

Nicole Hill started working in the office in 2022 as the Office Manager.  A retired CTE teacher, Nicole also plans the turkey dinner and, with help, The King Street Market and the Easter carnival. Nicole is secretary for Administrative Council and chairperson of the Congregational Care Committee. She and her husband, Jim, are long-time members of the church. Their family includes four girls and one son-in-law.  Nicole loves garage sales, family/friend get-togethers, and camping. She owns a small store in Johnstown.

Betty Edney-Milner

Assistant Office Manager

I'm the widow of a true Johnstown native and, after living here for 45 years, I feel like I'm a semi-native. I have an adult daughter who grew up in this church. She is married. My son also grew up in this church...he has an adult son who lives in TX. I've enjoyed the privilege of being part of this awesome congregation for many years. I am the Unit President for our local United Women in Faith chapter and have the honor of leading Hope Circle. I definitely don't lack for volunteer opportunities on various committees. In addition to my usual Thursday office time, I try to be available to cover for Nicole when she needs me. With all the amazing opportunities to learn, both from a religious standpoint and from working in the office, I feel I am growing as a person. I look forward to many years of learning with my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Michael Wailes

Director of Digital Outreach & Worship Technology

Michael join the staff in 2022 and works to expand our reach in the digital world.

Jim Vitale

Treasurer

Jim Vitale has been a member of the Church Financial team since 2005 and the Church Treasurer since 2015. He has a BS in Accounting and a MS in Managerial Accounting from Colorado State University. He was a Federal Auditor with the Inspector General’s Office, in the Controller’s Office at Colorado Sate University and Senior Consultant for KPMG (CPA firm). He and his wife, Lyn, of 50+ years have successfully operated their own consulting practice since 1999 serving research universities, non-profits and hospitals across the country.
 
Jim and Lyn have a daughter, son-in-law and two great grandchildren, Prescot and Michalyn. Jim is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a combat medic in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. His loves are his wife, family and country.

Alan Gibson

Administrative Council Chair

Alan Gibson serves as the chairman of our Administrative Council. A retired teacher with over 35 years in public education, Alan also takes care of the church lawn, along with several other yards of family and friends. He is the head girls’ basketball coach at Berthoud High School and also stays active by playing plenty of pickleball. He and his wife Amy are longtime members of the church, whose family includes four grandchildren, two sons and two daughters-in-law.

Chris Hurley

Lay Leader