Rev. Mark Goad , Senior Pastor

Mark was first appointed to serve South UMC in 2003.  Immediately prior to this appointment, Rev. Goad served as Senior Pastor of Trinity UMC in Springfield, Massachusetts .

Mark is married to Rev. Margaret Dewyer Goad, Pastor of North United Methodist Church in Manchester .  Both Mark and Margaret were born in Ohio and met while students at Ohio Northern University , a UM institution. They are the parents of Matthew and Anne who currently reside in Manchester .

Following undergraduate studies in English Literature and German Language and Literature, Mark attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, the Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies (World Council of Churches/Universite de Geneve) in Bossey, , and the Graduate School of Liberal Arts at Boston University .  Philosophical and spiritual theology, German and English poetry are his continuing academic interests.  He enjoys travel, reading, music, and writing.

Rev. Goad has served churches in Illinois, Nebraska, Massachusetts and Connecticut .  He has served the Conference as editor of a clergy handbook, Church Counsel, Chairperson of the Conference Committee on Worship, member of the Department on Ministry, counseling elder.  He is currently a member of the Advisory Board for Zion’s Herald, a venerable magazine for – in his words – “progressive Christians.”  It was Rev. Goad’s pleasure to deliver the Ziegler Award Sermon at Annual Conference in 2003. 

Rev. Krista B. Atwood, Associate Pastor

Krista has served as Associate Pastor at South United Methodist Church since July of 2004.  Krista graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelors Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and from Bangor Theological Seminary, Bangor, Maine , with a Master of Divinity Degree.  She was Commissioned in the Order of Elder at Annual Conference 2004.  Prior to her Commissioning she served in Massachusetts as a Local Pastor.  Krista's passions include preaching, worship leading, and small group studies.  She enjoys reading and studying on issues especially related to social justice.

Krista and her husband, Gary, make their home in Manchester .  They enjoy hiking, trips to see family in Maine, and visits with Gary 's son, Benjamin.   On rainy afternoons you may find their dog Nicky (Nicodemus) joining Krista in the church office to help with sermon preparation!

STAFF

Stephanie Beverage, Director of Youth and Christian Education

Stephanie a life-long United Methodist, joined the staff of South UMC in April of 2004.  Stephanie graduated form The University of Arizona with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. After moving to Connecticut with her husband Jake in 2003, she worked as a substitute teacher and a girl’s basketball coach at a local high school.  Now, the Dir. of Youth and Christian Ed. she is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the education and youth ministries of South UMC .  Most days Fizzy, Stephanie and Jake’s dog, can be found helping her and the rest of the staff around the office.  Besides playing with Fizzy, Stephanie enjoys Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf, hiking, traveling, and relaxing at home.

Cheryl Wilson, Office Manager

Marian Reid, Director of Parish Visiting & Parish Nursing

Rev. Richard Thompson, Retired Clergy
Dick Thompson became a part of our congregation in 2001 after many years of service in United Methodist churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut, He and his wife, Jane, retied to a home in Manchester . They have grandchildren in South Windsor and Tolland and have always enjoyed the area.

Dick intends to spend his retirement doing what he can to express God's love. Here at South United Methodist Church , he does that through teaching adult classes, welcoming people at the front door, and generally helping where he can. He also works weekly on Hartford Habitat for Humanity houses, serves on the Board of Manchester Community Service Council, and continues his active support of the Walk to Emmaus spiritual renewal program.

Earle G. Bidwell, Director of Music
A lifelong resident of Manchester and member of South Church, Earle Bidwell earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Hartt College of Music where he studied piano with Leo Robinson and choral conducting with Philip Treggor. He also holds a Master of Arts in Music and a Sixth Year Professional Certificate in School Administration from the University of Connecticut . Mr. Bidwell has sung with the Hartt Chorale, the Hartt Chamber Singers, the Manchester Symphony Chorale, the New England Christian Chorale and of course the Chancel Choir, where for many years he was a member of the tenor section and a conducting assistant to David Morse. He also served as Music Director and Organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Southington .

A middle school principal for many years, Mr. Bidwell is currently Assistant Executive Director for the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Music Director at South Church . At the church, he oversees the music program, directs the Chancel Choir and Wesley Ringers and produces the South Church Concert Series.

Norman McFarlane, Organist

Kenneth Schaller, Sexton

Don Wilby, Assistant Sexton