Rev. Amanda Geddings Richardson, Pastor

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Amanda is originally from Bishopville, SC. She graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) before going to the University of South Carolina-Upstate. While at Upstate, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree with an emphasis on Physical Education/Parks and Recreation. In college and upon graduation, she worked with the Residence Life department at SMC, the Spartanburg YMCA, Buncombe St. UMC, and Disciples UMC, Greenville. For some years after, she worked with the City of Columbia-Parks and Recreation as the Aquatics Manager at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center. Then, she finally answered her call to the full-time ministry, a call that she felt since high school. She began her studies for a Master of Divinity and graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia.
Before being appointed to Aldersgate UMC, she served at O’Neal St. UMC, Newberry and Johnston & Harmony UMC Charge, Johnston. She is ordained as an Elder in Full Connection in the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Amanda is married to Christopher, who is a high school science teacher. They have two dogs, Daisy and Pearl, who are full of personality. Amanda and Chris, along with their dogs, enjoy camping, exercising, and being with family and friends.

Dr. Johannah Myers, Director of Disciple Formation

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Johannah Myers is originally from Summerville, SC. She graduated from Furman University with a B.A. in Psychology and received a Master of Divinity from Duke University.  She’s been on staff at Aldersgate since 2009. Here, she oversees Bible studies and other small groups, Sunday School, retreats, and Messy Church, working with all ages. In 2019, Johannah received a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, after completing her doctoral studies with an international cohort at Wesley House in Cambridge, UK.  Her doctoral project focused on intergenerational faith formation. In addition to her work at Aldersgate, Johannah is the Program Director for Messy Church USA. While she loves her work, in her spare time she is an avid sports fan, especially Duke football and basketball, and is always planning her next adventure abroad. You can sometimes find Johannah’s dog, Winifred, guarding the church hallways (mostly looking for treats).

Dr. Grant Knox, Director of Music

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Grant earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at the Eastman School of music and his D.M. at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He serves as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Lyric Theatre at Furman University. Dr. Knox is enjoying a varied career in opera, musical theater, concert and recital. He has appeared with the Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Chautauqua Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Asheville Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera Atlanta, Rochester Lyric Opera, GLOW Lyric Theatre, and with Maestro Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Opera Festival. Equally at home in concert repertoire, Knox has been engaged by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic, Greenville Symphony Orchestra/Chorale, Cobb Symphony, Peninsula Music Festival, Bach Ensemble of Cincinnati, Rochester Oratorio Society and in recital at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Grant and his wife Danielle have two children (Emila and Evelyn) and are thrilled to serve at Aldersgate.

Ryland Brown, Music Ministry

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At the age of 4, although he could not read music yet, Ryland would sit at the piano with his sister as she practiced. At age 7, his parents enrolled him in Furman University’s Pre-College Piano for Young People to study music history, theory and composition under Dr. Karen Eshelman Tompkins and Ann H. Guest until age 18 upon his graduation from Hampton Park Christian School of Greenville, SC.

Ryland continued his study as a Church Music Major with piano and voice proficiencies at Bob Jones University (1995-2000) under Dr. Fred R. Coleman. Ryland is a wonderful musician and we are fortunate to have him with us at Aldersgate.

Jennifer Nelson, Director of Child Development Center

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Jennifer received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from College of Charleston before pursuing and receiving a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of South Carolina. Prior to coming to Aldersgate CDC, Jennifer taught sixth grade, K4 and Reading Recovery in public schools. She was a Media Specialist in Pickens County, and taught Spanish at church preschools in both Rock Hill and Greenville. She has been Director of Aldersgate CDC since 2010. Jennifer and her husband Jon have three children: Emily, Mary Katherine and J.C., who all live in Greenville.

Susan Hamilton, Office Manager & Communications

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Susan Hamilton has been working for Aldersgate since August 2004. She is married to Eddie Hamilton, and they have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.

She is currently the Office Manager, Congregational Care & Communications.
Her hobbies include all types of crafts: painting, wreath making, just to name a few. She also loves to take trips with her family and friends to anywhere.

If you have not met her yet, you will soon!

Janet Koss, Financial Secretary

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Janet Koss is a Greenville native and a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has worked many years in Finance for several organizations. Prior to coming to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, she was Finance Director for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. Janet’s greatest pleasure is spending time with friends and family. She is a huge fan of DRNA (Dachshund Rescue North America) and is a repeat adopter. Currently she has Abby, a fourteen-year-old miniature dachshund.