Michael O. Christensen, B.A., M. Div., Pastor and Teacher

Rev. Michael O. Christensen was called as our pastor in August of 1999. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), he serves with full partner standing in the United Church of Christ and serves on the Commission on Ministry in the Eastern Virginia Association of the United Church of Christ. He received a B.A. in Church Music from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas and a Master of Divinity specializing in Town-Country Church Leadership from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. He has a life-long interest and involvement in the renewal and mission of small churches.

Michael is an avid Bible student and teacher and he preaches extemporaneously (without notes) on the text for the day and its application  in daily life. He also leads periodic study groups during weekday evenings. He has a good listening ear, is outgoing, and is easy to get to know.  He loves to perform weddings and sacred unions -- here, in the outdoors, and in Colonial Williamsburg spots.

He and his wife Gail, a retired teacher of talented and gifted children, are often found singing in the choir and are active throughout the life of the church. They are parents of three married daughters and grandparents to seven grandchildren.

Michael can be reached at the church office (757) 599-5164, his cellphone (757) 288-4463, through "contact us", or his email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  He is generally in the church office from ten to twelve Mondays through Fridays and is always available by appointment.  He gathers adult education classes on Wednesday nights at 7.

J. Rudolph Wilson, Jr., B. of Music Ed., Director of Music

Rudy has been director of music at Warwick UCC since 1981. He leads the choir; serves as organist, pianist, and keyboardist; and assists with occasional youth and children’s choirs. Following the lectionary theme, he selects and leads us in a blended array of church music including traditional and contemporary, formal and informal, and black , white, and world musical styles. He also selects special music as well as the Christmas and Easter cantatas.

Rudy has recently retired as an elementary school music teacher and carries a heavy schedule of private piano lessons. Rudy has recently led the music for our Southern Conference annual meeting and Association Choir and frequently serves as a judge at various music competitions. Rudy and his wife Elizabeth, Liz, are proud parents of Rachel and Joseph Wilson.

Gimmy Parnacott, Church Secretary

Gimmy has served as the Church Secretary since 2001. She has had extra study in Microsoft Office. She is very artistic which is evident by the creative arrangement of news postings and maintenance of the bulletin boards throughout the office and hallways. She publishes all church periodicals, maintains the church calendar and generally keeps the administrative functions of the church well organized.

Gimmy and Les are active church members. They have served in choir and in most leadership and functional committee positions. They are parents of two married daughters – Jacquie and Pam – and have three grandchildren. Gimmy can be reached at the church office phone (757) 599-5164 from nine to noon Mondays through Fridays or at her church email address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Shirley "Sunny" LaFave, Nursery Director

Sunny, a member since 2007, leads our worship hour nursery for infants and children through age five, coordinating volunteers as needed.

Joseph Wilson, nursery volunteer

Joseph Wilson, because of his gift of ministry to small children, has been appointed by the Church Council to be a volunteer nursery worker.