Our Staff
Pastor Darren Williams
Originally from Meadville, Pennsylvanian I was led to Indiana by the Lord to complete my seminary degree and accept my first full time appointment as a Pastor. I am a Navy veteran (9 yrs) and I have a BA in music and art from Slippery Rock University, Pa. I was also appointed to my first church in Pa. back in 1990 and have been serving as a pastor ever since.
My passion as a pastor is to preach, teach, and equip others to understand and respond to God’s call on their lives. Music and art are both a part of my ministry and I look forward to sharing my gifts with you and experiencing each of your gifts as we serve the Lord together building his Kingdom.
Shelly Anderson Bitner
Music Director
I have been a Music Director for over a decade, standing on the podium conducting church choirs, handbell choirs, and a women’s auditioned community chorale. I have held the position of Music Director in several states including but not limited to Wisconsin, California, and New York as well as having extensive experience singing in professional, university, community, and church choirs.
I graduated with a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting and a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. I served as a graduate assistant for the Associate Dean of the College of the Arts and the graduate assistant for the Masterworks Chorale.
Another passion I have is the flute. I have been playing since high school, participating in community orchestras, bands, and pit orchestras. I enjoy any opportunity to play as a ministry in churches or civic groups.
I am excited to be a part of the ministry at Community United Methodist Church and blessed to have an opportunity to serve together with each of you.
Lori Graham
Youth Director
I became the Youth Director in November 2019 after many years of serving the youth as a Sunday School teacher and youth worker. I have a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, both from Ball State. After working at a local residential treatment facility for over 25 years, I moved to VCSC as their virtual director in 2020.
Tom and I have two grown children and one granddaughter.
Rex Seitzinger
Congregational Care Coordinator
Rex is the worship accompanist and has been for well over 50 years. The last 4 years he has taken on another role, the visitation coordinator. In this role he oversees the visits and communications with the sick, elderly and shut ins. He visits with them, makes phone calls, prays with people, and with the help of his wife, mails mass amounts of communications to people.
Jim Bitner
Pastoral Counselor
Jim's college career started out in the field of Electrical Engineering, but after responding to the call to the ministry he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion at Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University), a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona, Minnesota. He was later honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity at North America Theological Seminary.
He was fully ordained as a Minister of Christ (Elder) at Sierra Madre Congregational Church September 28, 1970. He was honored in his ministry to be chosen as Pastor of the Year in the Cambridge District (East Ohio) of the United Methodist Church. Furthermore, he has been an adjunct University professor of psychology; a counselor to employees and families in industry and is a certified addictions counselor and clinical supervisor.
He also served as the clinic director of Wausau Health Services, which he organized and established to treat people who have become addicted to opiate based analgesics (pain killers). He also served as Pastor of Highland United Methodist Church, Rothschild, and Clinical Supervisor at ATTIC Correctional Services.
Cindy Lone
Financial Secretary
Cindy is the church financial administrator. Her background has been in the banking business so when the church was in need of a financial administrator about 3 years ago, she accepted the position. CUMC is very fortunate to have Cindy as an employee with all the knowledge and experience she has.
Cheryl Williams
Administrative Assistant
Cheryl is the administrative assistant. If you call the church and need assistance with facility use/rental or calendar events she is the one you would talk to. Her duties as administrative assistant covers a large number of responsibilities. If she can’t help you she will find someone who can.
Dennis Stone
Custodian
Dennis has held the position as our custodian for 15 plus years. He takes pride in making sure the church is clean and works tirelessly to help maintain the overall condition of the church buildings and grounds. Dennis considers his work here as a ministry that helps facilitate the various ministries within the church that allows others to grow in their faith and in their ministry to others.
Val Goodman
Kid's Hope Director
Tawni Ridgley
Nursery Attendant