Amy Daniels

Amy Daniels, our Minister of Discipleship and Ministries, is from Tremont, MS.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY.  Prior to seminary, Amy worked full-time on staff at Iuka UMC as children and youth director for 3 years.  In 1995, she joined the staff at St. Luke UMC in Tupelo, MS as Program Director where her responsibilities included children, youth, and adult ministries.  She worked for St. Luke for 3 ½ years before leaving to go to seminary.  Since graduating from seminary in 2001, she has been appointed to HUMC as Minister of Discipleship and Ministries. Amy is married to life-long Hernando resident, Sonny Daniels.

Kristina Dorr

Kris, our director of Children’s Ministry, is married to her husband Michael and has two children Andrew and Shelby.  Kris is originally from Independence, MS and grew up in Independence United Methodist Church where she served in several volunteer positions that included Children’s Ministry, Communion Steward, member of the Administrative Council, and member of the PPRC.  As a life-long Methodist, she feels blessed to be a part of this body of believers and be given the opportunity to work with such wonderful volunteers. Since becoming a part of the staff of HUMC, she has been inspired to grow the existing programs and introduce new ideas not only for the sake of her own children but for the members she is blessed to work with.

Carol Scott McGarrity

Carol grew up at Hernando UMC while her mother, Daisy Louise Scott, was church organist for many years. She joined us from Christ UMC in Memphis in July 2005 where she served as Director of Evangelism Ministries. Carol has completed training as a Licensed Local Pastor and is participating in the United Methodist Course of Study. She is a Certified Lifestyle Counselor in the field of Stress Management and a member of The American Association of Christian Counselors. She leads Bible studies, women’s groups and retreats, and with her husband, Pat, loves working with young married couples. Evangelism is her passion – Carol truly believes God can miraculously change lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation – old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Chris Camp

Chris has been Youth Director at Hernando United Methodist Church since 2007, and has loved every minute of it. He worked for four years as a volunteer leader at Minor Memorial United Methodist Church, his home church, before graduating from Arkansas State University, and making the move into full-time youth ministry. He has an undying passion to fulfill God’s calling and feels extremely blessed to have been led to this group at HUMC. He and his wife Ashley, live in Southaven.

Dawn Wilkinson, Financial Secretary
Dawn has been the Financial Secretary at Hernando United Methodist Church since May of 2010. She previously served as Treasurer and Parents' Day Out Director for Maples Memorial United Methodist Church, and was the Financial Secretary at Capleville United Methodist Church. She attended the University of Memphis. She and husband Clay live in Olive Branch and have three children: Megan, Kristin, and Bryant. They attend Life Fellowship Church in Olive Branch. She enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, and sudoku. She also loves trips to the beach. She loves working at the church because everyone makes her feel so welcome.

Pat Alvarez, Ministry Secretary

Pat Alvarez, our Ministry Secretary, was born in Anniston, AL. and moved to Memphis, TN at the age of three years old.  She graduated from Central High School in Memphis, TN, attended the University of Memphis, and worked for Binswanger Glass Company for 26 years. Pat’s hobbies include fishing, making jewelry, knitting, decorating, shopping, yoga and working in her flower beds.  She loves to travel, spend time with family, and listen to her husband’s band play on weekends.

Reese Norris

A Mississippi native, J. Reese Norris, is in his fifteenth 
year as Director of Choirs at Hernando Middle School, and 
ninth year as the Director of Music, at Hernando United 
Methodist Church. Under Reese’s direction, the 
Hernando Singers have performed in many esteemed 
concert venues throughout the United States, including a 
performance in New York City's famed Carnegie Hall.  J. Reese Norris received a BME from Delta State 
University and an MME from Florida State University. 
Reese has enjoyed the privilege of studying with Nancy 
Moore, Judy Bowers, Kevin Fenton, and Andre Thomas. 
In 2005, Reese was named Delta State University’s "Music 
Alumnus of the Year". Reese has served as President of the Mississippi 
Chapter of the Music Educators National Conference, and 
as Chair of the Mississippi chapter of the American 
Choral Directors Association. He has also served as Chair of 
the American Choral Director's Association Junior-High Honor Choir (Southern Division). 
Reese and his wife Joelle, reside in Senatobia, MS, with 
their daughter, Isabelle.

Patty has been the Director of the Hernando United Methodist Preschool for two years. She is a retired schoolteacher who taught school in the Memphis City Schools for 32 years. She has her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Lambu th College. She has a Masters of Early Childhood Education Degree from the University of Memphis. Patty is originally from Memphis, but now resides in Olive Branch. Her favorite part of her job as Preschool Director is interacting with the children and watching them as they grow spiritually, physically, and intellectually. She enjoys reading, gardening, sewing and visiting the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN, in her spare time. Patty and her family live in Olive Branch.

Melanie has been the Mother's Day Out Director at Hernando United Methodist Church for four years, and has worked in the Mother's Day Out program for eight years.  She is a member of Hernando United Methodist Church.  She is originally from West Point but has lived in Hernando since 2000.  She says her favorite part of her job is watching the children grow up in the Mother's Day Out program.  She says she loves watching the kids enter MDO as babies in the nursery, and then watch them grow into bright, happy, interactive, children as they graduate from MDO as five-year-olds.  Her hobbies include: painting, making crafts, playing board games, and "thrifty" shopping.  She is also a big fan of Mississippi State University.  Melanie has three children: Briggs, Molly and Neely.

Lisa Biglane

Lisa Biglane joined the staff as Director of Communications for Hernando United Methodist Church in February 2010, where she is responsible for media relations, website monitoring and updating, sending the weekly e-news update to church members, and anything else relating to communicating news, events, and happenings at the church.  She also serves as the program coordinator of Leadership Desoto for the Desoto Economic Development Council.   Lisa has her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Mississippi in Broadcast Journalism and English with an emphasis in Marketing and Public Relations.  She is the Marketing Vice-President for the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, is a Past-President and Life-Associate member of Junior Auxiliary of Desoto County, and is a member of the Hernando Young Women’s Club.  She is a member of Hernando United Methodist Church where she volunteers with Children's Ministry and Vacation Bible School.  She is married to Derick Biglane and has two children:  Beau and Ali.