Pastor Faith Weedling
Pastor Faith Weedling and her husband Steve are excited to be at First Church!
Pastor Faith grew up in Connecticut and met her husband, Pastor Steve, while they were both in the Navy and stationed at a recruiting command in Indiana. They married and had their first child, Aubrie, before Pastor Faith got out of the Navy with four years and Pastor Steve was transferred to Virginia Beach. Having grown up Catholic and then Lutheran, Pastor Faith and her family attended a small United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. During that time, their son, David, was born, and Pastor Faith discerned a call to ministry. She attended Tidewater Community College and Virginia Wesleyan College to complete a bachelor's degree in Human Services and Religion. Steve was assigned to several submarines in Norfolk during that time.
In 2004, Pastor Faith came back to the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church from Hawaii, and was appointed to a small church in Roanoke County. Then she served two small churches in Covington, followed by a church here in the Mountain View District, then a mid-sized church in Warrenton, a rural area of Northern Virginia.
Pastor Faith is excited to be closer to her children and to her friends from the Mountain View District. She is eager to connect in the community and district and to serve in ministry with the people of First UMC. Her passions in ministry are planning and leading worship and missional outreach. She anticipates great things as God leads First UMC in this next season of ministry together.
Assistant Pastor Steve Weedling
Photo and biographical information coming soon!
Music Minister Jamie Eggleston
James A. Eggleston, Ed.D ("Jamie") is honored to return to his roots in Martinsville, Virginia, where his passion for music first took shape. A 1994 graduate of Martinsville High School, he studied under the world-renowned Grayson Givens and Bob McMillan—mentors who helped shape his lifelong dedication to musical excellence.
Since leaving Martinsville for college, Jamie has built a distinguished career in choral music, church leadership, and arts education. He previously served as Director of Music and Youth Activities in Olympia, Washington, and as Music Associate at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, where he directed the nationally touring Kirk Singers. He also led the choral program at Abingdon High School, continuing a tradition of excellence in vocal performance while also developing performance programs for its Special Education students.
Jamie earned his B.A. in Music Education from Virginia Tech and later pursued graduate studies in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami. During his tenure at UM, he directed the UM Men's Chorale and Chamber Choir, coordinated the Collegium Musicum, and founded the university's a cappella ensemble, Extreme Measures.
His passion for continual learning led him to earn an M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. With over 20 years of experience in choral music, vocal jazz, and musical theater, Jamie has directed numerous stage productions, including The Sound of Music, Godspell, The Pirates of Penzance, Bye Bye Birdie, and Guys & Dolls. His ensembles have performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand, inspiring audiences through the power of song and linking performance with mission-focused activity.
Now, as he steps into this new chapter in Martinsville, Jamie is eager to share his love for sacred and choral music, to foster a spirit-filled worship community and to create opportunities for musical outreach for all ages. He looks forward to reconnecting with his hometown and continuing in the footsteps of the giants before him who enriched the spiritual and artistic life of our church family.
Organist Becky Smith
Photo and biographical information coming soon!
Business Manager Karen Turney
Karen first came to us as Financial Secretary, and her acceptance of that position at First United Methodist Church resulted in her return to her native Henry County, after spending several years in North Carolina. In 2004, she was elevated to position of Business Manager. While living in North Carolina, Karen used her accounting skills in service to many civic and non-profit organizations. She served as CFO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Karen graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in accounting.
She and her husband, Tony, have two children, Ben and Elizabeth. Karen is active in the Church of God of Prophecy in Eden, North Carolina, as well as in many community organizations. She enjoys reading, antiquing, and spending time with her family.
Early Learning Center Director Nancy Robertson
Nancy was born in Virginia, but grew up in Eden, NC. She returned to Virginia in 1991 and has lived in the Snow Creek area for thirty years. She is married and has two daughters and one granddaughter. Nancy is a member of Snow Creek Christian Church.
She has had the pleasure to work at our Early Learning Center since 2004. During that time, she has seen many children grow into young adults. She says knowing that she was a small part of that makes her feel that she has accomplished something in this world. Nancy has had the opportunity to be in every classroom. However, the majority of her time was spent with the four-year-old (preschool) class. She said she wanted to make sure they were prepared to face the big world outside of our Early Learning Center.