The People at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church

RHUMC staff include Pastor Jonathan Chute, Associate Pastors John Kwan and Diane Rehfield, Director of Children's Ministries Lisa Lehman, Director of KidZone Lisa Williams, Director of Music Charles "Chuck" Dickerson III, Organist Althea Waites, Technical Director Geoff Graue, Parish Nurse Marian Komori, and several Church Office secretaries.

JONATHAN CHUTE - Senior Pastor
Jonathan came to Rolling Hills from Ontario, Canada but that's not where he's really from. Born on the east coast (Long Island, NY), and raised mostly in southern California (Whittier, Corona, Julian, Escondido), he headed back east for college (Harvard University, 1982), where he discovered how much of a Californian he truly was. Being the only person in the dorm rooting for the Dodgers, the Rams and the Lakers will do that to you. Fortunately it was while there that he met his wife, Dr. Thyra Endicott (though she was not a doctor at the time). He went to Berkeley for his Master of Divinity degree (Pacific School of Religion, 1985), under the mistaken impression that he had come home. Northern Californians persuaded him otherwise. He graduated from seminary, was ordained by the newly formed Califomia Pacific Annual Conference, and was appointed as the Associate Pastor at Community UMC in Pacific Palisades. Later that summer he and Thyra were married in her hometown of Toronto, Canada.

After four years in Pacific Palisades (well, they lived in West LA and Santa Monica), Thyra and Jonathan moved to London, Ontario, Canada in 1989, where Thyra attended medical school (The University of Western Ontario, 1993). Jonathan served as Pastor with Trinity United Church, a congregation in the United Church of Canada. It was during their time in London that their daughter, Hannah was born. Thyra completed her internship and residency in radiation oncology (the treatment of cancer with radiation) in 1998, and was awarded a fellowship at the Jonsson Cancer Center at UCLA. This made their return to southern California possible. Jonathan was appointed as Senior Pastor at Rolling Hills UMC in July of 1998.

As a pastor, Jonathan loves working with people as they discover the grace of God in everyday, ordinary life. From joyful celebrations of births and baptisms, to experiences of humor, struggle and growth along the way, to times of remembrance and thanksgiving at the end of life, he can't imagine being happy doing anything else. He especially enjoys helping the church to live out its mission in a time when many people do not see "organized religion" as a resource for their lives. Compared to when Paul first landed in Corinth around 49 A.D., he still feels he has it relatively easy. But more than that, he knows that this is a time when the church can make a real difference in people's lives, and is grateful for the chance to be a part of it. Jonathan is an avid reader, loves playing tennis and basketball (neither terribly well), and spending time with Thyra and Hannah. Thyra moved from UCLA to Torrance Memorial Medical Center in 2000; where she is a member of the Department of Radiation Oncology. Hannah is in high school, and has inherited her mother's gifts with music, taking lessons in both piano and harp.

JOHN KWAN - Associate Pastor
John Kwan has come to Los Angeles and Rolling Hills UMC by way of Sacramento, California. Born in San Francisco and raised mostly in Sacramento, he grew up idolizing Bruce Lee. Realizing at a young age that the second coming of Bruce Lee was not in the cards, John focused his energies around sports - a practice he continues to this day. In his spare time, John loves playing basketball, fishing, tennis and cycling. He also has been studying martial arts for a number of years and holds a black belt in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu.

John has been a part of the Rolling Hills family since 2001. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from the Claremont School of Theology in 2002 and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1995. He is a season ticket holder for USC's football games and looks forward to the day that the basketball team meets with the same success the football team has. He is married to the love of his life and best friend, Waisze Lam (a UCLA graduate - he's heard that these marriages actually can work!) and has a young son named Taylor.

John looks forward to sharing resources that enable us to grow forward in our experiences with God as we seek to discover our growing edges in all the various stages and experiences in our lives.

DIANE REHFIELD - Associate Pastor-Family Ministries
Diane Rehfield is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor, as well as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She was born in Illinois, but moved to the South Bay when she was 4 years old, so really considers this "home." Diane graduated with a BA in Psychology from UCLA, where she met her husband Mark, and received her MA in Counseling Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. She attended seminary at the Claremont School of Theology.

Since being ordained in 2000, Diane has served as an associate pastor, and as interim pastor for several United Methodist Churches in the area, as well as a retreat leader for many congregations. She was appointed as the chaplain to a retirement community in Long Beach in 2006, and while serving there, she and her husband Mark began worshipping here at Rolling Hills. She joined the staff in 2007, and really enjoys helping individuals and families to feel a part of the larger church family.

Diane and Mark have 3 grown daughters, and she is delighted any time she can spend time with them. Mark and Diane share their home with two great dogs, and one quirky cat. In her spare time, Diane enjoys serving the annual conference, and was the first deacon in the country to have served as the chairperson of a conference board of ordained ministry. In addition to her work at Rolling Hills, Diane is also appointed as the half time pastor at Walteria UMC, and has worked to develop a warm relationship between the two congregations. She is available to talk with people regarding marriage and family issues, as well as spiritual growth and development, and has fun planning activities that the whole family can enjoy.

LISA LEHMAN - Director of Children's Ministries
Lisa Lehman joined RHUMC as a member in 1990. She served as volunteer Chairman of Children's Ministries until the job was made into a permanent staff position in 1994. She then was hired as Director of Children's Ministries. She plans, organizes and supervises all church programs for children from infancy to 5th Grade (excluding the Preschool program which has its own director). Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A & M. She served six years active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy, acquiring the rank of Lieutenant Commander. She is married and has two sons. She enjoys aerobics, Macintosh computing and collecting vintage dolls.

LISA WILLIAMS - Director of KidZone
Native Californian Lisa Williams joined our church family in 1996 with husband Peter and son, Steven. From the beginning she has been active with children and mission in our church. In early 2002 Lisa joined the staff to continue her work and start the KidZone afterschool program. As the director she oversees the daily program for children ages 3 to 14 as well as the Wednesday Logos program and specialty summer camps. Lisa wants children to feel that our church is a warm , welcoming, fun place to be.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills in Behavioral Science. This coupled with her nurturing and fun personality make her a natural fit for working with our children. When not at church, Lisa most enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also likes scrapbooking and enjoying the outdoors hiking and skiing.

CHARLES DICKERSON ("Chuck") - Director of Music
In addition to serving as Director of Music at RHUMC, Chuck also serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Southeast Symphony. He has also been guest conductor for the Casa Italiana Opera Company of Los Angeles, and Director of Music at numerous churches both in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. areas. He is an internationally recognized tenor soloist who has released three vocal solo CDs, and an instrumental CD - "A Place of Quiet Rest" - which is an album of meditative interpretations. He has sung in choruses around the world under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Grant Gershon, John Mauceri, James Newton, Carl St. Clair, and and others over recent years. He is a graduate of Glendale Academy (1970), Howard University (B.S., Psychology, 1975), American University (J.D., 1978), and California State University, Los Angeles (M.M., 2005). He has also been heavily involved in the political leadership of Los Angeles and it's surrounding communities, having served as President of the Board of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles, and as City Attorney of the City of Inglewood, California. He is an avid baseball fan. He is married to the former Paula Long, and he has two adult children, Cherie Danielle, and Charles Edward IV.

ALTHEA WAITES - Organist
Church Organist and Pianist, Althea Waites has been acclaimed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborative artist. In addition to performances on many of the world's prestigious concert stages, she has also appeared in recital at major festivals such as Aspen, the Yale Summer Festival, and the Idyllwild Arts Festival. She holds degrees from Xavier University of Louisiana and Yale University where she studied with Donald Currier. In addition to her position here at RHUMC, she is currently on the keyboard faculty at California State University, Long Beach. Her strong commitment to cultural and community education is evident through her work with many outreach and community service programs at prisons, retirement homes, and alternative schools. Althea is a Steinway artist and records for Cambria Records.

One of the things she loves about working at RHUMC is the fact that the congregation is so warm, generous and supportive in terms of her work. "I have not experienced a Sunday when someone has not complimented me on the music, and this in turn, has challenged me to do even more to provide the highest level of music which will inspire and help everyone to worship in a meaningful way." Althea's late husband, Marvin Hayes, had a highly successful career as a concert singer, and performed throughout the United States and Europe to critical acclaim. Her immediate family consists of her mom, sister, and her daughter, Melanie Taylor Kimmel, a professional singer.

PATTI JOY MACLEOD - Director of Music, 3rd Service
Patti has been directing and performing with the 3rd Service Music Ensemble for the past 5 years. She received her Bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University, majoring in voice and piano. Following college, she performed in musical theater summer stock, travelled on the road with a rock band, and played piano and sang in major hotels throughout the country. After moving to the Los Angeles area in 1979, she obtained a California Teaching Credential and began teaching music in Torrance, directing both elementary and high school choirs. A certified Orff-Schulwerk specialist, she used the Orff method in her elementary music classes. When budget cuts eliminated the music program in Torrance, Patti obtained a multiple subject credential and currently teaches 5th grade at Victor Elementary School in Torrance.

Patti is married to bluesman, Doug MacLeod, and is proud mom to singer-songwriter, Jesse MacLeod. She comments, "I receive so much joy from making music every week with Julie, Jot, Jack, and Michael, and being a part of the unique 3rd service worship team."

MAUREEN BANASKY - Administrative Secretary
Born and raised in Southern California, she has lived in Palos Verdes for over 30 years and has been on the staff since 1995. Maureen is married and has two grown daughters, (one' recently married in this church). Her background has been primarily support staff in the Marketing, Medical and Banking fields before coming to RHUMC. She has been an active community and school volunteer on the Peninsula, as well as serving on the Board of the Guilds of Orange County Performing Arts Center. Maureen's duties are varied and can best described as either office manager or "church mom", depending on what is required of her at the moment. " I've been able to incorporate a little of all my previous positions into my job here marketing, hospital volunteer coordinator, and even banking to some degree. I really feel that nine years ago I at last found the right place for me" states Maureen.

MICHELE NELSON  - Administrative Secretary
began to job share with Administrative Secretary Maureen Banasky in September, 2008. Michele will work Monday mornings with Maureen, then alone on Tuesdays and Fridays when Maureen will be off. Michele and husband John have been members of the church since 1995 and have two children - Jack, who is in 8th grade at PVIS, and Georgia, a 4th grader at Silver Spur Elementary. Michele graduated from Oklahoma City University with a performing arts degree. Her employment background has been both in entertainment and administration, but the past several years she has been primarily a school and community volunteer. Her RHUMC involvement includes currently being the co-chair of Membership and Evangelism with Melissa Akioka; she has taught dance at the Kid Zone summer camps for the past five years; and is on the Nominating Committee. In her free time Michele enjoys attending and helping with her children's after school activities, getting together with friends and reading.

AMY HAIZLIP  - Senior Pastor Administrative Assistant
was born and raised in Torrance. She graduated from West Torrance and was a former student at El Camino College. For the past nine years she was employed at Tiffany & Co. as the Los Angeles Regional Client Development Coordinator. Amy was introduced to the church by her husband, Jeff Haizlip, and his mother Jan Haizlip. The Haizlip family has been part of the church for nearly 30 years. Amy and Jeff were married by Jonathan in July of 2000, and their children, Jade, age 5 and Brad 11 months, have both been baptized by Jonathan. Jade, Jeff, and Amy's brother-in-law Scott Haizlip are all graduates of the RHUMPS and Jade currently participates in Kid Zone and Bible Blast.

CAROL BERTHELET - Assistant Secretary
Though born in Illinois, she feels more like a Southern Californian, having lived here since 1943. Trained in laboratory and X ray, she worked in a hospital and doctors offices until her first of three children was born. She has four grandchildren. While living in the Hollywood Riviera she became a charter member of Riviera UMC where she is still active. She started to work at RHUMC in April 1988 as the assistant secretary.

GENE KOESTER - Facility Manager
Gene attributes his handyman skills to having grown up on a farm in Kansas. He received his engineering degree from Kansas State University and came to California to work in the aerospace industry. After working for thirty-two years for TRW Space & Defense he retired in 1997. Gene is a lifetime United Methodist having been baptized in the Evangelical Church, confirmed in the EUB Church and joined the Methodist Church on his arrival in California. He also volunteers for the Torrance-South Bay YMCA and is a member of the Torrance Y's Men's Club who operate the YMCA Christmas tree lot. Gene and Patty joined RHUMC in April, 2006. They have two married sons, two teenage grandsons in Santa Barbara and a little granddaughter in Foster City near San Francisco. They enjoy traveling to visit them about every other month. Gene has fun tending to his daughters-in-law's lists of household repair projects when he visits.

GEOFF GRAUE - Technical Director
Geoff Graue was appointed Technical Director in Fall 2009. This part-time position was created to oversee the operation and maintenance of the church's various audio, video and theatrical lighting systems, and to train staff and volunteers so that they can use these systems for maximum effect.

MARIAN KOMORI - Parish Nurse
has been part of the Health and Wellness Committee over several years, and has a helpful picture of what this program has meant to many different people. She has helped with taking blood pressures on Sundays, with classes and seminars, and with the annual Good Friday Blood Drive. She has a wonderful background including many years in school nursing, both at elementary and middle school levels. She served for several years as a public health nurse, working with families in the wider community. And just after her graduation from nursing school she worked at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Westwood. So her experience is wide and varied, but even more than that she is just a very gracious and caring person. We are fortunate to have her in this new role with our church family. Marian is married to Roy, and is the mother of two grown children and grandmother to three.