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Hello
Meet our Leaders
Theotokos retreats are blessed by the leadership of Adam Mottershead, Rev. Karen Kluever, Rev. Perry Washington, Jr., Rev. Dr. Heidi Miller, and Rev. Dr. Taylor Driskill Pafford. Check out their bios, below, along with those of our workshop leaders.
Retreat Leadership
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Elementary/Middle School Religion Teacher
St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta, GA
Deacon, North Georgia Conference
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Taylor has served in children’s, youth, and worship ministries at churches in Atlanta, Columbia (SC), and at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center (NC). She has a passion for performing arts and works to incorporate the arts into all aspects of her ministry. She'll be bringing her passion and gifts to our retreats in the creative and engaging telling of biblical stories of call and in the Gifts Workshop. Taylor recently completed her doctorate of ministry in arts and theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Rev. Perry Washington Jr.
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Ordained Minister; works at United Way Worldwide and attends law school at Georgetown University in Washington, DC; Founder & Principal Partner, Ubuntu Partners, LLC
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A native of Moorhead, MS, Perry attributes his love and concern for humanity to his humble upbringing. He received his undergrad degree in religion and communication studies at Morehouse College and later completed a dual master of arts in religion and education from The Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary. Perry received the master of theology from Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA. Perry helps lead our Theotokos large group sessions, offering reflections on biblical stories of call.
Adam Mottershead
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Karen Kluever
Associate Campus Minister, Wesley Foundation at Western Carolina University; Associate Youth Director, Cullowhee UMC
Western North Carolina Conference
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Adam is delighted to serve as our Theotokos worship music leader! Having grown up in The UMC, he has spent a lot of time working in the contemporary worship space. In addition to serving as associate youth director for Cullowhee UMC, Adam is the associate director for the Western Carolina University Wesley Foundation, in which he was active as a student and led worship. Adam is a big believer in creating a fun, safe, and welcoming church environment for all.
Rev. Karen Kluever
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Karen Kluever
Minister of Church Relations
Hinton Rural Life Center
Hayesville, NC
Deacon, Kentucky Conference
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One of Karen’s former youth recalled her confirmation retreat experience as the time when “it all came together for me.” Karen's hope for Theotokos retreats is that "it all comes together” for the youth and adults who attend and that their hearts are "strangely warmed. ” Karen has undergrad and graduate degrees in journalism and was on the design and writing team for the UM Credo Confirmation curriculum. She received her master's in Christian education from Pfeiffer University and completed theological studies through Wesley Theological Seminary. Karen served in youth ministry for 25 years in NC, SC, and KY before coming to Hinton Rural Life Center in 2018. She coordinates the Theotokos retreats and helps lead the large group sessions.
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Associate Professor of Spirituality and
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
McAfee School of Theology
Mercer University, Atlanta, GA.
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For over 20 years, Heidi has been training “sojourners” and designing curriculum in spiritual guidance, worship, and leadership.
She has served as a medical social worker and a counselor in the school system and has worked with business execs and health care providers regarding values-based leadership. Heidi has also consulted with congregations and organizations undergoing transition and trauma. As part of the Theotokos leadership team, she leads Chapel worship, with services of baptism renewal/anticipation and Holy Communion. Ordained in the Mennonite Church, Heidi has served as staff and adjunct faculty at Duke University and on the faculty at Pfeiffer and Southern Methodist universities and works with United Methodist conferences throughout the United States.
Worskshop Leaders
Rev. Dawn Martin
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Dawn Martin
Presence Workshop
Dawn is a UM deacon in the East Ohio Conference and has served as director of program ministries at Hinton Rural Life Center since 2015.
Rev. Wil Posey
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Dawn Martin
Gifts Workshop
Wil is a UM elder in the Western NC Conference and is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Murphy, NC.
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Gifts Workshop
Margaret is a UM deacon in the North Georgia Conference and serves as Minister of Discipleship at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC.
Rev. Vicki Lawrence
Hinton Summer Staffers
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Gifts Workshop
Vicki serves as pastor of engagement and connection at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC. She's a commissioned deacon in the UM ordination track.
Hinton Summer Staffers
Hinton Summer Staffers
Hinton Summer Staffers
Service Workshop
Ella Stilwell and Jeremy Jenkins were former college staffers for Hinton Rural Life Center's Summer Missions Outreach ministry, and they now serve on Hinton's staff. With the help of other summer staffers, they'll lead a poverty perspectives activity, hour of service in Hinton’s firewood and Sanctuary Trails & Gardens ministries, and reflection.