Jones Memorial United Methodist Church
Church Staff
 Senior Pastor: Shari L. Rates
e-mail: srates@ymail.com
404-366-4039
"My Utmost For His Highest"
Believing that all we do in life is for the building of God’s Kingdom, Reverend Rates has centered hers around the philosophy, My Utmost for His Highest.
Born on November 24, 1960 in New Haven, Connecticut, Shari was the second of two daughters born into a household of faith. As a “preachers kid” she learned much about the power of God in her life, yet recognized early on that there existed both an individual and corporate journey of faith.
Reared in the Atlanta area, Reverend Rates matriculated at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in the area of Mass Communications. Reverend Rates has worked in the Atlanta area at WGNX-TV46, Erdas Inc., United Way and Spelman College.
After a five and a half year stint in Micronesia where she worked with children and youth through the Peace Corps and a local government contract, Reverend Rates entered Candler school of Theology at Emory University in 1998 and earned the Master of Divinity degree in 2001.
Within her ministerial call, she has served as a chaplain at Gwinett Medical Center, as Minister of Children and Youth at Ousley UMC, as Director of Programs at Stone Mountain First UMC, as an Associate Pastor at Cascade UMC and as an Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for the North Georgia Conference.
Believing, “to whom much is given, much is required”, Reverend Rates seeks to meet people where they are within their personal journey, and yet is sensitive to God’s call on the church collectively.
Currently, Reverend Rates is Senior Pastor of Jones Memorial UMC, Chairperson of Parish Life for the North Georgia Conference through Connectional Ministries and Chairperson of the Griffin District Leadership Team. She has been a seminar participant through the World Methodist Evangelism Institute, and continues to serve in various leadership roles through church, social and scholastic settings.
Minister of Visitation: Marti Slife
e-mail: mbs270@yahoo.com
404-366-4039
Marti B. Slife is a graduate of Agnes Scott College, earned her master's degree in sacred music from Georgia State University and attended the Candler School of Theology. She has taught at Clark Atlanta University, LaGrange College and the Candler School of Theology. She has been Minister of Music at Jones Memorial (was consecrated as a Diaconal Minister while at Jones), LaGrange First, Fairburn, and Jonesboro First (was ordained while at Jonesboro. She has also served as a Youth Minister and Program Minister. Marti has been active in the North Georgia Conference serving on the Worship Committee, the Witness and Worship Committee, and the Program Committee for Annual Conference. She has also been president of the North Georgia Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, and was one of the founding members of our North Georgia Youth Music Camp now in its 46th year. Since her retirement in 2001, she has served at Jones Memorial as visitation minister, at Jonesboro First as director of the youth choir and handbell choir, and at McDonough Presbyterian as handbell director.
Marti is active in the United Methodist Women, having served in all local offices and has been a district officer. She has sung with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, the Collegium Musicum at Emory University, the Decatur Choral Guild. She also directed the Clayton Community Chorus for eleven years, the LaFayette Singers in LaGrange, and the Henry Co. Community Chorus.
Minister of Music: Marion Williams
e-mail: marion_williams@bellsouth.net
404-366-4039
Marion Williams retired from the Clayton County School System at the conclusion of the 1998-99 school year. During the last twenty-three years of his career Mr. Williams served as Director of Choral Activities at Forest Park High School.
Mr. Williams received his early musical training in piano and organ from Ralph D. Erickson, retired Organist/Choirmaster at the First Lutheran Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where he was a student in organ performance with Catharine Crozier Gleason. Mr. Williams received in the Bachelor of Music degree [Organ Performance] from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, the Master of Music degree [Music Education] from Georgia State University and the Specialist in Education degree [Music Education] from Georgia State University. In the summer of 1986 he was awarded a scholarship for graduate study in the Summer Fellows Program sponsored by the School of Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Only ten music educators nation-wide were selected for this honor.
Choral groups from Forest Park High School performed at the 1984, 1986 and 1990 Georgia Music Educators conventions. In addition, the Forest Park High School Men’s Chorus performed at the SMENC event in Mobile, Alabama in March, 1985. In 1986 Mr. Williams conducted the Georgia All State Male Chorus. During his teaching career at Forest Park High School he supervised 13 student teachers from Georgia College, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and Mercer University in Atlanta.
Marion Williams has served as guest conductor at District Honor Choruses and has also served as choral festival judge at various districts in the state. During his teaching career he served as District Choral Chairman and as GMEA Choral Chairman-Elect. Mr. Williams also served as accompanist for several All State Chorus ensembles.
Marion Williams is married to Julia Ann Haluski, a retired teacher of mathematics. Julia taught for 28 years in Clayton County and for 2 years in Henry County. She retired in spring, 2005. Marion presently serves as Minister of Music – Director of Chancel Choir and Organist - at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Lake City and directs, Excelsior, a volunteer community choir. He enjoys family, gardening and reading.
“It has been my honor to have had the opportunity to interact with these fine young people again. And it is my wish that they all KEEP SINGING!” [concerning the Forest Park High School Concert Choir Reunion Choir]
Pianist/Music Associate: Betty White
e-mail: bettypiano@comcast.net
404-366-4039
Betty Hatchell White, a native of Madison, Georgia, attended LaGrange College on a piano scholarship and the University of Georgia, for a B.M. in Music Education, emphasis on piano and her secondary emphasis in voice. In high school and college, as well as in her adult life Betty has sung in large and small choruses as well as a select audition chorale group. She began playing hymns for her grandmother's Sunday School Class in Madison First Methodist Church when she was 10 years old. Betty has always participated in church music her entire life as a solo pianist, singer, choir leader/Director of Music, handbell player, and accompanist. When she moved to Clayton County she was one the first four elementary music teachers hired to begin a program-in the lower grades..
Betty is married to George White and has two grown children Alex P. White who lives in New York City and Amy White Rene' who lives in Atlanta. Mrs. White has taught piano/music lessons for over thirty years and maintains an active studio. She judges in piano festivals and auditions as well as she is very active in two national and state music organizations, GMEA and GMTA.
Church Secretary: Judy R Johnson
e-mail: jjohnson711@ymail.com
404-366-4039
Judy Ragsdale Johnson was born in Atlanta, and spent her early years in College Park, later moving to Forest Park in 1958. She graduated from Forest Park High School in 1963. In 1964 Judy married Ray Johnson; they have two grown daughters, Ginger Johnson Nichols and Juli Johnson Newmon, and one granddaughter, Libby Nichols.
Judy worked part time at Clayton College and State University for over 20 years in many different areas of the campus, including the President’s office, part time receptionist, the bookstore and as the assistant to the Director of Auxiliary Services. Most recently Judy worked part time retail at the Belk Department store in McDonough, Georgia.
Judy enjoys traveling, her miniture fox terrier Maggie, and especially visiting St. Simons Island.
Judy and Ray are very thankful and blessed to be members at Jones Memorial. They love the church, their Sunday school class, and enjoy the activities that take place within the church. Judy shares, “I am so excited to be the church secretary. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you in a special way and helping you with any problems or concerns.
Sexton: Phil Guptill
e-mail:
404-366-4039
|
