ABOUT US

We are a group of imperfect people who are trying to figure things out. Most of us believe that following Jesus is the way to a life of more. We strive to grow as individuals and as a community. We also seek to help others seek and claim their vision in Christ.

OUR HISTORY

On January 3, 1958, a four and a half acre land on Virginia Beach Blvd was purchased for $1.00 from Mr. and Mrs Ollie and Adrian Vellekoop. The property was transferred to the Norfolk District Board of Missions, and the location of Foundry Methodist Church became a reality. The church was named after the first meeting house of early Methodists in London, where John Wesley had purchased a cannon foundry for his service.

OUR VISION

“It is the vision of Foundry United Methodist Church to reach out, nurture, and witness to all people the good news of Jesus Christ and share the joy that comes through serving Him.”

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

OUR STAFF

REV. DR. JAEHAENG CHOI

Pastor

Rev. Dr. JaeHaeng Choi is an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church. She received her Th. M. at Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, Korea and her baccalaureate from Ewha Woman's University also in the Republic of Korea. She holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta) and completed a Ph. D. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Christian Spirituality and Psychology) at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Her dissertation title was “A Group Spiritual Exercise for Healing Broken-Heartedness.” Rev. Dr. Choi ministered at a Korean girls' reform school for five years and through this service formulated her theology of ministry as the restoration of the image of God. She has diverse ministerial experiences. She has served both English-Speaking congregation and Korean-Speaking congregation in both urban and rural areas in the United States of America.

Rev. Dr. Choi’s ministerial interest is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through spiritual formation and transformation. She is a trained and experienced spiritual and retreat director. She has led workshops and retreats on prayers such as Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Labyrinth, and The Jesus’ prayer for diverse groups from the youth to adults and from laity to clergy. Rev. Dr. Choi is a certified Stephen Ministry leader and has trained Stephen ministers in a local church.

Her ministerial slogan is “Welcome Everyone to the Love of God.” Her ministerial focus is on spiritual formation and transformation through works of piety and works of mercy. Bishop Robert Schnase’ five spiritual practices are her tool to implement her focus ministry: Passionate Worship, Radical Hospitality, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission, and Extravagant Generosity.

KATHERINE LEVY

Secretary

Katherine was born and raised in New Jersey. She moved to Virginia Beach to be near her sons and six grandchildren. She has a background in restaurant management and healthcare. Katherine enjoys cooking and gardening.

SONDRA GELB

Choir Director

Sondra Gelb is a native of Long Island. She holds a BM in voice and music education from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music and a MM in voice/opera from Boston University. As an operatic contralto, she has sung principal roles at New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Memphis, Virginia Opera, and numerous other companies, as well as various Symphony Orchestras. She has taught at GSA, Christopher Newport U., Old Dominion U, and the Seagle Colony for Singers, as well as maintaining a home studio. Sondra is married to attorney Steve Emmert and their daughter, Caroline, will be married next year.

CLAUDIA MOORAD

Organist/Pianist

German-born educator and musician, Claudia is the organist and pianist at Foundry UMC. She has more than three decades of teaching and accompanying experience in churches, schools, and community programs. Claudia is a specialist and respected clinician in the area of early childhood music. Currently, she teaches art and music at All Saints preschool in Virginia Beach and also operates a home-based piano studio. Claudia earned her Church Music Certificate.