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 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.

Meg grew up in Virginia Beach, attended Virginia Beach public schools through
sixth grade, and graduated from Norfolk Christian High School where she enjoyed
performing in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. She studied piano with Ella Hogan of
the Marsh School of Music and voice with Robert W. Turner before attending
college in Tennessee. After earning a BA in Vocal Performance/Music Education
from Milligan University, she continued private vocal studies with operatic
soprano Mildred Allen.

Meg has enjoyed teaching classroom music and accompanying/directing choirs in
the Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 32 years. Additionally, she has served
as Music Director in three local Methodist Churches for a total of 29 years. She
also holds Certifications in Church Music and Orff-Schulwerk.

Meg’s passion is enabling all God’s children to feel comfortable singing and using
their God-given abilities in creative ways in Worship.

Meg and her husband Bob enjoy antiquing, attending Broadway Shows, answering
their rotary dial home phone and visiting their children and grandchildren in New
York, Florida, and France.

Karen grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Music degree, where she majored in Music Theory.  She has spent 32 years as a Church Musician, both as a choir director and pianist, in two Presbyterian Churches (USA) in Knoxville.

Karen has spent her career in Retail Merchandising in department stores across the Southeast and smaller niche businesses such as collegiate apparel and the marina industry.  She relocated with her family in 2018 to Virginia Beach, where she is a Buyer for the Navy Exchange (NEX) stores, which are located on Navy bases all over the world.  Karen is extremely proud to serve the best patrons in the world, sailors and their families in all stages of service.

As a recent empty nester and after a six-year absence from church music, Karen is thrilled to have discovered Foundry UMC.  She enjoys cooking, the beach, and is a rabid collegiate sports fan.  If the UT Vols are playing, whether it is football, basketball, or baseball, she is watching.