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.

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.

Raised in the Lexington, Kentucky area, Joan began piano lessons at an early age, studying classical music under Mrs. Elva Thompson. She began playing in church and accompanying choral groups while in high school. She is a graduate of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. She has played in churches for over 40 years, serving as pianist and organist for various denominations. Foundry UMC was the
first church she served locally and Maestro John Brewington was one of her first Choral Directors. Joan moved to Virginia Beach in the late 60’s as a Navy spouse. She and her husband, Bill, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.