Three people have joined the support staff of the Kentucky Annual Conference in recent months: Judy Noel, administrative and ministry assistant to Connectional Ministries; Courtney Garrett, administrative assistant for Ministerial Services, receptionist for the Episcopal Office, and hospitality coordinator; and Alan Wild, ministry assistant in New Church Development and contributor to the Communications office.
Alan started his job in August 2017, Courtney started hers in December 2017, and Judy joined the staff in January 2018. If you haven’t met them and you are at the Conference Center, stop by and say hello and let them introduce themselves!
Rather than a typical news story, we thought it would be fun to let them answer some personal questions, both serious and lighthearted. Here are their responses: Judy Noel
CHURCH: Shelbyville Centenary UMC KAC JOB: administrative and ministry assistant to Connectional Ministries HOBBIES: singing, reading, and (for now at least) HOMEWORK! (See life story, below, for the full story on homework!) ONE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES ME IS: passionate! FAVORITE FOOD: stuffed grape leaves LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: peas! FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: This one is tough. I love Psalm 139! (Verse 1 is: “Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me”; the full text is here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139&version=NLT ) BIGGEST PERSONAL VICE: Not asking for help when I should! THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: Do what makes your heart happy. THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: Trying pineapple on pizza. HOW HAPPY ARE YOU TO BE WORKING AT THE KAC, AND WHY? This is an amazing team to work with! It is such a joy to work in an office that prays together and for each other! The Kentucky Annual Conference is in good hands! YOUR LIFE STORY, IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES: I am a current student at Asbury Theological Seminary, originally from Taylorsville, Kentucky. I have been working in ministry in the conference since 2014, currently serving as director of children’s ministry at Shelbyville Centenary UMC. I have a 6-year-old son, Nathan, who is full of life and keeps me on my toes! My intention is to be commissioned as an elder in the KAC once I have completed my Master of Divinity studies. CONTACT INFORMATION: (502) 425-3884, ext. 309; jnoel@kyumc.org Courtney Garrett
CHURCH: Covenant UMC, La Grange KAC JOB: administrative assistant for Ministerial Services, receptionist for Episcopal Office, hospitality coordinator at the Conference Center HOBBIES: hiking, crafting, anything outdoors ONE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES ME IS: cheerful FAVORITE FOOD: Who could ever pick just one? Pretty much any kind of potato: fried, baked, mashed; I love them all. LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: seafood FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: Again, how could you ever choose just one! Proverbs 31:25 (“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”) Proverbs 16:24 (“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”); Philippians 4:8 (“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”) BIGGEST PERSONAL VICE: impatience THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: Until God opens the next door, praise him in the hallway. THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: I could not think of anything. Obviously I didn’t listen to their bad advice! HOW HAPPY ARE YOU TO BE WORKING AT THE KAC, AND WHY? I’m so excited to be here and am so thankful for the opportunity. The door has been opened for me to meet so many wonderful people. YOUR LIFE STORY, IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES: Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Moved to Oldham County in high school, where I met my husband, Nathan. We have two children, Ethan, 9, and Colton, 2. Nathan’s family is all from Chicago, so we frequently visit there. I love baseball and basketball; my favorite games to watch are my son’s. I am a Chicago Cubs and a Louisville Cardinals fan. We love to go hiking and try to do that most weekends, weather permitting. My favorite thing to do is travel and spend time with my family. I was previously working at South Oldham High School and have a background in administration/bookkeeping. CONTACT INFORMATION: (502) 425-3884, ext. 310; cgarrett@kyumc.org Alan Wild
CHURCH: St. Matthews UMC KAC JOB: ministry assistant in New Church Development and writer-contributor for the Communications office HOBBIES: working out (mainly running), working around the house, hiking, reading, watching college basketball and football, volunteering at my church ONE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES ME IS: energetic FAVORITE FOOD: kettle-cooked potato chips (and really, most potatoes, unfortunately), chicken, pretty much any ice cream LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: cottage cheese, pickled beets. Also not overly fond of fish that’s too “fishy.” FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” BIGGEST PERSONAL VICE: It’s hard to pick just one. But eating too much would definitely be high on the list. THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: Buy low, sell high! THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER GOT WAS: I’m not sure that I ever got a bad piece of advice, at least none that I followed. I would, though, do a few things quite differently if I could wind the clock back a few decades. (We probably all would do the same, given the chance!) HOW HAPPY ARE YOU TO BE WORKING AT THE KAC, AND WHY? I started my job in August 2017, and it truly was an answer to my prayers. I had been struggling in the shrinking world of newspaper journalism for years and needed and wanted something where I would make a positive difference. This is the best job I’ve ever had, and hardly a day goes by that I don’t thank God for placing me where I am. YOUR LIFE STORY, IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES: I was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and spent most of my childhood and young adulthood in Ohio. I worked in the newsroom at The Courier-Journal for more than 20 years before transitioning into my current job. My daughter, Beth, is a veterinary technician who recently moved back to Louisville. I share my house with two cats, Roxanne and Leonardo. CONTACT INFORMATION: (502) 425-3884, ext. 322; awild@kyumc.org
