Church Leadership
Rev. John Shaver
Pastor John came to Valencia from Christ UMC, Bethel Park, PA, where he was the Minister to the Seeker Initiative and Emerging Ministries. He has served or interned at a variety of church settings from the inner city to rural and suburban. John’s responsibilities at Christ UMC included the teaching pastor at the contemporary services, planning with the emerging worship team and singles ministry. His passion is to work in a team-driven ministry to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ relevant to the communities he serves. He also has a passion for children, youth, and missions and serves on various non-profit agencies and conference committees. He was elected by the Western Pennsylvania Conference as a reserve delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conference 2008. He enjoys spending time with his family, running (marathons), going to the gym, reading, watching various sports (of course the Steelers), and watching movies. John married Michele McGinnis in June of 2002 at Samuelson Chapel (California Lutheran University). Michele is a native Californian and enjoys being a mom, going to the gym, attending a moms' group, and shopping for bargains. John and Michele are blessed with daughters Madison and Kendal. Favorite Food: Pasta, Seafood and Chips and (Good) Salsa (that's the real reason I run marathons) Favorite Song: "Friend of God" and anything U2 Rev. Joseph Yoo We welcomed Pastor Joseph Yoo and his wife Rahel to the VUMC family in April 2010. Joseph has great passion for youth ministry, small groups and being involved in a missionally-focused church. In his spare time he enjoys sports (a Redskins fan), reading, comic books and Starbucks. Pastor Joe is married to Rahel, who is currently an ordination candidate herself. She works at the Center for Restorative Justice Works in Hollywood.
Peter R. Falbo Pastor Emeritus Pete is a retired United Methodist clergy, having served over 35 years in ordained ministry, 17 of which were at Valencia UMC. He is married to Susan and they have four children and five grandchildren. Susan and Pete currently live near Richmond, Virginia. While living in Valencia, he grew fond of steak dinners and attending movies – his favorite two turned out to be “Glory” (the African-American civil war story) and “Braveheart.” He also enjoyed the wonderful music at the church, especially the Chancel Choir song “He Never Failed Me,” and the Praise Band’s “Light the Fire Again.” His opportunity at preaching and leading small groups were favorites, and the Bible verse of Philippians 4.19, “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to the riches found in Christ Jesus” came to be the favorite he relied on and remembered. Pete and Susan now enjoy traveling the South and East to see the history and beauty of that part of the country. When they still lived in Valencia, they remember their New England fall color trip as their favorite place to visit. Their life in Valencia was and continues to be that one of a very special joy and warmth.
Paul Anderson has spent the majority of his life in The Arts - music, theater and graphic design. His lifelong contributions to the Lord spans decades of vocal, instrumental, artistic and performing offerings. A member of VUMC since 1992, Paul has sung with several church choirs, and performed with the contemporary service Praise Band since 2002. By trade he is a professional in the printing and graphic arts industry, currently employed as Graphics Production Supervisor for Southern California Edison. Paul has used his talents to create for stage, film/video, studio recordings and commercial jingles, and has penned songs in pop, rock, spiritual, theatrical and children's music genres. Favorite Food: Almost any combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
Michelle has lived in numerous places in the United States as the oldest child of an Air Force officer, but settled with her family in southern California where she attended San Diego State University. She comes from a long line of Methodists, but it was in a Presbyterian church that her family attended for a brief time that she met her future husband, Mike. They have two daughters, Megan and Katie. Michelle enjoys reading, scrapbooking and spending time with friends and family. A member of the VUMC staff since 1999, she has a heart for the Lord, the church, and her family. She carries with her a passion for children and for those who are in ministry with children. Favorite Food: anything Mexican Karyn Malchus Assistant Director Christian Education Karyn grew up in San Diego, attended the University of Southern California where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She tried her hand at acting, but preferred her day job at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center. Eventually, she owned her own My Gym in Encino, California where she loved working with the kids and mentoring her staff, who were mainly young adults. Karyn and Budd have been married for eighteen years and have three children; Max, Zachary and Megan. They have been attending VUMC since moving to this valley in 2001. Over the years Karyn has been involved with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Pioneer Club, Christ-Centered Kids for 5th and 6th graders and small groups. In 2004, when she was expecting her third child, she decided to sell the gym. Since then she enjoyed staying at home with her children, but when offered an opportunity to come on board the staff here at VUMC, she took it enthusiastically. She is eager to see how God will use her in VUMC's children’s ministry. Favorite Food: Any kind of steak (I would never make it as a vegetarian!)
Steven has been Director of Music Ministries at VUMC since May 2005. He is a self-taught musician who began his music career at age 17 in the Midwest. He has been involved in church music since then and his church work has taken him all over the world… Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Kuwait and Italy. He has shared his gifts in the Crystal Cathedral, the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and many local churches and concert halls. Steven is an award-winning Musical Director in the Los Angeles theatre scene and has worked in the Dorothy Chandler, Disney Concert Hall, Shrine Auditorium and the Mark Taper Forum. His music clients have included such notables as Shirley Jones, Lorna Luft, John Raitt, Melissa Manchester, Cybill Shepherd, and Maureen McGovern. He has extensive experience in the recording studio as a pianist, a conductor, a producer and arranger with several album credits. Favorite Food: Italian
Sherry has been a member of the staff of Valencia for over ten years. She has served in various capacities and currently is responsible for Adult Ministries which includes our Small Group Ministry and Equipping Ministry. A life long Methodist, Sherry has served in the church since singing in Children’s Choirs at age 6. Over the years she has volunteered for numerous leadership positions, from Worship planning to organizing Women’s Retreats. Sherry is also the Chairman of the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, active in the National Association of Church Musicians, and serves on the Arts Advisory Committee for the City of Santa Clarita. She has a BS degree in Business Management – Human Resources from California State University at Northridge. Sherry has been married to Don for 35 years and they have two daughters, Dana and Erica, and three grandchildren, Ava, Tristan and Isabella. Favorite Food: Anything chocolate!
Ann has served as the pianist/organist for VUMC since 1998 and also served as the Youth Choir accompanist from 1995 until 1998. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, graduating with the highest honor in Music – Outstanding Senior. Ann was the accompanist for the Santa Clarita Master Chorale from 1998 to 2007. She lives in Valencia with her husband, Greg, and they have two sons, Geoff and Kevin. Favorite Food: Seafood - especially when sauteed in lots of butter (mmm!)
Deb Baur has been Office Administrator since 2003. She lived the majority of her youth in India but at the age of 17 moved back to the United States and in 1980 graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, and has an MBA from California State University Northridge. Deb has worked in the President’s Office at Boston University and for World Cup USA 1994. She has been a member of the church since 1996 and is a member of the Chancel Choir. In 1998 she co-founded the Santa Clarita Master Chorale and served as CEO of the board until June 2009. She is married to Shunil Borpujari and has two stepchildren, Shayla and Sean, and four grandchildren, Rufio, Bailey, Dexter and Jameson. Favorite Food: Gujarati
Catherine Stebbins Communications Coordinator Catherine Stebbins moved to Valencia with husband, Steve, in 2006 and transferred membership from Westlake Village United Methodist Church. She has a BA in Communications and spent most of her working career in radio station sales and management and then more recently in newspaper with The Signal. Steve and Catherine were married in 1990 and together have three grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys photography, jewelry making, cooking, reading, music, prayer shawl crocheting, traveling,and hiking, and most of all her, UMCV family. Favorite Movie: Gosford Park (any old-style, good mystery movie!)
Joann has served as Office Assistant since April 2005. She joined VUMC in 1973. She has two children and eight grandchildren. Joann enjoys camping, reading, scrapbooking, gardening , travel and bicycling. She started bicycle touring in 1990 in the United States and several foreign countries. Favorite Food: Dodger Dogs and Italian
Erica stepped into the new staff role of Media Coordinator in December 2008. She grew up at Valencia UMC. Along with husband Mat, Erica has been serving in volunteer ministry for some time. She works full-time as a 4th/5th grade teacher at Emblem School in Saugus. Favorite Food: Sushi |
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• Valencia United Methodist Church • 25718 McBean Pkwy • Valencia, California 91355
