Our Team

Lead Pastor - Veranita Alvord
Veranita (like Very-Neat-Ahh), born in Zimbabwe to missionary parents, has an open mind & heart to things & people who may be different than the norm. She’s left-handed & crossed-eyed & called to make a difference in the world, proving that God qualifies the called, rather than calls the perfectly qualified. Married to Joe Tarpley (Lead Pastor at Skyland UMC), whom she met in seminary at Candler School of Theology, Veranita’s early transient roots are held stable by Joe and his family from Rome, GA. They have been married 28 years. Their best work is their two children. Olivia, now fully employed & insured, has a Master’s Degree from American University. Olivia is 24 & lives  in Washington DC.  Ivan is 19 & a rising sophomore at UNCGreensboro majoring in Political Science & Geography.
Joe & Veranita have two outside cats- Pumpkin & Pearl. They also have a pandemic Yorkie pup dubbed “Nico,” by Ivan.
Nico has lots of other names that verge on silly!
Veranita has been serving the UMC for 28 years in rural, suburban & urban settings from Rico, GA to Charlotte, Shelby, Candler & Greensboro. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature  from UNCG, where she was active in Wesley-Luther Campus Ministry & a Master of Divinity & Master of Theology from Candler at Emory University. She received Certification in Spiritual Direction from a Jungian perspective from the Haden Institute in 2020. Presently, she is working on a two-year Dream Work Certification through the Haden Institute in Asheville. Veranita is feeling blessed to serve here as Lead Pastor. She can’t wait to witness to what God will do in this genuine & joy-filled community of Faith!
The Rev. Dr. Sharad Creasman - Associate Pastor

Sharad H. Creasman is the College Minister of Brevard College and a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve. Before this, he served as the Senior Pastor of Columbia Drive United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia.  Sharad is a native of Brevard, North Carolina, and holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Clemson University, a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, a Master of Divinity from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Brevard College. He is a member of the Martin Luther King Jr. College of Pastoral Leadership at Morehouse College, the Candler School of Theology Early Career Pastors Program, the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2015, and the International Society of Theta Phi (an honors society in theological education).

Sharad has had the honor of being the Guest Chaplain for the United States Senate, a Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding Pre-Doctoral Fellow at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, and a contributing author to the African American Lectionary, the African American Pulpit Journal, and the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice.  His most incredible honor is being married to his “soul sista,” Daphne, and being the proud dad of two children, Faith and Amir.

Sarah Grace Montgomery - Associate Pastor of Faith Formation

Sarah Grace Montgomery was raised in Decatur, Illinois, attending First Presbyterian Church for as long as she can remember.  Having had a meaningful faith formation experience growing up in the church, Sarah Grace felt called to pursue a degree in Christian Education and ventured off to Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.

After graduating from Presbyterian College in 2005, Sarah Grace served as Director of Christian Education at churches in Charlotte for 12 years.  During that time, Sarah Grace felt a tug toward Pastoral Ministry and pursued a degree at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte.  In February of 2018, Sarah Grace was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament and began serving as Associate Pastor at Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church.  Sarah Grace left her full time position at B-DRPC at the end of 2021, and has been serving part-time at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church in Swannanoa since then.  After a year of making the hour-long commute 3 times a week, Sarah Grace is excited to return “home” to Brevard and to walk alongside the youth and families of FUMC.  Sarah Grace has a passion for Faith Formation and ministries with Children and Youth, as well as finding ways to serve those in need in the community at large. 

Sarah Grace has been married to Michael Montgomery since July of 2005 and they enjoy raising their children, Margaret (Maggie) and Owen in Brevard. Sarah Grace enjoys cooking, volunteering at her kids school, and living room dance parties with her family.

Timothy Shepard - Organist/Director of Music

Timothy Shepard has been the Director of Music and Organist at Brevard First United Methodist Church since 2008. He received a BM at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where he studied sacred music practices, organ and choral conducting. He received a Masters of Sacred Music in Choral Conducting from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He has been the Director of Music at churches in South Carolina and Georgia.  Mr. Shepard has performed as an organist in recitals throughout WNC including, with the Brevard Philharmonic, at Brevard College. He is the past Dean of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Dan Toot - Praise Service Worship Leader
Dan is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Brevard College. Born and raised in Wellsville, NY, Dan started his musical exploration at a very early age in the UCC First Congregational Church in Wellsville, studying piano, trombone, guitar and violin. Quickly finding a passion and calling in the performing arts, he attended Interlochen Arts Academy, earned his BFA in Acting from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and his Masters in Acting from UNC Chapel Hill.
While working as a professional actor in Chicago, he found a home with the praise band of Urban Village Church – Edgewater where he was a vocalist, guitarist, percussionist and co-leader. In addition to music, he continues to use the arts as a method of community connection through teaching. As a Director, Professor, and certified Stage Combat specialist, he helps folks of all ages find their voices and connect to one another through the art of dramatic storytelling.
He now lives in Brevard, teaching alongside his wife Abbey, doting on their greyhound, Twyla, cycling, running, brewing, and hiking.
Brittany Ingold - Operations Manager

Originally from a small town called Pleasant Garden, North Carolina – Brittany is new to the WNC area and thrilled to be apart of the Brevard FUMC team.

She graduated from East Carolina University with a major in Religious Studies and a minor in Hospitality Management. Throughout the start of her career, she has worked as an Event Manager with Anheuser-Busch, Camp Director with CCC and a Cast Member at Walt Disney World. 

In Brittany’s free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with family, scrapbooking and playing with her two cats.  

Brittany is excited to establish new relationships with the FUMC community and looks forward to thriving in the Operations Manager position. 

Christy Stansel - Finance Administrator

A native of Transylvania County, Christy, a graduate of Brevard High School and Blue Ridge Community College, has been employed with the Transylvania County Finance Office since 1986.  Since taking an accounting class in high school, Christy knew she wanted to dedicate her career to Finance and she remains enthusiastic and passionate about her work. 

Christy is a member of St. Timothy UMC where she serves as Co-Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Education Team.  The name Christy means “little follower of the Lord” which suits her and Christy’s favorite bible verse is 1 John 4:7.

Christy’s adult children, Hannah and Garrett, think she makes the best homemade brownies, milkshakes, and macaroni and cheese.  While not working, you can find Christy at the Library or curled up with her cats reading a good book.  Christy also enjoys browsing thrift shops, hiking, playing tennis, Taco Tuesdays, walking the dog down Maple Street and watching Hallmark movies.

Christy’s bucket list includes being a contestant on the Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune, and traveling NC Highway 64 from Murphy to Manteo.

Christy is proud to be a part of the amazing FUMC staff serving as your Financial Administrator.