Rev. Gary Richards
Pastor
Pastor Gary is a lifelong Methodist beginning in the East Longmeadow United Methodist Church where he was baptized, confirmed and affirmed to enter the process of becoming an ordained minister. Prior to entering the ordained ministry Pastor Gary served for a year as a VISTA volunteer in Vermont and three years as Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, South America. After returning from the Peace Corps in 1982 he worked for 15 years as a welfare rights advocate and community organizer.
Prior to joining the Belmont-Watertown UMC staff Pastor Gary served three years as a student pastor in West Springfield, MA and 19 years in ordained ministry in Worcester, MA (9) and East Hartford, CT (10). Currently Gary is the President of the Board of Directors of New England Justice of Our Neighbors an immigration justice ministry of hospitality, advocacy and free legal services.
Pastor Gary is a graduate of Norwich University and Andover New Theological School. Gary’s wife Faye is a Legal Services attorney in Worcester, MA and his three adult children are Paloma, Joshua and Shira. In his spare time Pastor Gary trains for long distance trail races throughout New England, hangs out with his best Beagle buddy Romeo and spoils his baby grandson Maverick.
Contact Rev. Gary at 857-600-1282 or pastor@bwumc.org
Yilin You
Music Director
Yilin You holds a doctorate in piano performance from Michigan State University. She currently teaches piano at the Concord Conservatory of Music, where she has been since 2006. Her church experience includes four years as pianist/organist and handbell choir director at University Baptist Church in East Lansing, Michigan, and three years as pianist/organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bastrop Texas. She lives in Medford with her husband Paul, a pianist, and their daughter Saffron.
Contact Yilin at music@bwumc.org
Mary Jo Peterman
childrens ministry coordinator
Long-time church member Mary Jo Peterman brings decades of working with children to her role as interim coordinator of the Christian Education Program for Kids and Teens at BWUMC. Mary Jo is also a certified yoga teacher, teaching yoga for various ages around the Belmont community. She strives to create a fun and inclusive community of kids at BWUMC, with a strong focus on mission work in the larger community.
You can reach Mary Jo at education@bwumc.org
Tiffany Guilderson
Office Manager
Tiffany joined BWUMC as office manager in September of 2021. Born and raised in a tiny Nebraska town, Tiffany has lived in the Boston area for over thirty years. She and her husband Jack moved to Belmont 15 years ago, and have two teenaged sons, Rowan and Liam.
Contact Tiffany at office@bwumc.org or by leaving a voicemail at 857-600-1282.
Seong Her
Custodian
Seong Her became a Christian 60 years ago. He was born in Seoul, Korea and moved to US about 16 years ago. He lives in Waltham with his wife Hak Kim. He has 3 grown children Chang, Wook, and GunHye. Currently, he serves as a deacon in Boston Central Korean Evangelical Church.