Chip Giessler
Lead Pastor
Pastor Chip began life in Pakistan while his father was stationed there with the US Air Force. God has led him through his life, and Jesus was a strong presence throughout his youth and teenage years. Chip and his wife Laura met as undergraduates at Duke where he studied computer science and philosophy. Following graduation, Chip was an officer in the US Air Force before answering God’s call to Pastoral Ministry. After receiving his Masters from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Chip was ordained in the United Methodist Church. He served 6 years in Newport News, VA. Then he was the founding Pastor of Evergreen Church in Leesburg VA, where he had served for 20 years prior to coming to Charlottesville in 2019. Pastor Chip and Laura have 3 children, twins Caris (a speech pathologist in Denver) and Will (working in international development in Arlington VA), and daughter Hannah (a Masters degree student in clinical mental health counseling in Charlotte NC). Chip enjoys kayaking, hiking and playing basketball here in the Charlottesville area.
Julie Nitzsche
Associate Pastor
Pastor Julie was born and raised in Mathews County on the Chesapeake Bay. She and her husband, Kurt have lived in Charlottesville since 2000 when Julie began work at the UVA Medical Center as a registered nurse. Julie has experienced God’s presence throughout her life from growing up in the Methodist Church, moving to new towns as an army spouse, and then being called to attend seminary at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA. Julie has been serving the Lord in pastoral ministry since 2016 and is pursuing ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Julie and Kurt have 3 children: Helen and Olivia in high school and Brandt, a 4th grader at Woodbrook.
Whitney Gatesman
Praise Band Leader
Jennifer Morris
Choir Director
Jennifer Morris was born and raised throughout Virginia as the daughter of a Methodist minister. She has been in the Charlottesville area since 1992 and has been the choral director at Albemarle High School from that time to the present. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from East Carolina University and her Masters in Music from James Madison University. Jennifer lives with her husband, Ron, and their 2 children, Kristen and Coulter, and 2 dogs, Cinnamon and Bud. She and her children have been members of Aldersgate since 2002. She has previously served as director for a variety of church ensembles in Virginia and North Carolina before serving as director of the traditional choir at Aldersgate UMC.
Jen Merriman
Children’s Ministry Director
Jen was born and raised in Lillington, NC. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill where she earned a BS in Biology. Jen began serving in Children’s Ministry in high school, serving as the assistant director for Lillington Baptist Church preschool choir. As an adult, Jen has served as a children’s church leader, director of children’s Christmas and Spring musicals, VBS worship leader and director at Effort Baptist Church. Jen met her husband Dave while they were attending rival colleges and have 2 children, Sarah Lindsay who is a junior at Radford studying theater and vocal performance, and Hudson, a 12 year old homeschooled Renaissance man in training. Jen currently teaches Biology, K-2 Science, Shakespeare for Middle Schoolers, and Elementary Drama at ACTS and Foundations at Classical Conversations of Charlottesville. She loves being outdoors hiking, biking, and paddling with her friends and family. When indoors she loves dancing, singing, and acting with her family and friends at Brushwoods, Black Box Players, 4CP, and ShenanArts.
Sheri Haas
Church Administrator
Sheri, a native of beautiful Southwest Virginia, has lived in Charlottesville since 2004. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University and a master’s degree in English from Old Dominion University. Sheri taught secondary English for more than 20 years in public schools in Virginia Beach, Albemarle County, and Charlottesville City, and she also spent several years as a stay-at-home mom. Sheri and her husband Matthew share two children, Mark and Elaine, who are both in college. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking trips, reading good books, and walking with her two energetic rescue beagles. Sheri and her family are members of Aldersgate, and she feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve the church in an administrative capacity.
Ashley Thornton
Information Technology and Communications Director
Ashley Thornton was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. Ashley attended Liberty University where she earned a double major in Religion and Business Management Information System: Web Development. She joined Aldersgate’s staff in the fall of 2015, as the Information Technology Director. Ashley enjoys finding new ways to use technology to help further God’s kingdom. When she isn’t working, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and watching/playing sports, she is die-hard Dallas Cowboys and Maryland Terrapins fan!
Carl Schwaner
Audio/Visual Director
Carl, and his wife Sandy, have lived in Charlottesville for more than 30 years. A graduate of James Madison University, Carl spent his career teaching independent living and job skills to individuals with disabilities, and as a database designer/administrator for the Neurology Department at UVa’s Medical Center. Through the years Carl has also volunteered with numerous organizations. Carl and Sandy have two adult children, and two marvelous cats. Carl grew up in Aldersgate UMC in Alexandria, VA, and has fond memories of his MYF days. Carl feels truly blessed to be able to serve Aldersgate in his capacity as Audio/Visual Director.
Lloyd Carter
Mr. Lloyd Carter has been caring for the church building at Aldersgate on a daily basis for eight years. He lives in Charlottesville and is originally from Louisa County.