Our Church Staff

Rev. Meredith McMillan
Senior Pastor

Rev. Meredith McMillan has been our pastor since July 2007. She was ordained a Deacon in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1995, and ordained an Elder in 1998. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Motion Pictures—Screenwriting and English from the University of Miami. And, she graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Emory University in 1993

Pastor Meredith, as we call her here, is a native Floridian. She was born and raised in Tampa. Her service in the United Methodist Church has taken her around south Florida from Sebring, to Miami, and to Naples. Her most recent pastorate before coming here to Winter Haven was in Lehigh Acres, near Ft. Myers.

She married her husband Marion McMillan eight years ago. Marion is a full-time Funeral Services student preparing to become a Funeral Director. Together they have shared the ministry of the church as well as serving as Foster Parents to 19 children. No longer fostering, Pastor Meredith and Marion are blessed with the precious, and wildly chaotic family that God brought together. They have three adopted children.

"I am so thankful that God has led me to be in ministry here at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church. Those who visit will find here a caring and compassionate staff and congregation. We are seeking to be faithful to God, and loving towards one another as we grow in faith and action. This is a church to call home, and God’s Spirit is at work in our midst. All are welcome, no matter what your age, race, or circumstance. We strive to be a church for all God’s children." –Pastor Meredith

 

Steven Felix
Minister of Children & Youth

Welcome to Beymer. Update coming soon. 

 

 

Bud America
Director of Music

Welcome to Beymer. Update coming soon.

 

Patty Muller
Organist

Patty Muller,  harpsichordist and organist, currently serves as organist for Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church in Winter Haven.  She has served there as organist many times since her teenage years.  She has also served as organist at Honolulu United Methodist Church of Hawaii, and interim organist at First Presbyterian Churches in Winter Haven and Lake Wales.  She has been active for many years as harpsichordist for both Winter Haven Messiah Association, and the Bach Festival of Central Florida.  She was on the accompanying staff at Florida Southern College for seven years and has appeared frequently with young musicians in concerts at Florida Southern and around the local area. Patty attended Florida State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  She studied organ as an elective and pursued additional music studies at Florida Southern College.

Ben Arnold
Contemporary Worship Director

Ben is 24 years old, just married, and excited about life. His best memories have centered around music of all forms, to include a Stomp!-style ministry team in college, a folk band with his sister and brother-in-law, rock and punk bands in high school and college, and other musical ventures in the classical world. In his free time, he enjoys reading books on philosophy, watching movies, making/ recording music, and spending time with his wife, Drew.   Ben is very excited about living in Winter Haven and can't wait to reach the lost at and around Beymer.

 

Margie Anderson
Church Secretary

  Margie is a 5^th generation Floridian, born & raised in Jacksonville, a Florida Southern College Grad, and a Bartow resident since her marriage to John, in 1980.    Prior to coming to Beymer, Margie enjoyed being  a teacher of 2^nd graders, preschool music teacher, private voice & piano teacher, children’s choir director, bank teller, church secretary/treasurer at First UMC Bartow, and for 6 years – a home school mom.   Margie is now "having fun" serving in the Church Office as the Secretary at Beymer MUMC.   Having spent most of her life working and serving the Lord through His church, Margie has found the Beymer Church family to be an “awesome bunch of folks who are dedicated to sharing the Love of Jesus with each other, their community and beyond.  I am blessed to be a part of this fabulous staff and church family."   

When not “living” in the church office, Margie lives in Bartow with her husband, John, and their son, John Neil, who is now in college.  In her ‘spare’ time, she enjoys various computer activities (research, weather, creating house plans, trivia) singing and  playing piano for various church groups, and just spending as much time as possible with her husband, son, and their 2 extremely spoiled kitties.   

 

Lori Roe
Preschool & Kindergarten Director

I have had the privilege of being part of Beymer Preschool and Kindergarten as a parent, volunteer, classroom teacher, and now, as the Director.  I taught a class for three year olds for 12 years and have served as Director for the past two.  In each of these roles, I have found the Beymer Church and Preschool to be a place that welcomes young children and their families.  Each of our Preschool families becomes part of an extended family. I believe that the hallmark of the school is the warmth and genuine love and caring that is experienced by our little ones.

 I received my BA in Social Welfare and Master’s in Guidance and Counseling.  My years in the preschool classroom have proved invaluable to me as I seek to keep the school responsive to the needs of the children we serve.  I am honored to serve with 16 other staff members who are deeply committed to the nurture and growth of young children.  My own two sons are Beymer “graduates” who made friendships that lasted throughout their later school years.

 The Preschool and Kindergarten staff is thankful for the wonderful families who choose us for that very important first school experience.  We strive to plant in each child a love for learning that will last a lifetime!  We welcome parents to call and talk with us about our program.

 

 

 

Fran Vaughn
Nursery Director

  Fran Vaughn, Nursery Director, is a Florida native. She was born in Bartow and grew up there, attending McLeod Presbyterian Church. For many years she was a volunteer in that church nursery. For over 25 years she worked in retail including some management positions. A widow with two children and five grandchildren, she does lots of babysitting and she is a quilter. You can already see some of her handiwork if you drop by our baby and toddler rooms. We are happy to have Fran on our staff.

 

 

Welcome to Beymer. Update coming soon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related resources

• Choristers Guild - www.choristersguild.org
• American Guild of English Handbell Ringers - www.agehr.org
• Florida Conference www.flumc.org

 

Staff Email Addresses

• Rev. Meredith McMillan - pastor@beymer.org   
• Steven Felix - youth@beymer.org
• Bud America  -  music@beymer.org
• Margie Anderson - office@beymer.org
• Finance - finance@beymer.org
• Eddie Bruner - facilities@beymer.org
• Fran Vaughn - nursery@beymer.org
• Lori Roe - preschool@beymer.org