Lyle Holland, Senior Pastor

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Lyle is husband to the former Linda Denton of Culleoka, Tennessee, and together they are parents of two college students, Maggie and Bennett. Lyle and Linda have served five congregations in North Alabama Conference since 1990, the last 13 years as the founding pastor of the Church at Cahaba Bend, a United Methodist Church in Helena. Linda is currently the Director of Connectional Ministries for the North Alabama Conference.

As an Elder and member of the North Alabama Conference, Lyle currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the New Church Team, and the Church Revitalization Team. Each group reflects his personal passion for effective church leadership, making disciples of Jesus, and renewal of United Methodist Churches.

In his spare time, Lyle enjoys University of Alabama football and basketball, watching good movies, and playing bad golf.

Melody Traylor, Pastoral Assistant

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Rev. Melody Traylor works with the missions and the shut-ins in our church. Melody is also the director of Discovery Ministries. Discovery is a weekend event for middle schoolers for spiritual formation. Discovery Weekend is in 23 states and three countries. Melody has two children and she is a nerd at heart who loves reading, plants, rocks and kayaking. Melody also enjoys playing cards and chess.

If you would like to be involved in missions, please let her know.

Susan Dickinson, Communications Coordinator

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Susan Dickinson is a native of Dothan, Alabama, but she has made her home in the Tuscaloosa area since 2000.

She and her family are very active members of our congregation.

Deanna Clements, Administrative Assistant

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Deanna is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English & Journalism, and a Masters Degree in Journalism.

She has had 12 years of experience in administrative support before coming to work at FLUM.

Tommy Flowers, Director of Youth Ministries

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Tommy has been the Youth Director at Forest Lake since August, 2002.
He has over 25 years of experience in youth ministry. From “Music With a Message” to “The Gospel According to Spongebob”, Tommy enjoys creating fun and unique programming for today’s youth. Tommy is also a 6th grade teacher at University Place Middle School. He is the curator of the World’s Smallest Museum, Edgar’s Closet. It is a homage to all things Edgar Allan Poe is his classroom closet. He is married to Erin and has four children, Will, Katie, Brayden and Charley. In his spare time, Tommy loves camping and bicycling.

Velma Williams, Director of Weekday Kids Program

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Velma Williams has directed Weekday Children’s Ministries at Forest Lake UMC since 1982, including 17 years directing the After School Enrichment Program and as director, since 2000, of the Weekday Kids Programs – which includes My School Preschool, After School, and Summer Camp.

Other work experience includes teaching various age levels from preschoolers to adult learners. Velma has a B. S. degree from Southern Illinois University in Home Economics and a M.S. from the University of Alabama in Human Development and Family Studies.

Velma has been married since 1974 to Dr. Vergil Williams, retired from U/A, and they now travel frequently. Her daughter Colleen, son-in-law Bob and grandchildren Lauren and Alex live in Atlanta. In addition to travel, she enjoys spending time with her family, cats, reading and a variety of crafts.

Janet Scott Edwards, Assistant Director of Weekday Kids

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Janet has been on staff at Forest Lake United Methodist Church since
1995. She began working with the After School Program while attending the University of Alabama. In 1998 she graduated from the University with a degree in Secondary Education Social Science. When the After School Program, the My School Preschool Program, and the Summer Camp program were combined into the Weekday Children’s Ministries Program in 2000, Janet became the Assistant Director. Janet is married and has 2 children.

Jan Chesnutt, Assistant Director of Weekday Kids

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Jan has been a member of Forest Lake United Methodist Church since 1985. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Learning Disabilities from the University of Alabama. She taught in Selma and in the Tuscaloosa City School Systems before staying home to raise four children, Callie, Mary, Jamey and Patrick. Jan has worked with Weekday Kids since 1996, first as a teacher of Four Year Olds, then as Assistant Director. She has been active in helping develop the Alabama United Methodist Association of Preschools and presently serves on the ALUMAP council.

Shundre Nevels-Bishop, Nursery Coordinator

Shundré has been a part of the Forest Lake United Methodist Church since 2001. She and her daughter, Demi, enjoy being a part of the Forest Lake family. Shundré has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies and a graduate degree in Counseling / Psychology.

Shundré is the Thrilling Threes teacher with the Weekday Kids Program and the Forest Lake Church Nursery Coordinator.