We who serve at Fletcher United Methodist Church are thrilled to be serving such an active, faithful congregation. We welcome you to get to know us a little better.
Rev. Julie Bainbridge (Senior Pastor)
Julie is a proud Tennessean who is married to the love of her life, Chris Bainbridge. She grew up in East Tennessee and fell in love with the outdoors, finding freedom and joy in God’s creation. She attended the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. She worked as a field archaeologist for a couple of years until she recognized that God was leading her in a different direction. She attended Duke Divinity School and graduated in 2006 with a Master of Divinity. Since 2006, she has been serving the United Methodist Church in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference in various ministry settings, from urban to suburban to rural, and loves every one of them. She loves to teach, preach, and guide people to a deeper connection with God and neighbor.
Julie loves to hike, bike, swim, and kayak; basically anything that takes her to the heart of the wilderness. She has three children, Jacob, Sophia Grace, and Cate, who keep her hopping and laughing. Julie has a small zoo at home: Tucker the dog, Lula and Isabelle the cats, and Cathena the chinchilla. You can find their adventurous family listening to music at one of the many area music venues, out on a trail, or serving the community with Fletcher UMC.
Belinda Winkle comes to us with an extensive background in Christian Education from a variety of denominations.
Married to a former Army Chaplain, she has worked in Moravian, Lutheran and Presbyterian churches, along with other Methodist congregations, before coming to Fletcher UMC.
As Director of Christian Education, Belinda works for a unified and comprehensive program that truly offers something for each and every age. The spiritual growth and well-being of all members, from the smallest to our “most mature” is part of her calling.The enabling of the saints – helping others find their best gifts and areas to serve – forms an important part of her ministry.
Outreach to the community through the year is another vital component of ministry that is stressed here at Fletcher.There are a variety of events and services that are designed to offer an opportunity for hospitality, ministry and sometimes just family fun!
You will see Belinda most Sundays presenting a Children’s Message during worship.She also works with our Preschool students and their families.Belinda serves as church liaison on a number of Methodist and ecumenical committees both in Henderson county, Buncombe county and the Western district.
Brigette comes to Fletcher UMC with past experiences in customer service and marketing. A SC native and long-time resident of WNC, she is excited to serve the needs of the staff and congregation from the front office.
Blaine Russell comes to us from Virginia, where he received his Master’s Degree in Conducting from the Shenandoah Conservatory in May of 2013, following his Bachelor’s in Voice at High Point University in 2011. Originally from Kosciusko, MS, Blaine loves being in the mountains but still roots for Ole Miss, especially during football season.
Blaine has formerly served in music leadership roles in Mississippi, Virginia, and North Carolina.
He and his wife Christina, who also serves on staff at Fletcher UMC, love being part of this church family. Blaine is always open to talking about classical, progressive rock, and bluegrass music – all favorites of his.
Christina Goings Russell (Director of Youth Ministries, Director of Communications, and Children’s Music Director)
Christina Russell comes to us most recently from Winchester, Virginia, where she received her Master’s Degree in Conducting from the Shenandoah Conservatory in May of 2013, following her Bachelor’s in Voice at High Point University in 2011.
Christina has also served as an assistant youth director in Winchester, VA at First Presbyterian Church after working with the youth in her hometown of High Point, NC.
In her spare time, Christina enjoys knitting, live music of all sorts, singing – especially choral music – car shows, and savoring an ice-cold Cheerwine here in the beauty of the NC mountains. She and Blaine have 2 cats, Allegro and Hildegard.
She and her husband Blaine feel blessed to be here at Fletcher UMC, where she seeks to share her love of all sorts of music and enjoys the vitality of working with students.
Jan is a native North Carolinian, raised in the Piedmont. She has a son, David III, two daughters, Carolyn and Crystal, six granddaughters and three grandsons. She received her undergraduate degree in home economics at Catawba College (Salisbury, North Carolina), her graduate degree at Hood College (Frederick, Maryland) in consumer economics, and her bachelor of music degree at Brevard College, where she has been employed as Staff Accompanist of the music department for over 20 years. She taught home economics at Concord High School (North Carolina) for five years and at Williamsport High School (Maryland) for eight years.
She has lived in Hagerstown, Maryland and Newton, North Carolina prior to moving with her minister husband, David Jr., to Hendersonville over 25 years ago. She directed handbells in each location aforementioned and was director of the Saint James Handbell Choir and the Blue Ridge Ringers in Hendersonville. She has served as organist/pianist of Fletcher United Methodist Church since October of 2001 and enjoys it immensely. Her hobbies are reading, watching movies, fashion, and being with her grandchildren.
Brandi Livingston (Preschool Director)
Brandi grew up in the Arden/Fletcher area and loves living in the mountains. She has been married to her husband Marty for 20+ years and together they have two grown children, Micah & Madison.
Her educational background is in Early Childhood Education. She has been a proud member of the SonShine Preschool family for 15 years and is looking forward to many more!
