Our Church Staff

 

The Rt. Rev. Sam Gray, Pastor: Bishop Gray was born in Winston-Salem and grew up in a missionary family with his parents, the Rev. Joe and Lahoma Gray and four siblings, and lived in Nicaragua for 11 years. He graduated from the Stony Brook School (Long Island, NY), attended Moravian College, worked for a year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, completed studies in Elementary Education at Moravian College, and took additional coursework at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. For more than 13 years he was a missionary in Honduras as a high school teacher, Director of the Bible Institute, Christian Education Director, as well as organizing pastor of Israel Moravian Church in Tegucigalpa. Sam returned to Moravian Theological Seminary in 1993, earned the Master of Divinity degree in 1996, was ordained and served as the Assistant Pastor of Emmaus Moravian Church and Director of Youth Ministries with the Eastern District of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. He was pastor of the New Hope Moravian Church, Miami, FL from 1998 until joining the staff of the Board of World Mission in 2004. Sam was elected a Bishop of our worldwide Unity by our 2006 Southern Province Synod. Sam and his wife, Lorena, have three sons: Luke, Tim, and Christian David, as well as two grand-daughters, Rachel and Gabriella Marie. sam@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext 1305

Mrs. Evelyn “Evie” Blum, Director of Christian Education; Director of Children’s Choir: Evelyn (Evie) Blum is originally from a small town in Ohio. She attended Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and a master’s degree in Education. She taught in a public junior high school for fifteen years and served as church youth director, adviser, camp counselor, and Sunday School teacher for thirty years. Evelyn is married to David Blum, who is employed by the Moravian Music Foundation. Together, they enjoy travel, singing, spending time with their grown children, hiking, and biking. evie@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1304

Ms. Claudia “Clyde” Manning, Director of Adult and Special Ministries:  Clyde serves as a Pastoral Assistant. She is a graduate of UNC-G and earned a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Salem College. Clyde comes to New Philadelphia after more than 22 years of work with the homeless.  During that time, she served as the development director of two homeless shelters, Hope Rescue Mission in South Bend, Indiana, and the Bethesda Center here in Winston-Salem.  In addition to marketing, volunteer coordination, program development, and fund-raising, Clyde’s experience includes bridge-building between homeless men and women and the faith community. She brings much joy and conversation to our members who are home-bound or shut-in.  She also works in the area of Women’s Ministry. clyde@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1306

Ms. Abby Dwiggins, Director of Youth Ministries: Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Abby graduated from High Point University in May 2022 with a BA in Religious Studies and Literature. From April 2021-May 2022, she worked as the assistant youth director at Centenary United Methodist Church where she attended mission trips, worked various events, co-taught confirmation, led Sunday School, and was an active organizer in all the youth happenings. Abby’s heart rests in her desire to delight in young people with the hope of growing them in Christ to be all they were created to be. This is so that when the hardest days come, they will find rest in the assurance that they are deeply loved. She believes that every teenager, every human being, deserves to feel seen, known, heard, and loved wholeheartedly… At its core that’s all youth ministry really is, being present with another through listening and seeing them for who they truly are, a dearly beloved child of God. abby@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1307.

Mrs. Rachel Weavil, Administrative Assistant:  Rachel is a member of Friedland Moravian Church in Winston-Salem; she joined the New Philadelphia Staff in October of 2010.  Her husband Christopher is the Director of Parks and Recreation for Forsyth County; they have two children: Jonah (Meagan) and Robyn. Rachel sees her position at New Philadelphia as a ministry. She strives to offer a positive and welcoming first impression to those who call or visit the church office. Her life verse is Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.rachel@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1301 Rachel is in the office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Mrs. Donna Wright, Finance Manager:  Donna Wright graduated from Appalachian State University with a BSBA in Marketing and Management. Her experience before working for New Philadelphia was nine years in financial accounting and office management. Donna is married to Hunter who works for the City of Winston Salem.  donna@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1302 Donna is in the office Monday – Friday, 12:15 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Mr. Tim Reynolds, Facility Manager:  A member of New Philadelphia, Tim is responsible for the management of the New Philadelphia facilities. He is married to Connie Reynolds and enjoys riding motorcycles and carpentry in his spare time. tim@newphilly.org 336.765.2331 ext. 1313

Mr. Steve Gray, Director of Music:  Mr. Steve Gray is our Director of Music. Steve directs the Worship Team at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. He is responsible for the coordination of all musical activities at New Philadelphia Moravian Church. A graduate of Davidson College with a degree in music, Steve is a life-long Moravian with experience both in the United States and in Central America. steve@newphilly.org

Mr. David Teague, Director of the Band:  David and his wife, Renee, relocated to Winston-Salem upon David’s retirement from Waynesville public schools as a middle-high school band teacher. David is a native of Forsyth County and began his band experience at Friedland Moravian Church under his grandfather who served as band director. David played and arranged music while at East Forsyth High School and earned his B.S. Education Music degree from Western Carolina University in 1973.  David taught music education for the band, chorus, piano, and guitar at Tabor City High School, Cherokee Indian Reservation School, and Waynesville Middle School. band@newphilly.org

Mrs. Terri Queen, Handbell Director: Terri Queen is Director for the Handbell Ministry for the New Philadelphia Bells of Joy.  Terri and husband, Allen, have lived in Advance for 13 years, having moved from Farragut, Tennessee.  Terri is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in music education and has been teaching private piano and voice for the past 41 years.  She began her bell directing career at Friendly Avenue Baptist in Greensboro.  Since the family’s move to Advance in 2006, Terri has served as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church Mocksville and Courtney Baptist Church where she directed both the chancel choirs and handbell ministries.  In addition to her work at New Philadelphia, Terri also leads the children’s choir and middle chime programs at Clemmons Presbyterian Church.  Terri’s life journey Bible verse is from Col. 3:22–25 “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as in service to the Lord, and not men, for it is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  Anyone interested in receiving more information about the New Philly Bell Ministry, please contact Terri at taqueen@earthlink.net 

Mr. Michael Westmoreland: Michael is a life-long Moravian with over 25 years of organist and choir directing experience. He lives in Pfafftown with his wife, Brandy, and sons, Phoenix and Hal. In addition to his work at New Philadelphia, Michael also serves as Music Director at Fries Moravian Church and works at the Elementary School Academy at the Kingswood School, also in Winston-Salem. Michael earned a BA in Music and Master’s of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wake Forest University. Michael loves sports and outdoor activities is an avid baseball umpire and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. michaelwestmoreland@gmail.com

Ashley Barron, Preschool Director: Ashley was born and raised in Massachusetts, and moved to NC in 2018 where she attended Elon University and obtained her B.A. in Education. She is also finishing up work to obtain credentials in Education Administration. After college, Ashley loved North Carolina so much, she put her roots down here and met her fiancé. Ashley has always had a passion for working with young children, and she is very excited to do that while being a part of the Moravian Church where she has lots of family connections. She can be reached at 336-768-4844 or emailed at director@newphillypreschool.org