Staff

Meet the staff at CHUMC.  While we strongly believe in the ministry of all believers, we have some gifted full and part time staff that guide us along the way.

Reverend JoNell Lindh - Pastor

• Kansas farm girl
• Married Jody Lindh, moved to Dallas so Jody could earn Master of Sacred Music at SMU
• Two grown children. Both live in Richardson, Texas
• What a joy!  Six wonderful very young grandchildren.
• Husband Jody, Director of Music at University Park UMC
• Taught Elementary Music for many years before call to ministry
• Master of Music from Texas Womans University
• Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, TCU, Ft. Worth
• Feel closest to Christ when I am singing
• Favorite place is anywhere outdoors 
• Previously, JoNell was the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care at UPUMC for 5 years

My prayer is that each one who is connected to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church through the Holy Spirit by the internet or in person, will be joyfully covered with God€s grace and the welcoming spirit of the big-hearted, open-minded disciples in this congregation. Welcome Home! Welcome to Chapel Hill UMC. See you in church Sunday!

- Pastor JoNell

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Heidi Tolle - Youth Director

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Dawn Self - Children's Director

• Prior to joining the staff of Chapel Hill UMC, Dawn spent 7 years of teaching the 2 year olds at the Covenant Presbyterian Weekday School in Carrollton. She has also served as After School Director for a K-8 elementary school in Tennessee. Dawn has a B.S. of Human Growth and Learning K-8 (teaching degree) from Tusculum College, Greeneville, TN and 32 hours of early education classes. She is First Aid, and CPR certified and certified for Transportation Safety. 
• Dawn worships at Chapel Hill with her two sons, Ian and Isaac.

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Sherry Vinyard- Director, Adult Education

• Born Champaign, Illinois and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Lafayette, Louisiana.
• Married James Preston Vineyard, moved to Dallas in 1965 so children could be near fraternal and paternal grandparents. Jim and Sherry believed grandparents play an integral and necessary role in grandchildren's development.
• Grown children: Sons, Jay Vineyard and Jon Vineyard, live and work in Dallas. Daughter, Sherri Gay Vineyard Yarnell lives in Columbus, Ohio with husband Christopher Yarnell and Sherry's three grandchildren: Jessica, Preston, and Sarah. All grandchildren are in college and working.
• Husband James (deceased), CPA and Vice President, Private Client Group, Southwest Securities, Inc.
• Sherry worked for Noble Cancer Institute, OSU Economics Department, Armco Steel, Xerox Corp., Frito-Lay and PepsiCo International.
• Graduate of OSU, Arts and Sciences, Journalism.
• Feels closest to Christ when studying and/or praying, and when working with patients as Baylor Hospital Chaplain.
• Favorite place is out in nature and near calm waters.
• Before taking her position at CHUMC, Sherry taught 10,000 Frito-Lay sales force to convert from paper processing to handheld computers. When switch was thrown, no more paper processing, propelling Frito-Lay years ahead of competition.

In Christ's day, rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. The ring was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it. Just as the father gave the prodigal son upon his return the best robe, a ring, sandals . . . and the fatted calf, all the best . . . When you come home to God, you are given authority to conduct business in your heavenly Father's name. When you speak truth, you are God's ambassador. As you steward the money He gives, you are His business manager. When you declare forgiveness, you are His priest. As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are His physician. And when you pray, He listens to you as a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you His ring.

-Sherry

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 Kathy Gutierrez- Music Director

• A love for tall stately trees comes from Kathy's early years spent in East Texas and Louisiana.  Kathy's favorite place is still amidst the tall trees.
• Met Milton Gutierrez at the Wesley Foundation at Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA where she graduated with a Bachelors of Music (Piano) with a minor in Organ.
• Together they ventured into the life of ministry.  Milton is the District Superintendent for the Dallas South District of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
• Kathy has been a church musician since high school and has served in many churches over the years.  She graduated from the Church Music Summer School, a course offered at SMU
• Kathy was Director of Music at First United Methodist of Allen, Texas before retiring.  Shortly after, Kathy was asked to be an interim music director at Chapel Hill.  Soon her "retirement" turned into a short sabbatical as Kathy joined the permanent staff of Chapel Hill to continue sharing her enthusiasm and talent.
• Kathy and Milton have two adult children and four grandchildren, all of whom live in the greater Dallas area.
• What would surprise you?  Kathy loves to canoe.  She also loves to quilt.
• Kathy feels closest to God when the expression of music comes together and wraps around the performer and the listener.

I believe that when we sing or play a musical instrument that we are making our lives a song to God. So come and be an active member in the music ministry of Chapel Hill UMC.

- Kathy

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Lynna Harbison - Accompanist

• Born and grew up in Dallas, Texas.
• Time in an incubator at birth affected her eyesight but that hasn't slowed Lynna from pursuing her love of music.
• From a small family in which she was the only daughter. Now Ashley, a black lab mix dog, is the joy of her life.
• Started playing the piano by ear as a preschooler.
• Studied piano and composition all her life culminating in a Certificate of Merit from SMU.
• Came to Chapel Hill in 2002.
• Besides playing the piano and organ at Chapel Hill, Lynna also shares her music at private parties, country clubs, weddings, other social events.
• She entertained at restaurants such as the Chimney Restaurant (77-95) and The Enclave (95-00).
• Feels closest to Christ when contemplating favorite scriptures, walking with Ashley or listening to classical music.
• Favorite places include outdoor walks, visits to Colorado and the memories of summer days on the porch at Grandmother Harbison's home.
• Improvisation delights Lynna€s audiences when she takes requests for a song and a style and blends them together.

My prayer is that all are in one accord in the Lord and abide in Christ as found in John 15:4. May we love one another and live closer to each other and closer to him.

- Lynna

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Jennifer Tidwell - Secretary/Office Manager

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