REV. LEANNE NOLAND

Directing Pastor

Following a career in television news, Leanne found herself at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. She went on to earn her Master of Divinity degree in 2012 and was later ordained as an elder in full connection in 2015.

Her favorite things to do outside of church include: making up ridiculous dance moves with her 10-year-old niece Claire and 7-year-old nephew Brooks, shooting and editing videos/photos, anything involving musical theater, painting, practicing the ukulele, being an advocate for the mental health community, and attempting to exercise.

Leanne currently resides with her furry children: Ivy, a seven-year-old American Eskimo who enjoys shaking hands and barking at leaves; Oliver Sebastian, a two-year-old Chinese Crested whose wild hair makes him look like a Baroque-era composer; Scotland Fitzgerald, a handsome tabby cat commonly seen sporting a bow tie; Penelope Marie, a sweet grey/black domesticate shorthair and the only normal one of the family. Finally, there's the four-year-old tortoise named Theodore (Teddy). He’s not one for long conversations.

Leanne knows God has appointed her to Grace UMC for “such a time as this”. She is truly excited to call Nashville “home” and to live out all that God has planned for the faithful Grace Church community!

Kourtney Hake is a lifelong member of the Grace UMC family and is thrilled to care for Grace's youth and children! Kourtney has been an educator since 2014 and currently teaches eighth-grade students at Sparta Lincoln School in Sparta, Illinois. She has also taught all levels of high school, as well as first-year writing at the college level. She is the author of “Their Stories, Their Voices: Using Personal Narrative to Empower Student Writers, Grades 6-12,” co-authored with Paige Timmerman. Kourtney is also a dog-mom, a fierce lover of Jesus, and proud Aunt to Ella and Rollie.

KOURTNEY HAKE

Youth Director

TANYA STEWART

Financial/Office Manager

"I am honored to introduce myself as the new Office Manager at Grace. It is a blessing to step in to this role and serve alongside such a wonderful community. My goal is to help ensure that our church operations run smoothly so that we can continue to grow in faith and serve on another effectively."

I look forward to getting to know each of you and supporting the incredible work happening here at Grace!"

BECKY STYNINGER

Director of Music and Worship

Becky is a native of Mattoon, Illinois and attended Millikin University where she studied music. She and Mark were married in 1987 and have 3 children; Brock, Bryce and Bridget. Becky is the owner and operator of Becky's Music Studio in Nashville where she teaches piano. She also serves as the music director at Nashville Primary School and is a church pianist. She is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Nashville and loves music and playing the piano. Her other hobbies include watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas Jayhawks, traveling, and spending time with her twin grandbabies.

MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Custodian

Meet Michael, our resident Mr. Clean at the church! Armed with a degree in Supply Chain Management and a knack for wrangling databases, he's like the Sherlock Holmes of logistics. But life threw him a curveball in 2023, leaving him jobless. What did he do? Well, with his trusty sidekick (his wife, Wynnie), they embarked on a home business adventure while Michael became the coolest school bus driver in town, courtesy of Robinson Transportation.

Now, with their nest officially empty (except for their furry zoo – three dogs and two cats), Michael is the undisputed ruler of the fishing waters. But beware, his catches are so scarce that if we relied on them for sustenance, we'd be on a strict diet of air and sunshine! Yet, he keeps casting his line, not for the big catch, but for the sheer serenity of being one with Mother Nature. Catch him if you can, but make sure to bring your own snacks!