Meet Our Clergy and Staff

  • REV. Janine Howard

    Lead Pastor

    janine@fairlingtonumc.org

    (703) 671-8557 ext. 103

    Janine joined the Methodist church in her young adulthood after being welcomed and recruited by the United Methodist Women at a local Methodist Church on the Eastern Shore, where she was living. She had the unique experience of being called, ordained and then serving as the pastor at the very church that first welcomed her. Janine was ordained in 2000 and received her Dr in Ministry from Wesley in 2007. She was the lead pastor at various churches before being called to leadership at the cabinet level. Most recently she concluded her term as the District Superintendent of the Danville VA District.

    Janine expressed excitement at being with a Reconciling Congregation. She is ready to lead us through the fallout from General Conference, wherever that takes us.

    Janine has been involved in Caring for God’s Creation on a leadership level and personally enjoys being out in nature. She will be moving here with her dog, Kobi who chose her in a street encounter and who loves to hike with her.

    Janine is familiar with the area, as she has lived in Falls Church and attended George Mason Junior High and Senior High School.

    Here is a message from Janine:

    I am excited about the prospect of our shared ministry at Fairlington. I

    am already experiencing gracious support and encouragement offered by leaders, lay and clergy, of the congregation. We have a lot to learn about one another in upcoming weeks and months; our "journey of discovery" together promises to be energizing for all. I am grateful for the opportunity

    to serve alongside you in ministries of peace, justice and compassion with our neighbors, wherever and whomever they are!

  • ReV. Chenda Innis Lee

    Associate Pastor

    chenda@fairlingtonumc.org

    (703) 671-8557 ext. 104

    Pastor Chenda has been in pastoral ministry for over ten years. A gifted preacher and teacher, she has served as an associate and senior pastor of churches in the Northern Virginia region of the Virginia Annual Conference. Her ministry is deeply influenced by Jesus’ message of inclusion for those on the margins of society and a desire for all God’s people to live fully and freely in the abundance of God’s grace. A native of Liberia, West Africa, she came to the United States when she was sixteen after surviving Liberia’s civil war.

    She and her husband, Asa, met during their time at Wesley Theological Seminary. Their lives revolve around four spirited daughters and ministry with God’s people.

  • REV. Christian White

    Minister of Congregational Family Life

    christian@fairlingtonumc.org

    (703) 671-8557 x. 106

    Christian oversees all of the Christian Formation programs at the church for both children and adults. He also manages staff members in the Youth Ministry program and at Fairlington Preschool. As a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, he is a fully credentialed clergy person called, authorized, and sent to provide ministry to our church.

    After graduating from Duke University’s seminary in 1998, Christian spent 11 years as a middle school teacher and principal to several different parochial and charter schools in Washington D.C. These years were formative in both his practice of ministry, and in his own spiritual growth. He brings this wealth of experience and expertise to our education programs at Fairlington.

    Christian is passionate about helping form a community that in all of its ministries, demonstrates the hope, peace, and love offered to all in Christ.



     



  • Dr. Louise Wilson

    Director of Music

    louise@fairlingtonumc.org

    (703) 671-4057

    Dr. Louise Wilson, Director of Music and organist at Fairlington since 1991, has built a comprehensive vocal and handbell program for children, youth, and adults.  Annually, Dr. Wilson directs the Messiah Sing-Along in Alexandria accompanied by the Amadeus Orchestra. 2019, 8th December will mark its 18th year at Fairlington. On two occasions the Fairlington Chancel Choir has performed the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals. For many years Louise has been an active participant in promoting the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Choir Festival in Alexandria-Springfield as well as conducting massed handbell festivals in Northern Virginia area churches. She also enjoys teaching music to 85 preschool children and combining their voices to joyfully sing together as a choir at Children’s House Montessori School, Arlington, Virginia.

     

    Louise received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Her Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Church Music with a cognate field in conducting; and her Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance are from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.  Dr. Wilson has also been a member of the adjunct organ faculty at The American University, Washington, D.C. and the Chicago Conservatory College.

     

    Louise is married to Mauro Cooper and they live in Alexandria with their two cats, Maria and Elsa. 

     



  • Michelle Tello

    Office Manager

  • Eileen Joyner

    Assistant, Publications

    Eileen's family has been part of Fairlington since the 1940's.  She and her husband were married here and their daughter was baptized  and grew up as part of the church family.

    Eileen works with our print and online media.  She also schedules the many meetings and classes held at the church.  We have many community groups using or worshiping at Fairlington.

  • Carol Keller

    Preschool Director

    preschool@fairlingtonumc.org

     703.671.3939

    Carol Keller has 27 years’ experience in the field of Early Childhood in the City of Alexandria. Eighteen of those years were spent at Resurrection Children’s Center working in an inclusion program, both as a teacher and as a director. At Child and Family Network Centers, as a director, her work was with at-risk children. In the 5 years Carol spent as Director at Abracadabra Child Care and Development Center, Carol maintained the excellence of a program that was open 7:30 am – 6:00 pm and operated year round. Carol is beginning her third year at Fairlington Preschool and is working closely with teachers to implement the High/Scope curriculum, updating classrooms and making improvements on the playground. It is her hope that children who attend Fairlington Preschool and their parents will find a sense of community here.  It is the goal of the preschool to provide a stimulating, developmentally appropriate experience for all the children who attend.  Carol brings to Fairlington Preschool a wealth of experience and knowledge from the early childhood field as well as a desire to serve children as well as their families.