Meet Our Clergy and Staff

  • REV. Janine Howard

    Lead Pastor

    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.


    Email Janine

  • REV. Christian White

    Minister of Congregational Family Life

    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.


    Email Christian

     



  • Dr. Louise Wilson

    Director of Music

    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. 

     

    Email Louise


  • Jackie Weavill Donoghue

    Pastoral Assistant

    Jackie Weavill Donoghue joins us July 6. She 's a graduate student at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. She has sent us an enthusiastic video which you can VIEW HERE


    Email Jackie


  • Michelle Tello

    Office Manager