Our Staff
Pastor - Janice Y. Prentace (Pastor Jan)
I’ve served as the pastor of Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church since July of 2006. Prior to this, I served as the associate pastor at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, Springfield, VA, for four years. I was the Campus Minister at Norfolk State University, at the Wesley-Westminster Foundation for five years. I also served as the student pastor of a three-point charge in Gainesville, Ga, while attending Seminary at Candler Professional School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. This is where I received my Master’s in Divinity, in 1996, and a Bachelor’s Art degree in Religious Studies from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1993. I was ordained an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church, 1999.
The path to ministry was not direct. I spent a lot of time avoiding and running from God in my younger years. Growing up in a pastor’s home, I thought the ministry was too demanding, with little rewards. It took several years after I had my own children, when I began to reach out to God for strength and direction. This searching directed me to the path of ministry. This was a surprise to me and my family. Each year, God has given new opportunities for me to serve. It’s been full speed ahead since 1989, when I accepted my call to ministry.
Chester, Va. is very different from anywhere I’ve ever lived. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the quiet suburbs and the down to earth people. I especially love the fresh vegetables that the church members share with me. I’m thankful that God has brought me here. I feel His presence each day that I’ve been allowed to serve here. I especially love the multi-age levels at our church. We have many of the original chartered members, and some who are in their nineties. We also have many young families with babies, children, and youth and all of us middle-aged folks. The early contemporary service adds vitality to the church and offers a choice in styles of worship and times.
My passion is art, music, and mission work. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to do mission work in many countries and in the USA. I been on mission trips to: Guatemala; Central America; Japan; Brazil; Haiti; Bahamas; Black Feet Indian Reservation, Browning, Montana; Mountain Top, Appalachia; and Tennessee. I especially enjoyed an educational tour to Israel, and hope to return there one day.
I also love teaching God’s word and participating in theological discussions. We try to offer a variety of bible studies throughout the year.
I’m the proud parent of Michael, my oldest son, a student at VCU. My youngest, daughter, Deidre, is married to Stacey Harmon, and they’re the proud parents of their first child, Elijah, (Eli), who is 8 months old.
I love to dance and hang out with my friends and family. We have a blast listening to jazz or gospel music.
My current goal is to write inspirational books. I hope to work on it this summer. Bermuda Hundred is a wonderful place for me to live out my faith journey.
May God Bless and Keep You. Please call us if you have any questions about our church
Accompanist/Organist - Erin Gwinn
Well, let’s see…interesting facts about me: I have an older brother and a younger sister (she closely resembles me…some wonder if we are twins). I grew up in the church, and became a Christian at age 8. I have always been involved in both the church & school music programs. I love basketball, vacations, and having fun!
Some people may not know that, although I have taught piano lessons on the side, music is actually not my professional career. I attended college and graduate school, and completed my state residency to be a Licensed Professional Counselor. I currently am a counselor at an alternative school in Richmond and also counsel at a Christian Agency in the evenings. My goal is to one day be able to open my own Christian Counseling Practice to assist others as they continue on with their journey of life.
While I have been playing piano for 19 years now (hard to believe it’s been that long!), I still consider it a blessing to be involved each week with such a lovely church as Bermuda Hundred UMC and do not take my role lightly. Thank you for continuing to allow me to serve as your church accompanist. I hope it is as much of a blessing for you as it is for me.
11 AM Music Director - Barbara Rutherford
I am honored to be serving your faith community as Choir Director. My background includes 19 years as a music teacher and choir director for grades K-12 in New York and Chesterfield. I have also performed with many choirs throughout NY and Europe. The past 3 years, I’ve worked in instructional technology, but longing to make music is still in my blood!
Bermuda Hundred UMC has a very special place in my heart. My sons Joey, 8, and Sammy, 6 are esteemed alumni of your wonderful preschool. I knew then that this community is a special place filled with the love and peace of Christ, and I still believe that to this day!
Thank you for your warm welcome. I will do my best to serve God and this community as we make joyful noises unto the Lord!
P.A.W.S. Music Director - Dwight Harro
Dwight Harro is the P.A.W.S. Music Director. He is a substance abuse counselor for soldiers stationed at Ft. Lee. He graduated from Wheaton College with a minor in music and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.
Administrative Assistant - Christine Miles
Christine Miles has been the Administrative Assistant at Bermuda Hundred UMC since June 2007.
Youth Director- Barbara Alexander
I am Barbara Alexander, youth director here at Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church. I have been attending church here since approximately 2002. I worked with the children and Vacation Bible school for a couple of years and then in 2004 I became a youth advisor and have been with the youth since then. I have been married for 22 years to Ken Alexander and I have two daughters, Becca (age 15) and Tori (age 12).
I grew up near Rainelle, West Virginia (in Greenbrier County) and this is where I met Ken. We began dating when I was a Junior in High School (28 years ago - where have all the years gone?!) I moved to Hopewell in 1982 and worked as a medical secretary/office manager for a few years and then I enrolled in college to become a registered nurse. I have been in the nursing profession for almost 20 years now. My various work in nursing includes emergency room nurse, radiology/angiography nurse, and currently occupational health nurse at DuPont Teijin Films (formerly ICI Americas).
My hobbies include watching movies and listening to music. I absolutely love music and love going to concerts (as many of you know). I also really enjoy working with young people as I feel it helps keep me "younger" and it helps me to understand my own teenagers a little better. One of my goals is to help lead them to a closer walk with our Lord and my hope is by learning more about God and the teachings of the bible, they will then be equipped to make wise choices and decisions in their everyday life. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
