Meredith Gudger-RainesMeredith Gudger-Raines became a pastor because she wants to help people find a place where they belong. Her most informative story from Scripture is the story of the Last Supper, where Jesus feeds and serves his disciples, breaking bread and washing feet. He shows his friends what love and community look like, and then asks them to do the same: to welcome people, not just because it feels good or is a good thing to do, but because that is what God does. God welcomes us, makes a place just for us. In this holy community, where we are known, we can be truly ourselves and be at peace.
Pastor Meredith grew up in Southern California in the 1980s and 1990s, and felt most at home at church. She was president of the youth group, sang in the youth choir, helped plan youth conventions, and generally just liked hanging out at church. After high school, she went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, and then seminary at Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ. Meredith and Christopher met at seminary, and on graduating, they moved to Christopher’s home state of West Virigina. They lived there for eight years, where they were both ordained elders in the UMC. They moved to Washington state in 2014. Pastor Meredith has served six United Methodist Churches in 18 years, from a small family church of 10 to a downtown university city church, a struggling church in a depressed area to a suburban congregation in a rapidly growing town. Her favorite times are visiting with people, listening to their stories, and being delighted by the power of the Spirit that leads us all forward. Meredith and Christopher have two beautiful kids and a fluffy orange cat. Meredith likes to knit and sew her own clothes, and sometimes sew some quilts, too. She likes to read, to walk, and to hike in the beautiful PNW. Her car is always a mess, and she loves coffee. |
Tanya Spaur Pile
Rev. Tanya Spaur Pile grew up in Washington. She is a PK (Preacher's Kid), which means she has lived in both Western Washington and Eastern Washington. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School and has spent time serving churches in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas. She was commissioned and licensed as a Local Pastor at the Pacific Northwest Conference in June of 2018.
Tanya is married with two children and loves to road trip, travel in different countries, and, when she has time, cross-stitch. She is a big fan of SciFi/Fantasy movies and books, and can often be found reading. She loves pastry--especially any pie her Mom makes--and believes deep down that Mexican food is always a wonderful idea. Contact Pastor Tanya
pastortanya@marysvilleumc.org |