Meet the Staff of Memorial United Methodist Church
Rev. Ron Branson, Senior Pastor
Ron Branson grew up in Muncie, Indiana, where he had the opportunity to learn the machinist trade. Ron and Janette met at a Christmas party in 1990 and married in 1993. Janette has a background in Health Education having served in many different community hospitals as the Director of Education for patients and staff. In 2010, after finishing the coursework for an EdD in Organizational Leadership, instead of writing his dissertation Ron enrolled in the Louisville Seminary. In 2011 he was appointed as a student pastor to a 3-point charge in Washington County and next to Aldersgate UMC in Marion County. After his Commissioning as a Provisional Elder, he served at Calvary UMC in Brownsburg as the Associate Pastor and two years later began serving as the Pastor at Grace UMC in Hartford City where he was Ordained an Elder in full connection. He was appointed as the Senior Pastor at Memorial on July 1, 2020.
Lydia Bridgewater, Director of Youth Ministries
Lydia has lived in Terre Haute most of her life. She has been passionate about working with youth and children of all ages. Her background includes working in childcare and preschool facilities. Lydia has experienced both The Walk to Emmaus and the youth version known as Chrysallis. She married Derrick in June 2015, and their first child (Logan) was born on Palm Sunday 2018.
Linda Lutz, Financial Secretary
Linda Lutz has come to us with skills in Accounting. She moved with her husband, Boyd, from the East Coast.
Pat Friday, Assistant Financial Secretary
Pat has been a member of Memorial since 1982. She works with the Memorial Yarn Ministry & United Methodist Women. She has served at the Lay Delegate to Annual Conference and loves doting on her grandchildren Ellie, Graham, Henry, and Hanna. She is known around church as “The Egg Lady”, as she has a Chicken Ranch.
Melissa Wilcox, Preschool Co-Director
Missy became Co-Director in May 2019. She is married to Bruce and they have 3 children; Tyler, Katie, and Bryce. They are members of Memorial United Methodist Church. Missy began teaching at Memorial Preschool in August 2008, and she has taught both the 2-year old class and the 3-year old class. She holds a nursing degree from Ivy Tech State College. In her free time, Missy enjoys gardening and traveling with her family.
Christy Cresgy, Christian Education; Preschool Co-Director
Christy has been serving in her position as Education Director since 2001. She became Preschool Co-Director in May 2019. She’s been teaching since 1997 at Memorial preschool. She holds a degree in both Elementary Education and Special Education. She and her husband, Joe, have been married since 1987 and have 2 children, Jordan and Chase.
Joe Cresgy, Worship Media
Joe has been doing the media at Memorial since 2002. Outside of Memorial, spent 27 years as an electrical engineer for Sony. He is married to Christy and is the father of Jordan and Chase. Joe enjoys bike riding, hiking, photography, and traveling.
Music Director, Logan Willaims
Logan graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana State University in 2018. During his time there, he sang with the Masterworks Chorale, University Chorale, Sycamore Singers, and the Opera/Lyric Theatre Workshop. He was chosen to perform for the President’s Recital and the Contemporary Music Festival multiple times. He is currently working on finishing his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at Indiana State University.
Lydia Bridgewater, Kids Hope Co-Director
Paula Metheny, Kids Hope Co-Director
Paula Metheny is a longtime member of Memorial and has been involved in many aspects of church life over the years. She has been involved with Kids Hope USA since it’s beginnings at Memorial in 2001. Paula and her husband Steve have three children, Megan, Mark, and Mallory; three grandsons, Aiden, Owen, and Easton; and one granddaughter, Norah. Among her interests are reading, scrapbooking, gardening, and playing tennis.