Meet the Staff
Senior Pastor:
Rev. Melinda Baber
Rev. Melinda Baber has lived in Colorado since 1996, serving churches and communities throughout Colorado as a pastor, certified spiritual director, and a hospice and law enforcement chaplain. She felt the Call to fulltime ministry as a young adult, but raising a family took priority. As a graduate of Iliff School of Theology in 2012 and ordained in 2014, Rev Melinda has served in the Mountain Sky Conference with a passion for church vitality, disability justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ministries, and trauma-informed pastoral care. She loves staying active and being in the outdoors and can often be found either swimming laps or taking long walks with or without her dogs, to recharge both body and spirit. Her four children are all adults, now, with two living in Colorado and two living out of State.
Older Adult Ministry Pastor:
Rev. Marilyn McGraw
While attending Iliff School of Theology in the 1970’s, Marilyn was the student pastor at Phillips UMC. When she was ordained as an Elder, she was transferred to Park Hill UMC for 8 years; to Torrington, Wyoming for 4 years; then to Englewood UMC for 8 years. After retiring in 2002, she returned to Phillips UMC on a part time basis, serving as minister to the older adults. For the older adults, she plans fellowship opportunities, offers worship services in retirement communities, and visits home bound members.
Youth Director:
Darcy Wood
Darcy has been the Youth Director at Phillips UMC for the past 8 years. She has been a life long member of Phillips UMC and was active in youth group during her “youth years” at PUMC. Prior to becoming the youth director, Darcy was the Sunday School Superintendent for 3 years. Darcy loves education and teaching students of all ages. She was a Jefferson County Public Schools teacher for many years prior to becoming a staff member at Phillips. Darcy has a husband and 2 kids.
Director of Music:
Jeannette Turchi
Jeannette began taking piano lessons at the age of 9 and has been enjoying music ever since. She branched out to voice, flute and piccolo in school and taught herself hammered dulcimer and musical arranging/composing as an adult. In 2008, she began directing the Sonsingers (Phillips’ Children’s Choir) and formed a band comprised of youth and adults to play for special occasions. She was the choir accompanist at Phillips from 2011 to 2016. In fall 2016 she became Director of Music, including the Chancel Choir, Handbells, Selah (Women’s Ensemble), Sonsingers and Band. Her husband, Craig, is famous for his Children’s Sermons and Heifer Project fundraising drives. Together, they have a son, David, and a daughter, Alison.
Pianist:
Holly Holverson
Holly joined our music team in October 2021 to provide piano accompaniment for our Chancel Choir. She now shares her amazing keyboard skills for the entire service! Holly has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a minor in Theory/Composition from Boise State University. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she continued her education at Lamont School of Music, University of Denver in the Jazz/Commercial Music Certificate Program. Holly has over 17 years professional experience performing with a myriad of local, national, and international groups. She is well-versed in classical, jazz, rhythm and blues, classic rock, as well as Christian music – both traditional and contemporary.
We welcome Holly to the Phillips family!
We welcome Holly to the Phillips family!
