Empowering You to Make a Difference
Lead Pastor
Pastor Stephanie Price
Pastor Stephanie began her journey at Highlands UMC in July of 2022. Before arriving at Highlands, Stephanie founded a new faith community called, The Land, in Aurora, Colorado. She has also served congregations in Greenwood Village, CO, and Evergreen, CO. She is an Iliff Alumnus and has certifications in Mediation, Restorative Justice, and Reiki. Stephanie has been an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church since 2012.
Director of Community Place
at Edgewater
Brandon Cauthon
Brandon believes that when a community is engaged and has a shared purpose, opportunities for movement, growth, and new ideas emerge.
He has been on staff at Highlands United Methodist Church since 2009, previously serving as the Director of Children’s Ministry before transitioning to his new role. Brandon loves travel and is able to fulfill that passion through his full-time job as a flight attendant for a major airline.
Brandon was born and raised in Colorado and lives in northwest Denver with his husband, Carlos, and daughter Norah.
Church Administrator
Monica Rabino
Monica has been working as the office manager at HUMC since October 2021. You may have seen her around singing, or playing with puppets, or maybe you caught the videos she made with Joy Jenkins over the pandemic. Monica considers HUMC home and enjoys serving & creating with the HUMC community.
Monica grew up in Pennsylvania and is currently freelancing in Denver as a music and media producer. She also sings in Harmony: A Colorado Chorale, directed by her wife, Joy.
As the Church Administrator, Monica plays a key role in keeping our church running smoothly. From livestream tech to coordinating rentals, Monica is dedicated to ensuring that our community has everything they need to thrive.
Community Place at Edgewater
& HUMC Property Minister
Eddy Beard
With a heart full of compassionate faith and a toolbox in hand, Eddy is devoted to serving the HUMC Community and the community at large. Inspired by his own journey of recovery, Eddy aspires to establish a transformative agency that combines the power of art therapy with the pursuit of healthier lifestyle choices for those in recovery towards healing and renewal.
Collaborative Accompanist/Dwayne
Peder Sill
Peder Sill started playing piano at the age of 8 at his mom’s behest. Like most other students, he didn’t like practicing at first and if not for his musician mother understanding the realness of the struggle, he would have quit. Around the time when he was a teenager and his mind and emotions began to greatly expand, he realized he actually had a talent, and a wonderful expression for all of the different things he was starting to think and feel. He went on to get a Bachelors and Masters in Piano Performance, and loves practicing piano as much as anything.
Peder was, and still is training classically, and loves the classical canon of pianist /composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin etc. He also loves having a spiritual and loving community to share his music with as music itself is one of the most spiritual expressions one can express.
Director of Music
Jenna Clark
Jenna Clark is an operatic mezzo-soprano and choral conductor based in Denver, CO. In 2018, Jenna graduated from the University of Denver with a dual concentration Masters degree in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma in Opera & Solo Voice Performance at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Jenna can be seen performing across Colorado, having worked with companies such as Central City Opera, the Crested Butte Music Festival, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Opera Steamboat, Opera Theater of the Rockies, Opera Fort Collins, Loveland Opera, and Boulder Opera. She also holds a private voice studio and has a passion for choral music, having sung with professional choirs such as the Evans Choir and the Colorado Bach Ensemble. In 2018, Jenna was a semi-finalist in the SWACDA student conducting competition and her chamber group won 1st place in the Lamont School of Music’s Honors Chamber Competition.
Jenna is passionate about cultivating a deep and meaningful environment where people from all walks of life can worship through heartfelt and high quality music. Oh, and she also enjoys making music alongside her wonderfully silly and beloved husband, Peder Sill.
“I am honored and excited to know and serve the people of HUMC as I’ve seen the ways you’ve known and cherished my husband, Peder Sill, in his role as pianist and puppeteer! I believe in the mission of the church to build a home where all belong and am excited to make music together. I deeply feel that music can be a place we we can feel safe to express the full range of our humanity in a way that engages the most creative parts of ourselves and when we can do that together, it is transformative! Thanks for welcoming me into the fold!”
Director of Sunday School
Ally Packer
Ally (she/her) joined HUMC as a part of the nursery staff in 2017, and is delighted to serve the community as Children's Director. You may have heard her laughing or seen her playing with her favorite little humans. She strives to show her love for her community through acceptance and inclusion.
Ally graduated with a B.S. in Psychology, and has 7 years of experience with youths of all ages and abilities. She grew up in Centennial and now lives in Denver with her partner and their cat, Dwayne. Ally enjoys reading too much and earning frequent-flier miles visiting her best friend.
Sunday School Teacher
Abby White
Abby White, a beloved member of the HUMC community, is not only a familiar friendly face but also an exceptional Sunday School teacher. Having grown up within the HUMC community, Abby has deep-rooted connections and a profound understanding of the values and beliefs that guide the congregation.
Abby's warm and welcoming nature makes her an instant favorite amongst the children. Her ability to connect with them on their level fosters a nurturing environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their faith.
NinaBees Preschool Director
Geri Baca
Geri is honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve children and families at ninaBees ELC. Prior to ninaBees ELC, she taught at Adams County Head Start and the Community College of Denver’s lab school, where she also mentored teaching students. Geri discovered a passion for teaching when she was a stay-at-home mom of 4 and volunteered weekly in each of their classrooms. Prior to teaching, she planned to open, nina B’s, a hair salon and attended Barnes Business College and Michael Taylor Institute of Hair Design. Geri is a Credentialed Preschool Teacher and Large Center Director. She enjoys spending time with family, including Saturday dinners with her children and grandchildren and Sunday lunches with her dad and siblings
Custodian
Isela Tlaxcalteco
At our church and The Garage, we have the privilege of having Isela take care of our custodial needs. She goes above and beyond to ensure that our facilities are always clean and organized, creating a warm and welcoming environment for our community to enjoy. Her dedication and work ethic are unmatched, and we are so grateful to have her on our team.
Preschool Kitchen Guru
Julie McCullough
With her expertise in the kitchen and genuine love for both food and family, Julie adds warmth and flavor to our preschool community. Her dedication is evident in every dish she serves, making meal times at NinaBees' not only nourishing but also delightful experiences for all.