Meet Our Pastor
Zion UMC welcomes Rev. Gerry Reed Burkholder as the new pastor. Gerry brings to Zion fourteen years of pastoral ministry experience with United Methodist churches. Her most recent appointment was at Hites Chapel UMC (Winchester District) where she served in retirement. "Serving in retirement brings a unique type of pastoral call that I find very exciting and fulfilling." Gerry. said. "I look forward to my time with the Zion community."
Before entering pastoral ministry, Gerry taught high school English, public speaking, journalism and theatre, worked in the instructional television division of Public Television, and was Program Director for a medium sized UMC church. Her educational background includes BA and MA degrees in Speech/Speech Communication, and completion of the Course of Study at Duke.
Gerry is part of a clergy couple. Her husband, Barry, pastors Fletcher's Chapel UMC in King George. Their family includes their adult daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Administrative Assistant
Debra Paytes is the Administrative Assistant at Zion United Methodist Church.
Debra is the proud mother of three children, the youngest of whom still resides at home. Though born in Texas, she is a Virginian. Both parents were raised in Spotsylvania County and reside here. As her father was in the Air Force, Debra moved with the family to various bases. As an adult, she lived in Hawaii, Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and California. During times she lived in Virginia, she received a B.A. in History from Mary Baldwin College, an M.A. in Teaching Leadership from George Mason University, and became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.
Debra returned to Virginia permanently in 1993 and was a teacher of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in Spotsylvania for over twenty years.