Church Staff

Margaret Hockett – Associate Pastor
910-791-4092 -- ext. 102
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Rev. Hockett is a native of the Wilmington area and graduated from New Hanover High School in 1967. In 1990, she answered God’s call into ministry and began Duke University’s Course of Study for Local Pastors. Her first appointment was as Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church here in Wilmington. She served Epworth for ten years before coming to Wesley Memorial in November, 2000, as the Associate Pastor.

She and husband, Jerry, have a son, Jeff, who lives in Greensboro and a daughter, Paula, who lives in Goldsboro.

Steve Jeremias –Minister of Discipleship and
Contemporary Worship
910-791-4092 -- ext. 103 Steve Jeremias -- Asst Pastor/Minister of Music

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Steve is looking forward to role for the church as Minister of Discipleship and Comtemporary Worship and the new responsibilities that will mean.

Until recently, he served Wesley Memorial as Assistant Pastor/ Minister of Music. He is a graduate of UNC-W, and has a masters degree in music ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Over the years, he has served in nine churches in Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Bill holds a BA from Anderson University and an MS from Indiana University. He earned his doctorate from the University of Arkansas and has over 11 years experience in youth ministry. Before going into youth ministry, Bill was a successful university coach and teacher.

He was born in Alabama, moved to Detroit as a child and returned to the South as soon as he could. Bill loves music of every kind, never met a crossword puzzle he couldn't conquer (eventually), and is not known for keeping a neat office. He IS however known for being kind, genuine and outgoing. If you drop by his office, he will always have time to talk with you. If he's met you once, he'll remember you forever.

Bill and his wife, Susan, have a son and daughter, a dog named Dixie, and a cat named Liberty.

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Kristin Bednarczyk - Youth Ministry
910-791-4092 -- ext. 123
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Kristin is a Wilmington native, and grew up in the United Methodist Church. She married her high school sweetheart, David, in 1985; and they now have four children, Mason, Tabitha, Jaqulin, & Corbin.

Once their children started school, she went back into the work force, serving as Director of Children’s Ministry at a Wilmington Methodist Church for 5 years, and then for our Wilmington District of The United Methodist Church as District Christian Education Consultant under a three year Duke Endowment grant. She served on the NC Conference Safe Sanctuaries Task Force and the first Conference nominated Safe Sanctuary Committee, leading many district and local church trainings. Kristin has always been very involved in Children & Youth Ministries.

As a youth, she helped with Vacation Bible School annually, served regularly in the nursery, was President of her Youth Council, and an active member of her traveling Youth Ensemble; as an adult she has served as Assistant Director of a large Youth Choir, as a youth Sunday School teacher for 10 years, and as a Youth Counselor for over 20 years.

Kristin joined the staff of Wesley Memorial UMC in March 2008 as Director of Youth Ministries. She thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to work with the young people and families of our community.

Leslie Key – Director of Children Ministries
910-791-4092 -- ext. 105
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Leslie grew up in Aiken, SC,
and went to college at Mars Hill College, in Mars Hill, NC. She moved to Wilmington, NC, in 1983. She worked as a children's librarian in the Pender County school system and also worked in the public schools for 12 years as teacher and as librarian.

She married Dale Key in December of 1989. They have two girls, Laura & Elizabeth and our dog, Pugsley. Leslie has been a member of Wesley since 1990 and became a part-time Children's Director for Wesley Memorial in January of 1998.

Bill Adams - Minister of Finance and Administration
910-791-4092 -- ext. 121
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Rev. Bill Adams is serving in his second appointment as a pastor having previously served at Shiloh UMC in Leland.

A native of Rockville, Maryland, he has lived in Wilmington since 1974. He married his high school sweetheart, Dana, in 1975 and they have three children; Christopher, Elizabeth, and Jill.

Before entering the ministry, Bill was a supervisory biologist with 33 years of service for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Even though he is now a pastor, he retains his love of the outdoors, bicycling, and nature study. He has a passion for "Matthew 25 service" and is committed to The Walk to Emmaus and Kairos Prison Ministry.

Loria Frazier – Financial Secretary
910-791-4092 -- ext. 107
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After graduating from high school in Aiken, South Carolina, Loria moved to Wilmington in July, 1989, and started working at Wesley Memorial in March of 1993 as Church Secretary.

In March, 1995, Loria married Michael. Their son, Dillon, was born in 1998, the same year that they joined the church.

She began full time employment as Wesley Memorial’s Financial Secretary in 2007. As such, she is responsible for day to day financial operations of the church. If you have a question about financial matters or scheduling rooms or vans, please call.

Debb Chiappisi – Church Secretary
910-791-4092 -- ext. 106 click here to email

Debb is married with two children. She began part time employment as Wesley Memorial’s Church Secretary in 2007. Among the many things that she does is the weekly newsletter (information due by Monday 12:00 p.m.) and two Sunday bulletins (information due by Wednesday 4:00 p.m.).

She is the central hub for information; so if you have any questions about church activities contact Debb. If she doesn't know the answer, she’ll find the answer.

Bettsy has held church music positions for the past thirty years. Her first organist position in Cincinnati, Ohio served as supplemental income while she attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

After receiving her Master of Music degree in Cincinnati she moved back to Texas, her home state, to attend The University of Texas at Austin where she received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree.

After holding several faculty positions at Howard Payne University, Baylor University, and The University of Texas at San Antonio, she received a Texas Teacher Certificate to teach public school music. Her first full-time appointment as director of church music was in New Bern, North Carolina at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Dr. Curtis enjoys leading the adult choir,the handbell choir, the Women's Chorus, a Men's Chorus in the summer, and helping the Extreme Praise and Ultimate children's choral/handbell choirs. For the Christmas pageant she will also conduct a youth orchestra. When she is not directing an ensemble she enjoys composing music and arranging music for the musicians in our congregation.
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