Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Sheila L. Elliot Hodge, Pastor
Reverend Dr. Sheila L. Elliott Hodge is a native of Columbia, and she is married to the Reverend Dr. Anthony Hodge, District Superintendent of the Rock Hill District, South Carolina Annual Conference.
Dr. Elliott Hodge is an ordained elder in the South Carolina Annual Conference. She is a graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.
Prior to pursuing her call to fulltime ordained ministry, Dr. Elliott Hodge was the first tenured African American professor at Columbia College; and she
eceived her PhD in International Relations Theory and Practice from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Elliott Hodge is a 2010 Riley Institute Diversity Fellow (a program of Furman University), and endeavors to be continually engaged in issues of diversity, difference, justice, and child advocacy. She often serves as an adjunct professor at Lenoir Rhyne University-Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia where she teaches classes on preaching, namely, Social Justice Preaching, Preaching in the African American Tradition and Prophetic Preaching.
She is a member of the Walk to Emmaus and is a graduate of the Mediation Skills Training Institute sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.
803-772-0794 ext. 108 | sehodge@umcsc.org
Jessica Alexander, Executive Assistant
Jessica Alexander is a devoted wife, mother, and community leader whose life reflects service, faith, and perseverance. She is married to Lyndon Baines Alexander II, Associate Pastor of the Hartsville Cooperative Parish, and together they are the proud parents of two sons, Khristian and Kai.
A graduate of Airport High School, Jessica honorably served six years in the United States Navy, where she developed the discipline and leadership skills that continue to guide her today. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Rooted in her faith, Jessica is a proud member of Saint Matthew United Methodist Church in Camden, South Carolina, where she remains active in both service and fellowship. Her journey is a testament to dedication, lifelong learning, and the balance of faith, family, and purpose.
Debi Young, Director of Church Programs
Debi is a native of South Carolina. She attended the University of SC where she earned degrees in Early Childhood Education and Music Education. She also earned the Master’s of Religious Education degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. And the Master’s of Education degree from Southern Wesleyan University. Debi has served on the staff of several churches as Youth Minister, Education Minister and Music Director. She was a public school music specialist in Lee, Kershaw, and Richland County schools for 20 years. She has been active in community theater since high school as an actor, producer, stage manager, music director, and director. She has sung with the Columbia Choral Society, Sandlapper Singers, Colla Voce; has been a soloist at Shandon Presbyterian Church, and currently sings at Virginia Wingard UMC where she also directs the Handbell Choir. Debi enjoys walking the beautiful trails around Columbia, volunteering at Richland Library, reading, and spending time with her three fur baby cats.
803-772-0794 ext. 104 | debi@virginiawingardumc.com
Greg Boatwright, Director of Music & Organist
Greg spends his time away from the church composing, performing, and musically directing shows. He also serves as Music Director for the Theatre at the Palmetto Center for the Arts. Boatwright received his DMA degree in Performance from USC. What he loves about VWMUMC is the pastor and the people’s complete willingness to be saturated with the extreme variety of music and artists that I bring to the church…the more, the better. This totally fits the philosophy of open doors, open minds, and open hearts.
803-772-0794 | office@virginiawingardumc.com
Winifred Goodwin, Pianist
Winifred Goodwin is in demand as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and collaborative pianist. She has been the principle keyboardist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra since 1982, performing on piano, celesta, harpsichord, and synthesizer and has been a featured soloist on a number of programs, including over one hundred fifty performances of Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. In addition to the standard repertory, she specializes in new music and has premiered many works including several by composer/husband Gordon (Dick) Goodwin. Mrs. Goodwin holds two degrees in piano performance from the University of South Carolina where she serves as staff pianist in the School of Music.