Mikah Hudson was appointed to Highlands United Methodist Church in 2010. Rev. Hudson is a native of Robertsdale, Alabama and grew up in the United Methodist Church. He received his BA in History from Birmingham Southern and was awarded a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He and his wife Missie are the proud parents of five children: Emmalynne, Eleanora, Miriam, Whit, and Wesley.

Rev. Hudson has a deep interest in traditional liturgy and worship, with a particular focus on sacramental theology. Through the sacraments, not only do we strengthen our relationship with God through Christ, but also with one another. He is relationship driven, helping to further Highlands’ outreach and evangelism.

mikah@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 212

Originally from Tuscaloosa, Reggie Holder came to Highlands United Methodist Church in 1989 to serve as Youth Director. Over the years he began to help our congregation explore God’s call to be in ministry to the Five Points South neighborhood. He helped establish the Festival of the Three Kings, the Child Development Center, and the Community Ministries programs at Highlands. Reggie regularly leads Bible studies and other short-term classes and is a Catechist in the Atrium, our children’s spiritual formation program. One of Reggie’s favorite roles as a part of the Highlands staff is the Children’s Moment during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Reggie is married to Kristin Harper and they have two sons, Carter and Graham. Reggie takes seriously the call for Highlands United Methodist Church to be a place where all people are welcome, and to discover and use the gifts God has given them to be in service to others.

reggie@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 213

Danny Jones serves Highlands as Director of Youth and Compassion Ministries. Danny has a wealth of experience and accomplishment in both of these areas through his work with Urban Ministries and Alabama Arise, and as the North Alabama Conference Youth Coordinator. Christian formation for our youth pairs naturally with service and outreach, offering the opportunity to put their faith into action and fosters a lasting bond to their church and community. We look forward to all that Danny will bring to the ministries of Highlands.

danny@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 211

Michelle Jones is currently serving as the Church Growth and Hospitality Coordinator at Highlands.  She is a lifelong United Methodist and has served many church roles in her life; youth, young adult, and adult delegate to annual conference, youth officer on the North Alabama Conference Youth Council, counselor at Camp Sumatanga, youth choirs, mission trips, study abroad Methodist journeys, and working in church child care centers.  Michelle and her family have been active members at Highlands for over twenty-five years, and they love everything about this church.  She is passionate about the ministries and mission of Highlands, loving God and serving our neighbors. Michelle has served on various committees at Highlands including finance, trustees, youth Christian formation, and lay leadership, as well as serving as a lay delegate to annual conference.  Michelle comes to us after a thirty year career teaching middle school - teaching in the Tuscaloosa, Jefferson County, and Homewood school systems.  She is excited to be a part of the Highlands staff after so many years of loving and serving the United Methodist church.

michelle@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 215

As Church Administrator, Dick oversees administration, human resources, and facilities. A native of New York, Dick has been a life-long Methodist, serving as chairman on key church committees. He has developed his managerial and interpersonal skills through his many years operating funeral homes in the Birmingham area. In his many command and staff assignments as an Army Reservist he has acquired knowledge in the fields of logistics and facilities management retiring as a Colonel in 2003. He earned a BS degree from the Jacksonville State University in 1973 and an Associate degree in Funeral Service Education from Jefferson State Community College in 1978. He is married to his wife, Lynn, since 1974, has three adult children, and a grandson.

dick@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 104

Mary Elizabeth Neal first came to Highlands while a student at Birmingham-Southern College, singing in the choir as the Amos Hudson Choral Scholar from 2001 to 2006. She found Highlands to be a warm and inclusive church family, and she has been an active member of the church ever since. She first joined the staff as the Children and Youth Coordinator, and currently serves as the Communications Director and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. She maintains the church’s website, social media, and electronic communications, and offers administrative support to the various ministry areas of the church. She also directs the Children’s Choir and teaches music enrichment for the Highlands Child Development Center.

Mary Elizabeth is married to Lindsay and together they are moms to Polly. She loves to make things out of yarn, bake and experiment in the kitchen, and garden.

maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 214

Rick Phillips returned to Highlands in January of 2000, after the retirement of Amos Hudson. He was previously on the Highlands staff as Associate Choirmaster and Organist in the late seventies through the late eighties under the direction of Mr. Hudson. A student of Dr. Hugh Thomas', Rick graduated from Birmingham-Southern College ( B. M. Ed. and B. MUS). He was awarded a full scholarship to Birmingham Southern College. He also received The United Methodist Women’s Scholarship of Highlands United Methodist Church. He was fortunate to be mentored by several influential musicians in his young life. His high school music teacher, Tom Schwartz, arranged for him to meet Robert Shaw, conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Mr. Phillips became the youngest singer to join this acclaimed choir and was able to study choral conducting privately with Mr. Shaw. It was by Mr. Shaw’s recommendation that he attended Birmingham Southern College. He continued his choral studies under Hugh Thomas and received. He was awarded The Pi Kappa Lambda award in music-for undergraduate studies. (This is a national music award which honors and recognizes the scholastic and performance accomplishments of the recipient.) In addition, Mr. Phillips has studied with Paul Manz and John Rutter as well. Post graduate studies with conductor Robert Shaw and at the University of Montevallo ( M. M. Ed.)to further prepared Rick to be an accomplished organist and for choral leadership. Once again, Mr. Phillips was awarded The Pi Kappa Lambda award in music-in graduate studies. In 1992, Mr. Phillips founded and directed the Birmingham Choral Guild. He served in that capacity, frequently working with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, until 2004. Rick is also the Choirmaster and Organist of The Advent Episcopal School, where he has been associated with the school since 1982. In his free time, Rick enjoys being with his family. He and his wife Suzanne have two daughters, Lucy and Gracie.</p>

rick@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 206

Tyra Johnson Pirtle is currently serving as Finance Manager. Tyra has previously served as the chair of the Finance Committee and as Church Treasurer. She is very knowledgeable of the church’s finances and structure, and has provided excellent leadership during periods of financial restructuring in the past. We are blessed that she will continue the strong stability and dependability that is needed in our finance office. If you have any questions about your financial gifts to the church please do not hesitate to contact her.

finance@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 103

Leslie Williams, a lifelong United Methodist and Birmingham metropolitan area resident, just received her degree from Millsaps College after studying Communication, Christian Theology, and Creative Writing and is now pursuing her Master of Divinity degree through SMU | Perkins School of Theology's Houston-Galveston Extension Program. That means she spends most of her time here working and doing classwork online but travels to SMU's Houston campus a few times each year. She has experience in several different local churches and non-profit organizations and is a certified candidate for ministry on the deacon track.

Leslie was drawn to Highlands because of its warm, welcoming nature and dedication to loving the neighborhood through service. She works with the youth group and with Sunday morning worship planning.

leslie@highlandsumc.net | 205-933-8751, ext. 200