About Us
Welcome to The United Methodist Church on the Coastal Virginia District! 103 Churches and 2 Faith Communities connect with the Virginia Conference, The United Methodist Church and the world in ministry! The Coastal Virginia District UM churches are located in Accomack and Northampton counties, Chesapeake, Knotts Island NC, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. Find all our churches here.
The Staff
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Cecelia R. Brooks
Rev. Dr. Cecelia Brooks, PhD's relationship to Methodism goes back to Circuit Rider, James Meachem, teaching her slave ancestors, Wesley and Charles Brooks at the Pine Hill Plantation in Hanover County, Virginia in the 1780s. There, slaves developed the song "Lord I want to Be a Christian in My Heart." Even today Brooks is known to break out into song as she preaches. Brooks received her bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, received a MDiv from Duke and PhD from Oklahoma State University. She was ordained Deacon in the Virginia Conference in 1995 and Elder in the Oklahoma Conference in 2000. Brooks, as she likes to be referred to, has done mission work all over the world. Her greatest mission is now, as she, as District Superintendent, leads the Coastal Virginia District in making Disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
District Office Administrative Manager: Jeri Burtchell
Jeri is a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. Jeri has been a volunteer working with Youth Ministries, a worship coordinator, and an audio/video team member to name a few areas she enjoys helping out. She brings experience from legal offices, business environments, and recently as a church administrative assistant.
Treasurer: Mary Stroh
Mary is a member of Baylake United Methodist Church where she served as treasurer for over 9 years, Chair of Staff Parish Relations, President of United Methodist Women, and other offices. She has served as treasurer and secretary of Norfolk District United Methodist Women, and she has been treasurer of the district and the district Board of Mission for many years. She has taught a number of district workshops for local church finance chairs and treasurers, as well as, several conference workshops on clergy taxes.
Coordinator for Church Revitalization: Rev. Jason C. Stanley
Jason is a native of Hanover County, Virginia, where he grew up in a small United Methodist Church. He has an Associate’s in Early Childhood Development, a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Randolph-Macon College, a Master’s in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and is currently finishing his Doctorate in Ministry at United Theological Seminary. Jason has a passion for equipping and empowering local churches to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
