Rev. Amy Coles serves as the Assistant to the Bishop in the Western North Carolina Conference. A graduate of the University of North Carolina – Greensboro in Child Development and Family Relations and Duke Divinity School, she has pastored churches in Trinity, High Point, and Shoals, North Carolina. Prior to this current position, she served as a district superintendent for six years. Amy is an active participant with the denominational Connectional Table, the Board of Rural Faith Development CDC and the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative at Duke. She is the guardian of her 23-year-old nephew, Sergeant Brandon Estrada who is currently stationed with US Army in Germany, and she also cares for her 20-year-old niece, Mae. They both might describe her as “the cool aunt.” She, on the other hand, describes “aunt-hood” as an adventure in patience and prayer.

Laquetta Barbee has served United Methodist Women in the Northern Piedmont District in many ways. She is a member of Collins Grove UMC. Laquetta is married to John, and they are parents to two adult sons. She enjoys her grandchildren and traveling. Laquetta previously served as a Mission u study leader in 2018 for What About Our Money? A Faith Response.

Kathy FitzJefferies is a member of the National UMW Racial Justice Charter Support Team and is the UMW Mission Coordinator for Social Action in the Northern Piedmont District. Kathy is a Licensed School Social Worker who has worked in several school districts in North Carolina. Kathy is married to Rev. Dr. Donnell FitzJefferies and is a member of St. Matthews UMC.

The Honorable Denise S. Hartsfield was first elected to the bench in 2002 and has remained an active member of the Forsyth County District Court Bench. She is a certified Juvenile Judge. Judge Hartsfield serves on the boards of Carter G. Woodson School of Challenge and H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) as well as other outreach programs. At the St. Paul UMC, she leads the Children’s Church for children ages 6-12. Judge Hartsfield is a certified Lay Servant.

Renee Hayes is a UM deaconess and a lifelong member of Trinity Memorial UMC in Trinity. She serves as WNCC UMW Mission Coordinator for Membership Nurture & Outreach. Renee is a Nationally Board Certified teacher who is retired from Randolph County Schools. She served several years as a Mission u youth study leader. Renee is a lay representative on the NC Council of Churches Board of Governors and serves as vice-chair of the WNCC Justice & Reconciliation team.

Joyce Irby is the mother of three adult children and the grandmother of four. She and her husband Edward have been married for 27 years. Joyce taught more than 25 years in the public school system. She has spent over 40 years in children’s ministry. Joyce serves as the Lay Leader at Saints Home UMC, President of her UMW Local Unit, and Social Action Mission Coordinator for Yadkin Valley District.

Rev. Leon Morrow is a UMC elder serving Hickory Grove UMC in Greensboro. Prior to his call to ministry, he worked for the NC Division of Prisons as a staff psychologist. Rev. Morrow was the warden of Western Youth Institution for ten years. That facility was responsible for housing the youngest of adult offenders in NC. He and his wife enjoy biking and fishing. Rev. Morrow has two adult sons

Carolyn Payne is a member of Saint Andrews UMC in Winston-Salem, where she serves as chair of the Church Council and President of UMW. She is a Certified Lay Servant and serves as the District Director of Lay Servant Ministry. Carolyn is a member of Yadkin Valley District Laity Board She is Social Action Mission Coordinator for WNCC UMW. Carolyn is married to Reginald; they have three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.