1049 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 497-7884 or (818) 889-5431
Fax: (805) 379-5157
info@umcwv.org
The church office is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
STAFF:
Dr. Gary Alan Dickey, Senior Pastor
gary@umcwv.org
Nancy Moravec, Director of Christian Life
nancy@umcwv.org
Brian Long, Director of Youth Ministries
brian@umcwv.org
Sharon Brandenberger, Business Manager & Wedding Hostess
sharon@umcwv.org
Dorie Kracker, Program Secretary
dorie@umcwv.org
Diane Clarridge, The Growing Place Preschool & Kindergarten Director
diane@GrowingPlaceWLV.org
Gloria Hilliard, Director of Music
glomusic@aol.com
Ron McBain, Organist
ron.mcbain@gmail.com
Nick Newkirk, Handbell Choirs & Footprints Director
NNewkirk49@yahoo.com
Dr. Gary Alan Dickey, Senior Pastor - gary@umcwv.org
Dr. Gary Alan Dickey was born in Santa Monica and grew up in Southern California.
He is an 8th generation Methodist, descended from ancestors who were converted under
the preaching of John Wesley in England. He was appointed to UMCWV in 2003 after
serving churches in Burbank, Pasadena and Canoga Park. Dickey’s academic degrees are
a B.A. in ancient history, UCLA; a M.Div. in theology, Fuller Theological Seminary,
Pasadena; a D.Min, in New Testament theology, Claremont School of Theology, a
Ph.D., in church administration, Trinity Seminary, Canterbury, Christ Church College,
England; and an advanced diploma in English local history, Oxford University. Pastor
Dickey believes in the power of prayer, the importance of worship for God’s people, and
the active participation of lay people in the life of the church. He and his wife Tami have
been married since 1976. His interests include genealogy – as a Certified Genealogist in
English research – playing the bagpipes and traveling.
Nancy Moravec, Director of Christian Life – nancy@umcwv.org
Nancy Moravec serves as Director of Christian Life. She is responsible for and leads
programs in Christian Education, Outreach and Social Concerns, Ministry of Hospitality
and Women’s Ministries. In addition, Nancy collaborates with the other staff members in
coordinating, developing and implementing programs at UMCWV. Nancy graduated
from San Diego State University, has studied at the Claremont School of Theology and
participates in continuing education courses at Loyola Marymount University. The
United Methodist Church has certified Nancy as an Associate in Youth Ministry. Nancy
is eager for people of all ages to grow in their faith and understanding of Christianity
through spiritual formation and transformation. She is married to Fred and they have two
adult daughters and two adorable grandchildren. Her interests include reading, writing,
playing bridge, tennis and travel.
Brian Long, Director of Youth Ministries – brian@umcwv.org
Brian Long is our Director of Youth Ministries. He grew up in Rhode Island where he
was actively involved in children’s choirs at church. As a teen, he was active in a variety
of Christian fellowships. Brian gave his life to Christ at age 14 while on a mission trip to
the British Virgin Islands. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Ithaca College in
New York. While in college he got involved in A Christian Ministry in the National
Parks and served for five years in various national parks around the United States. He has
traveled to all 50 states and has lived in California since 2001. As a graduate of Fuller
Seminary in Pasadena with a master of divinity degree in 2006, he is a ministerial
candidate in the United Methodist Church. His heart’s desire is for all youth to “become
fully committed in their relationship with God with a relationship that is their own while
growing in the community of believers we call church.” He lives in Thousand Oaks with
his wife and daughter.
Sharon Brandenberger, Business Manager & Wedding Hostess
sharon@umcwv.org
Sharon Brandenberger is the Business Manager and Wedding Hostess. On staff since July 1998, she is originally from Toledo, Ohio, and attended the University
of Toledo. Later she moved to El Paso, Texas, where she worked in the banking industry for many years while teaching training courses and seminars on banking, management and personnel matters. She now lives in Thousand Oaks and has two married children and two grandchildren.
Dorie Kracker, Program Secretary – dorie@umcwv.org
Dorie Kracker is the Program Secretary for our church, responsible for producing the
newsletter (Covenant), Order of Worship for Sunday services and other publications as
requested by staff members. She and her family have been members of UMCWV since
1977. Dorie’s background includes positions as a teacher, most recently of computer
programs to both children and adults. She and her husband Bob live in Westlake Village
and have two adult daughters, Robin and Karin.
Diane Clarridge, The Growing Place Preschool & Kindergarten Director
diane@GrowingPlaceWLV.org
Diane Clarridge serves as Director of The Growing Place Preschool and Kindergarten.
She was appointed as the school’s administrator in July of 2000. From 1978 – 1996,
Diane was a teacher and assistant director at The Growing Place and served as director at
St. Aidan’s School in Malibu for four years. Diane earned her teaching diploma in Early
Childhood Education at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and has
taught in Australia and in England. She attended the University of California at Los
Angeles and California Lutheran University, where she furthered her education in school
administration. Diane and her husband Clif live in Thousand Oaks. They are a blended
family and are extremely proud of their four children and nine grandchildren.
Gloria Hilliard, Director of Music – glomusic@aol.com
Gloria Hilliard is the Director of Music and has been an integral part of our church community for many years. She received a bachelor of arts degree in music from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, and a master of arts degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Along with having been an assistant
professor of music at Mary Hardin-Baylor College and a teacher of music theory at
Pepperdine University, Gloria has gained recognition as a pianist, organist and music
conductor. She has been the director of the Village Voices Chorale since 1987 and
teaches piano privately. She holds memberships in the American Choral Directors
Association, the National Association of Church Musicians and the Music Teachers
Association of California. Gloria and her husband Mike live in Agoura Hills and have
two grown children and two grandsons.
Ron McBain, Organist – ron.mcbain@gmail.com
Ron McBain is the church organist and accompanist for the Chancel Choir and Footprints youth choir. He began his studies on the piano at the age of 5, giving his first public recital at the age of 9. Receiving his bachelor in fine arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in piano performance, Ron has studied with several notable pianists and been a soloist with several orchestras and ensembles. He has performed extensively in the Eastern United States and in Russia, Finland, Estonia and the Czech Republic. Ron began playing organ in 2002 at First Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, where he studied under Nancy Galbraith. Originally from New Jersey, he moved to Los Angeles in August 2004. Ron is also on faculty at the Open Charter Magnet School as head of the music department and teaches piano privately.
Nick Newkirk, Handbell Choirs & Footprints Director – NNewkirk49@yahoo.com
Nick Newkirk is the director of the handbell program and the 7th-12th grade footprints
vocal choir. He has a bachelor of arts degree in music education from California State
University, Northridge. He has studied under notable directors and has diverse stage
experience performing in more than a dozen musical productions. Nick has more than
10 years of experience instructing children in various activities including voice, general
music and acting. He is the Recreation Supervisor for the City of Agoura Hills. He is also
a member of the American Choral Directors association and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Married and the father of two children, his family lives in Agoura Hills.
