Pastors

Randy Orndorff, Lead Pastor

Our Lead Pastor is Randy Orndorff. He was appointed to Culpeper UMC in June of 2004. He is married to Lee Anne and they have three children. Josh (married to Michelle) is in college at Duke Divinty School.  Jordan is a junior at Eastern View. Their daughter Kelsey was killed in a car accident on August 29, 2008 on Route 3 heading to a christian concert with Chris Sligh.

Randy and his family enjoy sports, the outdoors to include fishing and hunting, serving with TOP- Teens Opposing Poverty, and learning and growing with God’s people. Randy grew up on a farm and though he thought he’d go back to that type of work, God had other plans as God called him to grow God’s people and the local church.Randy graduated from James Wood High School in Winchester, Va. and then from college at James Madison University. He has his Master’s of Divinity from Emory University’s Chandler School of Theology in Atlanta and his Doctorate degree in Evangelism from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. He first served at Riverton UMC in Front Royal for 15 years and Culpeper UMC is his second appointment.

You can contact Pastor Randy at pastorjro@culpeperumc.org

Norma Jean Fellows, Associate Pastor

Norma Jean Fellows was appointed as our part time Associate Pastor January 1, 2009. Her primary responsibilities are for Pastoral Care and Nurture ministries. Norma Jean is a native of Upstate New York who retired from the North Central New York Conference of the United Methodist Church July 1, 2008 and moved to Virginia to live closer to two of their four children and three of nine grandchildren. She is married to Arthur who is also a retired pastor. Prior to her retirement she was appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Living Waters Parish (Bouckville, Deansboro, Madison, & Oriskany Falls, NY), Pastor of East Homer and Truxton, NY UMC's,  and Associate Pastor of the Cardiff, Navarino, and South Onondaga, NY UMC. While attending seminary she was the pastor of Half Acre Union Church (non-denominational), Auburn, NY.

Norma Jean received a BS in Business/Administration Management from Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY in 1985 and a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School in 2002.

Her background includes extensive experience in dairy farming, not for profit organizations, and banking. Prior to accepting her call to pastoral ministry in 1995 she was a Certified Lay Speaker and active lay person in the UMC.  

She enjoys knitting and crocheting specializing in prayer shawls. Among family members who have cooking or baking questions she is also known as "Betty."  Along with the Fellows' clan she is often found at John Deere two cylinder shows.  You can contact Pastor Norma Jean at pastornjf@culpeperumc.org.

Nancy Palmer, Associate Pastor - Adult Ministries, Group Life & Outreach

Nancy Palmer is an Associate Pastor who works with Adult Ministries, Group Life and Outreach here at CUMC. She grew up outside of Pittsburgh and has lived in West Virginia, Maine, Vermont, and has made her home in Virginia. She has worked at a community college and other proprietary colleges, done real estate appraisals and sales and worked for over a dozen years at the Virginia General Assembly as a Legislative Aide. God called her for ministry and was appointed in 2010 as CUMC's Associate Pastor as a licensed local pastor. Her family consists of two cats and two dogs.  You can contact Nancy at pastornancy@culpeperumc.org

Church Ministry Staff

Debra Greeley, Director of Music Ministries

Debbie is the Music Director for Culpeper United Methodist Church and directs choirs, handbells, dance, brass, and theater at the church, specifically for the blended 8:00 and 11:00 AM worship services.  Debbie and her husband, Monroe, both received degrees in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, now Shenandoah University, and both taught music in Culpeper County Schools.  Debbie is now serving here at the church in her 27th year. She enjoys all water sports, (especially kayaking), gardening, decorating, reading, her 2 darlin' kitties Black 'n Decker, and being out in God's beautiful world. All are welcome in her music program where the emphasis is to “Make God Smile” as we just love Him, praise Him, and give all we have back to Him!   Feel free to contact Debbie at maestro@culpeperumc.org

Steve Kropp, Modern Worship Leader

Steve is the 9:29 Modern Worship Leader and Technical Arts specialist at CUMC.  He is originally from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania and has a Master's in Education from UVA.  He also works in the Culpeper County school system as an Adapted Physical Education Teacher. 

Steve has a number of years experience leading worship for Fredericksburg area churches and on the road with his band.  He & his wife Tracy reside in Rhoadesville with their two boys, Tobin & Graham.  Steve loves Jesus, the NBA, Pearl Jam, Ciro's pizza, Disney Pixar movies, The Office, German Shepherds, and typing bios in the third person.  Tracy’s passion is photography (www.tracykropp.com) and looking after their beautiful boys. You can contact Steve at stevekropp@culpeperumc.org

Mark Simpkins, Audio/Visual Specialist

Mark is the Technical Arts specialist at CUMC.  He is originally from Ravenna, Ohio and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Music Technology from Malone University in Canton, OH.  Mark also works for the University of Mary Washington as an Audio Visual Technician.

Mark & his wife Amanda reside in Locust Grove with their two boys, Taylor and Mayson.  They also have a dog, named CJ.  Mark also runs his own production company called Risen Productions (www.risenproductions.com), which offers audio recording and event lighting.   Some names Mark has worked with include, Anthony Bourdain, Karl Rove, DecembeRadio, and Me in Motion.  You can contact Mark at marksimpkins@culpeperumc.org

Kevin Heiser, Youth Ministry Director

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I never thought I would live in Virginia until I met my wife, Lisa, during my last year of school at Oklahoma State University. We’ve been married since 1993 and have two daughters, Madison and Natalie. We moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to Amissville in April 2002, a move we made in order to raise our children near Lisa’s family. Recently, my parents moved to Culpeper and we now have the pleasure of seeing them influence our children’s lives daily.  

I was a professional photographer for more than 10 years before I was called into student ministry in June of 2007. Shortly after committing to become a living sacrifice as described in Romans 12, God dramatically changed my life. Although not every step of the process has been easy, I am continually reassured that God is faithful and He equips us to do the whatever He has called us to do. Lisa and I had no idea of the impact God would make on our lives when He brought us to Culpeper. We are continually amazed at how He does more than we could ever ask or imagine. I’m excited to see what God’s plans are for how He will use me as Youth Director at CUMC. You may contact Kevin at kevin.heiser@culpeperumc.org

Lynda Steele, Children’s Ministry Director

Lynda was raised in Dale City, Virginia and grew up in the United Methodist church.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech.  Lynda is not new to CUMC. She has been part of our church family for 12 years. She has raised her two daughters, Kelsi and Tori here. The family has participated in many kids’ cantatas, choir, youth group, and other children’s ministries over the years.   Lynda loves photography, crafts, scrapbooking, and card making.   You may have seen her at many church events taking many photographs.

Lynda’s primary responsibilities as Children’s Ministry Director include planning and implementing activities for children from infants to 6th grade. She will be planning events that will include the entire family and will teach the children about God and Jesus.

The favorite part of her job is working with the children, serving God and helping our children grow in their faith. She is enjoying spending time here at CUMC as she feels called by God at this time to be in this important role in forming faith in God’s children.  Lynda says, “I believe God has always called me to work with children and this job allows me to help children and their families, along with taking care of my own family’s spiritual needs."  You may reach Lynda at lyndasteele@culpeperumc.org

Whitney Simpson, Preschool Director

Hi, I am Whitney Simpson and I am the Director of Culpeper United Methodist Preschool.  I was hired as the Director of this ministry within our church in August, 2009. 

In 1995, I married my high school sweetheart, Lee Simpson, and we have three beautiful daughters; Lauren, Rylee, and Georgie.  We relocated back to Culpeper in 2006, after living in Richmond, Kentucky for 11 years.  Lee is a dentist, practicing at Culpeper Dental Associates, and the girls all attend AG Richardson Elementary.  We are very active members of our church and community.  We are members of the Country Club of Culpeper, where I coach the summer swim team, and our girls swim for the team, as well.  I am on the Board of Directors and offer volunteer support for a winter swim league, in which my daughters’ also swim.  I also enjoy watching Lauren play tennis, Rylee play soccer, and Georgie is starting T-ball this year.

I graduated from Culpeper High School in 1990 and Bridgewater College in 1994, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.  In 1995 I received certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor and in 1996, I became licensed as a Correctional and Pre Release Counselor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

After teaching Sunday School for many years, and Co-Directing the Children’s Department for a year, God called me to open a half day preschool program.  We were very blessed to have opened in the Fall of 2009, and not a day goes by that I do not thank Him for this awesome adventure!    You can contact Whitney at whitney1@culpeperumc.org.

Church Office Staff

Laura Wood, Director of Administration

Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and HR Management from West Virginia Tech. Laura is very active in the Morrisville Boy Scout Troop 1187, serving as Advancement Chair and in the Remington Cub Scout Pack 1180 where she serves as Committee Chair. She and her husband, Robert, live in Bealeton with their three sons - Parker, Cameron and Brayden.  You will  find her on baseball and football fields throughout Fauquier County in the spring months cheering on her son's teams. You can contact Laura at laurawood@culpeperumc.org.

Christy Taylor, Administrative Assistant

Christy has been with CUMC since 2007.  She has over 12 years of adminstrative experience that she brings as administrative assistant.  Christy graduated from Rappahannock County High School and attended Lord Fairfax Community College.  She has been married to her husband, Brian for 12 years and they have 3 beautiful girls, Abby, Maggie and Haley. Christy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, riding four-wheelers, and is currently taking Tae Kwon Do classes with her girls.

You can contact Christy at christytaylor1@culpeperumc.org.