Pastoral Leadership
Team Members
Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner
Senior Pastor323.874.2104 Ext. 314
revhannah@hollywoodumc.org
Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner is the Senior Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church, with campuses located in Los Angeles, California at Hollywood and Toluca Lake. She is a proudly and publicly Queer clergywoman in The United Methodist Church. She was ordained an Elder in 2012 by Bishop Peggy Johnson in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, and currently serves as part of their Delegation to Jurisdictional/General Conference, and coordinates communications for the Queer Delegate Caucus. She has served churches in both rural and urban settings, and served the global church as staff with the General Board of Discipleship. A highly sought after speaker and teacher, her work has focused on anti-racism, solidarity with the unhoused, immigration advocacy, leadership development, and mentoring young leaders. She has been respected throughout her twenty years in professional ministry as a prophetic voice within these areas, both inside of the United Methodist Church and beyond it.
An enthusiastic communicator, she received a BS in Psychology/Gender Studies from Furman University, and her Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. Recognized as a leader from the beginning of her career, she was a Lewis Fellow in the early years of her ministry, as well as the Young Adult Representative from the United Methodist denomination to Churches Uniting in Christ. She has been a keynote speaker for United Women in Faith’s Global Assembly, has done anti-racism writing and teaching for the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Board of Global Missions, and has spoken on solidarity as a panelist at the World Methodist Conference. She has a relentless passion for finding ways to tell stories and help new voices be heard, and has utilized filmmaking, podcasting, and writing to amplify stories that often are overlooked.
She is known best for the way she puts her words into action in the physical embodiment of solidarity, holding vigil at the Waller County Jail after Sandra Bland’s death, and again outside the Tornillo detention camp where immigrant children were imprisoned at the border. She is viewed as a resilient leader and an expert in navigating high risk situations, after facing the risk of her own life in order to help compel the attention of the church and the nation to those injustices. In 2016, she became an Honorary Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., alongside Geneva Reed-Veal, the mother of Sandra Bland. Also, in 2016, Abingdon published her first book, The Shout: Finding the Prophetic Voice in Unexpected Places — a Bible Study curriculum arising out of the community she had built as the Curator of The Shout – a spoken-word poetry focused artivism movement seeking to nurture a community of multi-ethnic, multi-generational, justice-seeking, solidarity-building people in Houston, Texas. In 2018, HBO released the documentary, “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland” which included interviews with Hannah and featured her footage extensively.
While she comes from a large family that she cherishes, she is also very committed to the small circle of younger “siblings” she has committed to as chosen family – and of course to her constant companion, her sweet pup, Esperanza.
Team Members
Pastor Bridie Roberts
Associate Pastor323.874.2104
pastorbridie@hollywoodumc.org
Pastor Bridie Roberts serves as the Associate Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church. Appointed to our Hollywood campus in the summer of 2021, Pastor Bridie’s focus is to help build our community engagement and outreach ministries. Previously she assisted Pastor Mark at our Harmony Toluca Lake Campus beginning in 2019. A long time ministerial candidate of our congregation she has been a part of our community for many years.
Before coming back to serve as Pastor, Bridie served a two point charge as Pastor in Charge at La Puente United Methodist Church and Alhambra First United Methodist Church. She brings to us her spiritual gifts of preaching, prayer, and teaching. Formerly the Program Director at Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Pastor Bridie is also an experienced community organizer and trainer who has more than 20 years of experience organizing interfaith communities on issues of economic and worker justice, housing equity, immigration reform, and voting rights. In addition to her role as our Associate Pastor, Bridie serves as the Deputy Director for Community Organizing for Unite Here Local 11, the hospitality and restaurant workers union representing more than 30,000 members in LA, Orange County and Arizona.
She is a graduate of Grinnell College with a BA in Political Science, and received her Master of Divinity at the Claremont School of Theology with a specialization in Urban Ministries. She is an avid crocheter, a beginning banjoist, and enjoys long walks with a bullhorn and a picket sign.
Team Members
Mark Stephenson
Harmony Toluca Lake Campus323.874.2104 Ext. 312
mark@hollywoodumc.org
In January 2017, Mark began pastoral oversight of Harmony – Toluca Lake (second campus of Hollywood UMC), after being HUMC’s business administrator for many years. Being a strong ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, he is committed to equality and justice within our Divine Creator’s diverse family, as the affirming ministry of the church must include and honor all as beloved children of God.
As a delegate for the California-Pacific Annual Conference to the UMC General and Western Jurisdictional Conferences, Mark is participating in the creation of a bold, new, fully inclusive form of Methodism for the 21st Century. Also, he is passionate about caring for the most vulnerable in our world, as well as being involved with disaster relief efforts – having led numerous rebuilding excursions in Mississippi, New Jersey, and Haiti.
In service to the surrounding community, Mark is quite involved with the local Toluca Lake organizations, currently serves on the Board of Directors for local LA theater – Moving Arts, and previously served on the Boards with the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, and the Heart of Hollywood Foundation.
To God be the glory!
Team Members
John West
Music / Choral Director and Organist323.874.2104 Ext. 205
jwest@hollywoodumc.org
International performing artist John West received his Master of Music degree with Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts. His initial organ studies began at the age of 13 under the tutelage of Richard Purvis at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.
PERFORMANCES
Mr. West He has toured extensively throughout the world with performances
spanning distances from the Republic of Soviet States to the far northern reaches of Alaska, South America and throughout the United States .
His performance credits include solo appearances with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pasadena Symphony. With the American Guild of Organists he has been a featured artist of Region IX Convention, and clinician for the 2004 National Convention. HE performed a solo concert in Ottawa Canada to rave reviews as well as on the Distinguished Artists Series at West Point, Military Academy in New York. He also has performed on all the major instruments in Southern California including the Hazel Wright Organ at the Crystal Cathedral, Disney Hall and First Congregational Church Los Angeles.
His recurring performances since 2007 as Guest Artist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) at Walt Disney Concert Hall have been extraordinarily well received. In a review from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune of the LAMC All Los Angeles High School Choir Festival, the reviewer wrote, “The students were rapt in their seats. They cheered on West, the rock star of the event, every time he appeared onstage.”
In June of 2010 John was featured to play for the prestigious 100th Anniversary Concert of the Los Angeles Chapter of the AGO on the largest church organ in the world at First Congregational Church Los Angeles.
RADIO, ORGAN RECORDINGS, DVD& COMPOSITIONS
In February 2000 John West was the solo featured artist for the longest running radio show for the organ, ‘Pipedreams’ with Michael Barone. John is most honored to be a featured organist on the DVD Documentary of the Glatter-Götz-Rosales organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
He has two solo organ compact discs, ‘Rev’d Up Organ!’ and “The Roar of The Furies & The Sounds of Sirens”. Both are available for purchase by contacting JohnWest@JDoubleU.com
John has choral works published by Lawson-Gould and organ works published by Augsburg Fortress.
A HOLLYWOOD CAREER- TV, FILM, RECORDINGS
John is also very active as a performer/musician in film, television and recordings. Since arriving in Hollywood he has continuously had a successful career in the entertainment field.
He got his first professional industry job as a staff writer on the Motown Records label. He eventually became staff producer and had the opportunity to hone his skills working directly with founder Berry Gordy, Jr. He has had songs recorded by such singers as Jennifer Holiday and Nancy Wilson
His uplifting spiritual song “Heaven’s Hands” was used to open the Vienna Music Festival, Vienna Austria in May of 2011. The song was performed with a full orchestra, a chorus of 100 plus voices before a crowd of 10,000 people.
John has had his songs placed in film, and his vocal arrangements can be heard in the following feature films. Disney’s “The Three Musketeers” starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, “Phone Booth” and the 2010 release “Faster”.
He became an in-demand vocalist for TV and Film and has worked as vocal contractor for such blockbusters as “Hairspray”. “Godzilla”, and “South Park” His vocal performances are included in the films “King Kong”, “Norbit”, “Men In Black”, “Night At The Museum 1 & 2 & 3”, “The Matrix Trilogy”, “Happy Feet 1 & 2”, “The Lorax”, “The Simpsons”, “Ice Age II, III & IV”, “Star Wars 2016”, and a host of others totaling over 150 films!
Television appearances include “Dancing With The Stars”, “The Academy Awards”, “Boston Legal”, “American Idol”, “Grammy Awards”, “GLEE” and “The Voice.”
Team Members
Devon Jones
Director of Communications & Marketing323.874.2104
devon@hollywoodumc.org
Schedule a time to talk with Devon either in person during office hours at HUMC campus, or via the phone or video chat.
Devon joined HUMC in 2008 as a member, and has been involved with ministries focused on food insecurity and our local unhoused community, as well as with the music ministries and choir. He joined the staff in 2015 and has been working to develop and grow our social media presence and community awareness with the hopes of growing our church family and ministry programs here in the heart of Hollywood and Toluca Lake.
Team Members
Kyle Gattison
Worship Leader Harmony Toluca Lake323.874.2104
gattison@hollywoodumc.org
Kyle Gattison has 17 years of ministry experience that highlights his passion for God, people and the arts. His love for leading people in worship is just as evident as his passion for expressing the greatness of God through the arts. He intentionally creates a safe space for people to freely and authentically connect with God in a deep and meaningful way. He can simply & accurately be defined as a lover of God & multifaceted creative. Whether it’s him as a Billboard charting recording artist, a worship leader endorsed by one of the biggest charismatic worship music movements, a creative consultant for artists & brands or his two songs that were considered for GRAMMY nominations, GATTISON brings his passion, creative heart and skill into everything he does.
Team Members
Kevin McCloskey
Director of Children and Youth Ministries323.874.2104 Ext. 200
kevin@hollywoodumc.org
Kevin has worked with children, youth and families for over 20 years, much of that in church and Christian ministry. He is the father of three children, Rachel, 20, Grace, 17 and Silas, 6, and loves being a part of the HUMC family with his husband, Tony.
Team Members
Team Members
Julia Dennis
Harmony's Director of Families Ministry323.874.2104
julia@hollywoodumc.org
Julia is a preacher’s kid, who grew up in the United Methodist Church. She has always been a part of children’s ministry, either as attendee or staff. Although her background is in musical theater and acting , she is also a personal finance coach helping women navigate their financial health. Julia is currently the Director of Music Enrichment at Our Children’s Place Preschool and looks forward to serving Harmony’s children as well. She is the proud Mama of Waylon Ford and expecting her second child in April.
Team Members
Melissa Perrigo
Director of Operations323.874.2104 Ext. 202
melissa@hollywoodumc.org
Melissa Perrigo is transplant from Cleveland, Ohio. One who has made a home in the heart of Los Angeles ever since graduating from Ohio University, with a Bachelor of Science in Cartography. Surprisingly though, she did not end-up making maps! Instead Melissa established a long corporate career, mainly in finance based roles. Industries have included: commercial & residential real estate, entertainment, retail & wholesale businesses, and merchant service companies. Now with HUMC, she has delved into the world of non-profit religious organizations, and Melissa feels God has placed her exactly where she should be!
Team Members
Marlon DeSilva
Live Stream Director and Editor323.874.2104
marlon@hollywoodumc.org
Marlon De Silva was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and has been attending HUMC with his parents since he was a one-year-old. His passion for the film and television industry sparked when he was eight-years-old, and made him realize he had the power and the tools to create stories using the medium of filmmaking. He would make short films at the church that would be shown during worship services, as he prepped for his career. He has also interned and worked on projects for Netflix, Fox, Disney, and NBCUniversal throughout high school and college. Right after his internship at NBCUniversal, his team at NBCU hired him as an Assistant Editor a few months before graduating with his B.A. in Television, Film, and Media Studies from California State University, Los Angeles in 2021. He was also one out of a hundred selected nationwide for the Class of 2021 Academy Gold Rising Program from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was one of thirty-five in the group to be in the Production Track—emphasizing in Film Editing.
During the COVID-19 global pandemic, Marlon helped edit together the online worship services while in college and interning full-time at NBCU, and ultimately helped build the livestream set-up for HUMC along with the HUMC A/V team. As the Video Director, he loves directing the broadcast and other video elements involved in the service, real-time editing, and putting together the weekly live streams—bringing a virtual worship experience and making everyone feel like they are home at HUMC.
Team Members
Emily Redenbach
Live Stream Coordinator323.874.2104 Ext. 100
emily@hollywoodumc.org
Emily came to HUMC by way of Australia, joining the congregation in 2008 and volunteering for several ministries. She also began work at Nielsen NRG as a supervisor, where she worked both in the office and the field running research screenings. She was thrilled to join HUMC as production coordinator and help bring worship services together.
Team Members
Donna Miller
Live Stream Coordinator323.874.2104
donna@hollywoodumc.org
Donna Miller first came to HUMC in 2008, and attended until 2010 when she moved back to the Midwest. Since her return in the fall of 2017, she has been active in the community here and in June of 2018 began her role as part of the HUMC team. She brings her media and writing skills to bear in helping to create print and multimedia for the worship services and email newsletters, as well as coordinating the front office.
Team Members
Gilbert Cheng
Facilities Manager323.874.2104 Ext. 206
gilbert@hollywoodumc.org
Gilbert has been with HUMC for over 5 years and has served in the non-profit sector for over a decade.
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