PASTOR

REV. SUSIE HIERHOLZER


Rev. Susie was appointed to serve Big Beaver UMC beginning July 2024. She grew up in the United Methodist Church and answered her call to pastoral ministry in 2010, attending Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Rev. Susie was ordained as an elder in 2016 and has served multiple churches in the Michigan Area Conference.


Rev. Susie believes that there is room at God’s table for everybody and she is passionate about helping people discover God’s love and grace for themselves. She has a collaborative leadership style, enjoys ministry with all ages of people, and feels blessed to be invited to journey with people through the joys and struggles of life.

 

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ORGANIST / COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

SUZANNE BIANCHI

Suzanne Bianchi serves as our Director of Contemporary Worship Music as well as our Organist. She has served as the Organist of Big Beaver United Methodist Church since 1992. She is a graduate of Wayne State University, with degrees in Organ Performance and Church Music. Suzanne provides musical leadership from the organ at our traditional Sunday morning Worship service and accompanies the Chancel Choir. 

Suzanne is also our Director of Contemporary Music, directing the Living Water Worship Team, and the Grace Like Rain group for our contemporary worship service, as well as the bands/ensembles that perform for other contemporary worship experiences. Along with our Pastor and Director of Music, Suzanne works to craft worship experiences that encourage an encounter with God.


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CHOIR DIRECTOR

CARL VANIDOUR


Carl Vanidour serves as our Choir Director.  He is a graduate of Macomb Community College with a degree in General Studies and an emphasis on General Music.  Carl spent 3 years travelling the country with Re-Creation, where he performed for hospitalized veterans and worshiped with many congregations throughout the country.  

Carl lives in Macomb Township with his wife and 3 children. 


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Director of Children, Youth & Church Family Ministries

Karissa Matson

Karissa has been serving for the past two years as the Director of Christian Education at Chagrin Falls UMC in Ohio. Under her tenure, Karissa has built relationships that engage the community, grown the programs of the church, and welcomed several new families into the church. 

 

Karissa is from Inkster, Michigan. She did her undergraduate work at Northern Michigan University. She has a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Directed Studies.

 

Karissa also has extensive experience working with various youth camps.


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OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

CINDY GAVIN

Cindy has served as our Office Administrator since 2017, and has been an Office Administrator in other area churches during her career. Cindy enjoys serving the church community, utilizing her skills in customer service and administration. 



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YOUTH DIRECTOR

JACKIE VANDAAL

Jackie attended Western Michigan University and Oakland Community College and had taken classes focusing on psychology and counseling. She spent most of her youth years attending youth group at BBUMC. Jackie loves painting, reading, working with kids, and finding new ways to connect with the world around her. She currently lives in Oakland Township. 


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