PASTOR

DR. TARA SUTTON

Dr. Tara Sutton is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and has completed her Bachelor of Arts at Northwestern University, Master of Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry at Ecumenical Theological Seminary.


Over the years, Dr. Sutton has attended General and Jurisdictional Conferences as a delegate. She was a member of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women for 8 years. Also, she has chaired the Conference Board of Church and Society. She is also a trained Life Coach. In addition, she served on the East Winds District Committee on Ordained Ministry and as the facilitator of Zone 4.


Presently, she serves on the Michigan Conference Nominations Committee, the Vice Chairperson for Sacred Sisters in the North Central Jurisdiction and the Chairperson of United Methodist Black Clergy of Michigan.


Pastor Sutton has taught at Indiana Wesleyan Seminary, Ecumenical Theological Seminary and Payne Theological Seminary. She specializes in spiritual formation and leadership. Dr. Sutton has led workshops and seminars that have challenged both clergy and laypersons to be more effective in missions and ministry. During her years in seminary, she served in the United States Air Force as a Chaplain Candidate for Lowry Aire Force Base in Colorado and Scott Air Force Bases in Illinois respectively.


Her spiritual practices include prayer, meditation, and worship which helps to strengthen her faith in God. In addition, she has led several prayer workshops and consistently does personal devotions and prayer time with colleagues on a weekly basis. She is a faithful servant of God, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 36 years.


She has two children: Christopher, who is a graduate of the University of Michigan and resides in Ann Arbor, and Luke, who is a graduate of Central Michigan University and resides in Bellwood, IL.


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ORGANIST / DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

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




DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

BECKY LORENZ

Becky graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. She spent many years teaching Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. She also was a Teacher Mentor, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Principal. She lives in Troy with her husband and 2 daughters and they have been members of BBUMC for 14 years.


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OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Susan  Tiley

Susan graduated from Schoolcraft College with a dual Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs.  She taught in several different preschools as a Head Preschool Teacher.  Because of economic times, she was forced to changed direction into a new career.  She attended Dorsey Business School where she received a certificate in Administrative Assistant.  Her last position before coming to Big Beaver UMC was working at Oakland University (OU) in the Housing Department as Secretary II/Receptionist in which she worked for 13 years. At age 64, and since OU paid for employees schooling, she decided to go back to school to complete another accomplishment. She finished her Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies, Nonprofit at Oakland University.   She wanted to find a new adventure and left OU in January of 2022.  She was looking for where the Lord would take her next to do his work.  Thus, on January 23rd she was hired in as Big Beaver UMC’s new Office Administrator.  She felt like this was where she was supposed to be. Susan has a big heart and loves to give back to others in whatever way she can do so.  She has a son who live is AZ with his family.  She has some family that lives in Detroit and South Lyon.  She loves to make homemade cards, collects stuffed animals, and has a love for horses.



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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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