Rev. Dr. Shaun Brown
Senior Pastor
shaun@rockymountdisciples.org
Rocky Mount Christian Church is excited to introduce our new minister to serve with us. His name is Rev Dr. Shaun Brown. He will begin his ministry with us on 8/19/24. He is a Pennsylvania native and a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates and Steelers. He comes to us from First Christian Church in Garland, TX. He is a graduate of Johnson University (B.A., 2006), Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan (M.Div., 2010), and Wycliffe College, University of Toronto (Ph.D., 2019). While completing his PhD he began working in a residential home for adults with disabilities for Heritage Christian Services in Clarence, NY, where he served for five years.
He has served as an adjunct professor at several institutions in online and traditional settings, teaching courses in theology, ethics, and religious studies. A revised version of his Ph.D. dissertation was published as George Lindbeck and the Israel of God: Scripture, Ecclesiology, and Ecumenism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). He is also the author of George Lindbeck: A Biographical and Theological Introduction (Cascade, 2022) and co-editor of Theology and Star Trek (Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2023).
Shaun is married to Sherri Lynn O’Neal Brown, an occupational therapist. They have three children: Adalyn (7), Emilia (4), and Ezra (2). They will be moving closer to their families and we are excited to welcome them into our church family.
Paula Harmon
Paula is the church’s Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper. Feel free to come say hello to her any time. The office is open from 9 to 2:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Paula is a native of Franklin County. She resides in Syndorsville with her husband. She enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Barbara Weddle
I am so grateful to be the organist and choir director at RMCC. The circumstances that led me to the open doors of this beautiful church and to the people who have so warmly accepted me cannot be understood as mere worldly coincidence. I am here with a mission to mold and shape our music program of adult and children’s choirs, a bell choir, and special music embracing the gifts and talents of many. I am here to join with you to sing joyful songs to the Lord.
My husband and I live on Smith Mountain Lake. We enjoy the blessings of the water, especially kayaking. I take advantage of the many opportunities to hike the wonderful trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I grew up in in Calgary, Alberta, in the foothills of the glorious Rocky Mountains. Although Calgary is the home of the Calgary Stampede, the biggest rodeo in the world and “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” I chose a much less adventurous path than bronco riding. I started piano lessons when I was nine, and that was the beginning of my lifelong passion for music. I began teaching piano when I was 16 and have continued teaching ever since. I have a degree in Piano Performance and a Masters degree in Music Theory. The story of how a girl from the western Canada came to be in southwest Virginia is a long one, but I certainly am happy to have been here since 2001.
I love teaching and have been on faculty at Hollins University since 2003, teaching music theory courses, composition, piano, and all things keyboard related. In addition, I maintain a small studio of private piano students.
My 25+ years as a church music director/pianist/organist has been my joyful ministry, my service to the Lord and His children. I love that I can share my musical gifts to lead and blend with others in devotion, adoration, and praise to our God.
I welcome meeting everyone and to hearing about the music you would like to hear and sing and play. “Come, let us sing to the Lord, and shout with joy to the rock that saves us.” (John Michael Talbot)
Vanessa Stone
Vanessa has served in the nursery at RMCC since 2012. Full time she is the Dean of Students at Ferrum College, where she has worked since 2011. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband Chris and their two children, Owen and Olivia.