Our Staff

Rev. Melissa Ramming - Lead Pastor

Professional HIstory:

  • Graduated Western WA Univ - BA

  •  Managed Retail Stores

  • Graduated City Univ. - Master in Public Administration

  •  Graduated Iliff School of Theology—MDiv

  •  Pastor Ocean Shores UMC (5 years)

  •  Ordained & Full Membership PNW Annual Conference

  •  Pastor Lacey: St. Andrews UMC (8 years)

  •  Pastor Puyallup: Light of the Hill UMC (7 years)

Quick Bits:

  • Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

  • Born: Paul’s Valley, OK—I was an army brat until high school; living in Germany for a number of years as well as Washington and Colorado. Never lived in one place for more than 5 years until I went into ministry. I was baptized UM as an infant (same day as my dad was baptized) but never attended a UMC church until High School.

  • Celebrations: July 2023, I am celebrating 20 years of ministry in the PNW

  • Hobbies:  Jigsaw puzzles, reading, games (board games, cards or online), church humor books or comedians, watching the Seahawks and traveling. I’ve been blessed to travel through Europe, to Ethiopia, the Philippines and across the U.S.

You can reach Rev. Melissa at melissa@wallingfordumc.org

Zachary Martin- Music Director

Zachary Martin has been hired and will soon join WUMC as our music director.  Zach aced the audition with our choir, and brings ample experience as both a  choir conductor and professional singer. 

Having served Tibbetts UMC in West Seattle, and in Lutheran and Presbyterian churches, Zach has a wealth of knowledge about sacred music.  Zach sings with the Seattle Opera Chorus and has performed solo work in San Francisco and elsewhere.  

We will welcome Zach soon, and in the meantime, special thanks are owed to Jeremy Jennings and Michael Spencer, as well as Kellie McBee, who managed elements of the selection process.  

zach@wallingfordumc.org

Christopher Taylor -
Director Of Children, Youth & Community Engagement

Christopher was born and raised in an area south of St. Louis before moving from Missouri to the Tacoma area in 2021 with his husband, Shawn, and two cats, Duncan and Ella. He divides his time between work, reading, gardening, exploring Washington and eating pie! While he is still in the process of discerning his Call and what that means in the UMC, he looks forward to adding to his work in ministry, the most recent being as Children's Director of Christian Education with Bethany Presbyterian Church. Christopher has a BS in psychology from Central Methodist University and graduated in 2021 from Eden Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.  If you wish to contact Christopher, his church email is christopher@wallingfordumc.org.

Christopher Taylor- Office Manager

Christopher has been serving as Wallingford UMC’s DCYCE since December 2023 and now has added Office Manager to his duties. You can reach him for office related inquiries/topics at office@wallingfordumc.org.