Biography coming soon!

The Rev. Lydia E. Rodríguez Colón has been serving the Virginia Conference since 2006. As well as serving as the Associate Pastor at Arlington UMC, she is also the Chair of the Board of GRACE Ministries of the United Methodist Church. She has been an Elder of the Methodist Church for 12 years and a pastor for 16 years. She was Bishop Assistant for the former Bishop of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, Juan A. Vera Méndez , from 2001-2004. Reverend Lydia was also a Regional Superintendent of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico from 1999-2002. Between the years 2004-2006, Lydia was the Coordinator of the Lay Speaking Trainings of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. Before being a pastor, she was a missionary in Central America and South America. Pastor Lydia has a Masters Degree in Theology of the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. Pastor Lydia has been married to her husband Angel M. Martínez since 2002 and they share their home with their cat Querube, who was rescued from the streets in 1997, during Pastor’s Lydia first appointment.

Debbie has been a staff member of the Children’s Weekday Program since 2006, as both an aide (PDO and Preschool) and as the Nursery Teacher. All three of her boys are also alumni of the Program. Debbie has a B.S. degree from Virginia Tech in Day Care Administration and a B.A. degree from Marymount University in Interior Design. Debbie and her husband have lived in Arlington since 1992 and have three boys, a puppy, a cat, and 2 fish.

A native of Houston, Texas, Joshua Cumby is a third-year student at George Mason University School of Law. Joshua earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, and until 2008 Joshua was the Assistant Program Director at the International Festival-Institute in Round Top, Texas. While at the University of Texas and the Festival-Institute, Joshua held various accompanist and music leadership positions in and around the Austin area.

Harry Elanko oversees all administrative functions of the church including accounting and maintaining membership records. Harry has a Masters Degree in Sociology with many years of experience in Human Resources, Sales & Marketing and Contracts Administration. He is married to Mithila with two grown children. His son, Ashwath Bryan, works in Norway and his daughter, Ashita Meryl, is a student at JMU. Harry is a member at Bruen Chapel UMC and serves as the honorary church treasurer and the chair of the staff parish relatinos committee.

Angel Martínez is a native of Puerto Rico. He accepted Christ as his personal savior 17 years ago and is truly committed to God’s kingdom work. In July 2009, Angel was commissioned as a licensed local pastor.

Angel loves to play the guitar, the piano, to sing a joyful noise to the Lord and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Angel considers his work as the Custodian of AUMC as a blessing as he has the privilege of taking care of our Lord’s temple.

He has four wonderful children: Carlos, Alexie, Manuel and Zilkmarie and 7 grandchildren. He is happily married to Pastor Lydia Rodríguez and they share their home with their cat Querube.