Pastor and Staff
The Rev. Dr. Walter Dilg, Senior Pastor
Arriving in July of 2009 from First UMC, Ventura, Pastor Walt is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology for his M. Div. and Claremont School of Theology for his D.Min. His wife Debbie is a high school AP English teacher, and together they have two grown children.
Contact:
The Rev. Diane Davis, Children & Family Ministries Director
Diane is a native of San Diego and she attended University of Minnesota where she received a degree in Dental Hygiene. Diane often jokes that she heard too many confessions about not flossing that lead her to ministry! So, she attended The School of Theology at Claremont where she received a Masters in Religious Education. She is an Ordained Permanent Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She has served at Hope UMC and Santee UMC in the San Diego Area.
Contact:
Spencer Topham, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Spencer Topham is a native San Diegan and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Spencer spent his formative years as a youth at Foothills United Methodist Church in La Mesa, and there was given his first opportunities as a leader in ministry. Spencer went to Long Beach State and received a degree in International Relations. During his summers he volunteered as a youth worker at Foothills and as a counselor at San Diego District summer camps. After some time living in the Midwest and on the East Coast, Spencer returned to San Diego and got his first paying gig in youth ministry with St. Mark's UMC in Clairemont. A year later he added Mission Hills UMC to his repertoire, and is now overjoyed to make La Jolla UMC his third church home. Spencer has a deep passion for young people, service, and the Gospel, and works hard ewvery day to fulfill the United Methodist mission of creating disciples in Christ.
Contact:
Bob Wuertz, Music Ministries Director
A graduate of University of Redlands and Claremont Graduate University, Bob's music career has focused on church music. A resident of San Diego since 1985, he has served as organist, choir director and music director at Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo and Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in University City. Bob has two grown sons, Jeremy and Jon, and two grandchildren, Peyton and Parker.
Contact:
Ronel Wishnuff, Organist
Ronél received her B.M. from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She taught piano and freelanced as a soloist and accompanist for fifteen years, before relocating to San Diego with her American husband. In 2006, she completed a Masters degree in Piano Performance at San Diego State University. Ronél served as music director/organist for the Community Congregational Church in Pacific Beach for seven years, before joining the staff at La Jolla Methodist Church as organist in 2009. She freelances as an accompanist and teaches piano at her home studio in La Costa, Carlsbad.
Debbie Pastor, Administrative Assistant
Debbie Pastor grew up in Michigan, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Design and Housing. Married to Jim Pastor, they have one adult son, Nicholas. She has lived in San Diego most of her adult life, has been a member of LJUMC since the late 1990’s, and has worked in the church office for the past six years.
Contact:
Julie Heywood, Financial Secretary
Julie is a long-time member of the church who has been serving as our Financial Secretary for over twenty years. She is married to Bill, our Church Office Receptionist, and together they have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren.
Contact:
Diana J. Prat, Web Content Manager
Diana was raised in the United Methodist Church in Royersford, PA, and graduated from Moore College of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Communications. A resident of San Diego since 1989, she has shared her talents with the LA Times, QVC Network and a number of online and medical marketing industries.
Julie Capper, Director LJUMC Nursery School
Julie taught at LJUMCNS from 1998-2001 while her daughter was attending school here. She has joyfully returned to be the director of the Nursery School after 10 years teaching parent education for the community college and working in special education with early childhood and elementary children. Julie lives in the University City community with her husband Jim and beautiful daughter Emma.
Contact: