Our Staff

Pastor & Directors

Abi Foerster
PASTOR

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Wesley Seminary, and most recently George Mason, Abi has served churches in California and Virginia, as well as serving on staff with the Alexandria District. She brings a wealth of experience across a range of fields and roles, including church planter, crisis counselor, foster parent, coach, program developer, social entrepreneur, innovator, and non-profit leader. Abi is married to fellow wahoo, Lacy, and they have an 18-year-old son, Levi, who loves all animals, but especially the family cockapoos, Bailey Buttons and Kev.

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Hannah Godfrey
FOOD PANTRY DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Hannah Godfrey has been a United Methodist her whole life, which fostered a heart of service from an early age. Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, she holds a bachelor's in psychology from Marymount University. Hannah has been in youth ministry since 2013 and is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. She is interested in meeting people wherever they are on their faith journey through media, conversations, and service and walking with them through good times and bad. She believes the church should reach and care for the community in new and fresh ways. In her free time, she likes to go on hikes, bake, drink coffee, and run around after her five nieces and nephews.

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Miracle Ryder
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Miracle Ryder was raised in the United Methodist Church where her favorite hymn even as a child was, Here I Am, Lord. She is the youngest child of six, with 17 nieces and nephews. Her hometown is within Fauquier County, however she currently resides in Manassas, VA. Miracle studied Psychology and leadership studies during her undergraduate degree at George Mason University. Undergrad was followed by a few years of working in higher education and then studying School Counseling at James Madison University. During her time as an Elementary School Counselor, she received her call to ministry which led her north to Boston University's School of Theology where she completed her Masters of Divinity.

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Mary Ann East
MUSIC MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

Mary Ann East (DMA, Boston University; MM, George Mason University; BME, Indiana University) has taught music to ages 3-93. She is a former Fairfax County Public School music teacher where she taught elementary general music through high school choir and former adjunct professor at George Mason University. Mary Ann is currently the Music Ministries Director at Community of Faith UMC in Herndon, Artistic Director of Capital Harmonia women's community choir, and the Arts and Aging Research Director for Encore Creativity for Older Adults, where she designs creative arts programming for those with cognitive change and their care partners.

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Rev. Joanna Dietz
DEACON IN RESIDENCE

Jo is a graduate of Crane School of Music way up near the Canadian border in New York. She majored in music education with an emphasis in voice. After college, she and her husband, Norm, moved to Virginia. Jo received her Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Wesley Theological in 2005 and was ordained a deacon in 2010. Her love of people who do not seem to conform to the ideals of church life have led her to work with people on the streets of Winchester and to her current position working for Bagel Joy. 

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Ministry Support

Tierra Whitlow
RECEPTIONIST

Tierra is a Herndon local who is ecstatic to become a part of the Community of Faith support team. She attended George Mason University and earned her B.A. in English with a focus on cultural studies. She loves learning about different cultures and languages. As of right now, she knows Spanish and a bit of Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Chinese! Tierra is a early childhood educator with Oakhill Preschool. She believes that childhood is a time to get in tune with the world, explore, experience, and connect.

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Dianne Hannum
BOOKKEEPER

Managing the organized chaos of a church office, Di has been a part of COF's staff since 2000. Before coming to Virginia in 1983, Di spent time in New York and southern California and before joining our staff, Di worked in the administrative side of construction management.

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Kelly Nam
ACCOMPANIST

Dr Nam joined our music team a worship accompanist for the 10:30 service in September 2017. She is on the faculty at George Mason University and instructs in Northern Virginia. A world class pianist, we are blessed each Sunday with her music gifts.

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Jose Zamaro
CUSTODIAN

Jose has been keeping the sanctuary, halls and classrooms of Community of Faith clean for more than a decade! See something that needs his attention -- please email Jose.

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Lay Leaders

Jocelyn Gabriel
LAY LEADER (2024)

Jocelyn has been the Lay Leader since 2022 and a faithful member of Community of Faith for many years. 

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Raj Bartakke
ASSOCIATE LAY LEADER (2025)

Raj has been a member of Community of Faith UMC since his son entered Tiger Cubs at the age of 7 – he is now 32! He is currently co-chairing the Men's Ministry (UMM) with Rory Maynard and Bill Minto and serving on the Leadership Board. In the past, he's served in a variety of roles including as an adult Sunday School leader, a member and chair of the SPRC, on the Admin Council.

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Beth Carter
ASSOCIATE LAY LEADER (2026)

Beth Carter, AD Nursing Purdue University 1982, BS Nursing UNLV 1985. Beth has been a member at COF from 1990-2003, and 2011-present. The 8 year gap was when the Carters moved to Naperville, Illinois with Greg’s job. Beth has been married to her husband Greg since 1986. Beth and Greg have 3 children Alex (Rachel), Kendall, and Zack. The Carters also have 3 grandchildren, with a fourth due at the end of the year. Beth sings in the choir as well as serving as an assistant lay leader at COF.

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Gwen Zanin                                                                                        LEADERSHIP BOARD CHAIR

Gwen joined the church during the pandemic looking for a place to connect more deeply and serve.  She stepped into the role of the leadership board soon after and became the chair in January 2024.  She brings many strategic gifts to the position, a love of travel and adventure, and a heart for serving.  

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