Meet our Staff
Pastor Jessica Dayson
Rev. Jessica Dayson was born in Richmond, VA, but moved to Charlotte as a baby, making the Queen City home for most of her life. She attended Appalachian State University, where she majored in Psychology and found a spiritual home at the Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Campus Ministry. It was there that she grew in faith, discovered her call to ministry, and met her husband, Darryl.
Jessica attended Duke Divinity School, earning her Masters of Divinity. She is ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in the Western North Carolina Conference. Jessica’s first appointment was serving two rural congregations in Candler, NC, followed by several meaningful years as the campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at UNC Asheville. She later served at Myers Park United Methodist Church as the Pastor of Lay Involvement. Jessica and Darryl have three children and are grateful to call the Charlotte area home once again. Darryl is also a pastor serving at South Tryon Community United Methodist Church.
Jessica is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people feel safe to ask big questions, wrestle with faith, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in the world today. She especially enjoys deep theological conversations, engaging with those who are deconstructing or rebuilding their faith, and meeting people for coffee to hear their stories
Associate Pastor Lauren Hill
Lauren was born and raised in Lexington, NC, so she is a BBQ girl! She attended Pfeiffer University where she studied Christian Education and Youth Ministry and at Hood Theological Seminary where she received her Masters of Divinity.
Since she was 19 years old, she has been serving in ministry in some capacity. She started in Children and Youth Ministry, then moved into the role of Director of Christian Education, has also served as a Hospital and Hospice Chaplain in three different hospital systems, and since 2014, has been serving as a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. She was commissioned as a Provisional Elder in 2014, and ordained as an Elder in Full Connection in 2017.
She also serves on the Western North Carolina Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, as well as on the Western North Carolina Annual Conference Worship Design Team. In past years, she has served as a Candidacy Mentor for those just beginning their journeys of ministry.
Her deepest loves in ministry are when she is leading worship through music and helping children form their faith in Christ. She is thrilled to be joining the team here in Pineville, to continue the good and faithful work of ministry here!
In her spare time, she loves to be with her sweet black Labrador Retriever Eliza! She is her trusted assistant in ministry!
She can’t wait to get to know all of you more and will see you in worship!
Megan Skinner
Administrative Assistant
Megan is excited to be joining the team at PUMC as the Administrative Assistant. She became a member of the United Methodist Church in 2023, and the church has been a transformative part of her life, providing healing, community, and a renewed sense of purpose. Originally from Michigan, she is a proud Michigander who moved to North Carolina in 2023. She graduated from Aquinas College in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education at UNC Charlotte.
Her passion for ministry centers on creating inclusive spaces where people of all abilities feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive. She also deeply enjoys building meaningful relationships within the church and the broader community.
Outside of work and school, she loves reading, taking nature walks, petting every dog she meets, and spending time with family at the beach. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve along side you and looks forward to getting to know everyone in the months ahead!
2026 Lay Leadership
Lay Leader - Mike Lynch
Administrative Council Chair - Paul Claiborne
Recording Secretary - Beth Maher
Lay Member of Annual Conference - Gilda Bass
Reserve Lay Member of Annual Conference - Kelly Chiseck
Chair, Finance Committee - Rob Rose
Financial Secretary - Debbie Gafney
Church Treasurer - Dave Ogden
Contributions Secretary - Debbie Gafney
Membership Secretary - Megan Skinner
Chair, Trustees - Jeff Mills
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee - Mike Sloan
Chair, Discipleship Ministry Team - Bruce Heldman
Chair, Worship Ministry Team - Debbie Gafney
Chair, Congregational Care Ministry Team - Louise Hair
Chair, Community Engagement - Suzanne Gold
Stephen Ministry - Beth Maher and Mark Gafney
President, United Women in Faith - Linda LaRue
Chair, Scholarship Committee - Bill Maher
Website Coordinator - Stacy Hodes
