Our Team
Rev. Bill Barksdale
LEAD PASTOR
Bill is the lead pastor for St. Paul's and Covenant UMC. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church since 1995, and a native of Mississippi, Bill served churches for 29 years across the state in the Mississippi Annual Conference.
Bill is a graduate of Rhodes College (B.A.) in Memphis, TN, and from Boston University School of Theology (M.Div) in Boston, MA. He enjoys hiking, sports photography, music (guitar and voice), computers, and long naps on Sunday afternoons.
Jennifer Ruggles
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Jennifer is the part-time Children’s Ministry Coordinator. She is responsible for children ages birth to 11 years old at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Jennifer oversees the Godly Play program during the 10 o’clock church service and Vacation Bible School in the summer.
Jennifer is a daughter, sister, wife, dog parent, airline employee, aunt, musician, and sailor. She sings with her parents’ band. Both of her sisters have twins! She’s the proud aunt of two sets of twins and two dogs. Her friends, cousins, and husband’s family are huge Minnesota Vikings fans. She is obsessed with all things purple. Skol Vikings! She loves to spend her summers with her parents and her dog, Coco, sailing and paddle boarding at Canyon Ferry Reservoir and on Puget Sound in Washington.
Keeley Kingsbury
OUTREACH & EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Keeley takes the lead on creativity at St. Paul’s. She creates our service bulletins, produces the E-blasts, manages our social media platforms, and fashions flyers. Keeley is always generating ideas to try out at staff meetings and has a heart for ministry. She's looking forward to learning about St. Paul's and using that to guide her in crafting outreach and education opportunities for all.
A graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in environmental science and art, Keeley is her own unique intersection of science and art. Growing up in Florida, Keeley had her eyes set on the rocky mountains from a young age, and moved to Helena in 2011. Keeley is mother to two amazing young kids and her ideal day is spent following them on adventures in the mountains. As a member of the Jesus movement she seeks to embody Christ that the world may know him.
Shawn Mitic
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY & SOUND
Shawn Mitic is the Director of Technology and Sound for the St. Paul’s Methodist A/V Team. Shawn organizes and handles everything involving the A/V Team and enjoys everything music & sound.
Shawn is from Clearwater, Florida and was a part of the Seminole Singers, competing in The Heritage Festival. He played in the Seminole Orchestra, who played at Carnegie Hall and operated the sound board for the high school and local plays.
On Shawn’s off-time he enjoys hanging out with his two dogs, bird and cat as well as a plethora of other animals. He enjoys anything involving sunshine or being outdoors along with a passion for mechanics, electronics, fishing/hunting as well as trying to get back into playing piano and cello.
KATIE SMITH
OFFICE & FACILITIES COORDINATOR
Katie takes care of everything related to the facilities, including coordinating projects and maintenance, booking events, scheduling room usage, and planning church functions. As the Facilities Coordinator, she oversees all activities inside the building, making sure that health and safety standards are met and arranging for repairs with external vendors when needed.
Katie first came to Montana to work seasonally in a campground in Helena. Once she moved here, she continued her 30 year career in social services, from which she has since retired. She has four grown children and seven grandchildren; three of her grandchildren live in Florida. Katie is an avid gardener, inside and out, and a “pet mom” of four dogs and three cats. In addition to gardening, Katie enjoys spending time with family, antiquing, and reading. Her interests widely range from history to architecture, decorating, design, nature and, of course, human nature.
Liz Adler
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Liz is the Choir Director for the Chancel Choir at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She is responsible for choosing the music that is sung by both the choir and the congregation. Alongside St. Paul’s talented Fay Buness (Pianist/Organist), and musically gifted members, Liz helps to lead the choir in lifting the spirits and opening the hearts of all who come to listen and worship.
When not "living and breathing" music and theatre, she enjoys being with her family, bonfires, star-gazing, grilling, and meeting new people. She loves sharing her passion for music - she truly believes that music has the power to change lives.
"Music gives a soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." - Plato