Meet OUR Staff

Pastor Karen began serving at King Avenue in July 2023 after admiring the congregation and its ministry for more than 20 years. She believes deeply that inclusiveness reflects God’s intention for the world, and throughout her ministry has sought to help people encounter a God who is often misunderstood. At the heart of her faith and ministry is the conviction that God is love.

Before entering ministry, Karen began her professional career in the hospitality industry. She earned an undergraduate degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management and Marketing from Ashland University and found her niche in the specialty food industry through positions at Katzinger’s Deli and Michael’s Finest Market, later working in sales and distribution before answering the call to ministry.

Karen earned her seminary degree from Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) in Delaware, Ohio. During her ministry journey, she served at Jerome UMC while in seminary, as well as Westgate UMC, Hilliard UMC, Christ UMC in Marietta, and now King Avenue UMC.

Her passion is introducing — or reintroducing — people to the love of God, a love she believes has always been for them and always will be. Because she was not raised in the church, Karen has devoted herself to the disciplined study of scripture and continues that practice daily. She especially loves watching people grow in their understanding that God’s love is constant, unconditional, and without exception.

Karen considers serving at King Avenue both a joy and a privilege. Whether leading a small group, collaborating with staff and ministry teams, serving in mission and justice work, or caring for individuals and families, she believes the church’s witness truly makes a difference in the community and beyond.

Karen and her spouse, Brook, have been married for nearly 40 years. Their daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law, Luke, live in Milwaukee. They also share life with Buddy, their energetic Blue Heeler, who keeps them laughing and on their toes.

Andy Burns is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He has previously served three churches: one in rural northwest Ohio and two in central Ohio. He is a graduate of the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (M.Div., 2018) and Ohio Northern University (B.A. in Music, 2015). Andy has a passion for exploring and experimenting with new ways of doing and being church today, and empowering lay people (non-pastor people) to find their role in that work. Whoever we are, wherever we come from, and wherever we are now, we are each beloved children of God with a role to play in the work of being the church in our world. 

Andy grew up in and has lived in several locations around Ohio: Lima, Toledo, Hamilton, Circleville, Findlay, and Alger. He currently lives between Westerville and New Albany with his partner, Lauren. Andy and Lauren met at ONU when they were both students there and married in 2017. Lauren is an Occupational Therapist working at a skilled nursing facility in Pickerington. They have a dog named Doc and a cat named Leo. In his free time, Andy plays trumpet, walks his dog, takes orders from his cat, and watches and reads anything from the Star Wars universe.

Gwen is passionate about ancient and personal storytelling and queer theology. She strives to be intentionally inclusive and anti-racist while creating safe spaces for all ages. During her childhood, she learned the importance of faith education by volunteering with her mom at church. Gwen graduated with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Youth Ministry from Oral Roberts University. Gwen earned their Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Ohio Dominican University. Gwen, and her wife, Felicia, have been members of King Ave UMC since February 2015 and Gwen has been on staff since July 2016.

In their staff role, Gwen is responsible for Worship Connections during the 9 am and 11 am services (age 4 to 3rd grade), Godly Play, Chrysalis Club for 4th & 5th graders, and C.O.R.E. Youth Sunday School. She facilitates The FUEL Crew (a discipleship program for grades 4 to 12), and assists with Confirmation classes alongside the associate pastor. Most adults see Gwen when they gives the Children’s Message during the 11 am service.

Gwen is also the director of Kinship Campus Ministry, which seeks to build connections within The OSU campus, reach out to high school graduates, and facilitate meaningful fellowship.

Gwen wants everyone to know that ALL are welcome at King Ave!

Chris has served as King Avenue’s Minister of Music since 1999, continuing the legacy of fine music established by his predecessors.  At the beginning of his tenure, he enjoyed being part of the development of the Morning Blend service, which was inaugurated in 2001.  Other highlights include helping in the selection and installation of the John Paul Buzard Pipe Organ, which was dedicated in 2007; and planning and coordinating special music services with the various ensembles.  Chris previously served as choir director at Broad Street UMC in downtown Columbus.

Chris holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.  He has completed additional studies at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Wesley Seminary and Westminster Choir College in pursuit of his Certification in Music Ministry, which he completed in 2019.  He is a retired elementary music specialist in Dublin City Schools.

Chris’ responsibilities at King Avenue include directing the Blenders ensemble, Handbell choir, Men’s Ensemble and Chancel Choir, as well as assisting in the planning of weekly worship services.  He is the composer of Open Doors, which has served as a gathering song for King Avenue’s worship services since 2001 and has been shared with many other congregations around the country.  He also enjoys writing new hymn texts for special occasions.

In his free time, Chris enjoys cooking, reading and completing house projects.  He considers himself an NPR News junkie. His greatest joy is sharing life with his husband Joe Matessa and twin boys, Eli and Ricky.

He is honored to be in ministry with the amazing staff and congregation at King Avenue UMC.

Amy Ashburn has run the works here at the KAUMC office for the past three years. She’s the go-to Office Goddess who keeps the wheels turning and the machinery humming, all with a few sarcastic and self-effacing comments at the ready in her back pocket. A life-long Columbusite (is that what we call Columbus natives? Really?), Amy is no newbie to the world of office management.  She spent a full quarter of a century managing a dental office, which is especially amazing considering she's eternally 29 years old. Amy also worked as a housewares demonstrator at Lazarus, where she actually got to know KAUMC's very own Jeff Wyckoff.  Small world, isn't it?  As a result of that last job, Amy became the custodian of an absurdly large collection of kitchen tools, but she doesn’t like to rub your nose in it because that's just not the kind of broad she is.  Above all, Amy strives to be the Office Goddess you deserve. Do you need something posted in the church newsletter? Amy’s your woman. Have a question about upcoming events? Ask Amy. Need a smile? Just talk to her.  Bribe her with some Dove or Hershey's products and you've made a friend for life!

Amy joined the KAUMC staff as a part-time Finance Assistant in December 2024, after two years of enjoying retirement and then realizing she wanted more activity. She has quickly learned that there is plenty to do at KAUMC to help out! Amy spent 30+ years between JP Morgan Chase and Huntington banks, utilizing her project and program management skills across various areas. Her favorite things to do outside of work are golfing, playing pickleball, gardening, traveling, watching OSU athletics and spending time with her favorite people - her wife Shannon and her son Aidan, their dogs Hunter and Jersey, and cats Arthur and Oscar.

Bill Meadows was born and raised in Columbus, and graduated from Central HS. He is the proud grandparent of Maggie and Sebastin. In his spare time, Bill likes to read, go to movies, and work on his house. He is proud to serve at King Avenue in his position.

Rhonda grew up in the United Methodist Church and found her home at King Avenue in 2002. Since then, she has been deeply involved in many areas of church life especially the music ministry, where she sings in both the Chancel Choir and the Blenders ensemble. Over the years, she has also participated in a wide variety of ministries and programs, including the King Avenue Players, a mission trip to Mexico, Storytellers, Rainbow Connections, Women’s Walk to Emmaus, and numerous faith formation classes.

What Rhonda values most about King Avenue is its commitment to welcoming all people. She is grateful to worship authentically and fully alongside her wife, Susan. Beyond King Avenue, Rhonda is a retired Technology Learning Coach from Dublin City Schools and now enjoys volunteering as a Docent at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Rhonda’s role as Director of Online Ministries grew out of her involvement on a committee formed in 2009 to explore a new website editing platform for the church. Through that experience, she felt called to apply for the position that eventually emerged. In this role, she helps communicate not only with the congregation, but also with the broader community. Through the church’s website and social media presence, she works to reflect who King Avenue is and what it stands for. Rhonda considers it an honor to be part of a ministry with such meaningful impact.