Walnut Grove UMC welcomed Rev. Laura Dunlap as its new pastor as of July 1, 2020.  Rev. Dunlap has been in ministry for over 17 years with experience in a variety of settings.  She is excited to be serving Walnut Grove UMC!  Pastor Laura looks forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit will continue to move at Walnut Grove.  She enjoys preaching and equipping laity to serve in ministry.  In her spare time, Pastor Laura enjoys spending time with family, seeing what new adventures are on her horizon, and gardening.

Email:  ldunlap@nccumc.org

After working with Walnut Grove UMC as a Duke field education intern, Lauren joined staff in August 2024 as Minister of Discipleship.  Lauren works with the youth and children at Walnut Grove, as well as assisting Pastor Dunlap with other pastoral care responsibilities.  Lauren has worked as a nonprofit manager, a music teacher, and had a side career in baking before returning to grad school for her Masters of Divinity (Duke Divinity School, '25).  She is married to Andrew and they have a mischievous dog named Bruno.  

email: discipleship@walnutgroveumc.org

Rev. Daniel Parham has over a decade of ministry service and Christian leadership both in the church and higher education.  He is an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and has faithfully served in higher education leadership roles before his studies at Duke.  Daniel is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School as a Black Church Studies Fellow.  He's dedicated to biblical preaching, spiritual formation, pastoral care, and empowering the Church for impactful and transformative ministry.  In Daniel's spare time, he loves exploring cities, visiting museums, and expanding his lifelong love of Titanic history.

Alejandro is Peruvian and has been living in Durham for two years with his wife, Fiorella.  He is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School and is in the ordination process in the United Methodist Church.  Together, they lead Warmakuna Hope, an organization in Peru that supports children with disabilities and their families.  His pastoral calling arises from the intersection of faith, social justice, and the leadership of the beloved community in transforming lives.

Leigh has served as the Music Director at Walnut Grove UMC since June 2001.  She provides leadership to the Sanctuary Choir (adults), Hallelujah Choir (children) and various instrumental groups. She also leads the music for the  Contemporary Worship Service which includes the Praise Band and Singers. Originally from the foothills of North Carolina, she has served in several capacities such as organist, accompanist, choir director and pianist for a campground ministry (complete with a snake). As a former elementary school nurse in the Orange County Schools, Leigh's favorite part of the job is working with children. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, swimming and taking care of her 2 grandsons as well as her 2 dogs, Petey and Daisy.

Email:  leighmcfalls@gmail.com

Kim joined the WGUMC family in January of 2021. She is the secretary and treasurer of the church.

She is an Orange County native, having spent almost her entire life in Hillsborough. 

She lived in Canada for two years when her parents were missionaries there. 

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She most enjoys time with her 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Email: office@walnutgroveumc.org

Lorraine has served faithfully at Walnut Grove UMC as the organist since 1975. During a portion of this time, she also served as choir director and accompanist.  She is a former middle school music teacher and program coordinator for at-risk children in the local school system. In addition to her musical duties at church, Lorraine is currently a local realtor. One of her spiritual gifts is that of  evangelism and she loves to be a witness to all she meets. She grew up on the family farm in Hurdle Mills near the church with her 3 brothers, one of which is her twin. She has one son, James.    

Email:  lorraineparker53@yahoo.com