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

Leigh has served as the Music Director at Walnut Grove UMC since June 2001.  She provides leadership to the Worship  Choir (adults), Worship Band, and Hallelujah Choir (children). She leads the music for the weekly Sunday morning Worship Service which hosts a blend of contemporary and traditional singing. 

Originally from the foothills of North Carolina, she has served in several capacities such as organist, accompanist, choir director and singer/soloist for several musical groups. She even served as the pianist for an outdoor campground ministry (with frequent visits from a resident 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

Douglas Bunting is a first-year Master of Divinity student at Duke.  He is fascinated by Scripture, both as a literary masterpiece and as God's word for his people.  Accordingly, Douglas is an inquiring candidate in the Virginia Conference seeking ordination as an Elder.

Douglas loves long, deep conversations about anything, whether it be Scripture, music, or sharks.  He loves walks, musicals, books, cooking. and above all, spending time with his wife.  Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Douglas lives in Durham with his wife, Joanna, and their four cats: Sisko, Sulu, Soji, and Geordi.

Email: DouglasDBunting@gmail.com