Staff
Pastoral Staff

Joe Burkhardt
Lead Pastor
Joe has been the pastor at Wedgewood United Methodist Church since July 2014. He is married to his wife, Jeanette, and has seven children. Joe has also earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland University.

Ja'Alycia Richmond
Associate Pastor
Ja’Alycia joined Wedgewood UMC and First UMC of Akron as the associate pastor in July 2023. She is joined by her husband Randale and their three children.
Support Staff (Wedgewood)

Cathy Tisch
Administrative Assistant
Cathy became our Administrative Assistant in June 2017.
Support Staff (First Church)

Terri Emmendorfer
Business Administrator

Danielle Witwer
Adult Choir Director
Danielle is the Director of Music for Wedgewood UMC, as well as the Adult Choir Director. She and her two daughters are long time members of Wedgewood.

Carolyn Curtis
Director of Music Ministry & Organist

Sidney Raabe
Organist

James Malone
Custodial Staff

Steve Varga
Praise Band Leader

Richard Seeger
Free Lunch Coordinator

Zach Burkhardt
Technical Support Director
Support Staff (Wedgewood)

Cathy Tisch
Administrative Assistant
Cathy became our Administrative Assistant in June 2017.

Danielle Witwer
Adult Choir Director
Danielle is the Director of Music for Wedgewood UMC, as well as the Adult Choir Director. She and her two daughters are long time members of Wedgewood.

Sidney Raabe
Organist

Steve Varga
Praise Band Leader

Zach Burkhardt
Technical Support Director
Support Staff (First Church)

Terri Emmendorfer
Business Administrator

Carolyn Curtis
Director of Music Ministry & Organist

James Malone
Custodial Staff

Richard Seeger
Free Lunch Coordinator