August 16, 2023
A Note from Jeff Rone
Hello, HUMC family!
My name is Jeff Rone (he/him), and I am the new Director of Contemporary Music. I will be working with Jody Hepp and Tony Hagood (our new accompanist!) to provide music for the 10:30 service, as well as serving as the worship leader and a member of the strategy team to help us move to weekly worship in Warehouse 839 at 11:15.
I already feel incredibly honored, blessed, and downright lucky to be able to serve at HUMC and I just started at the end of July! Thank you to all who have made me feel so welcome already!
I live in Hilliard and am a single dad with three amazing kids. Eli is starting fourth grade and likes reading, Pokeman, Star Wars, Legos, and Harry Potter. Abby is going into second grade and likes dolls and pretty much all things pink. Jacob is starting Kindergarten this year and is into superheroes, Star Wars, Legos, and making all of the sound effects with his mouth for all of those things!
Journey into Music Ministry
My journey into music ministry started early when I was in 8th grade and I decided I wanted to be a musician. I grew up in Westerville and was very involved in one of the United Methodist Churches there. My immediate family was involved in Emmaus (a three-day Christian retreat for adults) and Chrysalis (the same thing but for youth), and when I turned fifteen I attended my Chrysalis weekend.
After that weekend I wanted to learn how to play guitar so I could lead music for a Chrysalis weekend someday — and that truly is how my music ministry began!
I attended The Ohio State University School of Music as a double Music Education and Vocal Performance major. After my third year, I decided to not complete my performance degree, and after four years I graduated with my Bachelors of Music Education, all the while serving as the Director of Music at a small Methodist church in Columbus.
I began my teaching career as the Director of Choirs at Westland High School the next school year, and it is hard to believe that this week I will be starting my twentieth year in the same position.
I love my school, I love my students, and I love my colleagues! It is truly a remarkable place, and I am simply astounded they have put up with me for so long!
As my experiences in ministry have broadened, I continue to become more and more passionate about worship music that is genuine, God-centered, and participatory.
I believe worship is not something we simply attend as a spectator — it is something we do and experience together!
Love and Acceptance for All
I cannot express just how excited I am to be worshiping with you at HUMC. As a community member, I have admired the love and acceptance this church has for ALL people for many years.
“God loves you… no matter what” is more than just a slogan or phrase muttered from the pulpit every once in a while. I have quickly learned that those six words are really a proclamation to our community. HUMC is hyper-focused on being the church the world needs — one that loves ALL people!
We’re looking for more musicians and singers for the Warehouse 839 band — please reach out if you’re interested.
I am humbled and honored to be a part of this church and am looking forward to experiencing and participating in worship alongside our current congregation, as well as those who join us in the coming days!
Jeff Rone
