Senior Pastor of North Decatur

Email Patrick

Patrick Faulhaber serves as the pastor at North Decatur United Methodist Church. He received his Masters in Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University after graduating from Pfeiffer University with a degree in Religious Studies. In 2016 Patrick was commissioned as a provisional Elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. His wife Susannah serves as the Director of Nurture and Children’s Ministries at Embry Hills United Methodist Church and is pursuing her license as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She currently serves as the post-graduate Marriage and Family Therapist Intern for Wise Heart Families Therapy in Tucker. Patrick and Susannah have two dogs: Khayli and Benny who keep them thoroughly entertained! Patrick’s hobbies include running, biking, and gardening—essentially anything that gives him an excuse to be outside. You can contact Patrick at patrick@ndumc.org.

Senior Pastor of Missional Partnership

Email Dalton

Dalton Rushing serves as Pastor (and Chief Troublemaker) at Decatur First United Methodist Church and as the Senior Pastor of the Missional Partnership between Decatur First and North Decatur. For more on our exciting partnership between these two churches, visit www.greaterdecatur.org. 

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dalton holds degrees from Memphis University School, Birmingham-Southern College (BA in Political Science and Writing), and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Master of Divinity). In 2013, he was ordained as an elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He serves as a member of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District Committee on Ordained Ministry, an ordination candidacy mentor, an associate secretary of the annual conference, and a teaching supervisor for the Contextual Education program at the Candler School of Theology. In 2015, he was elected a clergy delegate to the 2016 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC.

Dalton’s wife Stacey is also an ordained elder, serving as pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in midtown Atlanta. They have two daughters, Emmaline and Annie, who keep them busy and happy. Dalton’s hobbies include gardening and writing, and he makes the best barbecue in all the world. You can contact Dalton at dalton@ndumc.org, follow him on Twitter at @herevrush, read his blog, listen to his podcast, or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/dalton.rushing.

Minister of Visitation

Email Edrye

Edrye (ed’ree) Maurer is a recently retired, second-career ordained clergywoman. She has lived and served in rural, suburban and urban locations. Throughout her adult life she has often worked with differently advantaged people.

Edrye moved from Michigan to Decatur early in 2017 to be near family. Georgia is the eighth state Edrye has called home. Edrye has skills in using a sewing machine, a library card and a passport.

Office and Communications Director

Missional Partnership Director

Email Alina

Alina joined North Decatur In April 2014 after working in nonprofit communications and fundraising, including eight years at the United Methodist Children’s Home. A life-long United Methodist, Alina grew up in Roswell UMC and is now a member of Eastside UMC. Alina earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Furman University – where she met her husband, Jeff – and Masters of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Alina and Jeff have two sons, Charlie and Caleb. When she’s not in the NDUMC office, you’ll probably find Alina building wooden train tracks with Charlie or getting lost in a book.

Director of SAND Preschool

Email Emily

Emily Howard is the Director of SAND - the School At North Decatur. She came to us in 2011 as a teacher and has 14 years experience teaching preschool. Emily grew up in Atlanta but spent some time as an organic farmer and instructor at UMN in New Mexico. Emily has a B.A. in English and in History and loves the Reggio Emilia approach to education. Her own creativity, coupled with an enthusiasm for a Reggio-inspired approach to teaching, provides an exciting foundation for the programs at SAND. In her spare time, Emily quilts, raises chickens and loves gardening. 

Facilities Manager

Email Alfred

Alfred has been a member of the North Decatur staff since October 1980. Alfred grew up in the city of Lithonia, Georgia along with seven other siblings. He has previously served as youth minister at The Druid Hills Church of God in Christ in Lithonia, and now serves as an assoiate minister and worship leader at The Temple of Faith Church of God in Christ in East Atlanta. He enjoys sharing the good news of Jesus Christ by giving of his Time, Talents and Treasures.

Director of Worship and Arts Ministry

Email Sandra

As the Director of Worship and Arts, Sandra serves as Organist and Director of our Chancel Choir, Men’s Chorus, Contemporary Ensemble, and Handbell Choir. The Worship & Arts ministry seeks to support and create opportunities for using creative gifts in Worship for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Sandra Kirton has served as accompanist for several local, district, conference, and jurisdictional events and was recently selected to serve as Organist and as one of six House Musicians at the 2012 United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa, Florida. Sandra is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts. She has previously served as Director of Music at several Atlanta-area United Methodist churches and most recently served at St. Mark’s UMC in Brooklyn, New York where her husband, the late Rev. Dr. F. Allan Kirton (former GBGM Staff Member) was Senior Pastor. She welcomes all who wish to share their creative gifts in Worship. 

The Table Music Leader

Email Emmanuel

Emmanuel "Chops" Smith is a pianist and vocalist who has been performing professionally since he was 15 years old. He has been playing piano since age 3 and has been trained in classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Chops has performed at various events in music such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival Youth Workshop, the Upward Bound Leadership Conference, 21st Century Leader's Inauguration, and at venues all over the southeast and Atlanta, including Phillips Arena, Spivey Hall, The Rialto Center of the Performing Arts, Dante's Down the Hatch, The Margaret Mitchell House, The Georgian Terrace Hotel, The Georgia Aquarium, Churchill Grounds, The Velvet Note and others. "Chops" Smith has had the pleasure and privilege to perform with many musical artists including Andrea Bocelli, Curtis Fields, Derryl Rivers, and Phil Davis to name a few. Currently, "Chops" is studying Jazz Studies at Georgia State University under the rigorous direction of Kevin Bales and Dr. Gordon Vernick. He currently performs with the Georgia State University Jazz Band and other bands based in Atlanta including his own band, CHOPS.

Executive Minister

Email Tyler

Tyler is United Methodist to his core, originating from both Illinois and Kansas. In June 2015, he graduated with a BA in Religious Studies from North Central College (Chicago, IL). During his undergrad years he also worked with Rockford Urban Ministries and Urban Village Church (Wicker Park). In May 2018, Tyler earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Emory University: Candler School of Theology. He is an avid hiker, a dedicated (though goes at his own pace) runner, and loves meeting for conversation over a cup of coffee. Reach out to him at tyler@ndumc.org.