Reverend Carl King, Senior Pastor

Reverend Carl H. King has served as Senior Pastor of University United Methodist Church since July 2007. Prior to joining UUMC, Carl served as chaplain of Columbia College in Columbia, S.C, and as adjunct professor of philosophy in social ethics at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C.

Carl was ordained as a Deacon in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1997 and as an Elder in 2000. He served appointments as associate minister at Haymount UMC in Fayetteville from 1996 to 1999, and then as chaplain of Methodist College in Fayetteville from 1999 to 2001. 

Carl chaired the North Carolina Conference and Western North Carolina Conference State Commission on Campus Ministry from 1999 to 2000, and was the Chair of Jubilee Voices 2006, a national conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination in The United Methodist Church.

A native of Durham, Carl grew up with Trinity United Methodist Church as his home church. He graduated from Wake Forest University cum laude in 1991 with a major in English, a minor in religion and a transcript that included summer school courses taken at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Carl received the Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in 1995, and a Master of Sacred Theology in art and religion from Yale University Divinity School in 1996.  

Carl and his wife, Professor Stacy King, enjoy outdoor activities and all forms of the performing arts. Stacy is a nationally recognized scholar in behavioral economics, and an award-winning tenured professor at the University of South Carolina. She is spending much of her time conducting research while on sabbatical in Chapel Hill.  

Reverend Suzanne Dornsmith, Associate Pastor

Reverend Suzanne Dornsmith is a native of Tampa, Fla., and grew up as a fifth generation member of Hyde Park United Methodist Church. She received her bachelor's degree at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., her Master’s of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and also did further theological studies at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif.

Suzanne is married to Eddie Dornsmith, who works at UNC. They were married in 1998 and in July of 2007 they welcomed into the world their daughter, Seren Elizabeth Dornsmith.

After serving two small churches in Sauk Centre, Minn., Suzanne joined the staff of UUMC in the summer of 2001. She especially enjoys the rich liturgical tradition that makes UUMC the wonderful worshipping community it is.

In addition to her worship leadership on Sunday mornings, Suzanne spends much of her time in ministry with Pastoral Care, Stephen Ministry, Health Ministries, Missions, Adult Christian Education, teaching and the JOY group.

Tim Baker, Director of the Ministry of Music

The music ministry at University United Methodist Church has been under the direction of Tim Baker since 1989.

Born in California and raised in New York City, Tim attended the famous High School for the Performing Arts and Westminster Choir College of Princeton, N.J., before earning a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Before arriving in Chapel Hill, Tim held similar positions at Presbyterian, Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal churches in Milwaukee, Wisc.; New Brunswick, N.J.; Newport R.I.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.

During his time at UUMC, Tim has seen the number of weekly participants in the music programs increase to more than 150 children, youth, college students and adults. The Children's Choir once performed with Celine Dion at the Smith Center, and the Youth Choir has performed in San Francisco, New York, England and Germany.

While on sabbatical in 2005, Tim studied church music in Iona, Scotland; York, England; and Paris, France. At that time he composed a Hymn Festival commemorating the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley.

Beth Alexander, Director of Education, Children & Family Ministries

Beth Alexander, the Director of Education, Children & Family Ministries, has been on staff at University United Methodist Church since 1995. A native of Greensboro, N.C., Beth moved to Chapel Hill as a junior in high school and graduated from Chapel Hill High School. She earned a degree in intermediate education and has taught kindergarten, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grades. She was on the founding board of the University United Methodist Preschool.

Beth is married to Chapel Hill native Joe Alexander. They moved to Chapel Hill in 1984 from Marietta, Ga., with their three sons Will, Ben and Josh, and joined UUMC shortly thereafter.

Beth loves to play the piano, needlepoint and crochet, read, and spend time with friends and family. Her work includes Christian education and working with infants through 5th graders, as well as their parents and families. She certainly enjoys working with folks of all ages.

Jim McConnell, Director of Youth and College Ministries

Jim McConnell joined the staff at University UMC in the summer of 2007. His responsibilities include overseeing the middle and high school youth groups, as well as coordinating the college ministry.

Jim graduated from Messiah College in Pennsylvania in 2001 with a degree in English and philosophy, and earned his Master’s in Divinity in theology and ethics from Duke Divinity School in 2007. 

Jim’s previous work experience includes service as a group leader and youth counselor in a wilderness treatment center, and a case manager for clients in a transitional housing program. While a student at Duke Divinity School, Jim served internships as chaplain at Camp Chestnut Ridge and as a ministerial intern at Union Grove United Methodist Church. 

A native of York, Pa, Jim grew up within the tradition of the Evangelical United Brethren, which since the denominational merger with The Methodist Church in 1968, is now the “United” in The United Methodist Church.  

Jim’s wife, Emily, is a professional communications manager at a company in Research Triangle Park, where she writes and edits for trade publications. Jim and Emily have a cat and a puppy, and enjoy everything outdoors including camping, hiking, tennis and fishing. Jim can also play any musical instrument with a string on it, including acoustic and bass guitars.