Scott Rimer, Senior Pastor

Scott was appointed as our Senior Pastor on July 1, 2021.  Born in Oklahoma, Scott grew up in Virginia Beach and his home church was Virginia Beach UMC. A graduate of Frank W. Cox High School, he earned his B.A. degree from Virginia Wesleyan College, and his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University. He is an ordained Elder in full connection in the Virginia Annual Conference, and is beginning his 30th year of ordained ministry.


In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife, Vicky, their boys, Ryan and Evan, and a Boston Terrier named Murphy. Scott and Vicky enjoy going to the beach, standup paddle boarding, bike riding, skateboarding, and playing sports with their boys.


Scott has a passion for preaching and leading traditional and modern worship, helping connect people to Jesus Christ by relating the Gospel to today’s living, and for growing the church’s presence in the community.

Teresa Woodworth, Associate Pastor

Originally from northern California, Teresa has a background in American Sign Language and Education with a degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from California State University Fresno. Married to a retired Marine Corps officer, Teresa has traveled and lived in a variety of places, including Okinawa, Japan.


After settling in Chesapeake VA and her husband’s retirement, Teresa began pursuing her call to ministry. She has worked as Director of Children’s Ministry at Ebenezer UMC in Suffolk since September 2019.


Teresa has a passion for justice, connectionalism, missions and creation care. She is enthusiastic about ancient spiritual practices and faith formation for all ages believing in John Wesley’s small group model for making disciples. Some other interests include hiking, family road trips, Star Trek, game nights, Duke basketball, and running half marathons. 


Teresa is married to Zach, and they have three children: Maggie, in college at Mary Washington University, Caleb, 2022 graduate of Grassfield High School, and Lucy a student at Great Bridge Middle School. Six years ago, they rescued Merlin, a 70-pound lap dog, and adopted him into the family.


She graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2020 with a Master of Arts in Christian Practice and became a Certified Candidate for ministry and was approved for licensed ministry in 2021. Teresa will return to Duke this Fall in a Hybrid program pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree. Teresa is excited to be joining the Community UMC family and looks forward to an amazing and fruitful ministry together.

Kristin Rickard, Minister of Congregational Care

My name is Kristin Rickard, and I am excited to be involved with this great church community. My service as Minister of Congregational Care for Community UMC is my second appointment to a church as a lay supply pastor in the Coastal Virginia District.  I am currently a Lay Speaker and beginning the process of ordination.


I am a US Navy transplant, from the shores of Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean, with 10 years of service; I enjoyed the work and it was a privilege to live in parts of the world that many of us don’t get a chance to see in person.  After returning to the States from Cornwall England, the United Methodist Church became the community I didn’t know I was missing and I am truly grateful to serve now.


I spend most of my time with puzzles, books, instrumental music, weaving, and needlework projects. I sing with a couple of well-known area Chorales – I love singing classical music with an orchestra! – and, yes, I am (more than) a bit of a nerd.


My call is live out my faith to the best of my ability and to encourage others to uncover the love story of Scripture so that we can all grow deeper, more personal relationships with Christ as we walk through life together. Not only do I believe that the Bible is more than just an antiquated list of do’s and don’ts, I believe that Scripture can and should influence our lives on a daily basis. Feel free to ask me how.