Meet the Heritage Staff 

Pastors 

Rev. Dr. Doug Slaughter - Senior Pastor
Rev. Doug began serving Heritage UMC in July 2005. Ordained an elder in 1979, he has served churches in Illinois; Nebraska; Ogden, Utah; west Denver; and now Heritage UMC in suburban Littleton. His background includes extensive experience in administration and pastoral counseling. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Math from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard, a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies is from The Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver.  He is married to Jan Slaughter, and they have three grown children. Two favorites of Doug are playing with his six grandchildren and chasing golf balls on the beautiful golf courses nearby. Doug can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 245 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Rev. Denise Bender - Associate Pastor
Rev. Denise joined the ministry team at Heritage UMC in September, 2006. She was commissioned a deacon in 2005, and was ordained in June 2008. Denise has an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois; a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado; and a Master of Divinity degree from The Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. She has served churches as a lay person in Louisville, Kentucky and Golden, Colorado where she also served as an associate pastor. Her husband, Mike, is a Civil Engineer with the Division of Water Resources for the state of Colorado. Their four children are grown, and two of them are married and have small children. The four grandchildren take up most of Denise’s free time, except when she is practicing the cello, which is a brand new endeavor.  Denise can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 223 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Church Staff

Karyn Downs - Office Manager  

Karyn has been serving Heritage UMC as the Office Manager since 2005, and joined the congregation in 2001. She has enjoyed participating in the many recent technology updates for the church. She is a Colorado native, and grew up on the Western Slope. The first 18 years of her work life were spent as an aerospace research engineer where she enjoyed getting to “blow things up and set things on fire” on purpose as part of her research. Her husband, Bob, is a graphic designer. Their son and daughter are nearly grown, and they enjoy their two Italian Greyhound dogs. Karyn can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 221 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .










Sharon Neuberg - Church Secretary 
Sharon and her husband, Richard, have been living in the Littleton area for many years.   They have two adult children and two grandchildren whom they love to spend time with.  Sharon can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 222 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
















Dionne Titus - Director of Music, and Chancel Choir Director
Dionne can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 224 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .








Lisa Steward - Youth Ministry Director & Praise Band Director
Lisa began serving as Youth Ministry Director in August 2010, and she has been serving as Praise Band Director for many years. In 2007, Lisa started Spirit YAM (Youth, Art, and Music) at Heritage which is a youth-focused music, arts, drama and worship group that has participated in worship leadership at Heritage UMC over the years. Lisa brings a strong Christian commitment and personal background to her two roles at Heritage UMC. Lisa graduated from the University of Nebraska with a major in Home Economics. While at the University of Nebraska, Lisa played trombone with the University Marching Band. Lisa also plays the piano and guitar and is an accomplished singer. Lisa worked at another Church for 6 years as a music teacher. The most life changing experience for Lisa came when she took the Disciple Bible Study class at Heritage which deepened her faith. The class helped her to define her spiritual gifts and gave her the tools to share those gifts with others. God led her to switch careers from retail and banking to music and ministry. Lisa is a certified early childhood music teacher, and loves working with youth and instilling the love of music in young people. Lisa invites you to come and share your love of Christ and deepen your faith through our youth and music programs. Lisa can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 225 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Terri Godby - Handbell Director
Terri has been the Handbell Director at Heritage UMC since 1993 and a part of the music staff since 2002. She has been active in handbell ringing since 1972. She and her husband, Jim, and their two sons moved to Colorado in 1986, joining Heritage UMC that same year. When Heritage purchased its original 2 octave set of handbells in 1991, Terri became a ringer in the church’s first bell group and then assumed the director position shortly thereafter. Terri directs handbell groups of all ages (2nd graders through adults) including several small ensembles. With the addition of 3 more octaves of handbells and a set of handchimes, this program continues to grow under her leadership and is a viable part of the music ministry at Heritage UMC. Terri can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 229 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .




LeeAnn Miller - Children’s Music Director
LeeAnn came to visit Heritage UMC in 2004 and never left.  She participates in nearly every music group at Heritage, and says she still can't get enough!  LeeAnn has been a teacher for more than 20 years, and is the mom of a wonderful daughter. Sudoku and golf are her favorite escapes from life's stresses, but music and teaching are her life-long passions. LeeAnn can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 230 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .





Regina Garrison - Traditional Worship Accompanist
Regina can be reached at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .







Irina Moreland- Contemporary Worship Accompanist
Irina Moreland was born in Russia where she attended the St. Petersburg Specialized College of Music for Gifted Children (1978-1985). In the following years she earned her Master of Musical Arts with Honorary Diploma from the world famous St. Petersburg State Conservatory (1986-1991). Her Doctor of Musical Arts (eq.) from St. Petersburg State Conservatory followed in 1992-95, as well as post graduate studies at Moscow State Conservatory (1994-1995). In 1996 she began her course of studies in America, entering the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder, where she received her Doctor of Musical Arts in May 2002. In academia, Irina has held the positions of Assistant Professor for the Keyboard Faculty at St. Petersburg State Conservatory; Adjunct Professor for the Colorado School of Mines Choral Department; Graduate Assistant and Accompanist in University of Colorado at Boulder. Recently, she is teaching as Affiliate Professor at Colorado Christian University. Also, she has a Faculty position at University of Colorado at Denver. As a soloist, she has successfully toured in Russia, Ukraine, Canada, England, Ireland, Austria, France and the United States at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York City. She has performed locally as a soloist with Lakewood Symphony, the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, and the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. We invite you to enjoy Irina’s music during worship as she accompanies the Elevation Praise Band on keyboard at our 10:30 am service. Irina can be reached at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Maggie DeFrance - Childcare Coordinator
Maggie can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 226 or via email at or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .


Brian Hornbeck - Sound, Light, & Media Coordinator
Brian can be reached at 303-979-8374 ext. 228 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .






















Marcia Patullo - Building & Grounds Maintenance Coordinator
Marcia can be reach at 303-979-8374 ext. 231 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it