Staff

Meet Our Staff

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Rev. Dr. Margaret Kutz

Pastor

Pastor Marg was born in Pennsylvania to a family of seven children. She graduated from Clarion University in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education, Wesley Theological Seminary in 1976 with a Master of Divinity Degree, and Virginia Union University Samuel Proctor School of Theology in 2007 with a Doctor of Ministry. She was ordained a deacon in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1974 and an elder in 1977.

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Beginning in 1976 Pastor Marg served as pastor of six United Methodist churches in Virginia including Round Hill in Loudoun County, Trinity in McLean, Sleepy Hollow and St. Luke’s in Falls Church, Wellspring in Williamsburg, and Chester in central Virginia. She retired in 2013 with 39 years of service, the longest serving clergywoman in the history of the Virginia Conference. Since her retirement she has served as interim pastor at St. Stephen’s in Fairfax County (for a year), Brandermill (for 3 months), Pender in Fairfax (for 8 months.), Wesley in Hopewell (for 5 months), and Calvary in Arlington (for 3 months). Her most coveted award is the Harry Denman Evangelism Award which she received in 2008.

Pastor Marg fulfilled her life-long call of teaching in Africa when she went to South Sudan in the fall of 2013 and opened a secondary school, teaching the first five weeks. She continues to work with the Lost Boys of Sudan and Abukloi Foundation, a non-profit in Virginia, in their work to improve the lives of people in South Sudan through education and opportunity. The secondary school she started now has nearly 700 students enrolled.

She has recently published her first book “Nevertheless, She Preached: Story of the First Two Methodist Clergywomen in Virginia.” It is available from Amazon in paperback, Kindle and audio. Proceeds go toward female education in South Sudan and in Virginia. She is currently working on a second book about a clergywoman in PennsylvaniaMarg and Bob have been married for 52 years and have two children and four grandchildren. Marg’s hobbies include gardening, bird watching, walking, reading and art.

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Carina Brackin

Director of Music

Carina Brackin earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts studying with Dr. Timothy Olsen. She spent the following year studying organ at the University of Notre Dame with Dr. Craig Cramer and working at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

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In addition to playing numerous solo concerts including recitals at the Spoleto Festival, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, and Bruton Parish Church, Carina competed in the Quimby/AGO Competition for Young Artists, placing second in the Mid-Atlantic regional competition in 2017. She served as organ scholar for the Royal School of Church Music Carolina Course at Duke University in 2017, the Organist for Main Street United Methodist Church in Kernersville, NC, and Organ Scholar for Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA.

While she was growing up, Carina stayed heavily involved in church choirs and played both fife and harpsichord for Colonial Williamsburg. She became an avid hand bell ringer at an early age and has previously directed thriving handbell program of 54 ringers. In addition to handbells, she has directed a Spanish language choir.

Carina, her husband T.J. and daughter Norah are happy to be part of the Centenary community.

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Lee Covington

Pianist

Lee Covington is a VCU grad, where he studied piano with Landon Bilyeu and composition with Doug Richards. In addition to his duties at Centenary, he works as an accompanist / music teacher at St. Christopher's School, and is a member of the Butterbean Jazz Quartet, a Richmond staple since the early 1990s. Mr. Covington has been a working musician in the Richmond area for over 30 years.

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Laura Nealley

Administrative Assistant

Laura Nealley is our Administrative Assistant. She runs the office and manages the church calendar, newsletter, and many other important things! She has 10+ years of experience in church offices and enjoys the wonderful community at Centenary. She has one husband, two grown children, and one special needs cat.

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Al Richardson

Facilities Manager

Al Richardson is the Facilities Manager at Centenary. He makes sure that Centenary’s members, volunteers, and visitors feel welcome and have a clean and safe environment for our church activities. Al enjoys football, listening to gospel and jazz music, attending Masonic Lodge meetings, and spending time with his family. He is proud of his grandson, who plays professional football with the 2025 Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles. Al is from Richmond, and his favorite thing about Centenary is the way you always feel welcomed with open arms. He likes being able to make people happy and uplifting his homeless friends.

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Melissa Martinez

Sunday School & Nursery

Melissa Martinez has been a Nursery Worker and Sunday School teacher at Centenary since 2010. In her role she educates the children about God and helps them grow in their faith. Her favorite thing about Centenary is the history and the way it feels like a family. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, grew up in Henrico County and attended the Center for the Arts High School for dance. She continues to dance today and also enjoys working with kids in the community through the YMCA.