Rev. Tim Ward was born in Culpeper, Va. and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. After college he spent two years working as an account executive in the corporate world while serving as a volunteer in youth ministry at The Falls Church, an historic parish in Falls Church, Va. In 2003 Tim joined the staff as the middle school director at The Falls Church. In 2005 Tim married his wife Susan.

Tim joined the staff of Floris United Methodist Church in the fall of 2006 as the Youth Director. Soon thereafter, Tim and Susan had their first son, Jackson, in February of 2007. In the summer of 2008 Tim began working on his MDIV degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. In 2009 Tim and Susan expanded their family with the birth of twins Nathan and Sarah.

Currently Tim serves as one of the associate pastors at Floris UMC. His focus is on the area of discipleship to children, students, and adults.

Melissa Ciavarella is the Children’s Ministry Director aka “Kid Nation!” Born in San Diego, Ca. and growing up in Florida (with a brief stint just outside Buffalo, N.Y.) she has always been a warm weather girl . . . that is, until the Lord called her to ministry in Northern Va. during the blizzards of January 2003. (She is thankful for thick socks, heaters, and layers). After serving at another church in the area, the Lord called her and the gifts He had given her to be a part of the Floris United Methodist Church family. All told, Melissa has over 25 years of experience in ministry, almost 19 of them as a church staff member.

Prior to finding her vocation, she worked in marketing in the tourism mecca of Central Florida, the home of Disney World. She recalls when she first started working with children they called her “Mrs. Cinderella” because her last name sounds similar! Now she goes by Mrs. “C," just to keep things simple. Melissa shares her life with her husband of 30 years and three children.

Melissa joined the Floris UMC staff in August 2011. As the Director of Kid Nation, her responsibilities are vast and diversified, but she doesn’t do it alone. Along with her staff team and incredible volunteers, the responsibilities of running Sunday morning programs, special events, summer camps and partnering with parents in faith development of the children are accomplished. Melissa’s mission can be succinctly summed up as being the “pastor of the congregation of children.” A vocation, not a job, that she is passionately called and committed to.

• Favorite Bible verse: Romans 8:28
• First job: Egg picking, (possibly the most disgusting job I ever had, but after working all summer I bought my first ten-speed bike!)
• Idea of a perfect day: Sunny, not too hot, spent with family taking in the beauty of God’s creation, topped off with preparing dinner together and then eating it. The topping would be a round of Scrabble or really any game . . . I LOVE games!
• Hobbies include: Remodeling, cooking, sewing, gardening, and helping others with projects. She has been described as having “low sedentary tolerance.”

Yasmine Franco is the Childcare Supervisor for the Children's Ministry at Floris United Methodist Church. Yasmine was born in Colombia and she has lived in the United States for more than 35 years. She attended Herbert Lehman College in New York and has a BS in Business Administration. Yasmine is married to Juan, has two children and an adorable dog named Snowflake.

She began working at Floris in May 2011.

•Favorite Bible verse: Luke 6:41-42
•First job: Selling lingerie at Century 21 department store, located by the Twin Towers in Manhattan, NY.
•Yasmine’s idea of a perfect day: relaxing at the beach with her husband, children, and their lovely pet Snowflake.
•Yasmine enjoys playing guitar, singing, writing, capturing the wonders of God through the images of sunsets with her camera, practicing daily the Tai Chi body stretching movements and meditation.