STAFF
CHARLES DALY
PASTOR
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Pastor, Rev. Charles C. Daly, to our church community!
Charles joins us from Epworth UMC in Durham. Prior to Epworth, he served at Mt. Carmel UMC in Manns Harbor, NC. A native of North Carolina, Charles completed his undergraduate studies at UNC before earning his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
During his time in seminary, Charles interned at St. Paul and St. Andrew UMC, co-led a Methodist student ministry on Columbia University’s campus, and taught Sunday school to 70 children as the youth pastor of Tian Fu United Methodist Church. His ministry experience is extensive and diverse, including roles in hospice chaplaincy, dementia care, food pantry management, addiction response, homelessness services, disability services, and music leadership.
Charles brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and dedication to our congregation, and we are excited for the many ways he will enrich our community through his ministry.
You can email Charles HERE>
Zoila airall
accompanist
Elizabeth United Methodist Church holds a special place in my heart, as I was a member for five years while serving as the associate vice president of Student Affairs at Duke University. Your congregation cared for me during my illness and helped restore my soul through prayer. This personal connection fuels my passion to now serve the music ministry. Since my childhood, I have taken piano lessons, taught piano, accompanied musicals, and played in many churches both in the US and abroad.. Nothing brings me more joy than losing myself in music.
As a church organist, I view myself as a servant, with the organ as my tool. My primary role is to facilitate worship for the congregation. This journey begins with the prayerful selection of music in collaboration with the Pastor and Choir Director. My musical talents are dedicated to glorifying God and worship, not for human recognition or art. Practicing and preparation are essential to maintaining joy and excellence as a servant leader in music ministry, and I am deeply committed to this cause.
Currently, I am writing a memoir about how I experienced race, class, and gender discrimination in schools because schools have been the one constant in my life. I have attended schools from Kindergarten at Fort Dix, NJ, to work at Duke University in Durham, NC.
I look forward to sharing and playing music with you to glorify God through our music ministry.
Mitsuki Matsuda
Choir Director
I recently moved to Durham and live here with my husband. With a background in classical music. Since graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, I have dedicated my career to sharing my passion by finding innovative ways to engage communities and supporting others in their educational and professional musical pursuits.
I am grateful to be a part of UMC. Through our music, I hope to help create a space where singers, instrumentalists, and all who gather to listen can feel uplifted, encouraged, and warmly embraced.
Payton Price
ADMIN. ASSistant
I am excited to join the Elizabeth Street community as the new administrative assistant! Some of you may recognize me from attending our monthly free community meals and helping with the monthly free food distribution.
I grew up in the church as a missionary kid in West Africa. I graduated with an MDiv from Duke Divinity School in 2024.
My wife and I have lived in the Old North Durham neighborhood for over three years.