MEET OUR ELDERS
LISA HAMMERSLA
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
When I’m not at church I enjoy running with my crazy running group, yoga, and generally being outside - especially on a boat in the creeks down in Beaufort (but not camping!). I help things move along at home in the Hammersla household keeping Lee, our three kids, and two dogs in line. I highly value a healthy lifestyle and strive to maintain balance.
Who is your favorite family member?
Favorite family member varies by the hour based on behavior, but generally it’s one of our two dogs.
What is the last concert you attended?
Dave Chappelle
SARA HAZZARD
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH? Spending time with my family, "piddling" (aka shopping and running errands), and being with friends.
Who is your favorite family member?
Can we make this a multiple choice question? If so, my answer is All of the Above...My husband, son, daughter, mom, dad, 3 sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, mother-in-law, father-in-law, 2 sister-in-laws, and 13 nieces and nephews.
What is the last concert you attended?
DOWNTOWN CHURCH's Christmas concert last December!
Gloria Richardson-James
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Read, Walk, Travel, Movies and talking to and visiting with family and friends.
Who is your favorite family member?
My children, grandchildren, so-in-law and daughter-in-law
What is the last concert you attended?
Leon Bridges
David Sloan
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Play. I like to play. Like anything. Be it playing sports, playing music, playing with building stuff, playing with hard questions, playing with ideas, playing around or just playin the fool. I love to play.
It's kinda my thing.
Who is your favorite family member?
Man....speaking of playing with hard questions...
I'll have to say my wife, Mary Lane.
She don't play.
What is the last concert you attended?
Hootie!
JULIE LIVOTI
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
When not at DTC, I like to spend time with my teenage boys and my friends. I love to travel almost anywhere. I like staying active and exercising. I enjoy attending my children’s sporting events and attending Gamecock sporting events. My work helping others brings me joy as well.
Who is your favorite family member? Why?
I plead the 5th.
What was the last concert you attended?
Hootie
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I see God all over in DTC. I see Him at work in the music, the sermons and in each of the smiling faces at worship.
BERT KEMPER
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I enjoy anything outside, especially with friends and family — tennis, golf, soda city, doesn't matter.
Who is your favorite family member? Why?
Favorite family member is a tuffy, love them all but especially fond of my golden/ bassett mix
( Bean )
What was the last concert you attended?
Hootie at Colonial Life !!!!I
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I see God everywhere at DTC, in the music, in the fellowship during interruption, on people's faces when they leave
DONNA WAITES
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I love being with my family, including my two golden retrievers. We enjoy being outside - mountains, beach, lake, etc.
Who is your favorite family member?
My two golden retrievers tie for first place most days
What is the last concert you attended?
It has been so long I can’t even remember!
SARAH SHELL
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I own Fern, a flower shop on Devine St and have 3 kids: Florence, James & Everett. When I'm not swimming in flowers or children, house projects and traveling fill my free time. Brad and I renovated a 1989 Winnebago Warrior and love to take the kids camping in our "Shellebago". Hoping to take it on a Florida road trip, as soon as we can figure out the air conditioning situation.
Who is your favorite family member?
Brad (my husband) has to win this title. He’s my biggest supporter and also he makes pancakes on Saturdays.
What is the last concert you attended?
The Avett Brothers
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
It’s more than just seeing God at Downtown Church, you can feel God here. In our careful consideration of what defines a church and what is required by one (and what isn’t!), we aren’t people to just accept going through the motions. It has to mean something. The service, the music, the programs - they are intentional, thoughtful, and moving.
FRANK MOOD
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I’m retired and spend time reading, playing golf, attending athletic events for my nine grandkids - from baseball to basketball, and one who plays football.
Who is your favorite family member?
I’m too smart to answer this one.
What is the last concert you attended?
Not a big concert goer - James Taylor
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Almost everywhere. In the music, in the sermons, in the warmth and congeniality of the congregation and in our diversity. That was a big attraction to me at DOWNTOWN CHURCH.
HELEN JOHNSON
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I love spending time with my two kids, Pope and Cary, and watching them do their activities. I also love talking to and spending time with my family and friends. My work brings me joy as well - the design aspects of my job are what really keep me going. And I look forward to my workouts - running, biking, barre3, yoga, and tennis.
Who is your favorite family member?
Each family member brings something special and unique into my life, so I could never pick just one!
What is the last concert you attended?
Chris Stapleton and right before that Maroon 5. Both were AWESOME.
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Because DOWNTOWN CHURCH, from its inception, welcomed those who might not otherwise go to church, and embraced those who questioned some assumptions about Christianity, I feel like there is an unspoken understanding among the people of DOWNTOWN CHURCH that we are all accepted, no matter where we are on our spiritual journey. At DOWNTOWN CHURCH, there is a sense that we are all forgiven.
I see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH in this intangible place of acceptance that we who are a part of the church may not have figured out everything in life, but are searching and investing energy in our hearts, minds, and souls to move closer to God.
WES HICKMAN
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
If we're not at church or work, Meghan and I enjoy being tourists in and advocates for Columbia and the Midlands, taking advantage of all the growth and change in the area. We love bringing our families to town, showing it off and doing our best to recruit our nieces and nephews to UofSC. We also love live music and do our best to see as much as possible. When the schedule allows, we'll hit the road for a quick weekend away or extended trip across country or abroad.
Who is your favorite family member?
Pass.
What is the last concert you attended?
It was either Shovels & Rope at The Senate or the Steep Canyon Rangers at Harbison Theater.
Where do you see God at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
God is present throughout DTC. He's in the music that energizes us, in the preaching that motivates us to action and in our commitment to a making a positive impact in the lives of others in Columbia, the Midlands and the world around us.
Mario Melendez
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I enjoy running, biking, and trying to stay as active as possible. Getting older is no Bueno so I’m trying to go full on Benjamin Button. Really enjoy traveling and going to see live concerts in different cities!
Who is your favorite family member?
What a great question! To avoid a hard punch in the arm when I get home I’m going to put down Courtney haha. I love everybody, but Courtney holds that top spot for sure!
What is the last concert you attended?
Oh man! 2020 squashed the few we had planned so I think the last one I saw was Hozier in May 2019 at the Township.