Joyce DeNeal, Office Administrator

The welcome that I have found as Office Administrator (since January 2007) mirrors exactly the welcome I had felt since first coming to HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST with my husband Ken almost 9 years ago. 

It is a pleasure to be working with so many people who are devoted to keeping this church as vital, as caring and as special as it is.   

Many will find that me “giving directions” comes natural. It is to be expected when you are the oldest of nine children. Our home is St. Louis, although my brothers and sisters are now spread across the country. Those spots currently include: Texas, California, Maine and Florida. 

Ken and I live right in the neighborhood on Walsh. I love being able to walk to work and often go home for lunch and to let the dogs out to the yard. We share our home (and most of the flat, soft surfaces in it) with two great dogs – Pita, a rescued greyhound and Di Di, a very noisy yet lovable dachshund. We have two daughters and two awesome grandchildren and a great son-in-law. We are blessed that currently they all live nearby. 

Just prior to coming to HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, I had worked seven years for the Great Restaurant Group (Remy’s Kitchen and Wine Bar and Big Sky Café) as a restaurant manager and the wine director. I currently still do some part-time wine education classes at Dierbergs stores and employee training at the restaurants. I find the histories, economics and climates of wine regions and the stories of the wine makers a fascinating study. Ken and I have been able to travel to Italy, France and Canada to experience some of those wine regions first hand. 

Family, garden, travel, and a new study of Extra Virgin Olive Oils and grandchildren are the current focuses of my life. I have been, and continue, to be blessed in so many ways. I have a simple relationship with God. Daily, I pray “Lord, show me the way.” He continues to do so. 

I am here at the office Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with an hour away from 12 – 1 for lunch. During the summer, hours are from 9 – 2 (Memorial Day through Labor Day). It’s always a pleasure to meet church guests and visitors. If you call and I miss you, please leave a message. We are all very attentive to returning messages just as quickly as possible.