Our Staff

Alicia Wood Pastor Alicia was appointed to University United Methodist Church in the summer of 2015. She loves joining the congregation in their commitment to urban and inclusive ministry.  She is proud of the congregation’s involvement and leadership in the newly formed ecumenical Food Center @324 University Ave., the Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition, Reconciling Ministries Network and blended worship (both online and in person). Currently, Pastor Alicia serves the community on the board of the East Genesee Regent Association and board president at Welch Terrace, as a Tri Chair of the Central New York Poor Peoples’ Campaign, through the ACTS Clergy Caucus and Upper New York for Full Inclusion group.  She received her M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology, along with degrees from Onondaga Community College and SUNY Oswego in secondary education. She was a Pampered Chef consultant and is a certified life coach and spiritual coach. Pastor Alicia grew up north of Syracuse, where her parents still live. She is mom to AnnMarie, a 2020 graduate from Le Moyne College as an English major. She has one younger brother and is the best aunt to her niece and 2 nephews.  Her cat, Oreo, still lives with her, attesting to her character as a human companion.

Galyn Murphy-Stanley became our Outreach and Food Center Coordinator in March 2015 and the Executive Director @ 324 in August 2022. Galyn, a Syracuse native and Nottingham High School graduate, has three degrees from Syracuse University: two bachelor’s, one in fine arts and one in Art education, and a master’s in special education. Her past work experience includes being an Education Legal Advocate with Exceptional Family Resources, a Special Ed Teacher in the Syr. City School District and Show/Vendor Coordinator at Syracuse Cultural Workers. She is married to George Stanley Jr., MD, faculty physician at the SUNY Upstate Medical University. They have three children: Aydan, a recent Masters graduate; Brynn, a rising senior at University of Rochester; and Devin, also at U of R is a rising sophomore. Her hobbies include gardening, ceramic work, and caring for her dogs. Additionally, she does case management for the U.S. Department of Labor..

Aimee deBerjeois, our music director and Senior Choir director, joined the staff in October 2017. Aimee has taught music at Pine Grove Middle School in the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District for 18 years. She’s the adviser to the Drama Club and directs two shows each school year. A graduate of Liverpool High School, Aimee earned her degree in music education from Ithaca College. Her music career started in high school when she was the accompanist to the choir at St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale. Her husband, Michael, teaches math at Pine Grove. They have two children. Her spare-time activities include taking walks, reading romance novels and playing the piano.