Rev. Daniel Shanks (He/Him)
Pastor

Pastor Daniel is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and in 2019 he was appointed to Arlington UMC. Pastor Daniel believes that God loves everyone without exception and wants to share the stories of Jesus with others so that we can learn to love and be loved more deeply.
Daniel also has a passion for most things considered “nerdy”. He is a medieval enthusiast and enjoys playing board games with his wife Hannah and son Ezra.
Loretta Brandon (She/Her)
Director of Children and Youth

Loretta Brandon is the Children and Youth Director at Arlington UMC. After receiving her Bachelors of Music Degree from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, she moved to the St Louis area with her husband Jeff and took a music teaching job at The Shirley Green Preschool, Temple Shaare Emeth in Creve Coeur. Loretta and Jeff joined Arlington in 1996. After her two children were in elementary school, Loretta left the preschool for a part time job at Arlington as the Children’s Ministry Director in 2000 and added youth to the title in 2007. She keeps up with her love of music by directing the hand bells, singing in the choir, and teaching music to the Arlington Daycare children. When she isn’t at church, Loretta is working on refinishing furniture, crocheting something, studying Spanish, or at a Cardinals game with her family.
Liz Shuburte (She/Her)
Director of Operations

Liz Shuburte is excited to serve as the Director of Operations at Arlington UMC! She recently graduated in 2024 with her M.Div from Garrett Evangelical-Theological Seminary in Chicago, she is honored to use her gifts to serve with the people of Arlington UMC. She fiercely believes that we are not meant to do life alone, and community is essential to human flourishing.
With her two children, she lives in Wildwood with their kitty, Nova. Outside of work, you can probably find her gardening, knitting/crocheting, or reading an ecclectic variety of books.
Phil Worrell (He/Him)
Director of Music