Staff
Pastor Holly Nye
Holly leads the Pastoral Team at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church. Her ministry focuses on building communities of learning, prayer, worship, and service
(see Acts 2). She strives to connect the scriptures with daily life, art, culture, and human struggles that we all face. Holly feels privileged to share in life’s most profound moments and transitions with others as we seek God’s presence together.
What are the guiding scriptures in your life and ministry?
✚ Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount
✚ Micah 6, “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
✚ Acts 2:41-47, describing the contagious vitality of the earliest church community;
✚ Acts 10:34-48, where Peter and others discover that “God shows no partiality,” that God’s grace and God’s Spirit are universal, available to all.
What is your favorite hymn?
Gather Us In by Marty Haugen. The final stanza speaks to my faith: Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven light years away, but here in this place the new light is shining, now is the kingdom, now is the day. A close second is You Are the Seed:Go, my friends, go to the world, proclaiming love to all…
What is the history of your ministry?
Holly was ordained as a pastor in 1988 and has pastored churches in New Jersey, Hartford (NY), Saratoga Springs, Burnt Hills, and Albany. She also served for 10 years in the Troy Annual (regional) Conference office, first as Director of Communications and later as Conference Minister. Active in the connectional ministry of The United Methodist Church, Holly serves as a co-chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Upper New York Annual Conference, and was a delegate to 2012 General Conference and Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
Who is in your family?
Holly is married to Ken Williams, a Special Education teacher in Waterford. They have two grown children.
Holly leads the Pastoral Team at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church. Her ministry focuses on building communities of learning, prayer, worship, and service
(see Acts 2). She strives to connect the scriptures with daily life, art, culture, and human struggles that we all face. Holly feels privileged to share in life’s most profound moments and transitions with others as we seek God’s presence together.
What are the guiding scriptures in your life and ministry?
✚ Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount
✚ Micah 6, “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
✚ Acts 2:41-47, describing the contagious vitality of the earliest church community;
✚ Acts 10:34-48, where Peter and others discover that “God shows no partiality,” that God’s grace and God’s Spirit are universal, available to all.
What is your favorite hymn?
Gather Us In by Marty Haugen. The final stanza speaks to my faith: Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven light years away, but here in this place the new light is shining, now is the kingdom, now is the day. A close second is You Are the Seed:Go, my friends, go to the world, proclaiming love to all…
What is the history of your ministry?
Holly was ordained as a pastor in 1988 and has pastored churches in New Jersey, Hartford (NY), Saratoga Springs, Burnt Hills, and Albany. She also served for 10 years in the Troy Annual (regional) Conference office, first as Director of Communications and later as Conference Minister. Active in the connectional ministry of The United Methodist Church, Holly serves as a co-chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Upper New York Annual Conference, and was a delegate to 2012 General Conference and Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
Who is in your family?
Holly is married to Ken Williams, a Special Education teacher in Waterford. They have two grown children.
Associate Pastor Doug Mackey
Doug joined the Pastoral Team at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church in July 2018.
Doug is still new to Ministry, being commissioned in 2013 and ordained in 2015. He began this second career in response to God’s lifelong call on his life to serve those in need, to live a life based on the Gospel teaching of Christ and to help build communities that are focused on seeking to lift up those who have been pushed aside and Christ’s justice for all people. Doug tries to live a life informed by those Gospel teachings, such as the stories of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and many others. He is a strong proponent of the UMC tag line of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. At BHUMC Doug will focus on connecting with our Youth and on Community Outreach efforts as we seek to grow our witness to God’s love and our interactions with those beyond our doors.
What are the guiding scriptures in your life and ministry?
✚Matthew 25 – The story of the Sheep and the Goats – Jesus message to each of us that “What you have done (or not done) for the least of these, you have done (or not done) for me.”
✚Romans 12 – a chapter that includes the key concepts that “…we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other…. Love should be shown without pretending. … if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. ….. Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.”
✚Micah 6:8 – “what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
What is your favorite hymn?
Amazing Grace by John Newton. Newton had been a slaver, serving both as a sailor and Captain of Slave ships in the 18th Century. When his life changed and he turned to God, he began to understand that God’s Amazing love and grace were available to everyone, even someone who had done the terrible things he had as a slave trader. This song recognizes that all of us are saved by that Amazing Grace of God, no matter who we are or have been, and that nothing we do can ever repay that gift.
What is the history of your ministry?
Doug spent 30 years in another career, picking up many skills that are proving helpful in his ministry. He returned to school 2009-2013, earning and Master’s of Divinity from Drew Theological School. Over the last eight years he has served a wide diversity of congregations in the Capital Region and Syracuse areas, ranging from urban settings to rural communities. He has also served on a number of Conference and Jurisdictional teams focused on a variety of ministries, including Ministry with Native Americans, Discussions on human sexuality concerns in the Church, Social Holiness, Imagine No Racism and he is a trainer for Safe Sanctuaries. Beyond the church, his ministry has included working with the Methodist Federation for Social Action. While in Onondaga County, he served as a County Commissioner for Human Rights and worked with local groups including the Central New York HIV Care Network.
Who is in your family?
My wife, Sherri, and I are empty nesters with three grown children although we do have our spoiled rescue dog, Maggie, at home. Our youngest child, her husband and their daughter, reside in Schenectady. Our middle daughter, her husband and their son, live in Sumter, SC. Our eldest son and his wife, live in Hamilton, NJ.
Music Co-Director Peter Van Keuren
Pete grew up on Lakehill Road, the only son and 'baby' of a family with three daughters. His father was a choir member and was instrumental in the original construction of BHUMC and his mother often spoke from the church's pulpit as a licensed preacher and helped organize the first Lord's Acre Auction and Fair. He and wife Pat have been married for 40 years. Daughter Nicole, son Jeremy, and grandkids Madelyn and Jack round out the family.
During school, Pete could often be found banging on the keys in the Music Wing. He studied music history, theory and composition while in high school at Burnt Hills and in college in North Carolina. “Upon graduation, I put my four-year degrees in History and Political Science to good work, coming home to join a band! My parents were so proud!”
He continues playing out as a solo artist and as a member of a duo, trio or ensemble. He maintains a website, pvkmusic.com, which includes some of his recordings, song stories, and upcoming appearances. In 1997, Pete released his first recording of original tunes, entitled 'Closer To Home.' He released a second offering of his music, 'Lights In The Distance' in 2013, and continues working on future recordings. In the works is a compilation of music he's written for worship.
He's been a member of the BHUMC choir for years, and, in the nineties, organized Joyful Voices, a casual vocal group. “Working with Jill has been a blessing, for sure. We're both idea people and the music office can become a kitchen of musical ideas cooking! The music program at BHUMC continues to be rich in worship and praise. After all, we are all offering up our praise to an audience of one, our precious Savior.”
Pete grew up on Lakehill Road, the only son and 'baby' of a family with three daughters. His father was a choir member and was instrumental in the original construction of BHUMC and his mother often spoke from the church's pulpit as a licensed preacher and helped organize the first Lord's Acre Auction and Fair. He and wife Pat have been married for 40 years. Daughter Nicole, son Jeremy, and grandkids Madelyn and Jack round out the family.
During school, Pete could often be found banging on the keys in the Music Wing. He studied music history, theory and composition while in high school at Burnt Hills and in college in North Carolina. “Upon graduation, I put my four-year degrees in History and Political Science to good work, coming home to join a band! My parents were so proud!”
He continues playing out as a solo artist and as a member of a duo, trio or ensemble. He maintains a website, pvkmusic.com, which includes some of his recordings, song stories, and upcoming appearances. In 1997, Pete released his first recording of original tunes, entitled 'Closer To Home.' He released a second offering of his music, 'Lights In The Distance' in 2013, and continues working on future recordings. In the works is a compilation of music he's written for worship.
He's been a member of the BHUMC choir for years, and, in the nineties, organized Joyful Voices, a casual vocal group. “Working with Jill has been a blessing, for sure. We're both idea people and the music office can become a kitchen of musical ideas cooking! The music program at BHUMC continues to be rich in worship and praise. After all, we are all offering up our praise to an audience of one, our precious Savior.”
Music Co-Director Jill Zygo
Jillian Zygo grew up right here in Burnt Hills and was raised in the United Methodist Church. She is thrilled to be giving back to this community after living in New York City for six years. Jillian graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre. She is an accomplished singer and performer who has entertained audiences in 49 of the 50 states. Some day she will make it to Alaska! Jillian has years of experience in working with children in the Arts. She was a professional Child Guardian on Broadway and is currently the Education Program Manager at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She has been the Youth Choir Director at the BHUMC for over four years. She is excited to continue to expand youth involvement through praise music. Jillian established and conducts the Cherub Choir, the Youth Choir, and the Voices of Hope Choir. She also enjoys conducting the Chancel Choir and continues to expand her knowledge while collaborating with the talented Pete VanKeuren. Jillian believes that praise music has the ability to bring people together, brighten lives and enhance the worship experience.
Jillian was married to her husband J. Michael in the BHUMC in 2005. They have a witty, spunky and loving daughter named Maizy who was Baptized by Pastor Holly Nye and retired minister Don Washburn in 2015.
For information on our various Music Programs click here.
Jillian Zygo grew up right here in Burnt Hills and was raised in the United Methodist Church. She is thrilled to be giving back to this community after living in New York City for six years. Jillian graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre. She is an accomplished singer and performer who has entertained audiences in 49 of the 50 states. Some day she will make it to Alaska! Jillian has years of experience in working with children in the Arts. She was a professional Child Guardian on Broadway and is currently the Education Program Manager at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She has been the Youth Choir Director at the BHUMC for over four years. She is excited to continue to expand youth involvement through praise music. Jillian established and conducts the Cherub Choir, the Youth Choir, and the Voices of Hope Choir. She also enjoys conducting the Chancel Choir and continues to expand her knowledge while collaborating with the talented Pete VanKeuren. Jillian believes that praise music has the ability to bring people together, brighten lives and enhance the worship experience.
Jillian was married to her husband J. Michael in the BHUMC in 2005. They have a witty, spunky and loving daughter named Maizy who was Baptized by Pastor Holly Nye and retired minister Don Washburn in 2015.
For information on our various Music Programs click here.
Cindy Peterson
Communications Coordinator
Communications Coordinator
Photos courtesy of Sherman Carson. For more information on Sherman's photography, click here to go to his website.