Pastoral Staff
Rev. Carter Grimmett – Lead Pastor
Carter Mansfield Grimmett is the second child of 5 (4 boys, 1 girl). He is married to Toni Harper and has known her all of his life. Toni & her sister were the first children he knew outside of his family. Pastor Carter has 7 children - 4 girls, 3 boys, and 28 grandchildren with 3 great-grandchildren. In basic training, he served the U.S. Army and was awarded Ft. Polk, LA. “The American Spirit of Honor Medal”, by The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for outstanding basic training leadership for his “comrades in arms”. He is a Vietnam Veteran; serving in Military Intelligence Corps for the United States Army Republic of Vietnam (USARV) & Military Assistance, Command Vietnam(MACV). “The Big Red 1” Fort Riley, KS. and Detroit Chadsey H.S. and attended Tuskegee(Institute) University for Social Work. He received his Master's in Social Work at Wayne State University and Cooperative MDiv at Ecumenical Theology Se (Detroit). He attended Methodist Theological Seminary (Ohio), participated in the Detroit West District Leadership training program, and was the MLK Drum Major for Justice award recipient. Pastor Carter is an E.T.S. Co-recipient (partner) for the Outstanding Alumni in urban ministry award for the ministry program “Bridges”. He is trained as an advocate for parents of children with special education evaluation plans, trained in Family Mediation, and has 25 years of motivational speaking to youth and young adults, "How we view, and how we are viewed by others." Antiquarian of a variety of first edition books, primarily, but not exclusively of African-American poets and writers and collects rare comic books, coins, sports cards, and primarily, but not exclusively African American Art.
You can email Rev. Grimmett at cgrimmett@npumc.org
Dale Milford – Associate Minister
Minister Dale and his wife Barbara and daughter Melanie have lived in Farmington Hills for decades. He was originally a member of the NPUMC choir, and a regular biblical storyteller and/or liturgist, volunteering every Sunday in the chancel for almost twenty years - before leaving here to become a Licensed Local Pastor in the Greater Detroit District.
He first served as Pastor at Four Towns UMC in Waterford for four years, followed by a three year appointment as Associate Pastor and then Executive Pastor at Hope UMC in Southfield. Before and since, he has served in a variety of churches in the District.
Currently, Minister Dale also works half-time as Faith-In-Justice Community Organizer with Michigan United – the largest social justice advocacy coalition in the state. One major project coming up in 2024 is a Voter Registration Drive across Michigan.
Previously, he owned and operated Milford Marketing, Inc., a direct marketing service agency, 1983- 2003, with over 120 employees. They served clients across North America, mostly non-profits, in the fields of the Arts, Health, and Education. Locally, they raised $ millions every year for such clients as the Detroit Symphony, the DIA, Michigan Opera Theatre, Detroit Medical Center, Oakland University, U. of D., and Lawrence Tech.
You can email Minister Dale at dmilford@npumc.org
Rev. Monica William – Congregational Care Pastor
Rev. Monica William is an ordained United Methodist clergywoman with 20 years of experience in leading churches to love God and love our neighbor. She has used her preaching and leadership skills to serve four churches, most recently the West Bloomfield United Methodist Church, and is currently the President of the West Bloomfield Clergy-Community Forum and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan, a historic United Methodist Campus Ministry.
She believes deeply in listening carefully, learning from our disagreements, and including all voices at the table, especially in polarized and divisive times. Rev. Monica helps the organizations she serves to move forward with vision and increased capacity to fulfill their missions and is available for preaching, weddings, funerals, consultation, and coaching. She also enjoys making music, running, outdoor adventures, playing games, and watching movies with her kids. She currently lives in West Bloomfield, MI with her three children, two cats, and countless household spiders.
You can email Rev. William at mwilliam@npumc.org