Biography I grew up in the New York City area, the oldest of four children, and it was while a student at Lafayette College that I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, beginning a journey that led me into pastoral ministry. I attended Eastern (now Palmer) Theological Seminary, and then Princeton Seminary, and through a variety of influences came to the United Methodist Church – not the least of which was my love for the writings and thought of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement. I was ordained and appointed to my first church in Philadelphia in 1988. From 1992 to 2003 I was pastor of the Solebury United Methodist Church, in Bucks County. My days there were blessed by God in many ways, including the chance to lead the congregation in relocating from downtown New Hope to outlying Solebury Township, where we dedicated a new church in 2000.
I have had wonderful opportunities to serve Christ in the Philadelphia region, including as chaplain with the Ocean City (NJ) Tabernacle Association from 1999-2005, and on a variety of boards and service agencies, including, since 2004, the Board of Trustees of the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. I’ve had the honor to serve as a delegate to one General and three Jurisdictional Conferences of the UMC, as well as to the World Methodist Conference of 2006 in Korea. My passions are preaching, teaching and leading the people of God into new visions of ministry for the future. My greatest blessings on this earth are found in my wife Susan, and our three children, Christina, Laura and Timothy.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I love history, and enjoy reading books, digging in old archives, and writing and editing articles for local publications. I've played the trumpet since 5th grade, and today play with a local symphony and occasionally in worship, too. And I spend a lot of time working on renovating our house in Wayne. I also have a dog who likes to wrestle: a 4-year old yellow lab named Sam.
If you could be a famous person who would you be?I can’t think of any famous person I’d want to be, since fame seems to mess so many people up
so badly. I like being who I am – and being able to go to the mall without bodyguards!
The person who has most influenced your life. Many people have influenced me: my parents, who early taught me about the meaning of commitment and dedication to family; my good college friend Jim, who did so much to lead me to Christ; my seminary professor Manfred Brauch, who modeled for me the possibility of uniting both head (learning and scholarship) with heart (passion and vital faith in Christ).
Biography I am the son of a United Methodist Pastor, therefore I am a "PK" a Preacher's Kid. I attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio were I received my
Masters in Theology. I presently live in Upper Darby with my incredible wife and high school sweetheart Bonnie of which we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last July. I am a professional photographer and I enjoy giving of my photography skills to the Church.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies Interests: reading, self-help books, financial books, and astronomy. Pets: two cats one dog. Hobbies: coin collecting.
If you could be a famous person who would you be? Czar Nicholas II of Russia.
The person who has most influenced your life. My Dad.
Biography Growing up Methodist, I’ve been studying piano and singing in choirs since the age of 5. I studied business in college and let music be “the icing on the cake” as recommended by my guidance counselor. With an advanced degree in business, I worked for GE and moved around the country to various GE businesses. In each new location, the church was my family, and I kept sharing my music.
In the early 1990’s, I moved to Rockville, MD, and landed in a church that had no children or youth choirs. I took on the challenge of getting these choirs going, and started my children’s choir career. I sought training through Choristers Guild, attending local workshops and national conferences. I also learned from my peers in the local Choristers Guild chapter, serving as the membership chair, and working to organize a number of children and youth choir festivals.
In 1999, I shifted my focus to teaching music. Trained and licensed by both Kindermusik and Musikgarten, I started teaching early childhood music classes. After moving to Wayne in 2000, and joining Wayne UMC, I became the Director of the Children’s Music Ministry at the church. I continue to share my love of music through my teaching.
Biography I grew up in a small New England village in Connecticut. Our Methodist "church on the green" was at the center of our family's life. A move in high school years brought me to PA for the first time. I graduated from WVA Wesleyan College with and went on to earn my Master's in Education and Theological Studies at Union Theological Seminary in NYC. I continued my studies at Teachers' College at Columbia University in the field of Curriculum Design. I have had the good fortune of serving as the Director of Christian Education for the past 10 years here at Wayne UMC where I enjoy leading children's, family and women's ministries.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I am the mother of 3 grown children: Caroline, an elementary ed. teacher living in South Carolina, Dan, a computer analyst in Chicago and Jon, a pastor in Williamsburg, VA. My hobbies include any and all kinds of crafts as well as reading.
The person who has most influenced your life. Well, other than Jesus through the church, Bible and personal reflection, my Mom.
Biography I was raised in the West Chester area, and graduated from Downingtown High School in 2002. From there I went on to study at Lehigh University, where I earned a degree in History and Economics in 2005. Throughout college I worked at Brandywine Battlefield, giving tours and presenting education programs. Last year I attended Princeton Theological Seminary.
I come from Marshallton United Methodist Church, a wonderful little country church near my home. I was an assistant with the Youth Group there for five years, and a member since the age of twelve.
Rebecca Mills and I have been together for almost two years, and we plan on getting married sometime next year. I am very close with my immediate and church family, have a younger sister, Lauren, and essentially an older brother, my uncle Chip.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I love the outdoors, itís where I experience the Lord. I am an avid sports fan, specifically baseball and the Baltimore Orioles. I enjoy reading, anything remotely historical, swimming at the beach, and a few specific TV shows to which Iím addicted.
My parents have nine cats and a dog (I hope animal control doesnít read this), some of whom I could claim as mine. Rebecca has two adorable Shih-Tzuís, Sadie and Sasha, who are like my daughters.
I collect books.
If you could be a famous person who would you be? Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson
The person who has most influenced your life. I canít really pinpoint one person, but hope Iíve learned something, good or bad, from everyone in my life.
Biography I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Upper Darby. I moved to Wayne 15 years ago. I am married and have two children.
I was raised Catholic but converted to Methodist and have been a member of Wayne UMC since 1990. I joined the Wayne UMC staff in November of 1996. I love the work I do. I feel that this is where God wants me to be. I enjoy being able to interact and help so many people.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I enjoy tinkering with things to see how they work. I enjoy working with my hands to create/build things. My favorite thing to do is read mystery and adventure books. My family enjoys our two dogs, our fish and hamster.
If you could be a famous person who would you be? Della Reese.
The person who has most influenced your life. My life is influenced by all who pass by me.
Biography I am married and have two children, Alicia and Adam. They are young adults so I am in the empty nest phase of my life. I have been a member of Wayne UMC since 1989.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I love to visit Loganton, where I was born. My mother was one of seventeen and twelve of them live in Loganton, so when we visit it is quite a reunion.
If you could be a famous person who would you be? At this time I can not think of a famous person I would like to be. I like being me.
The person who has most influenced your life. My mom and dad.
FRANK LYNCH Building Maintenance & Repair Coordinator
Biography I was born in Evanston Illinois then moved to New York and at the age of 11, I moved with my family to Radnor. I graduated from Radnor High School. I went to Delaware County Community College and West Chester University where I studied music.
I owned my own business for 20 years as a general contractor and carpenter. I play the bass trombone when I can, both in church and recreationally.
Interests/Pets/Hobbies I enjoy sailing whenever I get the chance and my other love is music. (Besides my wife and two step-children of course!) My favorite place on earth is Cape Cod.
If you could be a famous person who would you be? Leonardo DaVinci.
The person who has most influenced your life. There is not "one" person who influenced my life, there are three; my parents Joan and John Lynch and Mr. Glenn Dodson. Mr. Dodson is the retired principle trombone of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
HANNAH BONNER Intern
Biography Hannah Bonner is very familiar with the Philadelphia area, having grown up near West Chester and attended school in Newtown Square. After graduating from Delaware County Christian School in 2001, Hannah traveled down to South Carolina to attend college at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. where she was involved in many different activities from intramural soccer, to running the Universityís orientation program, to working as the schoolís technical manager for concerts. During the summers Hannah worked as the youth ministry intern for Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Thornton, PA, as well as holding down a variety of jobs from pizza waitress to researcher. During her senior year at Furman, Hannah lived off campus in The Vista House, an ecumenical Christian community that served the needs of the campus and community by offering hospitality, a meal, or a discussion to those who came to their doors (http://www.mcfinc.org/vistahouse/). In 2005, Hannah graduated from Furman University with a bachelor of science in Psychology and a concentration in Gender Studies, and moved soon after to Durham, N.C., to begin her studies at Duke Divinity School. Hannah has enjoyed her time at Duke immensely, excelled academically, and grown constantly in her understanding of Godís calling on her life. At Duke, Hannah has been involved in the Internationally Minded People of Faith and has exhibited a passion for understanding and healing racial issues within Methodism and the church at large. When not in the library, Hannah has spent the majority of the past year working at her placement in rural North Carolina, Linwood UMC, or spending time with the family of seven kids that she tutors. On vacations Hannah likes to spend time with her four siblings, and her nieces and nephews. Hannah is excited to continue her process of discernment and learning here at Wayne United Methodist.
