About Our Staff

Dana believes that youth ministry is ministry to youth, of youth and with youth. Her heart's desire as youth director is to guide youth as they grow in their personal relationship with Christ through worship, study, community, service and outreach. She strives to mentor youth to become the spiritual leaders they are created to be and to be actively involved with the mission of our church. Her own personal goal is to love people and love God more and more every day.

Besides youth ministry, Dana is studying for a Masters in Divinity degree in preparation for pastoral ministry. Her gifts are in teaching, seeing God in every day life and creative worship. Dana says “I am married to my best friend, Randy, and love my two young adult children, Cayce and Kyle. I live in my favorite vacation spot, our log cabin in the woods.” Her other interests are Christian mime/clowning, reading and making really hot salsa.

Sherri joined our staff in October 2011 as our Administrative Assistant. She is a life-long member of St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church here in Westminster, and served as St. Ben’s Administrative Assistant for three years. Sherri enjoys spending time with her family, researching history and genealogy, and restoring her family’s farmhouse. Most weekends she and her husband, Kevin, are on a sports field cheering their younger children, Colton, Faith, & Lydia. Adult daughter, Kandice, and granddaughter, Layla, often join them. In her free time, Sherri likes to join Kevin for a motorcycle ride through our beautiful county.

Greta was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, on a small farm, very similar to the farms seen in Carroll County. She attended primary school in Hershey, and graduated from Penn State, Capitol/Middletown Campus, with a Business/Accounting degree. Greta is divorced with no children, but close to her brothers and their families, who still live in the Hershey area.

Greta worked and lived in the Washington DC area for several years, before moving out to Carroll County in 1994. She lives close to Manchester, on an ‘almost farmette’ and am able to keep two horses in pasture. “Four cats live with me as well, and I treasure all my animals for their companionship and ability to make me laugh.”

“I am constantly awed by the beauty and functionality of nature and wildlife, and wish we were better overall stewards of this earth. I enjoy reading all types of literature, sewing and crochet, and am an avid movie fan. I like to travel throughout the US, and have been to several of our wonderful National Parks, but have many more to see.”

Suzanne House has been in Early Childhood Education for 33 years as a teacher and director working at Chestnut Grove Day School, Christian Preschool and Kindergarten, Faith Christian School, and starting Little Friends of Grace Christian Preschool and Crossroads Christian Preschool. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education with continued graduate level course work and training in Early Childhood Education and Administration including Maryland Model for School Readiness.

Suzanne served as President of the Carroll County Early Childhood Educators Association for 5 years and later as their Training Coordinator. She has served on the Carroll Community College Training and Advisory Committee, Educate Empower and Enrich, and the School Readiness Committee. She has been a guest speaker for Early Childhood and Child Development classes at Carroll Community College and McDaniel College.

Suzanne lives in Westminster with her husband Larry and has two children Jennifer and Brian, and four grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking, scrap booking, cooking and reading.

Gary joined the Westminster UMC staff in 2010 as Director of Music. Gary is a life-long United Methodist who attended his first Christmas Eve service with his mother three days before he was born! He has held professional church music positions since the age of 15 at Arnolia, Texas, Fork and Linden Heights United Methodist Churches. He is passionate about using the power of music to bring God’s message of grace and love to all people. Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Towson University. During the week, he is a mathematics teacher at Parkville Middle School. In his spare time, Gary enjoys working on his home, reading and discussing just about anything.

Peggy first came to Westminster United Methodist Church in 1986 with husband Kyler and daughter Leslie. Since that time she has been an active volunteer in the music ministry of the church playing handbells, accompanying choirs at all levels, working chorally with former music director/organist Dee Kinney. Peggy and former WUMC organist Don Horneff perform regularly as a keyboard duo in churches and other venues throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. Peggy is a graduate of Maryville College (Maryville, TN) with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She received a Master of Science degree and administrative certification from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). She is retired from teaching music and as a library media specialist for Carroll County Public Schools. Peggy is a member of Westminster Ringers, a community auditioned handbell ensemble.

Richard has been a member of Westminster United Methodist Church since 1970 and joined the staff a few years ago. He has been teaching 4 year old Sunday school for over twenty years. Dick is a member of and former President of the Carroll County Chapter of the Gideon’s International, a member of the Spring Grove Lions Club and is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers. Helping and serving others is what Dick is all about.

Dick was a grain and livestock farmer with his father for many years. After farming he installed and repaired appliances with his cousins for eighteen years. He is handy and can generally fix about anything. In addition, he served in the National Guard for eight years in the 1960’s and was a head cook for six years and still enjoys cooking to this day.

Dick is married to Barbara, has two children, Barbara Lynn and Jayson, and four grand children. When he’s not working at the church or volunteering there, he’s probably helping someone else with a home improvement or repair project before working around his own house.