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Senior Pastor: Dave Palmer
| Email: davepalmer@kentmethodist.org |
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Dr. David A. Palmer has been our senior pastor since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife have three young children.
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Minister of Pastoral Care: Douglas Denton
| Email: denton1969@aol.com |
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Rev. Douglas Denton, serving as Minister of Pastoral Care, has as his primary responsibility visitation of the sick and and the homebound. He, along with the senior pastor, provides spiritual support and counsel to those going through critical, life changing events. Rev. Denton has served churches in both Cleveland and Akron, and more recently worked in the field of child welfare. He is married, has two children and two grandchildren.
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Director of Christian Education & Youth Ministries: Rick Stout
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Rick joined our staff in January, 2006, and brought a strong background in both education and youth ministry. He has a B.A. in Elementary Edcuation from Bethany College and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Malone College. From 1989 to 1993, he taught sixth grade in the Akron public schools, and from 1993 through 2005 he was the physical education instructor for grades two through eight at the Canton Country Day School. He also served for five years as the Youth Director at the Wedgewood United Methodidst Church. Rick couples a strong professional background with a deep Christian faith and a passion for being in ministry to young people. He and his wife, Staci, have four boys, ranging in age from 11 to 20. Rick oversees our entire ministry of Christian education for young people from birth through the twelfth grade.
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Financial Coordinator: Lynnette Begue-Lavery
Lynnette joined the staff in 2004 bringing 15 years of financial and office management experience in both the private and non-profit sectors. With her expertise in data management she has automated and streamlined operations for many businesses, as well as, our business office. Lynnette is a lifetime member with a strong commitment to the growth of the church. She has two adult children, Brandie and Bradley and lives in Kent with her husband, Dan and son, Jared.
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Organist: Mary Ragna Yetter
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Mary Ragna Yetter has held organist and choir director positions in Memphis, TN, El Paso, TX, Cork, Ireland, and most recently Bartonville, IL. She is active as a solo recitalist on organ and harpsichord and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, the Certificate of Advanced Study from the Royal College of Music in London, England, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Memphis. Mary Ragna and her family have recently moved from Peoria to Akron where her husband Erich is on the faculty at the University of Akron. They have three children, Evan 16, Clara, 14, and Jacob, 11.
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Tree City Preschool Director: Judy Dobbins
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With an extensive background in early childhood education, Judy has been the Director for many years of the Tree City Preschool, a church-operated preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children. Judy and her staff serve area students with a carefully developed program to encourage their social, emotional, cognitive, communicative, physical and spiritual growth.
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Secretary: Erica Peeps
Erica, serving as secretary, has the primary responsibility of the day-to-day operations, as well as printed materials and communications. Joining our staff in 2011 she has a Bachelor’s of Science in Technology from Kent State University, and brings with her a wide range of skills to assist with the future development of the church office. Erica is originally from the Dayton area. She relocated here and has been a member of the church since February 2007. She currently lives in Kent with her husband, Craig and two sons.
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Kitchen Hostess: Margie Stahl
Email:
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Margie Stahl has been our licensed Kitchen Hostess since the summer of 1998, having worked as a volunteer since 1986 when she joined the Kent church. With the aid of the United Methodist Women and other volunteer teams, Margie leads meal preparation on a regular basis for the Kent Rotary Club and for numerous church functions.
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Kitchen Hostess: Staci Stout
(Picture unavailable)
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Email:
Staci joined our staff in 2008 serving as Kitchen Hostess. Supervising another team of volunteers, they prepare and serve meals for the Lions Club and other special events.
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Custodian: Tony Russell
Tony has been on staff for over 20 years. He maintains common areas as well as set up for special events. Working closely with the Tuesday group of volunteers and provides kitchen assistance for Rotary and Lions Club.
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Director of Adult Handbell & Contemporary Music Ministries: Tom Pierson
Email:
Tom holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College, with further studies at the Chautauqua Institute and the KSU Blossom Music School. He has over 30 years of experience in church music, music teaching both public and private, theatre, and performance ranging from professional opera to country music.
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Children's Choir Director: Susan Rose
Email:
Sue joined our staff in the fall of 2005 and brings years of experience in children's choirs and music education. She also has an extensive background in children's theatre and continues to work with the children's theatre program through the Kent Parks and Recreation department. Sue leads our Children's Choir for children age four through the fifth grade; the choir sings monthly and also does two musicals each year. In addition, Sue leads the music in our annual Vacation Bible School.
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Director of Youth Handbell : Brad Brode
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Brad joined our staff in September of 2003 when he became the Director of our Youth Handbell Choir, known as the Zamaringers. Brad has a B.M.E from Kent State University and an A.E.E.T from ETI Technical College. He is currently an IT Project Manager with Electronic Data Systems. Prior to switching careers to enter the computer industry, Brad was a Band Director in the Ohio public schools and has always enjoyed working with youth musical groups. Before transferring to our congregation he directed the Tower Bells Adult Handbell Choir.
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Youth Praise Band: Chris Wortman
 Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Chris is currently a senior Music Education Major at Kent State University specifically studying instrumental education and trombone. He has served as the director of the youth choir, Resurrection, for the past 2 years, as well as serving as associate director for New Spirit and Chancel Ringers."
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Senior Pastor: Dave Palmer
| Email: davepalmer@kentmethodist.org |
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Dr. David A. Palmer has been our senior pastor since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife have three young children.
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Minister of Pastoral Care: Douglas Denton
| Email: denton1969@aol.com |
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Rev. Douglas Denton, serving as Minister of Pastoral Care, has as his primary responsibility visitation of the sick and and the homebound. He, along with the senior pastor, provides spiritual support and counsel to those going through critical, life changing events. Rev. Denton has served churches in both Cleveland and Akron, and more recently worked in the field of child welfare. He is married, has two children and two grandchildren.
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Director of Christian Education & Youth Ministries: Rick Stout
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Rick joined our staff in January, 2006, and brought a strong background in both education and youth ministry. He has a B.A. in Elementary Edcuation from Bethany College and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Malone College. From 1989 to 1993, he taught sixth grade in the Akron public schools, and from 1993 through 2005 he was the physical education instructor for grades two through eight at the Canton Country Day School. He also served for five years as the Youth Director at the Wedgewood United Methodidst Church. Rick couples a strong professional background with a deep Christian faith and a passion for being in ministry to young people. He and his wife, Staci, have four boys, ranging in age from 11 to 20. Rick oversees our entire ministry of Christian education for young people from birth through the twelfth grade.
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Financial Coordinator: Lynnette Begue-Lavery
Lynnette joined the staff in 2004 bringing 15 years of financial and office management experience in both the private and non-profit sectors. With her expertise in data management she has automated and streamlined operations for many businesses, as well as, our business office. Lynnette is a lifetime member with a strong commitment to the growth of the church. She has two adult children, Brandie and Bradley and lives in Kent with her husband, Dan and son, Jared.
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Organist: Mary Ragna Yetter
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Mary Ragna Yetter has held organist and choir director positions in Memphis, TN, El Paso, TX, Cork, Ireland, and most recently Bartonville, IL. She is active as a solo recitalist on organ and harpsichord and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, the Certificate of Advanced Study from the Royal College of Music in London, England, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Memphis. Mary Ragna and her family have recently moved from Peoria to Akron where her husband Erich is on the faculty at the University of Akron. They have three children, Evan 16, Clara, 14, and Jacob, 11.
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Tree City Preschool Director: Judy Dobbins
Email:
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With an extensive background in early childhood education, Judy has been the Director for many years of the Tree City Preschool, a church-operated preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children. Judy and her staff serve area students with a carefully developed program to encourage their social, emotional, cognitive, communicative, physical and spiritual growth.
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Secretary: Erica Peeps
Erica, serving as secretary, has the primary responsibility of the day-to-day operations, as well as printed materials and communications. Joining our staff in 2011 she has a Bachelor’s of Science in Technology from Kent State University, and brings with her a wide range of skills to assist with the future development of the church office. Erica is originally from the Dayton area. She relocated here and has been a member of the church since February 2007. She currently lives in Kent with her husband, Craig and two sons.
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Kitchen Hostess: Margie Stahl
Email:
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Margie Stahl has been our licensed Kitchen Hostess since the summer of 1998, having worked as a volunteer since 1986 when she joined the Kent church. With the aid of the United Methodist Women and other volunteer teams, Margie leads meal preparation on a regular basis for the Kent Rotary Club and for numerous church functions.
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Kitchen Hostess: Staci Stout
(Picture unavailable)
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Email:
Staci joined our staff in 2008 serving as Kitchen Hostess. Supervising another team of volunteers, they prepare and serve meals for the Lions Club and other special events.
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Custodian: Tony Russell
Tony has been on staff for over 20 years. He maintains common areas as well as set up for special events. Working closely with the Tuesday group of volunteers and provides kitchen assistance for Rotary and Lions Club.
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Director of Adult Handbell & Contemporary Music Ministries: Tom Pierson
Email:
Tom holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College, with further studies at the Chautauqua Institute and the KSU Blossom Music School. He has over 30 years of experience in church music, music teaching both public and private, theatre, and performance ranging from professional opera to country music.
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Children's Choir Director: Susan Rose
Email:
Sue joined our staff in the fall of 2005 and brings years of experience in children's choirs and music education. She also has an extensive background in children's theatre and continues to work with the children's theatre program through the Kent Parks and Recreation department. Sue leads our Children's Choir for children age four through the fifth grade; the choir sings monthly and also does two musicals each year. In addition, Sue leads the music in our annual Vacation Bible School.
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Director of Youth Handbell : Brad Brode
Email:
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Brad joined our staff in September of 2003 when he became the Director of our Youth Handbell Choir, known as the Zamaringers. Brad has a B.M.E from Kent State University and an A.E.E.T from ETI Technical College. He is currently an IT Project Manager with Electronic Data Systems. Prior to switching careers to enter the computer industry, Brad was a Band Director in the Ohio public schools and has always enjoyed working with youth musical groups. Before transferring to our congregation he directed the Tower Bells Adult Handbell Choir.
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Youth Praise Band: Chris Wortman
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Chris is currently a senior Music Education Major at Kent State University specifically studying instrumental education and trombone. He has served as the director of the youth choir, Resurrection, for the past 2 years, as well as serving as associate director for New Spirit and Chancel Ringers."
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