Staff | There are many volunteers and ministry leaders at New Light MCC please see the individual groups and ministries to contact these people. The following is a list of official Pastoral staff currently in place. |
 Pastor Rev. Michael Hydes Rev. Michael received his degree in Theology in 2001 from King's College London. Michael was a member of MCC North London for 12 years and undertook his formation process at that church.
In 2002 Michael entered Candidacy for ministry at MCC New York where he ran the Queer Youth homeless shelter and the video ministry. After Ordination Michael became assistant pastor in New York.
Michael came to New Light MCC in November 2004. |
 Lay Minister Charlie Kline My ministry is to visit and pray for anyone in or outside of NLMCC. I feel the Lord uses me to give peace and comfort to those with physical, spiritual, and emotional issues through listening and praying with them. I pray that God will use me in whatever way he needs on my journey at NLMCC. It's hard to believe I'm coming to the end of my fifth year as a lay minister. This has been an exciting one in so many ways. I was able to attend my first General Conference in Acapulco, Mexico. It was so good to meet people from all over the world. The worship services, music and workshops were amazing. I then attended our church retreat at Seven Oaks in Virginia. Again, it was a wonderful renewal of mind, body, and spirit. Our church here in Hagerstown continues to grow. It is exciting to see new faces each week. We're anticipating God has great plans for our future. I continue to grow in my walk with God. I am involved in the prayer ministry and a meditation group. Healing the mind, body and spirit with God's blessing is my journey. It can be very challenging but equally rewarding. Keep us in your prayers. |
 Lay Minister Elaine Lyon Elaine lives in Greencastle PA with her partner Crystal and their 2 cats and 1 dog. She has been living in the Hagerstown area since she graduated from Shepherd College in 1985. She has a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. She has been working for Lycher, Inc. for 21 years where she serves as Adult Day Services Coordinator for developmentally disabled adults. She also spends a great deal of volunteer time with two of the individuals she has at the training center. She coaches special olympics as well. Elaine has been a member of New Light since April of 2006. She serves as the food pantry coordinator for the church and participates in many outreach events within the community. She also sings in the choir and is a member of the prayer ministry. |
 Lay Minister Drew Catrow Drew lives in Martinsburg WV with his partner of 9 years Joe, and their cat Goldie, and yes they did really meet on the internet. He works in retail ( Walmart * ) and really loves helping people. He has been a member of New Light for over 2 years now. His ministries include listening to others, the New Light MCC Choir, he also does his best to maintain the New Light MySpace page.
According to Drew, "My walk with God started when I was just a child in school, I've been involved with church music since second grade. It took a long time for me to realize that every one of us is a child of God, there are no strangers, God knew who we were and what we were before we were even born. Finding New Light was the best thing to happen to me. I pray that God will continue to bless this fellowship of believers. It's astounding to see just how much the hand of God has touched our congregation. I am so thankful for all the blessings that have been handed to us. I am so honored to be part of our choir, they are the most marvelous group of people I have had the pleasure of singing with. As the talent grows in our choir, I am so proud of what God has helped us do. Being part of the preachers circle has been something I am really enjoying. When I think back to my childhood, I remember my mother calling me her little preacher, and now I'm getting the chance to really do just that. I really enjoy spreading the inclusive Gospel of Christ!" |
 Lay Minister Colleen Foley This has been a busy year for me. In winter, I answered God’s call for my life, which meant attending Lancaster Theological Seminary. I feel that attending seminary will give me the educational tools that I will need to take the Word to God’s people. I will soon complete my second semester. It has been at times challenging as well as inspirational to work with professors and seminarians as I learn about exegeting biblical pericopes and how to relay God’s inclusive message for us all.
While attending seminary, I am also continuing my work at church :sending out the pastor's email messages to the congregation, participation in our food for friends ministry, and active involvement in our monthly healing service, as well as continuing to serve as a deacon/lay minister. It was a privilege to attend the General Conference last summer, the Size Summit workshop in Washington, DC, and most recently the REVM Retreat where I was given my Ministerial Action Plan (which I will follow in order to become an ordained pastor).
I am thrilled to see New Light’s growth, not only in attendance, but also in our service to those that are not members of our church. I thank God for the gifts that have been given to me and ask for your prayers that I may continue to use these gifts to benefit the members of New Light MCC and the community.
It is my prayer that God will use me to help further the growth of MCC as we become more fully recognized as a Human Rights Church in pursuit of Social Justice. |
 Lay Minister Harold Gress Harold started attending New Light in 1996 and has been a member since 2004. He previously served as secretary to the Board of Directors for 3 years. Harold lives near McConnellsburg, PA on the family farm with his partner Walter and their 4 legged children, Abbey & Bruiser, a high energy border collie and miniature Australian shepherd. He is a member of the Information Systems department at the Fulton County Medical Center and also an adjunct instructor in the Computer Science department at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. He enjoys visiting with family, computers, and paper crafts. |
 Lay Minister Harry Brubaker Harry Brubaker III was born in Utica, New York. Within a year, he was living on his Great Grandparents farm in Central Pennsylvania. While visiting grandparents in Tennessee, he didn’t take his first steps, but rather balanced himself and RAN through the house to his Grandmother Marie who says, “You haven’t stopped yet!” Harry was raised on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania, but western Tennessee felt like a second home. As for church, he was a member of the Church of the Brethren. He graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Harry moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, January 1, 1993. After a short stint with local television station, he worked with Citi Corp for 9 years then began his career with the Federal Government as a Contract’s Specialist with NIAID in Bethesda. Harry resides in the West End of Hagerstown since 1997 and has been restoring the 103 year old duplex and continues his love for agriculture with his gardening skills. His other passions include brewing beer, baking cheesecake, and grilling. He supports several agricultural based groups and LGBT organizations. Harry is currently active in New Light MCC’s Choir, the Preacher’s Circle and since Easter is serving as a Deacon for New Light. |
| .jpg) Lay Delegate Bruce Brooks This year has been a busy one. I attended General Conference and had the honor of representing New Light MCC. Your vote was counted towards the reorganization of UFMCC. I believe our denomination is now better equipped to move forward in spreading the Good News of God's all inclusive love to the world. Thank you for the experience of being at General Conference with friends from NLMCC and people from many other countries. The worship, music and fellowship lifted my spirit closer to God. I am Blessed.
This year has kept me busy in other new ways. I have been attending the Steering Committee and the Building Committee meetings. God is leading us on an amazing, scary and inspiring journey. He has given New Light some bright and dedicated members to help with the changes that growth brings. We are Blessed. As Lay Delegate, I have attended most Board of Directors meeting this year. The members of the Board work hard and have made a commitment to this church's growth and future. We are Blessed. | |
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