Church Staff
PASTOR
REV. MICHAEL CANTLEY
Tom’s Creek UMC, Emmitsburg, MD –New Pastor Mike Cantley is “fired up” about the joy of Jesus! Born in Louisiana and raised in Arkansas, Mike Cantley was a professional firefighter and an instructor with the Arkansas Fire Academy before getting “fired up” about Jesus and disciple formation with the local faith community. He served as a Christian Education and Families Minister in Arkansas, work that inspired his coming to Washington, DC to study International Relations at American University and theology next door at Wesley Theological Seminary. His fire department background cultivated a love for peace work and conflict response. Mike became a pastor in 2010 while still in graduate school, long before ordination as an elder in the UMC. He served two consecutive years on delegations to Colombia, South America with Christian Peacemaker Teams. Mike and his wife, Brooke, have three gifted young adult children, Jess, Noah, and Katie. Brooke has grown “a houseful of artistic hearts” and gracious encouragers, and she shares this ministry in many ways. The family inspires Mike’s own passion for art and for completing his music degree in classical guitar. The Cantley’s smallest family member is a little Maltipoo named Rosie. Mike began his pastoral appointment with Tom’s Creek UMC on July 1, and he is excited about what God will do through our community working together to share the goodness of Jesus’ life and Way.
JUDY COLEMAN
Administrative Assistant
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I worked for the Federal government and the private sector starting as a secretary with the US Department of State and ended as a Project Assistant in the private sector. At Tom's Creek I am responsible for the bulletins, church's facility rentals, membership, website, and various administrative duties that are required. I live in Taneytown with my husband and we have four children and three grandsons who live in Maryland, Texas and North Carolina. I feel blessed to be a part of the loving Tom's Creek Church family.
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AMY MESSLER
Pastor of Connections / Newsletter
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CAROL HIPP
Pianist
My family were members of the Arbutus Methodist Church in Baltimore County. My grandmother was a charter member of the church and remembered the first few people gathering to worship in 1906 in a blacksmith shop where benches were placed in the wooden structure on Sundays for Sunday school. By 1917, a proper church was built on Linden Avenue, and it was there where my mother and I worshipped and served the Lord for many years.
At 10 years of age, I began taking piano lessons from a local teacher and enjoyed playing in recitals with other students. As a young teen I began playing hymns and worship songs for the Primary and Junior Sunday School classes. I also assisted teachers by playing musical arrangements for the church Vacation Bible School and Sunday School and I enjoyed singing in the choir.
In 1962 I entered Towson State College to begin my teacher training, I earned credits in several music courses and individual piano instruction as part of my elective program. During two college semesters I accompanied the “Luminaires,” a college vocal music group, in concerts. While in the teaching profession, I also played piano accompaniments and practiced with elementary and middle school students who competed in musical adjudications.
For about 5 years I taught neighborhood children the mechanics of piano and beginner keyboarding skills in my home, also holding small recitals to honor their accomplishments.
After I married, I lived in Howard County, and joined the family church there. I volunteered to play piano to accompany the Sunday school program for the youth, during their opening time before Children’s Church began. Singing in the choir, and establishing and directing a children’s choir, I continued my love for church music and shared the joy of worshiping the Lord with the participants.
After teaching for over 30 years at the elementary and middle school levels, I retired in 2011, and Bill and I found our home in Carroll County joining Tom’s Creek Church that same year.
I continue to enjoy playing piano and the sacred hymns of the church are my favorites. I also enjoy photography, traveling, scrapbooking, sewing, and visiting our children and grandchildren. It is an honor to praise the Lord with music and I thank God that He has led me to be a part of the wonderful fellowship and ministry at Tom’s Creek.