Staff
Senior Pastor :: Rev. Dr. Keith Ray
Dr. Keith D. Ray II is senior pastor of Clemson United Methodist Church. He has been a pastor for over 20 years and previously served as Associate University Chaplain and Assistant Professor of Religion at Furman University. Ray also serves as Thesis Director of Doctoral Studies for the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Orange Park, Florida, where he guides students in the process of developing doctoral theses in the area of Christian worship.
Keith is a graduate of Marshall University (B.A., Economics), Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.), and Northern Seminary (Doctor of Ministry in Worship Studies). He has done additional graduate work in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame.
In 2004 Pastor was elected to the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees from the Simpsonville/Fountain Inn area. He served as vice chairman of the board in 2007. He served as chairman of the Board in 2008. He currently serves on the Board of the Alliance for Quality Education, Greenville.
Keith is married to the Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray, Anderson District Superintendent for The United Methodist Church. Together they have three children: Rebecca, a student at the College of Charleston; Jonathan, a student at Daniel High School; and Elizabeth, a student at R. C. Edwards Middle School.
Associate Pastor :: Rev. Patrick Kelley
Rev. Pat Kelley has been an associate pastor at Clemson UMC since 2006. Pat works with pastoral care concerns, senior adults, Little Lights Childcare, Clemson Community Care, Micah ministry and helps support youth and college age ministries. Occasionally Pat teaches, leads small groups and leads worship.
Pat has a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue. He spent four years as an US Air Force contracting officer: Twenty years in manufacturing management with Square D Company; Thirteen years managing a printing business in Greenville before becoming a pastor in 2001. Pat spent part of five summers at Candler School of Theology at Emory University taking a Course of Study for ministry.
Pat and Bonnie have been married for 45 years and have two sons, Sean and Ryan who are members of CUMC. Sean and Josie’s children, Pat and Bonnie’s grandchildren, are Hunter, Raney and Sulley.
Campus Minister :: Rev. Lane Glaze
Director of Adult Ministries :: Carolyn Briscoe
Carolyn Briscoe came to the CUMC Staff in 2000 as Coordinator of Volunteers and in January 2010 was named Director of Adult Ministries. She is the staff liaison to the Outreach and Witness Ministry Teams and the United Methodist Woman. Carolyn assists other groups (Adult SS Classes, committees, etc.) on request. She keeps a record of visitors to CUMC and also keeps the membership records up-to-date.
Carolyn is a graduate of Lagrange College (B.A. in Psychology and minor in Elementary Education), and the University of Georgia (M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Elementary Education). Her teaching career includes experience as a teacher, instructional supervisor, and administrator. In 2007, after 26 years at Clemson University, she retired and became a Professor Emerita in the CU College of Health, Education, and Human Development.
In 2008 Carolyn attended her sixth General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her volunteer service began in a local church and expanded to the District, the Conference, and the General Church levels.
Carolyn has one sister, one brother, two nieces, two nephews and thirteen grand nieces and nephews. The grands “claim” her as a grandmother, a role she cherishes.
Director of Youth Ministries :: Jad Taylor
Jad Taylor - Duke Divinity School Support
Jad Taylor is the Director of Youth Ministries at Clemson UMC and Assistant Campus Minister of the Clemson Wesley Foundation alongside Campus Minister Rev. Lane Glaze. Since joining the staff in the fall of 2008, Jad has loved joining with and guiding the youth in weekly worship and small groups, annual retreats and mission trips and in the experience that being a Christian allows all to experience great joy and healing!
After two college summers working at a camp in Colorado, Jad began to feel that his calling would involve youth in some form. In 2008, Jad graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Biosystems Engineering. Fortunately, his combined experiences and degree have prepared him well for his new life in "Youth Engineering". Jad is excited to continue in ministry with such wonderful families and in the beautiful town of Clemson, SC.
Director of Childrens' Ministries :: Elizabeth Cheezem
Elizabeth Cheezem took on the position of Director of Children’s Ministries in August. Elizabeth works with the Children’s Ministry Team and many other volunteers to coordinate children’s activities, including Sunday School, Children’s Church, Family Storytime, Vacation Bible School, and other special events throughout the year. As part of the church staff, she also works closely with the other staff and the church council.
Elizabeth graduated with a Biology degree from Presbyterian College in 2009, and comes to CUMC from First UMC in Cheraw, SC. She enjoys good food, laughter, and children, and is blessed to have found all three here at CUMC.
Financial Secretary :: Betty Jane Fourspring
Organist :: Linda Dzuris
Linda Dzuris began serving as organist at CUMC in May of 2010. A native of Michigan, Dzuris attended the University of Michigan where she earned the B.Mus., M.Mus., and D.M.A. degrees in Organ Performance and Church Music. She has also participated in study programs abroad, such as the Romainmôtier Summer Institute in Switzerland.
Additionally, Linda is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Performing Arts at Clemson and is the University Carillonneur. Organ and carillon performances have been given across the states and in Europe.
Children's Music Director :: Hope McLaughlin
Hope McLaughlin is the Children's Music Director at Clemson United Methodist Church. She leads the Cherub Choir, for children ages 3 to 1st grade, and the Children's Choir, for children in grades 1-5. Hope is also the pianist at the 8:30 Sunday morning worship service and the assistant organist. Hope and her family came to Clemson UMC in November 2007. Before moving to Pendleton, Hope was the church organist at Central United Methodist Church in Radford, Virginia.
Hope is a graduate of Radford University, where she majored in Elementary Education (PK-6). She taught both kindergarten and preschool in the public school system for 6 years, and at a church preschool for one year. Hope is now a stay at home mom for her two children, Matthew and Jonathan. Matthew is 4 years old and Jonathan is 1 year old. Hope and her husband Joe were married in November 2004. Her husband Joe works at Clemson University in the Office of Institutional Research. They love spending time together as a famiy going on trips, going to museums, going to the park, and watching movies.
Nursery Coordinator :: Amy Rawls
Amy Rawls is the Nursery Director. She has served in that capacity for six years. Amy and her husband, Bryan, have been members of CUMC for fourteen years. They have three children. D.J. is 13 years old and their twins, Kylie and Andrew, are ten. Amy is active in UMW and the new baby ministry. She is also a teacher with the MMO program in the toddler room.
Amy graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree. She worked in business until the twins were born and then became a stay at home mom. In 2004 she was given the opportunity to work with the very young of the church and found her true calling. She enjoys the smiles on the children’s faces and the knowledge that the nursery is the first step in helping a child grow with their love of Jesus and the church.
Little Lights Childcare Director :: Redell Reese
Mother's Morning Out Director :: Linda Gowdy
Linda Gowdy is the director of the Mother's Morning Out program where she has worked since 1998. She and husband John have been members of CUMC since 1971, and she has been a Sunday and Bible school teacher, UMW member, Altar Guild member, and participant in the Shepherd-Lamb program.
Linda is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education. She worked for five years as a school librarian before the birth of her three children---Jeff, Laura, and Emily. She enjoys time spent with family, reading, scrapbooking, gardening, hiking, and trips to the mountains and the beach.
Worship Center/Office Building Sexton :: Lori Burkhart
Little Lights Child Care Sexton :: Webster McCauley
