Our Team

 

Pastor Suzanne is a licensed local pastor through the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. She serves as pastor for Benevola UMC and Salem UMC in Keedysville, MD. Prior to Salem, she served as the associate pastor at Trinity UMC in Frederick, MD. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Shepherd University, a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from Hood College, and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Pastor Suzanne grew up in Keedysville, MD attending Salem UMC most of her life. It was there where she discovered how God was calling her to into leadership to serve the church and the world through ministry. Before answering the call to ministry, Pastor Suzanne taught a variety of English and Communication courses at various local community colleges.

Pastor Suzanne is married to Jeff Jones, and they have a dog named Harlie and a kitten named Gracie. They currently live in Shepherdstown, WV and are avid Ravens and Orioles fans. She is also an active member of the West Virginia Emmaus Community and walked on WV #105. In her spare time, Pastor Suzanne enjoys making crafts, performing William Shakespeare, and can be caught singing with her ukulele.



Teri Baker Administrative Assistant
Teri has served on Benevola's staff since 2010.  She is a native of Washington County and grew up Beaver Creek.  Teri studied Political Science, English, and Paralegal studies at James Madison University, and had a career in paralegal work, which she still continues part-time today, in addition to working on their family dairy farm.  She is married to Brian, and they have 6 sons: Brian, Jonathan, Jamie, Nicholas, Nathan, and Matthew, and they also have 4 grandchildren.  Teri enjoys gardening, reading, cross stitich, scrapbooking, quilting, and crafts.





Ruann George, Music Director/Organist
Ruann is a life-long member of Benevola United Methodist Church.  After earning a bachelor's degree in music education in 1967 from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (Winchester, VA), she began a 33-year career as a middle school band director in Leesburg VA.  She earned a master's degree in the same field, from Shenandoah, while working as a teacher.  She also served as organist/choir director for Leesburg United Methodist Church for 20 years.  After moving back home to the family farm in 1988, she followed in her mother's footsteps by serving as organist/choir director at Benevola UMC.  Ruann is married to Jack, and they still reside on the Newcomer family farm.




Lay Leadership
Administrative Council Chair  Gale Barnes
Lay Leader:  Becky Hein
Staff-Parish Relations Commitee:  Cindy Burtner
Board of Trustees: John Burtner
Worship:  Cindy Stevens
Christian Education:  Nicole Conway
Sunday School Superintendent:  Cindy Stevens
Youth Ministries: Pastor Suzanne Jones
Fellowship & Ministries:  Brenda Embly, Gena Norwood
Mission & Outreach:  Kathy Witman
Assistant Music Director: Judy Green
Social Media Coordinator:  Cindy Burtner