Senior Pastor | Rev. Dr. Keith Ray II
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. Keith serves as Thesis Director of Doctoral Studies for the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Orange Park, Florida (www.iws.edu), where he guides students in the process of developing doctoral theses in the area of Christian worship.
Pastor 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 Keith 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 previously served on the Board of Directors of Public Education Partners of Greenville County and United Ministries.
Pastor 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 Clemson University; Jonathan and Elizabeth, both students at D.W. Daniel High 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 a US Air Force contracting officer; twenty years in manufacturing management with Square D Company; and 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
Lane Glaze has been the beloved Clemson UMC Wesley Foundation campus minister for 12 years and will be moving to a new conference assignment in late June. Lane has served the students of Clemson University, the members of CUMC, and all the Clemson community with compassion and grace. He and his family will be greatly missed. We wish Lane and his wife, Anne, well in their new assignment. Clemson UMC will welcome Steve Simoneaux as campus minister in July. Look for Steve’s biography in this spot in July.
Pastor of Spiritual Formation | Rev. Megan Augustine
Effective June 26, Pastor Megan will serve in a new position, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, working with Pastor Keith, the staff team, and the congregation of CUMC in strengthening our ministries in the areas of small groups for adults, Confirmation, in the development of a third service with alternative music and liturgy, and through other general pastoral duties.
Pastor Megan grew up on a farm just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (she’s a huge Steelers fan!). Her call to ministry has been influenced by both her local church and a vital campus ministry at Winthrop University where she worked for a time in higher education administration. Megan has served as a pastoral intern in a variety of contexts, including Winthrop Wesley Foundation, Bethany UMC in Summerville, SC, Duke Wesley Fellowship, and Hillcrest Methodist Church, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
She has coordinated multiple mission trips to Haiti and most recently led an international mission trip to L’viv, Ukraine for students in the Duke Wesley Fellowship campus ministry. Megan is a graduate of Allegheny College where she earned a B.A., majoring in French and Political Science. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity school in May 2013. We are excited to welcome Pastor Megan to CUMC. Let us pray for her in these days of transition.
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 2012 Carolyn attended her seventh 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 is the Director of Youth Ministries at Clemson UMC. 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 Children’s Ministries | Marie Oxendine
Marie Oxendine began her position as Director of Children’s Ministry in Oct. 2012. A native of Central, SC, she graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Marie currently teaches 2nd grade at Oconee Christian Academy. She says, “I love children and planning fun God-centered activities for them to enjoy! I look forward to serving your families and please do not hesitate to contact me with suggestions or concerns.”
Financial Secretary | Betty Jane Fourspring
Administrative Assistant | Anne Eldridge
Anne Eldridge began her position as Administrative Assistant in August 2011. A native of Columbia, SC, Anne graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in English and from Berklee College of Music in Boston with a bachelor’s in Music. Anne is married to Mike and they have two children, Lillie and Sam.
Chancel Choir Director | Ann Fuhr
Ann Fuhr received her BS in Music Education from Western Illinois University, her M.Ed from Clemson University, her Choir Master certification through the American Guild of Organists, and her Diaconal Minister of Music in foundational studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she was also a visiting lecturer in worship planning for MSM students.
Ann is a published composer of music for children and youth, and a contributor to the Children’s Leader, Chorister’s Guild Letters, Fellowship of United Methodists in Music, Worship and the Arts, and past President of the South Carolina chapter of Chorister’s Guild. She was guest clinician for the Bay Area Children’s Choir Festival in San Francisco, Chorister’s Guild Youth Choir Festival in Washington DC and conducted the combined church and temple choirs in the Cotton Bowl in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Ann led workshops on Clergy/Staff for the South Central Jurisdictional meetings, on music and worship for national meetings of FUMMWA and Chorister’s Guild, was guest conductor at UM choir camps in Texas, Florida and Alabama. She was guest conductor for the ARP music camps for children’s and middle school choirs.
Ann studied voice with Sherrill Milnes and conducting with Jane Marshall and Lloyd Pfautsch. Ann is glad to be doing what she loves best…music ministry. She is grateful to be a part of the outstanding staff, working alongside talented and dedicated musicians, and for this wonderful worshipping community.
Organist | Trevis Young
Trevis Young began studying piano at age seven and the pipe organ as a sophomore in high school. He is a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with a Bachelor of Arts in music, and Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC with a Master of Music in sacred music.
In the past five years, Trevis has had the pleasure of serving a variety of churches, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist. He is now delighted and blessed to be part of the music ministry at Clemson UMC, and to share his gifts with such a welcoming congregation.
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 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. 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 family going on trips, going to museums, going to the park, and watching movies.
Mother’s Morning Out Director | Amy Rawls
Amy Rawls is the Mother’s Morning Out Director. Amy and her husband, Bryan, have been members of CUMC for fourteen years. They have three children, D.J., Kylie and Andrew. 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.
Little Lights Childcare Director | Redell Reese-DuPree
Little Lights Child Care Sexton | Webster McCauley
Church Sextons | Devoid McCauley & James Williams