Rev. Dr. Jenny Smith

Welcome Home! 

These are the words I seek to speak to each new family who’s journey leads to Mt. Carmel. For 14 years now, Jon and I have been blessed to serve among the people of Mt. Carmel UMC. Our church upon a hill has been a sanctuary of hope where we have experienced both the care of warm community and the power of an awesome God. If you are looking for a church home we welcome you to come and journey with us.

I met my husband Jon when his mother, a Methodist pastor, was appointed to my home church in Boonsboro MD. As high schoolers, he played ball and I swam and, together, we discerned where the Lord was leading us. When I was 17, I heard a strong call to go into ministry. This was a surprise to Jon who was looking forward to his years of living in a church parsonage coming to an end. His path led him to the University of MD, where he played in the marching band and earned a degree in History and Secondary Education. I attended Western Maryland College, where I swam for the college team and studied World Religion, Psychology, and Sports Coaching. After graduation, the Bishop appointed me to serve as the associate pastor at Walkersville UMC. The people of Walkersville welcomed me, a 20 year old seminarian, and taught me how to serve among God’s people. While pastoring in Walkersville, I attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and earned a Masters of Divinity. In 2001, Jon and I were married at our home church and we celebrated with family and friends on our family farm in Hagerstown MD.

We were appointed to Mt. Carmel in July of 2003. We moved into the parsonage in Tulip Hill as newlyweds excited to enjoy our new home. Two years later, we were blessed to welcome into our family three adopted children, Christian (now 19), Luis (now 16), and Justin (now 13). They came as little boys full of energy and eager to learn. We are quite humbled by how they are growing into strong and handsome young men. Quite unexpectedly, the Lord chose to add a fourth son to our family. On April 21, 2006 we welcomed Benjamin into the world, followed by Matthew a decade later, blessing us with a remarkable band of brothers.

Coinciding with Matthew’s birth, I was excited to complete my doctorate studies. I received a Doctor of Ministry degree in holistic wellness from Drew University.

These days, our family time is consumed by high school football, YMCA basketball, Four county baseball, theatre, and a whole lot of dirty laundry. In between shuttle trips and chores, Jon and I find opportunities to camp, hike, and search for waterfalls. Travel is also a welcome oasis, especially for me.

I continue to be blessed by the adventure it is to lead the tenacious people of Mt. Carmel UMC and look forward to getting to know you better.

With joy, 

  Pastor Jenny

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Pastor Scott Clawson

Scott acquired his Licensed Local Pastor credentials in the spring of 2012 and entered into full-time ministry in July of the same year. Prior to becoming a full-time pastor, Scott was employed as a licensed electrician for 25 years. He has been blessed with 34 years of marriage to his wife, Donna, who he proclaims "is my rock, my comforter, my encourager, and my sounding board."

Scott and Donna are the parents of three lovely children. Meghan, their oldest daughter, her husband, Jake, and their children, Atticus, Fletcher, and Evelyn who reside in Twenty Nine Palms, CA. Scott and Donna's youngest daughter, Hannah, lives and works in Frederick and their oldest, youngest, and only son, Caleb, is currently enrolled in the graduate program at Messiah College. Scott will tell you he is blessed to have a family that loves the Lord and supports him wholeheartedly.

Who I am

I have a passion for God’s people and to encourage them into a deeper relationship with the creator of the universe. My passion is for all generations, I enjoy the uniqueness of our children and teens discovering who they are and the important plan that God has in their lives. I empathize with young adults and parents who encounter real world problems with each passing moment of their days, and I have a fond heart for the wisdom and challenges of our seniors as they enter into the golden - or not so golden - years of their lives.

In my free time, you can find me most often in a tree stand enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. I love to coerce my family into performing plays in our backyard, and I am continually tearing things out of our house because I have a new idea. One of my greatest pleasures is knowing, at the dawn of each new day, God has someone special for me to “bump” into and that thrills me. My hope is that this special someone will one day be you.

   Pastor Scott

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Rev. Helen Smith

• Married to David for 45 years and together we have had the joy of parenting four                                                   children and grandparenting 11 precious grandchildren: Christopher, who is married                                         to Michelle and the parents of Sarah Beth (11) and Samuel (8) Hannah (6) and Miriam (2); Jonathan, who is married to Jenny and the parents of Christian (21), Luis (17), Justin (15),  Benjamin (12) and Mathew (4); Timothy and his son Wyatt (2); Elizabeth and her daughter Emily (4).

• Grew up in Hyattsville, Prince George’s County, Maryland; attended North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC (BA); Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC (M. Div.); McCormick Theological School (Certificate of Environment Ministry); Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC (D. Min.).

• Ordained Deacon in the NC Annual Conference (1974) and Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference (1976). Retired 2016 and serving as Pastor Emeritus @ Mt. Carmel UMC.

• Served as the senior pastor for four vital congregations in the BWC: Dorsey Emmanuel UMC (1975-1981); Wesley Grove UMC (1986-1995); and Benevola UMC (1995-2009); Calvary-Centennial Memorial Cooperative Parish (2011-2016)

• Served as an associate pastor for Christ By The Sea UMC, Vero Beach, Florida (1982-86).

• Enjoy spending time with family, traveling, sewing, painting, sailing and teaming with God’s people in ministry.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:1-2

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Pastor Helen

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Donna Clawson

Donna is our Church Administrator and can help you with all your questions or direct you to the proper source!

Donna joined the Mt. Carmel staff in 2002. She lives in Frederick with her husband, Pastor Scott. Donn and Scott have three children; Meghan, who lives in Twenty Nine Palms, CA with her husband Jake and Hannah and Caleb who live in Frederick. They also have three amazing grandchildren; Atticus, Fletcher, and Evelyn who live in CA. 

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Donna's favorite pastimes are crochet and reading but spending time with her family is what she likes to do best.

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Kathy Petrill

Welcome to everyone here at Hope Community Preschool!  My name is Kathy Petrill and I am the Director for our preschool.  I look forward to developing lasting relationships that benefit the

church and the education of our children.

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I am a graduate of Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.  My bachelors’ degree is in Early Childhood Education and my masters’ degree is as a Reading Specialist.  I was a public school teacher in Frederick and Washington counties for 16 years.  Before coming to HOPE, I was a preschool teacher for a local church in Hagerstown.

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I reside in Hagerstown with my 2 daughters, 12-year-old, Addy and 7-year-old, Claire.  I love spending time with my family, gardening and going to the beach. 

I look forward to meeting all of the Hope Community Preschool families and having a wonderful year together!

Michele Stine

Michele Stine lives in Frederick with her husband Kenny, 13-year old daughter Nicolina and 6-year old son Kenneth. As a family, they enjoy being outgoing and like to travel together. They are all active members of the Mt. Carmel congregation. Michele teaches the “Let’s Play” program. Michele started the “Let’s Play Today” program for Hope Community Preschool in 2010.

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 Fitness has always been a priority throughout Michele’s career and she is looking forward to motivating children to be active and healthy while having FUN!!!!

Michele served in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police officer and continued in law enforcement as a Maryland State Trooper until retirement. This is Michele's 3rd year working with the Hope After School Program.

Melanie Baugher

Melanie is our Chancel Choir director and pianist/organist.

Randy Granger

I am a local guy who was raised in Frederick County.  My wife, Terry, is also from here and I joke that we are the only two kids who grew up here and never left.  We both have been active at Mt. Carmel for many years.  Our parents, kids, and grandkids keep us on the move.  Terry and I love the beach and spend as much time as possible on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. 

Prior to becoming the Contemporary Music Director at Mt. Carmel, I worked in the electrical industry for 37 years in the Washington, D.C. area and retired in the fall of 2016.  Since retirement, I have been able to focus on keeping the music ministry fresh and relevant.  

My adventure into music ministry started as a chance encounter in a parking lot of another church in the fall of 2000.  A young lady approached me who heard that I played guitar and wanted to start a Contemporary Worship service.  My longtime friend and bassist, Jon Harden, had already agreed to join.  Hastily, I did as well thinking it would only last a few months.  I knew nothing about contemporary music, never listened to it and I was not very deep in faith.  The service was eventually canceled but God was not quite done with me.  A few weeks later, another chance encounter in a grocery store aisle found me face to face with Pastor Jenny Smith.  My music ministry journey moved to Mount Carmel early in 2004 where I became immersed in faith and in the music. 

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It truly amazes me that God still surrounds me with many talented musicians and singers that continually keep me on my toes.  My “few months” of playing contemporary music has turned into years of passion and a life changing experience and I thank Him every day for the gift of music that He has given me.

Randy