Meet Our Staff!
Rev. Laura Isaac, Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Donna Clawson, Church Administrator
Kathy Petrill, Hope Preschool Director
Michele Stine, Hope After School (HASP) Administrator and Children's Ministry Director
Melanie Baugher, Music Director
Blessings and Shalom to all of YOU!!!
Romans 1:10-12: 10” asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in
coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some
spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
I am so looking forward to serving together with you for such a time as this. I am excited about all that the Holy Spirit is going to do through us, and in us. In the words of Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood, “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and steer us where you need us to go!
In Excitement, Love, & Joy
Pastor Jay
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
Pastor Laura is excited to have recently joined the Mt. Carmel team in leading our youth and their families. She is originally from Southern California, spent nearly a decade in North Carolina (with a year abroad in the UK) before settling in Maryland. She lives in an old church-converted-home in Knoxville with her husband and two kids.
She has spent most of her career thus far either in chaplaincy or youth ministry. As a United Methodist deacon, she is ordained to word, service, compassion, and justice. When she has the time, she loves to create art and be outside with her family.
Donna Clawson
Church Administrator
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. Donna 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.
Donna's favorite pastimes are crochet and reading but spending time with her family is what she likes to do best.
Kathy Petrill
HOPE Preschool Director
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.
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.
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!
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Michele Stine
HASP Director
Children's Ministry Director
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.
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
Traditional Worship Director
Melanie is our Chancel Choir director and pianist/organist.
Randy Granger
Contemporary Worship Director
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.
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