With the vision, mission, and goals that this congregation has chosen to pursue, good leadership is essential.  We are proud, not only of our history of strong lay leadership, but of the professional staff we are so fortunate to have:

• Rev.  Susan Johnson Morrison, Pastor
• Marylu Bunting, Christian Education Director
• John Kramer, Music Director and Organist
• Donna Dempewolf, Student Intern
• Erin Beary, Senior Youth Advisor
• Becky Linton, Children's Choir Director
• Dave Babbidge, Sexton
• Kelly Wiederhould, Temporary Administrative Assistant

“Rev.  Susan is a tireless, dynamic, and inspirational leader who challenges all of us to live up to God and Christ's expectations and to our own individual potentials.  It challenges and excites us!” says the Lay Leader and past Staff Parish Relations Chairperson.

Susan has been in the ministry since 1984, and has been pastor of LUMC since July 1995.  She has been a guiding light as this congregation developed its mission and vision statements.  Since its charter, LUMC has had a proud history of working to make visible God's message of love for all creation.  With Rev. Susan's guidance, we were able to refine our vision, resulting in a more comprehensive, focused, and inspired way to address what we believe are critical issues as we move into the 21st century.  She has also effectively increased the bond between the two very different cultures of Lexington UMC and St. John's Korean UMC, which share the same facility.

Susan has played a significant role in New England's UM Church as Co-chair of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and as three times elected delegate to the UMC General Conference.  She currently serves on Church and Society, Committee on Reconciling Ministries, and Korean Task Force.  She is also on the adjunct faculty at Boston University of Theology.

She is the mother of Nancy, Rebecca, and Jeremy.  Her husband, Jay, has been an excellent contributor to our adult Christian Education program.  His gifts have been truly appreciated.  They're a terrific team!

Rev. Susan has a BA from Wheaton College, M.Ed. from Boston College, and M. Div. from Andover Newton Theological School.

“Jesus said, ‘I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.’  It is with joy that I partner with God to make this vision a reality for all people and creation itself.”

“Marylu is an engaging, bright, and faithful Christian.  We are blessed to have her as our Christian Education Director,” says Rev. Susan Morrison . Marylu comes to us as a third year Ph.D. Candidate in theology, and as a teaching follow at Boston University.  Our Christian Education programs include Sunday School, Youth Group, Young Adults Group, and Adult Education.  She also teams with Rev. Susan and John Kramer in planning for and participating in worship.

She is a candidate for ordained ministry on the Elder track in the United Methodist Church.  Previously she served as a student minister at the United Parish in Brookline, MA, and at Christ Church, United Methodist in Denver, Colorado.

“Marylu Bunting is a godsend to us at LUMC.  She exhibits wisdom and maturity beyond her years, and inspires our confidence in her leadership.  In particular, Marylu shines in her roles as facilitator of the Young Adults and as a teacher in our Godly Play classroom.  We are truly blessed,” says Becky Linton, Christian Education Committee Chairperson.

“My greatest joy is seeing people grow spiritually.  It is a great privilege to sit with our children, youth, young adults, and adults as they ask the deep questions of their lives, and then to empower them to seek their own answers in dialogue with the Christian Tradition.”

“Could there be a more joyful music emanating from the organ in recent years?  I don't think so.  We have a pianist, organist, composer, gardener, hiker, contradancer.  He enriches every minute of rehearsal and Sunday worship services.  We're very privileged to have a musician of John's caliber working with us,” says Carol Phelan, choir member and Worship Committee Co-chairperson.

John Kramer, a highly accomplished young musician, became our organist September 1998, and organist and music/choir director in 2001.  He works closely with Becky Linton, Rev. Morrison, and Carol Phelan to support the music program and worship.  “He has added new appreciation for the Voluntary and Postlude musical openings and closings.  Our congregation actually listens to his wonderful music as if attending a recital!” says Bob Rings, Lay Leader.

John has a BS and MA in Music Composition, and an MFA in Piano Performance.  He has directed musicals (Godspell, Hair, Marry Me a Little) and an all men's choir.  He has composed and arranged numerous works for instruments and choirs.  He averages 75 performances a year, including solo recitals.  He was the orchestral pianist for the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra.  He has worked previously at Churches in Auburn, Maine, and Tiffany, Iowa.

He currently teaches at the South Shore Conservatory and the North Shore Community College.

“It is a great joy to celebrate music and worship at LUMC.”

“It is great to listen to the faith stories of the elderly and the youthful.  It is a joy and honor to praise God in the here-and-now.”

Donna is a 2nd year Boston University student in the Master of Divinity Program.  She has an MA in religion and theology from United Seminary in the Twin Cities, and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.  She has worked at the 3M Company and served on the Board of Directors of Ground Zero, MN, a non-profit peace organization.

“Donna brings the desire to develop her pastoral identity, and Erin engages and has revitalized our Senior  Youth Group,” says Rev. Susan Morrison.

Erin Beary teaches the Disciple curriculum during Sunday School, and is helping the Youth prepare for its Youth Cluster Mission Trip in the Spring of 2002.

“The joy I have experienced in my work at LUMC comes in large part from fielding the REALLY TOUGH questions from the youth at Sunday School!  They ask the same questions on Sundays that I ask my professors at Boston University.  Yikes!  I am also thrilled about the excitement generated surrounding the Spring mission trip, and hope that it will continue to grow.”

“To watch Becky as she instructs the children's choir is to see love in action.  Her musical expertise, joy, and great love for children create a harmonious community for our children,” says Jane Hogan, Senior Choir Member and Administrative Council Chair.

Becky has been our Children's Choir Director since September 1998.  Her responsibility is to help our youngest persons find the love of Christ and Christian ways through the joy of music shared with our congregation.  She is in charge of the Christmas pageant each year.

Foremost to her effectiveness with the children is her skill as an experienced kindergarten teacher.

Becky also has had considerable experience with church music as the Cherub Choir Director in Framingham's UMC and its Vacation Bible School.  She is a member of the Choristers’ Guild.

“Preparing the Christmas Pageant is definitely a highlight of my work each year,” says Becky.

“The Children of LUMC are the joy of my work here.  Their honesty and openness continually inspire me.  One of the greatest blessings in my life has been my interactions with the tapestry of family and friends who love, support, and challenge me.  Sisters and brothers at LUMC are a vital part of that tapestry.”

“We count on Dave Babbidge, sexton, and Kelly Wiederhould, our temporary administrative assistant, to provide the behind scenes support.  Dave handles the maintenance and operations of the our church building, and Kelly manages the administrative details.  Their good work is well appreciated by the congregation,” says Mackie Corson, United Methodist Corporation (UMC) President.   (UM Corporation is composed of LUMC and St. John's Korean United Methodist Church Trustees.)

Since 1996 Dave has been invaluable in managing and implementing preventive building maintenance, which includes upgrading equipment as needed.  Dave is reliable and able to handle a variety of tasks.

Our administrative assistant helps the Pastor, staff, and the Church get things done with business transactions, office assistance, directions, messages, etc.  Other tasks include editing the monthly newsletter, recording membership changes, assisting the corporation by coordinating space usage, and serving as the corporation's secretary.