Our Staff

Rev. Dr. John Whitley, Pastor Pastor John has a BA in Religious Studies from Florida State University, a Masters from Yale Divinity School, and a Th.D. in Old Testament from Harvard Divinity School. Before moving to Milford, he served as the pastor of Community UMC in Brighton, MA and also has backgrounds in Youth Ministry, teaching, publishing, and writing. “I started following a call to ministry in High School and ended up taking the scenic route. Over the years I developed a passion for learning and discipleship and in my ministry I hope to bring these things together with my love for people. I think that’s how the church moves forward and grows: we love one another, we learn together, we serve together, we pray together—we grow together.” As a teacher John was awarded the Harvard University Certificate for Distinction in Teaching and, as a writer, was awarded the Regional Scholar Award by the Society of Biblical Literature. John has written scholarly article on biblical interpretation for top journals in the field and has worked as an editor for the Harvard Theological Review and for the Theology and Religion department of the academic publisher Walter De Gruyter. John’s wife and three children are his greatest joy and he also enjoys reading, woodworking, and fly fishing. E-Mail Pastor John at pastor@milfordumc.org, Phone: Church (603) 673-2669

Callie-Sue McMahon, Office Staff Callie-Sue McMahon hails from down south (Chelmsford, MA), but has been a resident of Milford for many years. She retired from BAE Systems a few years ago, then transferred her management skills to the MUMC office. Her's is the voice you hear on the church answering machine and the name on the office email address. She has three grown children, two of whom are twin girls, and the third a boy, which gave her a great deal of experience multitasking as they were growing up. All live in the area. In her spare time (what spare time), she enjoys gardening and spending time with her seven grandchildren. Email Office

Carol Rowlette's, Office Staff Carol Rowlette's MUMC connection began early. She was baptized and confirmed here. She did leave the area for a while, then returned to stay. After a number of years in the field of cosmetology, she moved on to work for ADT Security from which she retired. She is married to Cecil who is most often found in the AV room during the 8:30am service. She and Cecil enjoy a lovely blended family (her description ~~ I couldn't improve on that!) of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoys gardening and is active in the church music program, singing in the choir, playing handbells and participating in special concerts. She stated that she loves this church and her church family.Email Church

Germaine Hopkins, Office Staff Germaine Hopkins (Gerrie) is a retired high school nurse who then went on to provide care for her daughter's triplets for a few years. After they became old enough, she moved on to work in the home health care field before she really retired. In addition to the triplets, her son has provided her with five more grandchildren. Both families live in the area. Gerrie is a Stephen Minister and is seen at many MUMC events in one capacity or another. When not fulfilling her MUMC office role, she enjoys reading and cooking. She is active on her condo association board, volunteers at SHARE, and provides taxi service when needed for grandchildren.Email Church

Jennifer Erdody, Organist and Chancel Choir Director Jennifer K. Erdody is the choral director at Milford High School in Milford, NH, where she directs the concert choir and “West Street Beat”, the school’s elite vocal ensemble. She also teaches Voice Workshop and Advanced Vocal Studies. On stage, she has performed the roles of Princess Fiona in the Amherst PTA’s production of “Shrek the Musical”, Rose Smith in “Meet Me In St. Louis”, Laurey in “Oklahoma!”, and Mary Hatch Bailey in Milford Area Players’ “It’s A Wonderful LIfe”. Jennifer frequently works with Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club’s Riverbend Youth Company as a director and music director, her last production being “West Side Story”. She is the director of Merrimack Summer Stage, and served as music director for Ogunquit Playhouse's summer camp as well. In the early winter she directs the Mont Vernon Community Messiah Sing, a long-standing choral tradition. She was named the 2009 New Hampshire Vocalist of the Year by American Mothers Incorporated and 2012 Nashua area Teacher of the Year by the Hippo Press. Jenn also works at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, and was soloist at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Milford. Jenn is a graduate of Boston University, where she studied with Richard Cassilly, and comes from a family of church musicians. Her first job ever was as church organist for a church in her hometown of Wilbraham, MA. Jennifer lives in Milford with her husband and two children. E-Mail Jennifer at Jennkenn2@hotmail.com

LeeAnne Steenhoek, Director of Youth and family Ministries is enthusiastic to join us at Milford United Methodist Church as Director of Youth and family Ministries. A career teacher, she has been a middle-school teacher in the Amherst public schools for 20 years. She taught Spanish for 15 years and English for 5 years, retiring in 2015. Since then, she has served as Director of Christian Formation at Lyme Congregational Church, UCC, for one year and at First Church of Nashua, UCC, for two years. She has received training as a Spiritual Director in “Gateways to God Missional Spiritual Direction Program” through a program sponsored by the United Methodist Church, (Boston University Theology School,) and is also a Reiki Master in both Usui and Shamballa traditions. She holds undergraduate degrees from Keene State College in Spanish and Secondary Education, and a master’s degree in Spanish and Language Acquisition from Rivier University LeeAnne was born and raised in East Granby, Connecticut growing up and confirmed into East Granby Congregational Church, UCC. She is a long-term resident of Mont Vernon, having lived there with her husband Patrick, who taught fifth grade for more than twenty years also for the town of Amherst. Following his retirement, he now does home renovation and handyman work. Also in residence are two beloved dogs, Star and Daisy, and two entitled cats, Luna and Grace. All furry kids are rescues. Their two daughters are both in college. Caroline is a senior at Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Chemistry, and Genevieve is a sophomore at Keene State College, majoring in Mathematics. Both daughters plan to work in outdoor ministry as staff at the Horton Center, UCC in Gorham, NH this summer. In the past, the family has welcomed exchange students and teachers from Columbia, Thailand and Germany LeeAnne loves to watch the sun rise over the ocean, hike, paddle canoes, and spend time in Creation. She also appreciates classical music and campfire sing-alongs, praise music, hymns, and the music of other countries. Through the American Field Service program, she was fortunate to live for a year with a family in Brazil and is fluent in Portuguese. She also studied Spanish abroad while living with a family in the Dominican Republic. LeeAnne also enjoys reading, writing poetry, singing, laughing, and dancing. Spiritual rituals include Ai Chi (Tai Chi in the water), studying devotionals such as Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and “The Center for Action and Contemplation “with Richard Rohr as well as Bible study/book studies with a variety of churches. She believes in a multisensory approach to learning and is always seeking creative ways to grow the Beloved Community. LeeAnne’s personal statement of belief: Ours is a God of LOVE! The Bible is a love story between God and God’s people. God goes before us in all that we do. We have only to ask for God. God is with us: Emmanuel.

Jim Lawler, Sexton Jim Lawler wears many hats! He serves as the MUMC sexton, but has served or is currently serving as a trustee, co-layleader and Stephen minister. As a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam ( 1971-1972) he has an ongoing interest in the needs of veterans. When not at MUMC, Jim will keep your vehicle in good working condition. He is lead technician and service manager at a station not far from Milford. Born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts, he moved to New Hampshire in 1968 and joined MUMC in 1995. He and his wife, Marilyn, have 4 adult children and 3+ grandchildren. He enjoys auto racing, camping, reading and helping people in any way he can.