You can reach the church at 731-422-6558, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Gary Morse, Pastor. Pastor Gary was born and raised in Jackson, TN, graduating from Jackson High School in 1970. He is married to Donna Sanford Morse and they have two children: Natalie and Stephen.
His education includes: Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Master of Health Care Administration from the University of Mississippi; Master of Ministry from Freed-Hardeman University; Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary; and Doctor of Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary.
Before being called into ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church, Pastor Gary spent 22 years in the field of hospital administration, working in hospitals in Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi. He also served as Administrator at Regional Inter-Faith Association and as Director of Servant Ministries at Northside United Methodist Church in Jackson. In June 2009, he completed his 6th year as pastor of Bemis United Methodist Church.He serves as the Memphis Conference Advocate for Child Poverty Ministries and World Hunger. Pastor Gary is also the Chairman of the Community Advisory Board for the TN Department of Children Services for Madison County.
He describes his passion as 'making circles of Christian love and fellowship that include everyone'
Janette Chaplin, Program Director, moved to Jackson from Jefferson City, Mo. where she served in a similar capacity at the First United Methodist Church there. She grew up in Jacksonville, Ill. and graduated from Illinois College with a B.A. degree in history. She and her husband Paul have two children. She joined the staff at Lambuth Memorial in 1987 and has become known throughout the Memphis Conference as an outstanding and creative children's program planner. She has served on many district and conference boards and committees in the United Methodist Church.
Trish Loyd, Administrative Assistant is a gifted, servant-leader who dedicates her time to helping keep ministry alive by managing the office of the church. Trish is a member of the East-Trinity United Methodist Church in Jackson. She is an active member of the Emmaus Community. We lovingly tell the pastor at East-Trinity that Trish cannot be "hired away" from us, or we'll "write the bishop!"
Betty McKenzie, Organist and Children's Choir Director, grew up in Lambuth Memorial Church. She played the piano for Sunday School in her youth and was taught to play the organ by Miss Irene Tooms, long time church organist. She is a graduate of Lambuth College, 1966, and was an elementary teacher in the Madison County School system. She is now the Librarian at South Elementary. Betty has directed the Children's Choir for 28 years and spends Sunday evening at the church working with the children.
Lisa and Tom Hay, Choir Directors, are both school music teachers. Lisa is the Music Teacher for Highland Park and Lincoln Elementary schools in Jackson and Tom is Band Director in Chester County. They have two children. Tom is a graduate of U.T. Martin with a B.A. in Music Education and has done graduate work at L.A. Tech. Lisa is a graduate of University of Memphis with a B.A. and Master's Degree in Music Education
Thomas Foote, Custodian, is our "guardian angel" for the children in the Preschool. Thomas worked for many years at Lambuth University in the Maintenance Department. His special gifts to the church and preschool are his ability to find problems with our facility before they get too large to handle. He keeps everything here spotless and ready for a "white glove" inspection at all times. Thomas's daughter plays for the University of Flordia Gators women's basketball team. He and Brother John can't wait for Vanderbilt and Florida to play in Nashville so we can go and watch her play. Of course, we'll probably have to sit on opposite sides of the gymnasium.
PreSchool Director
Rebecca McCarver, Preschool Office Assistant, will graduate from Union University with a BSW degree this summer. She is the Administrative Assistant and has Early childhood experience as a former lead teacher at the preschool.
