About Rev. Scott Dale Shumaker He is a lifelong United Methodist that believes worship should inspire those who attend to reach out in love, compassion, and service to the community that surrounds the church. He believes that our journey as disciples begins with the understanding that we are called to be lifelong learners of the lessons that we discover through studying and listening to the Word of God.
Rev. Scott is a full elder in the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, who was appointed to the northern part of Baltimore County in 2006. During that time, he has offered Pastoral leadership to Mt Carmel UMC (2006-present), Falls Rd UMC (2006-2020), and Wiseburg UMC (2018-present). He has also served on the Board of Ordained Ministry for the annual conference from 2008 to 2020 and the District Committee of Ministry from 2010 to the present.
Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education Vocal Performance from Frostburg State University in 1991. Before attending seminary, he worked as an assistant manager in the restaurant business and was music director for a church in Cumberland, Maryland. He graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2000 and was Ordained as an Elder in Full Connection in 2003.
Scott and his wife, Tracey, were both born and raised in Western Maryland. They will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on December 7, 2021. They have three sons, Joshua their oldest, Nathan their middle son and Eli their youngest. They have one grandson, Brayden.
Tracey works for Baltimore County Public Schools as a Para Educator and works with students that need additional help. She also directs the Hand Bell Choir at Mt Carmel UMC and she is known for her homemade Jams, Chocolates and Salsa sold at the church’s Holiday Craft Fair.
In his free time, Scott is an avid hiker and has hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania with his youngest son Eli. He also plays the piano and loves to share his gifts of music and teaching the Bible with the community of God’s people.
About Pastor Laurel McNeal She grew up attending a United Methodist Church in Baltimore County. It was there and summer camp where her faith grew. She was involved in many small groups and Bible studies, and it was these experiences that helped her to discover that God’s love and compassion was all encompassing and was still alive today. That even though the Bible was written many years ago, there are still lessons today’s people can learn from it.
Pastor Laurel attended the Community College of Baltimore County before transferring to Towson University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While attending college she worked at Oak Crest Retirement Community in various roles within the dining services department. After her graduation she began working in the Human Resources Department. It was during that time she decided to attend seminary. In 2023, she graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary and was commissioned as a Provisional Elder in the UMC.
Durning her time in seminary, she worked with a cooperative parish of 11 churches in Baltimore and Harford counties. There she had the opportunity to lead Sunday worship and Bible studies. While also having the opportunity to be involved in many different missions, including refugee resettlement, summer tutoring, and multiple food pantries. Working with the different churches allowed her to see that each church has unique gifts and abilities, but that they are all connected by God and can do much more when they are connected.
Pastor Laurel grew up in Essex (Baltimore County), with her two brothers, Jacob and Jonathan. Her parents, Michele and George, took them camping many times throughout the year, always making sure to go to their favorite campground, Cape Henlopen in Lewes, Delaware. There they would fly kites, swim on the beach, and sit around the fire. This is where Pastor Laurel’s love for the beach and camping come from. Growing up her family had a dog, named Chief. Even though Pastor Laurel does not have a pet right now she loves animals, and enjoys spending time with her brothers dog, Hazel.
In her free time, Pastor Laurel likes to camp, explore the outdoors, and spend time with her family and friends. She loves to read and is an avid Harry Potter fan. She also enjoys doing crafts, most recently she has started to cross stitch.