Staff
Here's a little bit about me. I have a wife and two children whom I’m just crazy about. My family and I have been a part of the Essex community since the summer of 2003 when I was first appointed to pastor Back River UMC. We are glad to still be serving here.
My wife Debbie is a veterinarian at Chadwell Animal Hospital in Abingdon MD. We’ve been married since 1998 and have two kids - Natalie and Evan. We also have two dogs, two guinea pigs and a fish. Having lots of animals is kind of a pre-requisite to marrying a Veterinarian! On those rare occasions we're not serving in the church or caring for our kids and animals, we enjoy time at the beach and in the mountains. We love boating, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing and camping. Oh and we can’t forget Maryland crabs and seafood!
My wife Deb spent most of her time growing up and going to school in North Carolina while I grew up in and around Annapolis, Maryland. I did my undergraduate work at The University of Maryland College Park where I was studying to go on to Veterinary School. However, God turned things upside down on me and I ended up working as a youth pastor in a growing rural church in southern Anne Arundel County while attending Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. With this my life took on a whole new purpose and I'd never be the same!
While I was in seminary, Natalie and Evan were born. I graduated Wesley with a Master’s of Divinity in May 2003 and upon final testing and approval by a United Methodist Board of Ordained Ministry was thereafter ordained a pastor in the United Methodist Church.
My family and I are looking forward to many more years of productive ministry and good friendships here in the Essex area and beyond. Like the people of Back River UMC, we are here to help and to serve. We do this because our faith in Jesus Christ compels us. As Jesus reached out to show God’s love for all people, so we want to be a tangible expression of God’s unconditional love in our community and beyond. We want to help make a difference. Won’t you join us?
Blessings,
David J. Deans, pastor
revdjd@backriverumc.com
P.S. Visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/David_Deans/1258306210
Allan Robinson - Lay Leader
Although I recently became Lay Leader of BRUMC, this is not new to me. I have held this position in the past for over 12 years in my previous church.
I grew up, starting at age 12, in a very small but extremely active community church in east Baltimore. Everyone had something to do or to learn, starting from youth on up and there were plenty of veterans to learn from. I was indeed blessed to be taught and ministered to by many of God’s servants and children. As I stated, it was a very small church so from time to time you wore many hats, so to speak. I think over the next 30 or so years I held every position possible, except treasurer and president of the UMW (although I think I was an honorary member of that group also). Though my days of wearing multiple hats are over, I will do my best to serve BRUMC with all the wisdom and grace of those who took me to their side and mentored me. To God be the Glory.
As for life outside BRUMC, I am the blessed to have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Walter is the Histology Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology, at the University of Maryland Medical Center. His son Tyler is now in middle school. Joshua is studying for his bachelors in marine biology. Shannon is studying for her bachelors in engineering technology. Matthew is studying for his associate’s degree in computer technology. His young daughter Taylor is quite a handful. God does have a sense of humor!
My new addition is a boxer pup named Greta who keeps me busy in my “spare” time. When not at Back River I am busy working for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. I am the Program Services Director for Harford County. Working with the elderly, disabled and homebound as well as the volunteers who help run the program gives me a chance to see God’s children giving back to others. It also gives me a chance, when I am not behind a desk pushing papers, to use my own personal ministry to spread Gods compassion and grace to others in need. I have been blessed to do so for the past 16 years.
In many ways my job with Meals on Wheels ties in with my ministry and position as Lay Leader at BRUMC. I Identify the need for volunteers to serve our clients. I then Recruit the volunteers. I Develop and train them for the task to which they are assigned. I see that they are Deployed with the tools they need. I then in time Evaluate their progress. As time goes on I continue to Monitor them for any problems. That is pretty much what I am to do for you as your Lay Leader – Identify, Recruit, Develop, Deploy and Monitor you for ministry at Back River United Methodist Church. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.
Allan Robinson
Robinson0234@yahoo.com
Hmmm a few words about me, what to say, what to say.... OK, so I am the one with the funny accent and tattoos. I was born in the UK and like to draw and paint on everything from my skin to canvas to furniture. If a surface is available, it is fair game to be decorated! I am many things; Christian, Artist, Wife, Mother, Hypnotist, and lots more I couldn't fit on here.
I like working with the Middle and Senior High youth. I have lots in common with them, but hopefully a tad more wisdom and experience to help guide them. I enjoy sharing what I know about the bible, the world, and life in general through study, chatting and LOTS of playing. If you are a teen I hope to see you at Club God one night SOOOOON, and bring your favorite music.
I grew up in Baltimore County and then spent a few years on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Recently, I’ve moved back to the Baltimore area and found Back River UMC, where I’ve grown in my faith and opened my heart and life to a holy calling. I now believe God is leading me into ordained ministry.
Having a strong desire to connect the members of our church with the needs of our community, I became our church’s Missions Coordinator. This means I help people connect their faith in Christ with serving Christ. Ultimately, it is my job to engage our Christ-followers in various missions that make a holy impact on the world.
If you would like more information about our exciting mission ministries or would like to be connected to one, feel free to e-mail or call me, Jim Wills, at 443-823-9420 or bjw4797@verizon.net.
Hello, I am Margaret Chippendale, Scout Liaison for Back River United Methodist Church. My husband Craig and I have been married for nearly 36 years and we have two grown sons, Chad and Sean.
I have been an active member of Back River United Methodist Church for four years. I love the friends I have made here and the mission of the church. We truly do try “to make a holy impact on the world.”
I am a retiree of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services having spent 35 years working with offenders inside prisons and while in the community.
I hold a B.S. degree from Towson University in Sociology. I have extensive training in leadership development from the Community College of Baltimore Leadership School and the National Institute of Corrections in Longmont, Colorado. I am certified through the American Correctional Association as a Certified Correctional Manager.
In my current position as Manager, Child Advocacy for the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland I work with at-risk and underserved children in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties with P.A.V.E. the Way Baltimore (Project Anti-Violence Education). In this capacity I conduct programming in the schools and community recreation centers on such topics as Bullying, Peer Pressure, Internet Safety, Violence and Incarceration, Gangs, Self-esteem and Conflict Resolution. I also work with children of incarcerated parents and incarcerated female teens by conducting Girl Scout troop meetings with these populations.
My passion in life is to work with offenders and children of incarcerated parents, especially females. My child advocacy work through the Girl Scouts and with the church offers me that opportunity. I believe that is what I have been called to do by God and it is my personal mission.
Charlotte Schmuff - Worship Coordinator
My husband Harry and I have been married for 43 years. In 1969, we transferred our membership to Back River UMC from Homestead Methodist Church where we had attended since our childhood.
I have been Worship Coordinator since 1998 and have enjoyed helping plan for special services, working with those who have decorated the sanctuary for Christmas and Easter and planning with the Worship Team ways to make our worship services as meaningful as possible.
Hello,
As, Lay Member to Annual Conference, I vote on issues concerning the Baltimore-Washington Conference and report back conference business to keep our church informed each year. I am part of our Leadership Council and the Pastor, Parish Relations Committee as well.
I’d like to share the most joyful thing about myself with you. It has been a long journey full of twists and turns to where I am today. Through Jesus Christ, I have come to love God with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. He is the LORD of my life and I try to love as he does.
I am profoundly grateful that I was compelled and attracted to Back River UMC. I came yearning to know God and to find out what it means to have a personal relationship with him. I also came hoping and needing to find a sense of belonging and family. I wanted a warm, comfortable place to worship without any pressure to give money I did not have or do service I was not able to give at that time. I needed to find a trustworthy place for my son to learn about God. I also needed to feel comfortable wearing casual clothes as I did not have “Sunday best clothes”. I have found all that and more!
I love to tell the story of how I was attracted to this church: I had occasion to pass it a few times just as the service was over and people were pouring out of the doors. I noticed that they seemed to be so happy as they laughed and talked on the way to their cars. It would be a few more years before I was ready to come to church, but it was then that I recalled that wonderful memory and came here. It has been twenty-six years ago now. I have felt welcome and unconditionally accepted from that first Sunday. It was not long afterward that I felt loved as well. I have never heard anyone else speak of their church home the way we do of ours. There is something very special about the atmosphere here. The long ago “in-passing view” from the outside looking in to warmth and friendliness has been borne out to be true once I entered. As the hymn says, “there is a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord…”
Yes, come. Please join us. You are welcome to this sanctuary and haven of rest for the world weary. You will be held in the loving embrace of the Spirit and the warm, inclusive hospitality of the people of Back RiverChurch. Since that Sunday in July that my son and I first started attending, some dear ones have passed on, some remain and new ones continue to join us. And, so many still leave the service each Sunday with a sense of happiness and joy having been fed by the warmth of true fellowship and the sweet, sweet Spirit in this place. They leave fortified to begin another week in his strength and are more equipped to face the world by what they have learned in the sermons. And, they carry with them a sense of warmth that takes them through the week until we all meet again the following Sunday. They know they can find opportunity to serve and fellowship throughout the week as well.
I look forward to meeting you and praying with you if you’d like. It is my prayer that you find all you need and more just as I have at Back RiverChurch.
I don’t know your name yet, but you are already in my prayers. I pray for you to be made ready to cross the threshold from the weary world into our sanctuary. And, find peace through Jesus Christ that surpasses all understanding and people that will meet you where you are, just as you are.
In Christian love and fellowship,
Jane Turner
ljturner1@verizon.net
With a last name like Poplovski you are probably wondering how a person raised in the Catholic faith could be envolved with Methodism. I was converted by my lovely wife Ethel who was extremely active in her church as a young person. She also wore many different hats in her church. She was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the United Methodist women and has been a church pianist and organist for over 50 years. I am living proof of that saying, "Behind every successful man is a strong woman."
Although I am active in several areas of my church ministries, I have two areas in which I have a great passion. One is working with figures and although I am relatively a new member at Back River UMC (3 years) I held the position of Financial Secretary for four years in my prior church. I’ve also been Financial Chair, Trustee Chair, Memorial Chair and Treasurer, Church Treasurer, Administrative Council Chair, and Lay Speaker. My greatest passion in the church is Lay Speaking. I love trying to put a message together in the hopes that my message and my faith in God could possibly help someone take that one more step closer to knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you and God Bless.......
Big Bill Poplovski
Teel Byrne - Hospitality Coordinator
Mary Hartman - PPR Liaison
Barbara Meyers - PPR Liaison
