Our Team

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Amazing!

Here’s a milestone from my journey:

When I look back, I can now see that at age 7, I wanted to be a pastor.  My mom would tell me not to say the pastor’s parts out loud in church;  now almost 30 years later, I say those parts every Sunday. 

When I have a free day, I love to:

Bake bread.  During my sabbatical in 2019, I discovered the joy of baking bread and the spiritual practice of kneading my prayers into each loaf of bread.  With each turn of the bread, I pray prayers of joy and thanks or prayers of need each week.  There is something that calms me and centers me for those few minutes of kneading bread that helps me feel close to God.  In my free time I also like to go for a hike or bike ride with my husband and son to enjoy God’s creation, binge watch a favorite show, or play cribbage or board games.

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

A few years ago we did three great listenings:  to God, to the congregation, and to the community. It was a powerful experience that has continued our commitment to be a part of the solution to the opioid and addiction crisis in Anne Arundel County.

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Accepting

Here's a milestone from my journey:

Watching and learning from my own kids about giving freely...Just how they KNEW they were to give what little they have -- which is really just the change they find -- and put it in the offering plate...How this was something valuable to them...Not the thing they could buy with that change, but the value the saw in giving it away...Witnessing that has really opened my heart and made me take stock in where I find value and whether I invest in it with my whole heart...That has been a long journey for me and one I continue to work on. 

When I have a free day, I love to:

Craft and volunteer.

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

There are so many favorite things about being in this loving family of Joy Reigns but I will say that first Christmas we attended Joy Reigns and James, our oldest who was in 5th grade at the time, was asked to play Joseph in the Christmas play. Amy, our daughter was also asked to play a part. We had only been attending about a month or two when he was asked and that made all of us feel even more welcomed and loved. That newcomers were genuinely wanted to participate as any regular member. It's not easy in this day to feel accepted into an established community and certainly not so fast. We've felt nothing but love from our church family since. 

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Love

Here’s a milestone from my journey:

I have grown spiritually here at Joy Reigns. I have been a worship leader, I have prayed in public (wow!) and I became the music director. I guess I would say that being the music director would be the milestone. I never would have imagined it, and it's been a truly wonderful experience! I love my job and the people I "work" with so very much, I am really very blessed!

When I have a free day, I love to:

There are a lot of things I love to do!  I love to spend time with my family and my friends. Just hanging out on our deck or going out to a restaurant are all things I enjoy. The thing I love most though is spending time with my grandchildren, Olivia, Matthew, Vada and AJ. There’s no greater joy in my life than those four precious ones!!   

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

So many stories! The one that comes to mind right now is when the Praise team went to a church in Frederick to participate in a worship service. We were all wearing black shirts and khaki pants. After the service we walked to a nearby restaurant to have dinner together. As the hostess showed us to our seats, the entire restaurant stared at us. I'm not sure what they were thinking of all these strangers dressed alike and walking into their restaurant. It was pretty funny!

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Welcoming

Here’s a milestone from my journey:

After working for Joy Reigns for almost 2 years during the pandemic, I finally realized I had found my church home, and officially joined the Joy Reigns family in 2023!

When I have a free day, I love to:

Crochet, hang out with my dog, or work on my current project.

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

Hearing Pastor Sara say "Jesus poops, Jesus farts" live on digital worship.

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Inclusive 

Here’s a milestone from my journey:

I recently celebrated 9 years of continuous sobriety. Looking back I could have never predicted the life that I have today. I don't have lots of fancy material things but I have  serenity, peace, and I'm surrounded by love. The milestone for me is to continue my sobriety and guide other moms down the same path. 

When I have a free day, I love to:

Relax! I'm a single mom to a wonderful and busy 7 year old boy. I'm always on the go. When my son is with my family, I try really hard to do nothing. It's a good time for me to reflect, journal, meditate and connect with God. 

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

Lent 2024. This year was my son and I's first time attending the Lent services at Joy Reigns. It was absolutely wonderful! Each week we learned a new prayer style. The idea of a potluck themed dinner followed by a service was great. So many different delicious food options! 

On the last week we did a prayer labyrinth. Each person entered individually or with a partner and had the option of going their own pace. My son chose to walk with Pastor Sara's son Nicholas. I walked alone. I observed Pastor Sara walk most of the labyrinth with her mom. Pastor Sara was extremely patient and gentle. Pastor Sara's mom was unable to finish but she walked most of the labyrinth. After Pastor Sara helped her mom back to her seat, she could have made a choice to finish the labyrinth by herself but she didn't. There was a small child, maybe 4 or 5 walking the labyrinth by herself. Pastor Sara asked if she could join her and started asking her who she was grateful for and engaged in light conversations. This brought tears to my eyes.

At that moment, I was reassured that I was in the right place and that I was surrounded by wonderful people. 

It feels really good to have diversity, togetherness, and love through God and in church. 

One word that sums up Joy Reigns is:

Affirming

Here’s a milestone from my journey:

I moved from Virginia, where music was a big part of my life, and 6 months after moving I was able to share my love of music again at Joy Reigns

When I have a free day, I love to:

Read, paint, play video games and hangout with friends

My favorite story about Joy Reigns is:

Being able to walk with Joy Reigns Church at Annapolis Pride in 2023