Staff

Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm

Friday 9:00am-11:00am

Email us at admin@ardmoreumc.org or call our office at 336-723-3695.

Rev. Kelly P. Carpenter grew up in Methodist parsonages, a “preacher’s kid” from Indiana. He was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1995. Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, Philosophy, and English Literature from the University of Indianapolis. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University, and has certifications from the Haden Institute in Spiritual Direction and Dream Work.

Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, Kelly served United Methodist churches in Greensboro and Chicago. For 20 years, he served as Senior Pastor of Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. There, he founded The Shalom Project, a local non-profit whose mission is to disrupt the cycle of poverty for people in the Winston-Salem community. In 2021, Kelly began a United Methodist extension ministry appointment as the executive director of Threshold Retreat, working toward the establishment of a retreat center in East Bend, NC. The first project of this non-profit was Threshold Farm, which has taken on the mission of providing fresh, organic food for people in the area facing food insecurity. In addition to his work at Threshold Retreat, in 2023 Kelly pastored several small United Methodist

churches in East Bend. He continues to serve on the board of directors for Threshold Retreat.

Kelly has a love of reading and writing poetry, organic gardening, dreamwork, jazz, running, and watching basketball. Kelly and his wife Lyn live in the Ardmore neighborhood and have a young adult daughter.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Matthew Bacon is a self-described liturgical mutt having served parishes in Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, and New Zealand. Before his current appointment at Ardmore UMC, Matthew served as Organ Scholar at Duke University Chapel and ChristChurch Cathedral in ChristChurch, New Zealand. In New Zealand, Matthew accompanied a professional choir of Men and Boys for six weekly services. Matthew holds the Master of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN). His primary instructors include James E. Bobb and Dr. Timothy Olsen. When Mr. Bacon is not sizzling on the Organ, he can often be found lifting weights, practicing his liturgical comedy routine, or playing with his rescue puppy, Schubert.

Cat was born in North Carolina and has lived in Winston-Salem for all of her life. She graduated from Parkland Senior High School. She has worked for Winston-Salem Forsyth County School at Bolton Elementary for 24 years. Cat has been married to her spouse, Thomas Booth, for 14 years. Together they have 5 girls, a son, and 9 grandchildren. Cat enjoy watching sports, football, and basketball. Her favorite teams are the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Tar Heels. She enjoys working for Ardmore United Methodist Church part time and helping out with the Food Pantry. 

Mary Jo was born and grew up in Siler City, NC. She enjoys reading (mostly mysteries), traveling, sports, working word puzzles & jigsaw puzzles and spending time with family and friends.

Mary Jo graduated from Appalachian State University in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and in 1980 with a M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education. She completed her student teaching in Winston-Salem and remained here to teach for 30 years. After retirement in 1999, Mary Jo began working part time at Ardmore’s TTWS and later became Ardmore’s Coordinator for Senior Adult Ministries, which she thoroughly enjoys.

Jerry was born in Connecticut, but moved south as quickly as he could. He grew up in Winston-Salem and attended RJ Reynolds High School before heading to Furman University in Greenville, SC, where he majored in Philosophy. He immediately jumped into music full-time, playing in countless bands, releasing CD's on a regular basis, and traveling the country playing music (he has played shows in 46 states & 3 countries). He was the Youth Minister at Central UMC in Mount Airy, NC for 3 years before turning his attention to leading worship 13 years ago. He is married to Jennifer and is father to Georgia & Matthew. He loves Jesus, life, his family, music, running, and sushi.

Mr. Connelly is a Certified Public Accountant working seasonally with Turlington & Co.  A father of 5, he and his wife live in Winston Salem.  He is a graduate of Reynolds High School, and attended Duke and High Point University.  Tom is a member of Centenary United Methodist in Winston Salem.

Lauren Reed is a native of Winston-Salem. She attended Calvary Day School (when it was Calvary Baptist Day School), West Forsyth High, and Appalachian State University! She has lived the majority of her life right here in good ole Winston, but she did have a brief stint in Durham and in Lubbock, Texas! She is proud to be raising my two daughters in the same city that holds countless memories and lessons for her! She would not be who She is if it were not for her two daughters, Ella, 12 (almost 13!) and Ida Mae, 10! These two girls are her reason for existence, and she is beyond blessed to be their mother and their biggest supporter!

Lauren attended Appalachian State University and achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Cultural Studies…this is an interesting way to say that she created her own major and convinced a collegiate program that it was a valid way for her to somehow go out and change the world! She spent the next 25 years in the hospitality industry…managing restaurants, catering events, and feeling that she was somehow making a difference by spreading joy and kindness through the comfort that food, drink and hospitality bring to a community.  

After the Covid pandemic and many life changes, Lauren found her way to teaching! She found herself in a preschool working with children and feeling more fulfilled than she ever had before. She has been teaching ever since and is so grateful to have the opportunity to work with and advocate for children every day! She feels certain that God brought her to Ardmore United Methodist, and she is beyond excited to bring her passion for working with children together with this already well established and well loved school and church. She has some big shoes to fill, but she is honored to be a part of this community, and she looks forward to getting to know all of the families, children, teachers, and church members that walk these halls!  

When she's not holding on for dear life, Lauren enjoys hiking with her daughters, hanging out with their three dogs, baking, and painting with watercolor!

Jessica was born and raised in Kernersville, NC, and has lived in Ardmore for the last 10 years with her husband, Josh, who works as an analytics manager in the banking industry. They have a spunky daughter, Hazel, and two fur babies, Winston and Darlene. Jessica loves good food (all kinds especially dessert), a good book and spending time with her friends and family. 

Jessica graduated from UNC Greensboro with a degree in Interior Architecture, and a Masters degree in Practical Theology from Pfeiffer University with concentrations in children’s ministry and youth ministry. Jessica served as the Director of Christian Education at Bunker Hill UMC in Kernersville for 5 years, and as the Next Gen Leader at New Story Church in Winston Salem for 5 years before joining Ardmore. 

Chris was born and raised in Winston-Salem. Chris graduated from Forsyth Tech Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration in 2011. Chris is currently a Property Specialist with Forsyth County in addition to his work at Ardmore. He has been employed a Ardmore UMC since 2009. He has two beautiful daughters: Krislynn and Cortlynn. Chris enjoys spending time with friends & family and cooking out on the grill. 

Wilson is excited to join the staff of Ardmore UMC! He grew up in Morganton, NC and has many fond childhood memories of spending time with family in Asheville and Highlands. He received his BA in Music from Davidson College and Masters in Library and Information Studies from UNCG. Wilson spends his spare time performing with High Point Community Theatre, gardening with his husband, Mike, and playing with their dog, Bonnie.