06/01/2026
Dear Youth and Families of Mountain Park UMC,
As you know, our Director of Family Ministries, Hope Lewellen, will soon be moving to Florida with her wife, Emily, who has received a pastoral appointment there following her commissioning as an Elder in The United Methodist Church.
While we are so excited for this new chapter in their lives and ministry, we will miss Hope tremendously and are deeply grateful for the gifts, care, and leadership she has shared with the community of faith at Mountain Park. Personally, I have learned a great deal from Hope in the few months that I have been here.
As we continue our search for a permanent Director of Youth Ministry, we are delighted to welcome Pastor Laura Booth back to Mountain Park as our Interim Director of Youth Ministry for the months of June and July.
Many of you will remember Laura from her time serving as one of the Interim Associate Pastors between July 2025 and January 2026. I am grateful that she is willing to share her time and gifts with our youth during this transition.
Laura brings a wealth of experience in ministry, education, and mental health. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Clinician, and School Social Worker, she has devoted her career to supporting children, teens, and families in their journeys toward wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Before entering social work, Laura spent 16 years as a public school educator and has served in ministry leadership for more than two decades.
Laura is a graduate of Central State University, Mercer University, the University of Georgia, and most recently Columbia Theological Seminary, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree in 2025. She is passionate about helping young people grow in faith, discover their gifts, and experience the love of Christ within a caring community.
Please join me in welcoming Laura back to Mountain Park United Methodist! We are thankful for her willingness to serve during this season and look forward to all that God has in store for our youth ministry this summer.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Joe Lee, Associate Pastor
Mountain Park United Methodist Church