About Us
People
revvader@comcast.net
Office: 301-802-2582
Rev. Stephanie Vader is the lead pastor of Emmanuel United Methodist Church. Rev. Stephanie has been the lead pastor at Emmanuel for 10 years and loves serving in a Christ-like community where ordinary people are empowered to do extraordinary things. Her passion is to build Christ-like communities that practice the way of Jesus who invites everyone to claim the true meaning of their lives by giving themselves away in service to God and others. She is proud of the fact that Emmanuel is a place that welcomes believers, seekers and doubters because the Good News is for everyone. Rev. Stephanie is a native Marylander who grew up in Montgomery County. Before coming to Emmanuel she was the lead pastor at Centenary UMC in Shady Side, MD. Rev. Stephanie serves on the Greater Washington District Committee on Ministry whose task is to guide and examine candidates for ordination. She is married to Lewis Taylor and has two daughters. She loves frequenting public libraries so she can always have something to read.
eumcyouth@comcast.net
Office: 301-725-5200
Donna Meoli is the Director of Spiritual Formation and Youth Ministries. Spiritual Formation is the process by which people are shaped by God's love and enabled to grow in their faith. It is the journey that all Christians are encouraged to take that will open our hearts to a deeper connection with God and enable us to became disciples of Christ. Donna has been a member since 1991 and has been working with the youth for over 18 years. It is her belief that every experience can lead us closer to a relationship with Jesus. Donna's main focus is providing meaningful activities for the children and youth of Emmanuel including Sunday School and the Middle and High School Youth Ministry. She lives in Elkridge with her husband and three sons.
jennifer.nance@comcast.net
Office: 301-725-5200
Jennifer Nance is our Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Middle School Ministries. She has been a member of Emmanuel since 1995 and a staff member since 2009. Jennifer works to further the mission of Emmanuel by nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ. She enjoys the variety her job presents and the rewarding nature of the work. Jennifer has lived in Maryland since the age of 5 and has been a Methodist her whole life. She lives with her family in Laurel, MD and is shown here with her yellow lab, Grace.
Andrew (Andy) Spang, Music Director
andrew@lyricbrass.com
Home: 410-751-2203
Cell: 410-596-2280
Andrew Spang has been the Director of Music at Emmanuel since 2010, and has directed choirs, orchestras, and bands for well over a decade. Andy believes that music is a pathway to God, and he strives to bring meaningful music in many styles to every service. He studied at the Eastman School of Music and The Boston Conservatory, and has worked with such luminaries at Michael Card, Donnie McClurkin, and Darin Atwater. In addition to his calling at Emmanuel, Andy serves at the Director of Bands at Folly Quarter Middle School and plays tuba with the Lyric Brass Quintet. He lives in Westminster, Maryland, with his wonderful children Ben and Sophie, and lovely wife Laura.
Dana Scott, Organist/Accompanist and Praise Band Director
danascott@gmail.com
Home: 443-341-4473
Cell: 863-221-7115
As a self employed musician, Dana teaches piano at the Saint James School in Hagerstown MD and maintains a few students at EUMC. She also enjoys accompanying the All Children's Chorus of Annapolis, Arundel Vocal Arts Society, and occasion the Maryland State Boys' Choir. When she has spare time, Dana directs productions in the area and finds time to give back to her community. This year,she will lead the musical team at Prodigal Worship, act as Music Director for Oliver and the Wizard of Oz, and assist in the run outs for Lyric Opera Baltimore. Dana is Artistic Director for Music Matters in DC. Above all else, Ms. Scott feels that it is important to give back to her community and her church. She believes that "...without these key influences in my life... my Mother, a supportive church community, and a firm belief that change is possible - I would not be who I am today or who I will become tomorrow."
emmanuelpreschool@gmail.com
Office: 301-725-5178
Damita Robinson graduated from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education. She is currently attending Loyola University Maryland for a Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Her teaching career over the last 8 years includes preschool to fifth grade, with most recent experience as a kindergarten teacher. Damita is married with two sons, Nathan and Michael and spends her free time reading. Her position at Emmanuel Preschool allowed her the opportunity to pursue a passion for providing an exceptional first-school experience for young children.
emmanuelpreschool@gmail.com
Office: 301-725-5178
Born in Washington, D. C., Jaiene has lived in Maryland for most of her life. With an Associate's Degree in Business Management, she has held administrative roles as well as worked with children as a nursery attendant at a health club, including event and birthday party planning. She is married and has two daughters who learned some of their first valuable lessons from Emmanuel Preschool. Her hobbies are reading, crocheting, solving crossword puzzles and playing board games with family.