Dr. Farmer was licensed to ministry in 1972. On the advice of a chaplain, he explored helping professions and found Social Work. He has practiced that profession for 48 years. After becoming a Spiritual Director, he felt the call to return to ministry and retired from a local university in July of 2024. In the early Fall of 2024 he received a call to be the Interim pastor of McCary’s Chapel UMC and then was asked to become the pastor in March of 2025.
I grew up in San Antonio and then went off to Waco to attend Baylor University. The rest, is noted above, I became a social worker, received advanced degrees in that field and worked in every part of the social work profession. I am a national HIV /AIDS educator and ran a fedaraly qualified health center. Across all of the years, from San Antonio until now, my heart has called me to be a contemplative. I am also a Lay Cistercian of the Abbey of Gethsemani and lead one of their communities. Being a United Methodist is important to me because of the social gospel and community values that John Wesley taught. All of these things aside, what matters most is that I am deeply honored to be the pastor here at McCary’s Chapel. and do my best to present the gospel as the source of profound grace and peace. I believe we are called to be community and to hold each other in love and grace."
Dr. Phil
I was raised in the Houston area & moved to East Texas in 2020 when I married my husband Kevin.
In my 'regular life', I had worked in the construction industry as a mechanical designer and pressure piping designer in chemical & petrochemical plants. I loved to know how things were put together and worked!
In 2010, I heard the call to be more than a member of the United Methodist Church, and began my training to become a Lay Speaker. Continued training brought me to a certification of Lay Pastor. I was able to fill in for pastors when they had to be away from their assignments until I was assigned a church of my own.
In late September 2020, I was incredibly fortunate to be assigned to McCary's Chapel by The United Methodist Church North District in the Texas Conference. I love to sit in their prayer garden, sew in person or via Zoom meeting with the quilters, and learn about the history of the area.
McCary's is known for its' heart for others, their food pantry, and their loving natures. I greatly enjoy being at McCary's Chapel, Liberty City, and being with the people that bring the warmth and heart to the church.
