Rev. Barry Burkholder barryburkholder@shadygroveumc.org
I am currently enjoying my “third career” and serving Shady Grove as Minister of Congregational Care and Senior Adult Ministry. After a long and varied preparation, (a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Penn State, teaching Audio at the Signal School at Fort Monmouth N.J., an M.S. in Communication from Clarion State College, a PhD again from Penn State), I was an Instructional Developer/Learning Lab Coordinator for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College for fifteen years. My wife Gerry, my daughter Keri (you may have known her as Keri Marston) and I first came to Shady Grove in 1984. I was blessed to chair the Communications Committee and briefly the Administrative Board. In 1991 and 1992 I took the first year and the first half of the second year of Disciple Bible Study. And after believing I’d never have to go back into the classroom again, I felt called into ministry and enrolled in seminary. I completed my work and was ordained an elder in 1995. While in seminary, I received my first appointment in 1993, I served in seven different appointments through 2022. Last year I retired from full time pastoral ministry and my wife and I moved back to Mechanicsville and Shady Grove. I am blessed to have the opportunity to once again serve Shady Grove. It’s a joy to be able to meet and visit with our homebound members and friends, and to be church beyond the walls.