I have been the youth director for almost 2 years now. I love my job, love the volunteers and especially love the youth! When I’m not working with my church family I spend time with my family. My husband and 5 year old daughter are the biggest joys in my life! I spend most of my spare time in coffee shops and like my coffee black. Once in a while you may see me with a “Venti Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte”…and yes, I had to practice that. My favorite color is yellow, I love playing board games, and I am crazy about ducks.

I lead a simple life. In approximately one year, I will have a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Xavier University. Although I am an Ohio Bobcat at heart, I can withstand to cheer for the Musketeers. I thoroughly enjoy Dr. Pepper on a hot day and milk is the enemy. I am in love with The Office and desperately want to hold a baby chimpanzee. Lastly, my dog Cooper is cuter than yours.

Daniel Anderson – Volunteer

I’m a singer from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in the masters program. I will dominate anybody at Halo live and I’m not affraid to beat the kids in an eating contest at White Castle.

Sarah Barker – Volunteer

My name is Sarah Barker and I have been a counselor for about three years. I really enjoy spending time with the youth of our church and feel blessed to be part of this ministry. I live in Hyde Park with my husband, Peter, and our cat, Tori. I work in Marketing Research; helping my clients learn about their consumers. In my free time I like to spend time outdoors, and enjoy walking. I also like to read, cook, volunteer and rubber stamp.

Elaine Barnes – Volunteer

I am a graduate from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s in the History of Art. I have been a counselor since 2005, after growing up in the church and being involved in UMYF when I was a youth. I work as a server at PF Changs, but am in the application process for the School Counseling graduate program at Xavier to start in January of 2010. In my free time, I love to travel and spend time with my friends and family.

Jim Calhoun – Volunteer

As the husband of the youth director, I have been “working behind the scenes” for years now and officially signed on as a counselor in the fall of 2008. We have been married since 2002 and have one daughter named Jenna. She is an absolute angel. I work for Fifth Third Bank in the mortgage division and graduated from Thomas More College with a business degree. I am constantly attempting to be a Bengals fan and thoroughly enjoy watching any level of football. I am also a huge fan of Cheese Puffs (but only on Friday!).

Eric Fenner – Volunteer

Hi! My name’s Eric. Some know me as the high school Sunday School teacher, others know me for being a member of uMatter, and some even know me as one of the counselors at UMYF. When I’m not busy at church, I spend my hours working for the Gap at one of their distribution centers in northern Kentucky. If I can fit in time to watch a show on TV, it’s usually CSI or Law and Order. Otherwise, extra time is spent with family and friends. Go Bengals!!

Fred Johnson- Volunteer

My full name is Fred Richard Johnson III and I was born in Sacramento, California on January 1st, 1986. I love the LA Lakers, NY Yankees, and of course the Bengals! I have been a UMYF counselor for 3 years so far! When I am not in school or working out, I like to watch The Family Guy. My favorite quote is “An idle mind it the devil’s workshop.”

Lindy King – Volunteer

Hi! My name is Lindy, and I currently teach high school English and coach boys’ tennis at Milford High School. I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2002 and am currently working on my master’s at NKU. I like to play tennis and golf, listen to live music, and hang out in the great outdoors as much as possible. My favorite food is sushi.

Erin Knecht – Volunteer

Once a member of the youth group, I rejoined UMYF as a counselor in the fall of 2007. Currently I am employed in the MRDD field, and hopeful there will be a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s one day! Eventually I want to continue and receive my Masters from Regis University out in Denver, CO. In my spare time I love to: read memoirs, spend time with family/friends and travel (my next big trip hopefully is to Africa).

Calissa Kummer – Volunteer

Hi, I’m Calissa. I’ve been a youth counselor for two years, and I love it! Before moving to Cincinnati, I studied medieval history at Wellesley College. I love reading, music, pop culture trivia, and my favorite thing in the world is the glittery Jesus piggy-bank that sits on my mantle. (Really, it’s awesome.) I spend my days working in marketing and most of my nights at church singing in the Cathedral Choir, attending meetings, or planning for uMatter. In my free time . . . wait, I don’t have free time!

Jamie Libby – Volunteer

I grew up in Camden, Maine and attended University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. In my spare time, I like to spend time reading and studying history and political science. I love sports and am a huge fan of professional sports teams from Boston. This is my first year as a youth group counselor!

Carrie Moore – Volunteer

I am a transplant to Cincinnati, thanks to my husband Jeremy. I work as a social worker at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital during the day and enjoy running, gardening, reading and hanging out with my dogs on my time off. I love mission trips, especially going to orphanages throughout the world. I also love to watch the Reds play and am always up for a stadium hot dog! When I grow up, I want to run an orphanage of my own!

Jeremy Moore – Volunteer

I am a one-year veteran of the HPCUMC Youth Group. The group is perfect for me since the humor is on the same level – especially since my lovely wife (Carrie, also a counselor) rolls her eyes at my jokes. I hail from Springfield, Ohio, home of Woebers mustard, International Harvester, John Legend and…me. I work in real estate development and enjoy working on our 106-year-old house, spending time with family, playing and listening to music, and a healthy obsession with the Cincinnati Reds.

Christian Paul – Volunteer

Once a member of the youth group, I rejoined the group as a counselor in 2005. I spend most of my day as an information systems specialist for the department of pathology at the University of Cincinnati medical school. In my free-time, I am an avid sports enthusiast watching college football (go Bucks!), and playing golf. I also take great pride in my sense of smell which is keener than that of a dog or bear.

Holly Phillips – Volunteer

Once a youth myself, I have been back as a counselor for a few years. I graduated from Centre College with a bachelor’s in Math and Psychology. I played softball there and spent a semester studying abroad in Mexico! Now I work for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati in the residential program for adults with mental retardation. I’ve stayed involved with softball by helping my dad coach at Turpin.