I began serving Christ United Methodist Church on July 1, 2021, and it's been a bit of a homecoming for me. I graduated from Ashland University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music focusing on Music History. I later graduated from Methodist Theological School in Ohio with a Master of Divinity with a specialization in Biblical Languages & Texts: Hebrew in 2017, and I was ordained an Elder in Full-Connection in the East Ohio Conference in 2020.  I have served churches in Cardington, Wooster, and Alliance, Ohio before being appointed to Christ Church.

I love to see how God moves in the lives of those gathered near and far through our worship life together, our working alongside what God is already doing in this amazing world, and in the relationships that connect each of us. 

Apart from my serving here at Christ Church,  I enjoy writing and recording music, immersing myself in a good video game, and spending time with my son, Callan.

I'm thrilled to be living and serving in Ashland, and I can't wait to see what God's got in store for us!

Email Rev. Kyle!

The Rev. Tom Snyder has served as Visitation Pastor for Christ and First United Methodist churches, Ashland, Ohio, since 2017. He also writes liturgists’ directions and introductions to the weekly lectionary scriptures for both churches, and periodically leads Bible studies. He is a native of Euclid, Ohio, and is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Boston University School of Theology. Ordained in 1970, he served seven appointments in the East Ohio Conference for 35 years, including Ashland: First, associate, 1973-77; and Ashland: Christ, pastor, 1995-2005, where he retired from parish ministry.

For the next 15 years he taught at Ashland Theological Seminary, The Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and the Course of Study School of Ohio, in the areas of church history, spiritual formation, preaching, leadership, and denominational studies.

In 2016, Christ and First churches honored Tom by conferring the title, Pastor Emeritus.

His local community involvement includes the Ashland Center for Nonviolence and the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. He served on the boards of each, and was president of the ASO board, 2019-21.

Tom has been married to Kitty since 1970. They have two sons & daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren: Andy, Jill, Thomas, and Zoe, of Hilliard Ohio; and Pete, Shana, Liam, and Henri, of Loudonville. They also have three granddogs, one grandcat, and their own pooch, Bella.  

Tom prays that each church will allow God to challenge and stretch it in ministry; equip them for loving, caring service in Jesus’ name among the membership and out into the community: and simply be open to the surprising and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. 

I have been serving Ashland Christ UMC as treasurer since 2003.  As an Ashland native born and raised, I graduated from Ashland University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration double majoring in Accounting and Finance and minoring in Management Information Systems.  I am married to Michael and we have 5 children: Lexus also an Ashland University graduate who is a 3rd grade intervention specialist, Jaden, Nevaeh, Maleah, & Evangeline.  We all live in Ashland.  One of my favorite scriptures passages is 

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Email Nichole!

Denise has been involved with the Way of the Good Shepherd program since 2014. She graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation where she also studied children and faith. During her internship with Dr. Jane Jacques, she realized that the Way of the Good Shepherd program was unlike any “Sunday School” she was involved in as a child, youth, or helper. It was a program she was enthusiastic to learn about and be involved in at CUMC and she found her own faith growing as she participated with the children. 

Denise enjoys spending time with her husband and young children, and reading. Her favorite series is The Chronicles of Narnia (her favorite of the seven books is The Horse and His Boy), and her favorite genres are fantasy and folklore/retellings. Her most memorable Bible story since childhood is the story of the woman who was sick and reached out to touch Jesus’ cloak to be healed (Mark 5:25-34). 

Email Denise!

I am a life-long member of Christ UMC, first as a child attending EUB, then baptized, confirmed, and married in this sanctuary. I graduated from Ashland High School and studied three years at Ashland College. I also had the opportunity to audit classes for three years at Duke Seminary. I have sung choral music for 60 years, as well as directed choirs in 5 United Methodist churches over the years.

I have served as local, Conference, and District offices for United Methodist Women. I've also served the East Ohio Conference as Worship Committee Chair, Vice Chair of the Conference Council on Ministries and Conference Personnel chair. I had the privilege of being a lay representative to General Conference in 2012. I currently serve as Altar Guild chair here at Christ.