Senior Pastor Truman Brooks oversees the spiritual life and mission of the church. His passions are preaching, teaching, visioning, and attending to pastoral care.

Pastor Brooks graduated from Lebanon Valley College (BA in Psychology and Religion), Princeton Theological Seminary (M. Div.), the Marriage Council of Philadelphia (presently called the Council for Relationships) with a certificate in Marriage, Family, and Sex Therapy, and Palmer Seminary (D.Min.).

Truman has served as a United Methodist Pastor for over 30 years all around the Philadelphia Area- the Kensington section of Philadelphia, Conshohocken, Lansdale, and now West Chester.

He has served as an adjunct professor at Palmer Seminary and Wesley Seminary and taught pastoral care, leadership, and worship courses in the Eastern PA Conference Local Pastor's School and in Kenya. Truman has served on several local boards for service organizations in his communities and helped out with community theater. He has also volunteered for one week a year at summer camp as a director or counselor for over 30 years.

As for his personal interests, Truman loves singing and playing guitar, skiing, biking, hiking, and all Philly sports. He loves being a husband, father, and supportive member of the community.

Pastor Merc, a long-time member of the United Methodist Church of West Chester, joined the staff as Associate Pastor in July, 2023. Mercedes worked in the IT field for several years. Answering the call to professional ministry while a member of this church, she then completed the UMC Course of Study program at Claremont School of Theology, the Advanced Course of Study at Lancaster Theological Seminary and served in pastoral ministry at Parkesburg UMC, New London UMC and Avondale UMC. Ordained in 2018, she most recently served as a hospice chaplain for 5 years.

Mercedes seeks to help others grow in their faith and to serve out their faith in the church and community.
Mercedes is married to Tim and they have a son, Jonathan. Mercedes enjoys camping and reading, especially science fiction!

Office Administrator

Dr. Iain Sturrock has been performing and composing music since childhood. He has been grateful to pursue these passions across the United States, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe as a clinician, conductor, commissioned composer, and vocalist. Iain’s conducting background is colorful and diverse, having led youth choirs, professional chamber groups, collegiate ensembles, full orchestras, and everything in between.

Dr. Sturrock has been privileged to receive several awards and honors both for his compositions and performances, and has had the distinction of working with renowned conductors and ensembles as a professional baritone and accompanist. Iain holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from Temple University, Philadelphia, and a D.M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He returned to the Philadelphia area in 2023 to accept a position at the world's largest sheet music retailer, J.W. Pepper.

Andrew McMaster leads the Praise Team at the 11:00 worship service on Sundays. Please check back for his full bio coming soon. 

Cory is responsible for planning and organizing ministries to help youth celebrate, connect with, develop in, serve in and share their faith. He also coordinates the livestream technology and all audio visual needs of the church.

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It was the summer between middle and high school in Yorktown, VA, when Cory, who was raised Catholic, was at a Baptist church camp with some friends, responded to the Gospel by deciding to accept the gift of God's grace and began a new life of following Jesus. After participating in various church youth groups and Young Life in high school, Cory went on to get his B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, where through his involvement with CCO campus ministry at a Presbyterian church, he believes God called him into youth ministry. After few years in a youth ministry internship at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickely, PA, he was hired part-time, then full-time. After about five years there, God and family led him East and Cory has been with us here at UMCWC since 2006.

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Cory is married to Angela, who is a social worker, and they have three boys, Simeon, Ezekiel, and Gabriel (who all love to run). They all enjoy being physically active, playing games, going on trips, and watching movies together. Cory's favorite sports teams are the Pitt Panthers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, and Union (but he also roots for the Phillies and Steelers). Sports he likes to play the most are ultimate and disc golf. Wes Anderson is his favorite film maker. He enjoys playing guitar, going to concerts, and his favorite bands are R.E.M. and Guster. Barbeque chips are his favorite food and he hates ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. 

Allen Keller is our Deacon working primarily with college age groups and young adults

Coordinator of Children and Young Families Ministry. Kelly oversees church functions involving infants through Grade 5. She is responsible for planning and organizing ministries that help children celebrate, connect with, develop in, serve in, and share their faith. Areas of responsibility include children’s Sunday School,  Sprouts, Vacation Bible School, nursery caregivers, and many other special events.

Kelly has a BA in Sociology from Drew University and an MS in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University. She is currently working on her certification in children’s ministry. When she isn’t at church, Kelly’s husband, three sons, and dog keep her busy.

Bill oversees all of the business and facilities operations of the church. 

Finance

Stephen Campitelli is the organist for 8:45 worship and is the accompanist for Chancel Choir, Cross Connection, and Men’s Ensemble. He is also the organist for the 11:00 Sunday chapel service at Good Samaritan Church in Paoli, PA.

Mr. Campitelli received his Master of Music from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and is a past first prize winner for Pennsylvania in the National Music Teachers Association's Collegiate Artist Competition. He is a piano faculty member at Immaculata University and maintains an active performing, accompanying, and teaching schedule.

Parish Nurse

Luanne Sims has been a member of UMCWC since 2006 and attends with her husband and two children.  She is responsible for keeping the website up-to-date.