Tara Culp Lain was born and raised in Wilmington, NC. She graduated from Hoggard High School, Peace College, and received her B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed her MDiv at Duke Divinity School.

Tara served most recently as the pastor of Trinity UMC in Wilmington. Over the years, she served in youth and children’s ministry, program ministry, as minister of visitation, and as the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC.

Tara is married to Rev. Doug Lain, who serves Wrightsville UMC. They have three children: Olivia, Emily, and Everett.

Pam Maher (MAH-her) did not grow up in The United Methodist Church but came to it as an adult and, in 2013, became a professing member of her local church in Raleigh. What she loves about United Methodism is the connectional focus, the emphasis on putting God’s love into action, and the ability to ask questions to deepen her faith. After graduating from NCSU, Pam spent most of her career in software sales before leaving the corporate world to work at St. Mark’s UMC in Raleigh. Her experience in fast-paced environments and task-oriented nature are excellent complements to her work in the Gateway and Harbor Districts.

Pam and her husband, Scott, live in Raleigh with their 2 cats. They have 2 children: their daughter, Avery, lives and works in Wilmington, NC, and their son, Bradley, is a nuclear engineering student at NCSU (go Pack!). When she’s not working, Pam enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors. Her passion is anything related to yarn and fiber, especially knitting.

John Kelso graduated from Allegheny College in 1966 (History major) and from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law in 1969 (Juris Doctor degree), after which he passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam. He then entered the FBI as a Special Agent and retired in 2002 at the Senior Executive Service level.

His primary areas of investigation were Domestic and International Terrorism. He was also a trained Hostage Negotiator.

John married his wife, Lydia, in 1967. They are the proud parents of twin sons, Glenn and Mark, who both retired in 2017 as Commanders in the U.S. Navy. They have three grandchildren: Morgan, Spencer, and Allyson.

In retirement, John has been active in:

• Triunity United Methodist Church in Southport (Lay Leader, Chair SPRC, Chair Church Council, Chair Safe Sanctuary Committee) and sings tenor in the church choir, rings handbells, and plays clarinet in the orchestra
• Former President of the Alumni Council at Allegheny and awarded both the Blue and the Gold Citation
• Former member and President of the Southport/Oak Island Kiwanis Club and active in Teen Court, Peer Court, and the Listening Post
• Awarded the Duke Energy Progress “Power of One” award in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the children and families of Brunswick County
• Former volunteer fireman and fire police in St. James
• Plays clarinet in the Brunswick Concert Band and the Wilmington Symphonic Winds
• Sings tenor in the Sea Notes Choral Society
• Member and former President of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI
• Plays golf and tennis