Rev. Tara Culp Lain, Harbor District Superintendent
Tara Culp Lain was born and raised in Wilmington, NC. She graduated from Hoggard High School and 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, Gateway/ Harbor Administrative Assistant to the DS
My name is Pam Maher (MAH-her), and I am happy to be a part of the Gateway and Harbor Districts! I was born in Germany and lived in Puerto Rico for a few years before my parents returned to NC. We then moved to NJ until I returned to Raleigh to attend NCSU.
I married my husband, Scott, in 1999, and we have two children. Our daughter Avery graduated from UNCW with a BA in Psychology and lives in Wilmington. Our son Bradley is a student at NCSU studying Nuclear Engineering. Our family would not be complete without our dog, Daphne, and two cats, Pepper and Birdie.
I spent most of my career in software sales before leaving the corporate world and then worked at St. Mark’s UMC in Raleigh for almost four years. Following St. Mark’s, I joined the NCC as part of Church Transformation Ministries. I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors when I’m not working. My passion is anything related to yarn and fiber, especially knitting.
I did not grow up in the United Methodist Church, but I came to it as an adult and, in 2013, became a professing member of St. Mark’s in Raleigh. What I love about United Methodism is the connectional focus, the emphasis on putting God’s love into action, and the ability to ask questions to deepen my faith. I look forward to working closely with the Gateway and Harbor Districts and seeing how God moves with us!
John Kelso, District Lay Leader
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