For Prayer Concerns Email Pastor Jim Swecker: pastorjim@trinityumchurch.org
Meet Our Team
We are pleased to introduce you to the staff at Trinity United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. James E. Swecker was appointed as the Senior Pastor of Trinity UMC effective July 1, 2013. Pastor Jim has been married to Janet since 1984, and they have two grown children: a son, Chris, and a daughter, Jenny. Pastor Jim grew up nearby in St. Mary's County (Mechanicsville/Charlotte Hall area).
Pastor Jim received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. in 2003; his Master of Divinity degree from the same seminary in 1986 and two Bachelor of Science degrees from Towson University near Baltimore in 1983 (Mass Communication and History). He was ordained an Elder by the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1988 and a Deacon in 1986.
He has studied pastoral and church leadership, congregational growth and studies, Methodist and American history. Pastor Jim's previous pastoral appointments were as the Senior Pastor of Rehoboth UMC in Williamsport, MD (1988-2013), Good Shepherd and Olive Branch UMC's in Baltimore City, and Wesley Memorial UMC in Catonsville (Associate). He went into the ministry as a member of St. Paul's UMC in Leonardtown, MD where he had been the assistant pastor and youth minister. Before his work in the church, he was employed as a radio announcer at WKIK Radio in Leonardtown.
Pastor Jim hopes to emphasize the ministry of every believer as we are the Body of Christ Jesus. His favorite ministry activities are preaching and teaching the Bible, visitation, and connecting people to ministries they enjoy and where they can thrive.
Leah Woods, Director of Music Ministry, moved to Calvert County in 1998 and has three daughters, Amanda, Anna and Abigail. Prior to Trinity, Leah served as a musician at Oxon Hill Lutheran Church in Temple Hills and First Lutheran Church in Huntingtown. Leah received her Bachelors of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1993 and Masters of Arts in Worship Studies from the Liberty University Theological Seminary in 2013. She is currently pursuing another graduate degree, Doctor of Worship Studies, through Liberty University's School of Music.
Leah considers herself blessed by the deep well of faithful, talented people God has planted at Trinity UMC. This community of musicians has an amazing willingness to share their faith, time, and talents which makes our worship experiences rich, varied, and meaningful. The music ministry at Trinity UMC welcomes all who feel called to share their gifts to join us in making a joyful noise unto the Lord!
"Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
Psalm 100: 2-3
Janet Swecker
Coordinator of Youth Ministries, Coordinator of Christian Education
My name is Janet Swecker. I have been the Coordinator of Youth Ministries since August 2013. I moved to Calvert County in June 2013 when my husband, Jim was appointed to serve as Lead Pastor of Trinity UMC.
I have served in various ministry positions over the years. I have taught in our church Nursery Schools and Day Care Centers. I have been a teacher, After School Program Coordinator and Assistant Director of those programs. I have also served as the Director of Christian Education and Children's Ministries and now as the Coordinator of Youth Ministries. I studied Christian Education at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC and have always felt called to work with children and youth. I love teaching them about the love of God and Jesus Christ.
William Jenifer
Sexton
Hi! I am William Jenifer, Trinity United Methodist Church’s sexton. A few years ago before becoming a sexton here I was an employee for Georgia Pacific Distribution out of Peach Tree, Georgia based in Landover, Maryland as a professional checker and receiver, warehouseman for five years. After finding the company was relocating to Frederick County, Maryland, I decided to return to Calvert County and seek work where I live and reside.
Hobbies are NFL football (Washington Redskins), fishing, yard work, shopping, a good book and having fun with friends.
Hopes and dreams for Trinity: Stay positive, grow, and continue to do God’s will.
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his work.” From Psalm 145
Rob Carter
Pastor Emeritus
Rob became Pastor Emeritus at Trinity in Oct. 2021. He came to Trinity after 40+ years of Pastoral Ministry as an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Rob grew up in Arnold (Anne Arundel County) Maryland. His family attended Asbury UMC in Arnold where he first felt God’s call to ordained ministry. He is a graduate of Western Maryland College (now known as McDaniel College) in Westminster with B.A. in English. He then attended Candler School of Theology in Atlanta Georgia, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree.
Following ordination he served Galesville UMC in southern Anne Arundel County, Smithville in Dunkirk, Eastport in Annapolis, the Fork/Waugh Charge in Baltimore County, Shiloh in Bryans Road and Calvary in Waldorf. He retired from full-time ministry in June 2018 and began attending Trinity where he has found a spiritual home to support and encourage his faith and discipleship.
Rob still lives in Waldorf with his wife and ministry partner Carolyn, they have three children: Matt, Melissa and Melanie and three grandchildren.
His service at Trinity includes occasional preaching, helping with visitation and teaching.