Reverend Sandra Clay – Pastor
Sandra is a life-long United Methodist with roots in both the Parkway Village (Memphis) home church where she was raised and in the small country congregation that raised her parents in rural West Tennessee. That rich and varied spiritual heritage helped prepare her for sharing her love for God in diverse settings throughout her 30 years of pastoral ministry.
Sandra has served rural, suburban and county seat congregations; she has also served on the legacy Memphis Annual Conference Cabinet with watch-care responsibilities for nearly 100 congregations, ministries, and mission churches in the Memphis area and for their pastors.
Sandra is married to her high school sweetheart, Terry; Butch the Beagle rounds out their family with much joy. Together Sandra and Terry enjoy relaxing at the beach or in the mountains. Sandra loves a good story whether she’s hearing it or telling it; she loves the process of creating – everything from new recipes and canning, to art, especially card-making, and more. And, she loves a good, wise word! One of her favorite quotes? “A bulldog can whip a skunk, but what’s the point?”
Monica Cox – Church Adminstrator
Monica and her husband, Randy, have been members of Cook’s since 2001. They live in Lebanon and have two grown children, Savannah, and Todd, and two grandchildren, Michael, and Willa.
They love spending time with their family, especially the grandchildren.
Monica has a heart for listening, loving, and serving the Cook’s congregation, as well as our community.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Monica worked many years in the insurance industry specializing in Commercial Insurance. Due to an ailing mom and a need for a more flexible work schedule she joined the staff at Cook’s in 2005. She now wears many hats including Office Manager, Financial Secretary, Nursery Coordinator and Membership Secretary. She is the “go to person” at Cook’s. She also serves as Vice-President for the local chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure) and is a member of The Church Network.
Rachel Ward –
Director of Traditional Music Ministry and Accompanist
Rachel Ward and her family moved to TN in October of 2017 from Barboursville, WV. She is very passionate about music and sharing her talents with others. Before coming to Cook’s United Methodist Church, she was the organist/pianist at Bellevue United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the church music ministry and has been playing piano and organ since 2nd grade.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in organ and piano from Montreat College in Montreat, NC.
She also holds a master’s degree in music from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. Rachel grew up in the Methodist church and has a strong passion for playing music in the church. She is married to Keith and has two children, Benjamin, and Jacqueline. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her children, shopping, going to see movies, traveling, making crafts/event planning, and hanging out with friends.
Eric Coomer –
Director of Contemporary Music and Media Specialist
Eric Coomer is the director of modern worship and media arts at Cook’s. With his wife Daphne, he has two children, Jackson and Evan. In addition to his work at Cook’s, Eric is a singer/songwriter with several projects available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.
Growing up in Kentucky, Eric was the child of a United Methodist pastor and a lauded elementary music teacher. Music was always in the Coomer household and Eric has been writing and performing since he was just twelve years old.
Learn more about Eric at www.ericcoomer.com.
