Meet the staff and ministry leaders of McMurry United Methodist Church. These faithful servants help guide worship, ministry, administration, and the welcoming life of our church community.
My name is Tricia Veit. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Business from William Woods University in May 2022 and Master of Divinity (MDiv) in May 2025. I am working on my paperwork for provisional interviews for ordination.
I have a wide range of hobbies, including knitting, crochet, and watercolor painting. My hobbies help me reach out into the world and build relationships. Starting in 2022, I began crocheting little animals to give out for Halloween. I pray that God move in the lives of those who receive one. Now, the kids share their stories with me, tell me about their hobbies, and sometimes bring me yarn to help make the animals. My house is always joy-filled on Halloween.
My husband, Matt, and I married in April 2021. We live in Blue Springs, Missouri, and enjoy learning new things together. Matt works for Sherwin William Paint Company as a Sales Representative. He enjoys all things outdoors. Our teenager Nyxon attends Blue Springs High School South and will graduate on May 17, 2026. Nyxon enjoys drawing, singing, and theater. Last year, their choir ensemble received gold at the district and state contests. This year, their ensemble received gold at the district contest and is working hard to prepare for the state contest. Nyxon plans to take a gap year and then begin undergraduate studies.
I answered the call to ministry in 2018. I served Iberia UMC from 2019-2021, Smith Chapel UMC (Naptan) from 2021-2024, and currently serve Hope UMC (Lone Jack) as a bi-vocational pastor. I am passionate about the people of God being transformed, trying new ministries to reach new people, and sharing the Gospel in creative ways people can take them.
For Lent 2024, the theme was about the lives Jesus impacted and where Jesus showed up in unexpected ways. On Easter Sunday the day’s theme was ‘Seeking Jesus.’ On Saturday night, I hid 200 mini–Resurrection Jesus figures in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. After Easter Breakfast, the kids were let loose to go find Jesus. During Children’s Moments, we talked about the experience of finding Jesus and all the places the children found him. I asked the kids to give Jesus to all the people in the congregation. When they were finished, they were amazed at how easy it was to share Jesus and excited to go out and share Jesus in the community. After service, one of the kids hid Jesus in the sanctuary for us to find the next week and another started handing Jesus out at the bank (and then were shared with other people coming into the bank).
The theme for Advent 2024 was all about letting the light of God shine through yourself into the world. It was based on a children’s book called I Am One with G-d paired with an Advent study called Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent. The main teaching was centered on God’s work in us and bringing that work into the world to show God’s love. To make the lesson tangible, we collected toys and other items for the children at Never Alone (a homeless and underserved persons' mission) and every child received a copy of the book.
Advent 2025 started the Christian year off with Telling the Stories of Jesus. I used the Action Bible Christmas: 25 Stories about Jesus Birth to share the stories of the characters who encountered the Holy Family throughout the Christmas. We started with Elijah and ended with John the Baptist. This was a dialogical sermon series that challenged the congregation to consider why their own stories are so important to evangelism today and invited the children to ask questions the stories of Jesus then and now. I am excited about this new opportunity to serve God’s kingdom at McMurray UMC. I am looking forward to getting to know your hopes and dreams for God’s kingdom and making disciples for the transformation of the world. I am looking forward to you becoming my new church family, growing together in love, dreaming big together and trying new things to share God with the world.
Meet Carol Eitel, our dedicated Administrative Assistant. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, Carol plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our office. Her friendly demeanor and proactive approach make her a valuable asset to our team. Learn more about Carol's role, her commitment to efficiency, and the positive impact she brings to our work environment. We're fortunate to have Carol as an essential member of our administrative team!
Introducing Faye Rader, our talented and passionate Worship Choir Director. With a gift for bringing harmonies to life, Faye leads our choir in creating soulful and uplifting worship experiences. Discover more about Faye's musical journey, dedication to fostering a spirit of praise, and the joy she brings to our congregation through the power of music. Join us in celebrating Faye's inspiring leadership as she guides our choir in creating beautiful moments of worship and connection.
Meet Mary Kay Grout, our dedicated Worship Arts Coordinator. With a passion for creativity and a heart for worship, Mary Kay plays a central role in curating meaningful and engaging worship experiences. Explore Mary Kay's artistic journey, her commitment to weaving together various forms of expression in worship, and the vibrant atmosphere she brings to our congregation. Learn more about how Mary Kay enriches our worship through her artistic direction and dedication to fostering a deeper connection with the divine.
