Lori is an elder and a full member of the North Georgia Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology and has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University. She grew up in the Avondale Estates area of Atlanta and currently resides in Alpharetta with her husband, Matt, their daughter, Lydia, and their dog, Montreat.
Meet our staff
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Lynne was appointed to Mt. Carmel UMC as a Deacon in Full Connection in July of 2018. Lynne earned a B.A. in Spanish and Economics from Furman University (1988) and a Master of Divinity from Emory University Candler School of Theology (2006). She was ordained a Deacon in Full Connection in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2009. Lynne served as Minister of Education at Birmingham United Methodist Church after graduating from Candler, and then served as the Spiritual Life Director of The Academy, a private Christian school, before being appointed to North Georgia Family Counseling Centers and later to Mount Carmel as an Associate Pastor. Lynne is a Certified Gottman Educator, completed Levels 1 and 2 Clinical Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and is an independent facilitator of Parenting the Love & Logic Way and Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun. Lynne facilitates educational workshops and works to support communities of faith as they nurture the wellbeing of the families that they serve. as of
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administrative assistant - office@mtcarmel-umc.org
Suzanne Foster is originally from Charlotte, N.C. She graduated from Winthrop College in 1981 and moved to Snellville, GA after marrying her husband Tim in 1983. They have two married daughters, Erin (Thomas) and Megan (Joshua) and one grandson, Jackson. Suzanne began working at Mt. Carmel in 1991 while still living in Snellville and attending Snellville UMC. Four years later, the family moved to Norcross and joined Mt. Carmel which has been the perfect church home for them, as well as a job that she loves.
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Director of Student ministry - EMILY.MTCARMEL@GMAIL.COM
Emily and her husband, Thad, along with their two cute and hilarious kids, Mary Frances & Chip, live in Historic Norcross. Emily has always had a special place in her heart for young people and her years in youth group hold some of her most cherished memories. After Thad and Emily were married at Mt. Carmel in 2015 they started working together with the amazing crew of youth and youth counselors. In more recent years Emily has also begun to with the Children's Ministry at Mt. Carmel UMC and loves spending Sunday Mornings, VBS week, and other various events throughout the year alongside the youngest ones among us that Jesus held so dear - our sweet kids!
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Organist & director of MUSIC - 4CARMELDUTY@GMAIL.COM
John Waller brings to Mt Carmel a wealth of music training and experience as well as a passion for worship planning. A graduate of Georgia State University, he is skilled at sight reading, organ improvisation, orchestration of instrumental accompaniment parts, and experienced as a choir director. He is married to Isabel; their daughter Fei Tie graduated with a computer science degree from Georgia Tech.
John works full-time in data services for a tax and accounting firm. That said, you should set aside any stereotypes you have about people who work in this industry; he usually shows up for choir practice on his Harley.
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Carol portillo
preschool directoR - mtcarmelpres@comcast.net
Carol Portillo is originally from Middle Georgia but moved to the Duluth area when she was two years old. She stayed local for college, where she met her husband, Joel. They have been married over 25 years and have raised three boys together. She loves reading, spending time with her friends, and cooking for her family.
She began teaching at Mt. Carmel in 2000 and fell in love with the family atmosphere of the Preschool. She is thankful to have impacted so many children's lives. They've certainly changed hers!
