The staff of Evangelical Reformed Church seek to enable all of our members to celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel
Senior Pastor
Pastor Daniel began her ministry with Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ on July 1, 2006 after 23 years of service to congregations in Pennsylvania. She graduated summa cum laude from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., and holds both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Lancaster (PA) Theological Seminary. Â Pastor Daniel has been awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award from Catawba College and served on many United Church of Christ boards and as a trustee of Catawba College.
She is recognized as a leader in the Frederick community for her efforts to advocate for social justice. She has lent her compassion and tireless desire for change to organizations such as the Frederick LGBTQ Center, the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, the Frederick Area Ministerial Association, the Downtown Frederick Senior Pastors group, and to the Frederick Area School Supply Drive, which provided more than 1,700 disadvantaged students with needed school supplies in 2019 alone. She is chaplain to Frederick’s Junior Fire Company and active in Rotary Club International, having earned its prestigious Service Above Self award in 2006.
Pastor Daniel and her husband, Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes of Ohio, are the proud parents of sons Mark (married to Stephanie) and Christopher.
The Rev. Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads
Associate for Faith Formation and Parish Life
Kirstin has been serving as our Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Church Life since September 2022. She is an ordained UMC Deacon in connection through the West Ohio Conference and a graduate of Lancaster Seminary as well as having a Master’s degree in Group Counseling and Organizational Dynamics with a Certificate in youth and young adult ministry. She has most previously served as the Director of UMC camps in Ohio and Maryland. She has also served in the local church and as a campus minister. Kirstin enjoys playing and praying in nature settings with both alone and with others. She enjoys working with young people in nurturing their call and growing in faith and leadership both through experiential adventures and through intentionally inclusive and diverse community-building. She and her family (Jason, Emmy, and Marley) enjoy living in the Frederick area!
Alison E. Shafer
Director of Music
Alison has served ERUCC for 37.5 years. She began as an organist/choir director in September of 1982.
Alison has a bachelor’s degree in Church Music and Religious Education from Hood College.
In addition to her work at ERUCC, Alison is busy as a freelance musician, piano/organ teacher, music director for theater productions at McDaniel College, Hood College, Shepherd University, as well as local theater companies. She is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi.
Tyler L. York
Office Administrator
Before joining the staff of ERUCC, Tyler has been, and will continue to be, an active member of the congregation. He currently serves as a member of the Stewardship/Generosity Committee, served as an elder, enjoys helping with fellowship, and was a recent confirmation mentor. Professionally, Tyler was a special education elementary teacher for the past 9 years. He most recently led his school’s Special Education department as its Instructional Coach. Prior to working in education, Tyler’s career was in the arts. He held administrative positions at Boston Lyric Opera and Emerson College, his alma mater, before moving to the DC area in 2013. He moved to Frederick in 2018 with his husband, Owen and together became members at ERUCC in January 2019. Tyler and Owen are licensed foster parents who are currently caring for three wonderful children.
Tricia Coffey
Tricia has been a long-time member of ERUCC, playing bells in the handbell choir and the chimes in Trinity Chapel. She joined the staff 10 years ago and serves as the director of the Children’s Music and Movement Group (for ages four through fifth grade) and Young Spirit (choir for youth in sixth through 12th grades). These groups regularly participate in worship services by sharing their musical talents.
Tricia is a native of Frederick. She graduated from Ithaca College in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management. Her love for working with children and youth, as well as her love for music, guided her to fulfill those passions by leading these two musical groups at ERUCC.
Tricia is married to Tom Coffey and they have four children, all of whom are members of ERUCC.
Jaci Clayton
Facilities Manager