Our Mission:
Hyde Park United Methodist Church is a community of people committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in the love of God, and called to make that love real to others.
We accomplish this mission by becoming people who
Invite people to experience the love of God and become disciples of Jesus Christ,
Equip disciples to be agents of God's reconciling love in the world,
Care for one another in Christian community; and
Send disciples as servants of Christ to participate in God's transformation of the world.
Martha Chamberlain
Full name: Martha Chamberlain
But Please Call Me: Martha
Position: Church Operations & Communications
Born where and when: Ft. Carson, Colorado — Oct. 26
Family facts: Married Ken Cowles in 2000, after meeting in Sunday School at Hyde Park; four adult children between us, and now the added blessing of two beautiful grandsons.
Education: BS in Journalism, University of Florida
How I became a Christian: I was raised in faithful family, attending worship services in military chapels across the U.S. and in Japan, but truly committed myself as an adult after my son was born.
How I ended up at Hyde Park: Checking out the Contemporary Service with my then-teen son Adam, I became a member, and nine years later joined staff
The most important thing I do around here is: Care for and support individuals and teams who are Making God’s Love Real at Hyde Park, including administrative and communications staff and so many Hyde Park servants in ministries of communications, administration and other areas.
FAVORITES
Pets: Maggie, the puppy we adopted from the Humane Society who grew into 100 pounds of pure love and affection.
Music: Eclectic: Fernando Ortega and other contemporary Christian music, but also reggae, Jimmy Buffett, standards, Big Band
Movie: “The Princess Bride,” “Casablanca”
TV Show: “Mad Men” — exquisite attention to 1960s setting, the writing, all of it!
Food: Chocolate and Cheetos, but not together
Place to vacation: St. Lucia — or Yosemite, CA
Place to eat: My kitchen — or Dasheen Restaurant, St. Lucia
How I spend my free time: With family, walking Bayshore Boulevard or the beach, reading
Best book I’ve read recently: “The World Is Flat” by Tom Friedman
Nobody knows that I... Parachuted from a perfectly good airplane when I was 21 — and loved it.
Person I’d most like to meet: Mother Teresa
My vision for the future of Hyde Park Church is: To be known as the church where God’s Love is experienced, and where His spirit is working to transform not only our church but our community.
One way folks can pray for me: That I continue to listen, to hear and to say “yes” to God