MEET THE PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Kellie C. Turner

The Rev Doctor Kellie C. Turner is a native of Dallas,Texas born to Chester Curry Jr., and Junella Turner. She inherited the ability to sing from her mother who raised her. She began singing at an early age while attending church with her mother. Her talents as an organist were recognized around the same time and consequently, Dr. Kellie became the organist for the New El Bethel Baptist Church in her early teens. She grew up watching movies and developed a love for the performing arts as well as her love for church. She attended the Alex W. Spence Middle School for Talented and Gifted Students.
Her association with the school landed her her first of several movies for the local PBS station in Dallas. Continuing her involvement in the Arts and weekly responsibilities for church, Kellie enrolled at The Arts Magnet High School for the Performing Arts at Booker T. Washington. Her focus was split between the music and theater departments.
She was introduced to the world of jazz while at Arts Magnet and toured with The Lab singers, the school's jazz ensemble. She also was a member of the Chamber Choir. She graduated as a Theatre major, National Honors Student and Who's Who Among American High School Students. Upon graduation, Kellie enrolled at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She took courses in Broadcasting before deciding on committing once again to the Theatre. She also kept her musical abilities honed by taking vocal studies in university and attending Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church on the weekends under the leadership of Gospel great Rev. James Cleveland. Kellie was able to learn gospel music from the likes of Rev. Cleveland, Kurt Carr, Calvin Rhone, and Quincy Fielding Jr.
Upon completion of her studies at Pepperdine, Dr. Kellie briefly became a flight attendant and also spent a year in Europe before moving permanently to the East Coast making New York City her home. This decision allowed Kellie to have an extensive career in the arts while still staying connected to the church. She has toured the world spreading the good news through song.
Kellie has sung with the Harlem Gospel Choir on their tours for the armed forces in Japan and Korea. She toured with them as a singer then moved up to Music Director and traveled with them throughout New Zealand, Australia, Italy and the Caribbean. She has also toured with Queen Esther Marrow and Rev. Charles Lyles and the world-famous Harlem Gospel Singers. She was choir director on their "Movin On" tour which toured Germany, Budapest, France, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the Slovak Republic. Kellie has served as Interim Director of Music for the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ under the pastorate of civil rights leader and former Chief of Staff to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Sr. in Harlem, New York. She was on staff and served as Praise and Worship Leader at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Sr. She was the Director of Music at Fountain Spring Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Nelson C. Dukes, Jr.
In 2010, Kellie accepted her call into the Ministry and was licensed under the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries by the Presiding Prelate of TFAM, Bishop, Rev. Dr. Yvette A. Flunder. Dr. Kellie has served as Minister of Music at Rivers of Living Water United Church of Christ where the Pastor is Rev. Dr. Vanessa M. Brown. She has served as Church Organist at Living Water United Church of Christ under the leadership of Bishop Dwayne Royster in Philadelphia, PA. She became part of Historic Trinity United Church of Christ under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Larry Covin Jr., as part of her field study while attending Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA. After receiving her Masters of Divinity degree, Dr. Turner continued her education by pursuing her doctoral degree at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. During her studies, and subsequent conferrance of Doctor of Ministry degree, Dr. Turner was elevated to the position of Assistant Pastor as well as Minister of Music and Arts.
Following Dr. Covin’s retirement, Dr. Kellie was voted to succeed Dr. Covin as Senior Pastor. Dr. Turner, during her time at historic Trinity, went through and completed the entire ecclesiastical process for the United Church of Christ and was approved by the local association, and conference as being a full fledged United Church of Christ minister.
Dr. Kellie continues to be involved in the arts and ministry and is embracing the duality and intersectionality of them both. The greatest Creator and Artist called each of us to be earthly creatives in one way or another, therefore, create in love, create in kindness, create in care, create in excellence, leaving this planet emptied out after having completed your assignments.
Grace and peace beloved.
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Meet The Director of Christian Education and Community Outreach
Rev. Dr. Dominique Denman
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Rev. Dr. Dominique Denman is the Founder and Pastor of City of Refuge East also known as CORE Fellowship (which meets virtually on Saturday mornings) and she also serves as the Executive Director for nonprofit organizations CORE Cares and Erie Theater Company. Dr. Dominique leads Worship and Liturgy and is the director of Education and Community Outreach in addition to the after-school theatrical program at historic Trinity UCC in York, PA.
Dr. Dominique is the co-founder of Denman Turner Entertainment Group which produces musical and theatrical productions. From 2001 to 2015, she toured internationally (Japan, Europe, and South America) with The Harlem Gospel Choir, Glory Gospel Singers and the Harlem Messengers. Prior to 2001 she was a member of the Houston Grand Opera chorus for 13 seasons, in addition to teaching at the public and private school levels.
Dr. D. has served as a chaplain resident at York Hospital in 2018/2019 and a virtual chaplain since March 2020. Dr. Dominique has taught in the public and private school sectors of her hometown of Houston, Texas. She currently teaches courses to community and lay leaders through Pacific School of Religion’s Theological Education for Leadership program and Ministers in Training courses at Rivers of Living Water UCC New York and New Jersey.
Dr. Denman holds a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary and Doctorate of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Domi’s work is focused on reconciliation and healing in marginalized communities. She is ordained with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and has official standing in the United Church of Christ, York Association. Her undergraduate studies were accomplished at Texas Southern University where she majored in Music Performance with a minor in Education. A powerhouse of purpose, Dr. Domi blends ministry, music and the arts with unshakable grace. She is bold preacher, thoughtful theologian, and advocate for youth and a heart rooted in service. Whether directing youth theater, crafting sermons or building Bible studies like "The Five Ships of the Church," she teaches with flair and produces projects that penetrate throughout the community.
MEET THE STAFF
Our church office is staffed by Beth Rohrbaugh-Mitts. Beth is on hand to answer your questions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday's. Beth publishes our Sunday bulletins, our monthly newsletters, the Messenger, as well as managing our daily operations. She is the friendly voice of Trinity Church! You can also reach Beth by emailing her at office@trinityucc-york.org.
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