Rev. Ellen E. Thornburg
Lead Pastor
About Pastor Ellen
Pastor Ellen was born and raised in the United Methodist Church. She received her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, a Master of Arts in Digital Media from University of Houston, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake, and an Associate of Arts in Musical Theater at San Jacinto College. Pastor Ellen has served in chaplaincy at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center where she specialized in trauma informed care to the Emergency Department, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Cardiac, Neurology, and COVID ICUs, Palliative Care Department, and Labor & Delivery Unit. She has also been in ministry at Seabrook United Methodist Church and in the community with low-income and homeless support networks, musical programs, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. In 2023 Pastor Ellen was commissioned and appointed to the brand-new United Methodists of Baytown and Mont Belvieu. She completed her pastoral residency with us as we claimed our identity as Love United Methodist Church. In 2025 Pastor Ellen was ordained as one of the newest Elders in Full Connection with the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 2026 she was appointed as the Lead Pastor of Love United Methodist Church. In her Sabbath time, she enjoys books and motorcycles (not simultaneously) and volunteers on the Board of the Sterling Municipal Library. She lives here in Baytown where it is her joy to serve this vibrant community of faith!
Deborah Delhomme
Certified Lay Minister
About Deborah
Deborah Delhomme was raised by a single parent, her father. Bachelor degree earned at Lamar University. It took me 21 years between high school graduation and college graduation to complete my degree, earning the money to take one course at a time while working full time, but I did it with no loans – debt free. During my youth, I was a Camp Fire Girl and an Explorer Scout. The Explorer Unit was sponsored by Southwestern Bell Telephone company. Explorers is where I learned about many types of communication, including amateur radio, also known as “ham radio”. Later in life, I volunteered to be a “Scouter”. I served in multiple roles in the Boy Scouts of America from a committee member all the way to Assistant District Commissioner. I am a recipient of Wood Badge Beads and completed the Master’s Degree from the College of Commissioner Science. Deborah has worked in a variety of occupations. Majority of my working years were spent working as a contract employee in a refinery, and in public education administration records management. I began my journey to Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in January 2012 under the 2008 Book of Discipline, and completed the required coursework in 2013. When I started, all courses had to be completed in person, in the North District (Longview/Texarkana area). I have served as an interim pastor at a two-point charge of small churches. The requirements for CLM have changed over the years and different Books of Discipline, but I keep up with continuing education. I have taken all of the required courses, but in a different order. My husband and I joined the Arabia Shrine Clown Jewels in 2012. Our first Shrine Circus performance happened in April 2012. Shrine Clowns perform at Shrine Circuses, visit Shriners Hospitals for Children, appear at civic events like parades and patriotic events. For the past several years, Arabia Shrine Clowns have entertained the “Special People” at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Parade. Since I was taking CLM courses the same time as joining the clown unit, I chose the clown name of “Glow Ree Bee”. In 2012, I graduated from the Houston’s Cheerful Clown Alley annual clown school. My husband, “Light Bulb” graduated from clown school the following year in 2013. Glow Ree Bee attended “Moose Camp” in 2018. Some of the “Moose Camp” instructors are retired Barnum Bailey Ringling Brothers clowns. Houston’s Cheerful Clowns entertain at hospitals, retirement centers, and places where “Special People” gather for activities such as the beeping Easter Egg hunts, participate in parades. In 2024, I decided to return to amateur radio. I am a member of the Bay Area Amateur Radio Club (BAARC), which is currently meeting at Love United Methodist Church. So far, I have participated in the national Field Day in June, Winter Field Day in January, Texas QSO Party, and the annual Gator Ride (a local fund raiser for the Hearts and Hands of Baytown).
Ethan Fasnacht
Director of Music Ministries
About Ethan
Ethan Fasnacht is an experienced choral director who is thrilled to be joining the team at LOVE! He is currently serving as Adjunct Music Faculty at College of the Mainland and Lone Star College – Kingwood, with a teaching focus on Sight Singing and Music Theory. He is also an active recital and freelance collaborative pianist, who worked as a collaborator at Texas Tech University School of Theater and Dance, Houston Voice Studio, and the Texoma region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conferences. As a vocalist, Ethan has appeared as a member of the Houston Symphony Chorus, Amarillo Opera, and as a district competitor in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. He earned his master’s degree in Vocal Performance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, and bachelor’s in music education from Penn State University in University Park, PA with a choral emphasis. Ethan has been a music director and conductor with Moonlight Musicals in Lubbock, FUSE Productions in State College, PA, and with the Mainland Chorale at College of the Mainland. In his past UMC positions, he has sung as a choral scholar at St. John's United Methodist Church in Lubbock, TX and most recently at Moody United Methodist Church in Galveston. This year, Ethan will be making various vocal and keyboard appearances throughout the Houston area, including his role as a keyboardist/vocalist in the Pat Benatar tribute band Fired Up: A Tribute to Pat Benatar!
Paula Harrison
Organist, Pianist, Handbells
About Ethan
Paula Harrison was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She and Doug have been married for 27 years, and have a combined family of three children, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and three dogs. Paula’s undergraduate work was done at Indiana University School of Music. She did postgraduate work at Our Lady of the Lake University, and music certification studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Paula taught elementary music at the Kincaid School in Houston and has worked in numerous United Methodist, Lutheran ELCA, and Baptist churches as the organist/pianist, children’s choir director, handbell director, and/or director of music. She has owned a music studio giving piano lessons to both children and adults since 1971. She taught a beginning and advanced accompanying course for pianists at the Texas Conference Choir Clinic for three years. She has also served as the pianist/music director for numerous high school and community theater musicals. Paula was a founding organizer of An August Adventure, an interdisciplinary workshop sponsored by the Greater Houston Handbell Association, Houston Chapter of The American Guild of Organists, and Houston Chapter Choristers Guild. She founded the Conroe Federated Music Club and has served as president of that organization as well as the Huntsville Music Teachers Association, San Jacinto Music Teachers Association, Sigma Alpha lota professional music fraternity for women, and Houston Chapter Choristers Guild. She served on the worship committed for the Baytown Ministerial Alliance and the Texas Conference Choir Clinic Board of Directors. She served as a district delegate to the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for many years and served on the Conference Passionate Worship Committee. Paula is published in Clavier Magazine, a national publication for piano teachers, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.