Our Team

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Rev. Katie Hamlin

Vicar/Pastor

I grew up in central Pennsylvania but moved to Washington, DC, for my first job out of college. This area has been my home through many transitions. I met my husband here. I discerned my call to be a pastor here after working around the world for almost fifteen years in conflict transformation and international development. My three children were all born here.

Now I live in Takoma Park with my family and our dog. I love walking our local trails, camping in our state parks, and finding the best new coffee shop or restaurant. After living as a family in Thailand, we’re always up for a food adventure (but truthfully, we enjoy adventures of all sorts). 

I love being a pastor and learning how to follow Jesus and be a good neighbor alongside the people of Holy Comforter.

Rev. Galen Carey

Assisting Priest

Growing up as a third culture kid in the Philippines was great preparation for working cross-culturally with refugees and immigrants in the USA, and then doing Christian humanitarian work around the world. I love getting to know people from other countries and cultures! I am passionate about upholding the dignity of every human being, and blessed to be able to work for a just community, nation and world in which all can flourish as God intends.

For many years I led a small house church in Columbia and am now delighted to serve as an Assisting Priest at Holy Comforter. I am continually amazed at the love and generosity of the people God has brought together at Holy Comforter to serve our community and far beyond.

I have two adult sons. Fidel is an artist in Baltimore, and Joaquin, an author, lives with me in Columbia.

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A woman with black hair smiling, wearing a red sweatshirt, standing in front of a stone wall.

Joel Chan & Anna Yong

Lead Parish Musicians

We’re Joel (pronounced Jo-el) and Anna, parents to Elias and Eliana, and happy Hyattsville residents since 2020. We both grew up making music in the church: Joel playing every band instrument in his charismatic church, and Anna as the sole musician in her traditional Brethren congregation. Music has always been the way each of us connects most naturally with God, and we’re grateful to be able to share that joy with Holy Comforter.

Matt Wooldridge

Children's Formation Coordinator

I grew up in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, UT and now live in Brentwood, MD with my wife Shannon and our two young boys. I’ve been a stay-at-home dad since our oldest son was born over six years ago, so I spend a lot of time cooking and playing outside with our boys at parks and messing around in the yard with permaculture garden projects. I enjoy reading and learning about the relationships between faith, culture, and local food systems. 

I love to engage with children in their wonder and curiosity (both of which seem endless!) and build spaces for them to learn. My aim is to cultivate a peaceful environment at Holy Comforter in which kids can grow in their knowledge and love of God through liturgy, scripture, and prayer. As we experience the work of the Spirit in learning about who God is and how He loves us, we’re able to grow in health and wholeness in our relationships and spread the gospel throughout our communities.

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Erin Payne

Lead Catechist

I’m Erin, the Lead Catechist. It brings me joy to share God's love with children and deepen my own understanding of faith through working with the Atrium at Holy Comforter. I have been a part of the Holy Comforter community since 2022 and inspired by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd since my first time observing the Good Shepherd Atrium. I live in Hyattsville with my husband Adam and two children, Elias and Marien, where we have lived since 2016.