The Rev. Dr. E. Scott Winnette
Scott Winnette’s life is lived blessed by a beloved Creator. He was born into a faithful Christian family in middle Tennessee that alternated between his mother’s Church of Christ preference and his father’s Baptist leanings. Drawn into a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, he sought out his own church as a senior in high school after his parents tired of the ping-pong of denominations and stopped attending worship. High school buddies invited Scott to join them at their Presbyterian church. The thought-provoking theology, inspiring preaching, and music were very attractive. He found a home in a congregation rooted in the spirit and theology of the Reformation, bound to explore faith and seek justice. God’s Spirit nudged him to pastoral ministry. After a short career in computer systems analysis, he went on a two year pilgrimage of discernment as a Mission Volunteer of the PC(USA) – first Ghost Ranch in New Mexico and then England. Scott was received as a student at the Louisville Theological Seminary where he thrived with faithful teachers and great friends. During Seminary he served as the Campus Worship Coordinator, as Student Body President, as a pastoral intern for a year with two churches in West Virginia, for a summer at a church in Salem, Oregon and as a TSAD to General Assembly.
He was attracted to his first call as Associate Pastor at the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church because the position was focused on mission and youth, the congregation had a female pastor, and shared space with a Jewish Congregation. Scott has faithfully sought to submit his life’s energies and talents to Jesus Christ serving congregation, Presbytery, General Assembly, and in his community. He has served at the Presbytery on its Committee on Preparation for Ministry, on its Camp Committee, and currently on its Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Team. Scott is eager to study the particular history and merits of the United Church of Christ, to embrace the local Association and to get involved in service and support of the denomination’s mission. After fourteen years of service to Bradley Hills, he is excited with the prospect of a new partnership with the Rockville United Church in ministry.
Utilizing the gift of a sabbatical, he completed studies at McCormick Seminary for a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching with a social justice thesis, “Hearing the Voices of People Long Silenced.” Committed to God’s command of Sabbath, as well as a responsibility to society, he has built a rich life outside of his vocation as pastor. Resting in God, he enjoys gardening particularly vegetables, canning, candle making, and reading. He enjoys sharing his life with his partner, Anthony Moscato Jr. and two cats (Katya and Tasha). Anthony works with the Federal Government in the immigration processing of asylum and refugee applicants. They are delighted to live in a historic home in Frederick, MD. Serving his community, Scott is Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, serves on the nonprofit Board of the Frederick Community Action Agency (the City’s service provider to the homeless), and on the Downtown Neighborhood Progress Board.
He is blessed to be called by God to ministry and gives thanks to God Almighty for the daily opportunities to love and be loved.