This page is a work in progress: Please check back again for more pictures and information about the staff at First United Methodist Church.
See our contact information page to learn names, areas of responsibility, email addresses, and phone numbers.
J. Douglas Paterson | Pastor
Doug has been the Senior Pastor at FUMC since July of 2005. He came to Ann Arbor having served as the district superintendent of the Marquette District. He is married to Karla who teaches math at Washtenaw Community College. They have two daughters. One who just graduated from Michigan State University and another who is junior at University of Michigan.
Nancy Lynn | Pastor
Nancy comes to Ann Arbor First UMC from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she recently completed her Master of Divinity degree. Her passions in ministry include welcoming and hospitality, social justice and mission, and ministries of reconciliation and healing. Nancy has lived in several other countries including the Netherlands, India, France, and Switzerland, where her daughter, Emily, was born. Emily is now 10-years-old and dreams of being a vet some day. Nancy and Emily enjoy reading, creative writing, music, the outdoors, and exploring new places -- and they also enjoy time spent with their two cats, Tracey and Taylor.
Robert Roth | Pastor
As the new member of the pastoral team at First U.M.C., as well the new Director/Chaplain of the Wesley Foundation (campus ministry) at the University of Michigan, Rev. Roth is an ordained Elder in the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Previously the pastor of the Williamston U.M.C. and the Otsego U.M.C., he has also served as the College Chaplain of Albion College and as the associate pastor of the Lansing Central U.M.C. Bob has two grown sons living in Chicago: Dylan, who is into electronic music and “DJ’s”; and Philip, an artist with a great interest in film. Bob’s interests include social justice, peacemaking, jazz, Tiger baseball, interfaith dialogue, and creation spirituality. A writer for many church publications and Sojourners magazine, his most recent book is Answering God’s Call For Your Life : A Look At Christian Calls And Church Vocations (2006, U.M. General Board of Higher Education & Ministry).
Drew Angotti | Director of Youth Ministries
Drew made the long overdue switch from bachelorhood to married man when he met the love of his life and best friend Kimberly and her two beautiful children Nick and Jessica in 2008. Before that he lived in many wonderful cities including; New York, Miami, Hartford, Indianapolis, Cleveland and London, England. Drew has served Youth in one capacity or another for his entire adult life and rumor has it that enjoys it so much because he is just a big kid himself. He Started his studies at the University of Miami and finished his undergraduate work at Indiana University with a BA in religious studies and sociology. He continued his studies at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio. Drew loves sports of all kinds and right now is trying to master Frisbee golf. His joy is his family and his chocolate lab “Cameron”.
Beth Pascoe | Director of Children's Ministries
Beth loves being a part of the lives of children and their families. She was a middle and high school mathematics and computer technology teacher and a softball and volleyball coach for 12 years before her daughter, Katie, was born. These days, she teaches ice skating to young kids and is very active in coaching her daughter’s ice hockey and baseball teams. Beth loves being outdoors, especially going on walks with her dog in the mornings, biking to Washtenaw Dairy for ice cream, hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, sailing, water skiing, snow skiing and watching sunsets on the beach. Beth also likes playing ice hockey and volleyball and training in Tae Kwan Do. Her husband, Todd, and daughter, Katie, do a pretty good job keeping up with her!
Ann Marie Koukios | Minister of Music & Liturgical Arts
Naki Sung Kripfgans | Organist
Naki has been the organist here since 2002, right after her graduation from U of M (she always considers herself very lucky to be the organist here without spending much time to look for a job!). Naki and her husband, Oliver, have two adorable children, Sophie and Alex. She and her family feel very blessed to be a part of this wonderful church family. More information about her professional career can be found in her own website, http://www.ultrasound.med.umich.edu/ODK/NakiKripfgans/Welcome.html
Jane Johnston | Chancel Bells Director
Jane has been the director of the Chancel Bells for the last 15 years. She has been the director of choirs in three different churches since 1981. Jane has led workshops and participated in many events in the Midwest since her career began in handbells. The Chancel Bells is a strong group playing an advanced repitoire.
Carole DeHart | Director of Children's Choirs
Carole has been director of Children's Choirs since 2003. In addition to her role at FUMC, she is a graduate student at EMU in Piano Pedagogy, teaches piano, and is the accompanist for the high school choirs at Plymoth-Canton Educational Park. In July 2009 she completed Level 1 certification as a Director of Young Singers at the Choristers Guild Institute. Carole lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Peter. They have two daughters who are in college.
David Vaughn | Green Wood Music Director
Juli Miettinen | First United Methodist Cooperative Nursery (FUMCN) Teacher
Susan Sowder | Young Fives Teacher
Susan is the current Young Fives teacher and a long-time FUMCN parent. In addition to teaching the Fives class, which helps kids by giving them an extra year to prepare for kindergarten, Susan is a parent of 4 children, ages 8 to 13. She also coaches a travel soccer team and can be found most evenings on a soccer field.
Brad Vincent | Business Manager
Brad Vincent has been the Business Manager at Ann Arbor First since 2005; providing our church with his expertise in accounting and financial systems. Brad and his wife, Leslie Austin, who live in Ann Arbor are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In recent years, both have been active in community theatre and in other musical venues in the area. A native of Appleton, WI, Brad has lived in and\or traveled to all 50 of the USA. And, as a MBA alum from the University of Wisconsin, Brad says, “GoBadgers”!
Adele Roy | Administrative Assistant
Adele has been with the staff since early 2002. Her background is in graphic design and publishing technology. She's a transplant to the midwest from many different locations on the east coast (she usually just says she's from I-95). Her husband, Rob, is an actor, and is a teacher and Theater Director at Pinckney High School. Adele and Rob sell fair trade coffee beans between downtown worship services to benefit local missions, and Adele can sometimes be heard reading the scripture as Lay Lector during worship services. Adele enjoys exercise, reading, cooking, painting and other creative activities when she has free time. They have two children, Griffin and Lucie, and a very old wire-hair fox terrier named Muddy.
Tina Alee | Secretary/Receptionist
Tina has been working at FUMC since 2001. Pictured with her is her beautiful son, Steven. When you call the church, Tina’s voice is the one you usually hear on the telephone. Some of her duties are taking care of mailings, registrations, attendance, and maintaining the church’s database. Some days you never know what Tina will be doing. Her hobbies are playing the piano, playing the organ, and singing.
Wendy Everett | Administrative Assistant to Youth & Children's ministries
Wendy has been a member of FUMC since 1993 and an employee since 2000. A lifelong Michigan resident and graduate of Michigan Technological University, she employs her skills to design and publish documents of all shapes and sizes for the youth and children’s ministries. As the owner/graphic designer/chief cook and bottle washer for Publitech, a business she launched in 1993, she specializes in newsletter design and production. When she isn’t catering to her two elderly, four-legged, feline friends, she might be found rubber stamping greeting cards, reading at the library, spending time with family or friends, or off on a mission trip to Zeba, Kenya, Bulgaria, or Colombia.
Jim Danforth | Maintenance Supervisor
Jim has been a member of FUMC since 1976, he has worked for the church for 8 years as a Maintenance Supervisor. He is active in Volunteer In Mission projects in Costa Rica, Estonia, and Kenya. He also has been a youth counselor and has helped on mission trips with the youth. Jim's hobbies are building/remodeling and working on his classic 1966 Thunderbird, he also owns a horse with his Granddaughter, Maxine, and often accompanies her to Equestrian events. If he isn't helping or working on his hobbies he is at the church.
Mike Hitchcock | Custodian
Mike has been with FUMC since 1991. He loves watching movies and has an extensive collection of DVDs. His children are Steven, Scott, and Haylie. Mike’s currently taking automotive classes at Washtenaw Community College and training for the August 2010 Three Day Walk for the Cure.
Henry Brown | Custodian
Henry has been a part of the custodial staff since 1993. He enjoys dancing, grilling, his shoe collection, and doing stand-up comedy. His co-workers provide him with plenty of material for his comedy act! Henry is married to Carolyn and is the proud father of five children.
Peter Smart | Custodian
Peter’s homeland is Sierra Leone. He worked for the government and still has family there. He enjoys dancing to traditional and contemporary African music. Peter has been with the FUMC staff since 2004.
Mark Brokaw | Custodian
Mark is a life time resident of Ann Arbor. He and his wife, Linda, are long time members of FUMC. They have a daughter, Helen. Mark is an avid amateur musician and participates in the music program at the church.
