BRIGHTONFUMC.ORG - Key Persons

Allison joined the church staff as Director of Children and Student Ministry in August 2021. Allison has known since high school that her primary call in life is to make Christ known. Allison has her B.A. in Biblical Studies and is a lifelong learner. For over 20 years she has served in Christian education, youth ministry, missions, and in public schools. Her passion is to creatively communicate the goodness of God in uncomplicated ways. She's excited to foster an inclusive, accessible children's and youth ministry where all feel welcome. She wants to encourage students to bring their questions, doubts and belief so that in Christian community they can encounter the mysteries of God in unexpected ways as they grow a faith that will last into adulthood. When not at church, you're likely to find Allison outside: hiking, kayaking or sitting under a tree with a book in hand. She also enjoys writing, knitting, laughing and geeking out over Middle Earth with her three kids. She and her husband celebrate 22 years of marriage in 2023. Allison is a native Midwesterner, originally from Indianapolis but most recently from Chicagoland. She is so excited to be back in beautiful Michigan.

Bill has a bachelor's and master's degrees in math from Eastern Michigan University, and has been teaching math at Northville High School for over 20 years. He has coached various sports including basketball and track, and currently helps coach the Northville mountain biking team. About music, Bill says, "I started playing piano for the church I grew up in (Dix United Methodist Church) when I was 14 years old. Since then I've moved around a bit, but God always finds a way for me to use my talents. When I lived in Canton, I played for Cherry Hill UMC. When we moved to Brighton in 2006, I started playing for New Hudson UMC. My family (wife Devon, son Liam and me) started attending Brighton First in 2017 after wanting to find a church closer to home."

Charlotte Miles is a local high school student. She says, "I absolutely love working with kids, I have done a lot of babysitting and truly enjoy helping families in this way. I have six dogs two of them are puppies. I love helping people!"

Job Titles:

• First Steps Preschool Director

Jennifer is the First Steps Preschool Director. She comes to us after 18 years with the Early Childhood Programs for Howell Public Schools. During that time she rose through the ranks from assistant to co-director while also teaching preschool and facilitating Parent and Child Playgroups. In October 2017, she changed paths to pursue her love of children's literature by taking a position with a company that produces reading comprehension lesson plans and support materials for elementary school teachers. Jennifer is excited to join First Steps Preschool and return to the important work of providing exceptional preschool experiences for young learners. She graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and went on to attend an Alternative Teacher Certification Program in Dallas, Texas where she taught Kindergarten in the inner city. She and her husband, Patrick, have lived in Brighton since 2003. They have three children. In the fall of 2021, their oldest son William will begin his junior year at Grand Valley State University studying Engineering. Jacob, their middle child, will be joining his brother at GVSU as a freshman studying Film. Their daughter Emily is entering her sophomore year at Brighton High School. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and her interests include reading, hiking, golfing, cooking and photography.

Kristy is warm, kind and gifted addition to our staff. Kristy grew up attending the Whitmore Lake Church with her extended family and is excited to join our team. She has over 10 years of custodial experience. She has two teenage daughters and loves animals.

Linda Barach joined our part-time custodial staff in December 2021. Linda is warm, energetic and excited to be joining our custodial staff at the church. Previously, Linda worked on the custodial staff of St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Michelle joined the custodial staff in Dec. 2022. Her joy is being a mommy to her beautiful son Luke. In her free time she loves to do anything that has to do with being outside: hunting, fishing, riding snowmobiles, four-wheelers, and walking in the woods. Michelle says, "I love these things now more than ever now that I'm a momma and can teach my little one the same things."

Olivia Shaw is a college student studying childhood development and hopes to become a kindergarten teacher. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and is a big fan of Starbucks. Olivia has five dogs, two horses, four goats and nine chickens.

Jon grew up in Clarkston, Michigan and attended Albion College where he studied Philosophy and Political Science. After college, Pastor Jon was called into ministry while working as an intern at Cass Community UMC in Detroit. After seminary, Jon served as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul's UMC in Rochester, Michigan where he helped launch two worship services and focused on reaching young adults. Before coming to First UMC - Brighton and Whitmore Lake in 2020, Rev. Jon served as an Associate Pastor at Cass Community UMC. Rev. Jon is passionate about meeting new people and helping people grow in their faith. His love of mission work has taken him on many short-term mission trip experiences locally, nationally and internationally. In particular he feels called to respond to the human need for water security. At the local church level Rev. Jon is also passionate about creating worship experiences that touch and transform people's lives. Outside of church, Jon loves biking, walking the dogs, and the Detroit Tigers! Pastor Lindsey and Pastor Jon met at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, and were married shortly after their third year of school there. They have two children, Joshua (age 4) and Lydia (age 2).

Pastor Lindsey was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University where she studied Communications and Theatre Arts. After college, Lindsey served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries in Hawaii, working with children and youth. Called to ministry, Pastor Lindsey attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity in 2013. Prior to coming to First UMC - Brighton and Whitmore Lake, she served at Birmingham First UMC from 2012 to 2020 as an Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Contemporary Worship. Rev. Lindsey loves mission work, small group discipleship, preaching, and working with people of all ages. Lindsey loves singing, dancing, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and visiting her family in Nebraska and Texas. Pastor Lindsey and Pastor Jon met at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, and were married shortly after their third year of school there. They moved to Michigan to took up their ministry positions at Birmingham First United Methodist Church and Rochester St. Paul's United Methodist Church. They have two children, Joshua (age 4) and Lydia (age 2).

Pastor Lynn is excited to join the staff of First United Methodist Church (September 2022) and work with both people who are new to the church as well as those who have been a part of our congregations for many years. She wants to help folks build a deeper relationship with God, develop meaningful friendships and support within a diverse community of disciples, and help them to connect with opportunities to know, love and serve God. After retiring as lead pastor of Franklin Community Church, Lynn served as the Pastor of Discipleship and Congregational Care at Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. Previously she served at Eastpointe: Immanuel UMC, Farmington Hills: Orchard UMC, and Birmingham First UMC, where she was the pastor for congregational care. She previously served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, which oversees credentialing of new clergy, on the Board of Discipleship, and on the Conference Conflict Resolution team. Lynn is a second career pastor, having previously worked for 11 years as a hospital administrator and some years as a teacher and Foster Grandparent Program Director. In addition to her Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and Ecumenical Theological Seminary, she also holds Master's Degrees in Education from Oakland University and in Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan. Lynn is married to Gary, a retired engineer who sings in several choirs and loves to golf. They have two married daughters and three granddaughters.

Let me introduce myself… I grew up singing in choir and performing in church dramas and programs at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (E.L.C.A.) in Lansing Michigan. I began my study of piano at the age of 10, and began accompanying the children's and adult choirs when I was in high school. I also played the cello and violin in the Lansing Jr. Symphony for 6 years. My dad was a theatre enthusiast and performed and directed many local community theatre productions, church and school productions, and I spent many hours at rehearsals with him. I was also a member of "K.I.H.O." (Kids Interested in Helping Others) and performed in their annual theatrical productions ("Sound of Music" - chorus, "Wizard of Oz" - Aunt Em, "Music Man" - Marion the Librarian, and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" - Music Director) to raise funds for disabled kids to attend camp. In 1984 I became a Navy wife. This lifestyle meant we moved a lot, but wherever we were, there were always opportunities for me to serve in military Chapels. In 1997, I completed my Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature at California State University with the intention of becoming a high school teacher, but our three children kept me busy at home, and God led me in another direction. After leaving the Navy life, our family settled in Vallejo, CA where I served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as Choir Director from 1991-1994. In 1994, we returned to Michigan where I served as Music Director, Choir Director, and Organist at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield from 1995-2001. I started my piano studio at this time, and have been a member of the Michigan Music Association and participated in their annual music competition since 1995. In 2000 we moved to Brighton, where I served as Music Director and later Organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church from 2001-2007. I also became a member of the Community Theatre of Howell, performing with many shows ("Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - Narrator, "Honk" - pianist, "Fiddler on the Roof" - Fruma Sarah, "The King and I" - pianist, "Tom Sawyer" - pianist, "The Man Who Came to Dinner" - Music Director and pianist). Since 2008, I have also accompanied shows for ACT2 Theatre Company (Pinckney High School). From 2008-2010, I served at St. George Lutheran Church in Brighton as choir accompanist, but with our two oldest children approaching the college years, I searched for fruitful, meaningful work, and while I had many different ideas about the path I might take, I prayed often for guidance in what God would have me do. The opportunity to serve the congregation of Brighton First United Methodist Church is truly the blessing I was waiting for. I am very excited about the music ministry that had already been established here and how it will continue grow and expand to meet our mission of transforming lives to transform the world.

Suzanne is responsible for the church's email newsletter, social media and website. She holds a bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from Albion College and has focused her career on nonprofit communications and marketing. She was confirmed and married at First United Methodist Church - Brighton. She and her husband Brian live in Hartland with their two children. Outside of her staff position she is active as a worship host, lay servant and in the United Methodist Women. Suzanne says, "It is a blessing to be able to share my gifts with my church family. I have literally grown up in this church and I love that I can give back this way."

Wendy joined the Brighton First staff as an administrative assistant in October 2015. In November of 2017, Wendy accepted and was promoted to the full-time position of Office Manager and Finance Secretary. Wendy has lived in Brighton since 1999 with her husband Jerry and their three boys, Kyle, Cory and Aidan. Brighton First has been their church home for many years. In her spare time, Wendy loves to spend time with family and friends, garden, take walks with her dogs, volunteer, read and cook.