FUMER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman, Brenda Austin - Co - Chair, Bill Botti, Nora Wellman, Denise Bertram, Kitti Savage
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Anthony Funaro (email) has served as Vocal Music Director for the Eaton Rapids Public Schools since 2013 where he directs the Middle School and High School Choirs. Choirs under his direction have earned high ratings at both Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) District and State Choral Festivals as well as performed at Disney World. Students under Anthony's tutelage have excelled at MSVMA District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and have participated in all levels of the MSVMA Honors Choir Program including annual participation in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival All State Honors Choir.
In addition to his teaching duties, Anthony co-directs the Eaton Rapids Middle School Fall Musical and the Eaton Rapids High School Spring Musical each year. He is also a staff pianist at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids where he accompanies traditional services and plays in the Praise Band. Anthony also serves as the MSVMA District 8 Manager.
, a native of Southwest Michigan, has been serving First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Music since 2003. At the church, Brenda directs several handbell choirs of all ages and levels and leads worship with the Praise Band. Outside of FUMER she is Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble and Handbell Editor for Hope Publishing.
Job Titles:
- Director, Sue Shoultz - Chair
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Stewardship Chair
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Jan Denton is a retired elementary/preschool teacher. She began piano lessons at the age of 8 years with the organist of the Methodist Church in Maumee, Ohio. In eighth grade, Jan also began taking organ lessons from her and playing for the church services. She studied organ one year at Bowling Green State University. In each community where she and her husband, Jack, have lived she has served as organist for the church they attended. For two years Jan was the organist for the annual conference of the UMC's West Michigan District. Jan also plays piano once a week for the residents at Island City Assisted Living and for the local Rotary Club.
Julie Kirkpatrick (email) Julie Kirkpatrick is our Nursery coordinator on Sunday mornings for both the first and second service. Julie has a variety of experiences working with kid of a variety of ages. She greets our babies and toddlers each sunday with engaging and creative play and art experiences. Here is what Julie has to say about her role in the nursery: My name is Julie Kirkpatrick and I am enthusiastic about being the Nursery Program coordinator for FUMER. In the past I have worked for many years in nursery schools and public schools with children of a variety of ages, so I feel I am well suited for this position in your community. I look forward to meeting your children and serving your family. If you would like to contact me to ask any questions please email me or speak with me directly at the nursery room, located across the hall from the church office.
Linda Jones became a church musician at the age of fifteen after praying for an opportunity to use her talents in the church. She went on to study piano at Michigan State University where she received degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Music Therapy. In addition to her position at FUMER, she works as an independent music teacher in piano. She also serves as a collaborative pianist for the Eaton Rapids Public Schools. Linda is the mother of four grown children. She and her husband, John, live in the Mason area.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Job Titles:
- Casual Service Worship Leader
Matt is coming to us from the Fearless Network of Churches in the areas of Holland and Hamilton and has a calling to be involved in worship ministry. He is a talented musician with experience in worship leadership and youth ministry.
Matt had a chance to reflect on how he feels about his new role here at FUMER: "I am so excited to be a part of the FUMER team! God has been calling me to music from the start, and I am grateful that I now get to share that passion fully with the church. I have been on worship teams for twelve years now and I have spent every day learning and growing because of that. I am engaged to my lovely fiancé Julia and she is thankful to be a part of this journey with me! We love that we can help grow this service together as a team with all of you. I enjoy spending time outside, going on walks, writing music and spending time with my family. Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to me or Julia!"
Melissa Hampton (email) Melissa the youth director was brought into our church by the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program back in 2000, when the group first started. She took over as leader of the group for many years until 2007. During that time she enjoyed so many aspects with MOPS, including running Mom-to-Mom events, Book Club, Bible Study and more. She is excited to once again take on a more prominent role in our church.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman, Pastor Melany ( Staff ), Linda Reid, Samantha Carroll ( Staff ), Denise Bertram, Brenda Austin ( Staff )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Pastor
- Senior Pastor
- Artist
- Michael Comer - Chair
began as Senior Pastor of FUMER in July 2021. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, serving since 2000 as lead pastor in communities from Onsted, to Concord, Marshall, and now Eaton Rapids. Arriving in 2021, after the Covid-19 pandemic, everything is a bit different. Melany is the first female lead pastor at FUMER in 181 years. She is also the first to arrive with pink, purple, and blue hair in… well, forever!
Pastor Melany is an artist by nature, a pastor by calling, and a follower of Jesus by choice. She brings artistry to ministry, is led to serve outside the church building, and follows Jesus to help assist the least and the lost. Melany has quite the background, describing herself as broken, and yet healed by the love of Jesus.
You'll find Melany in local establishments, getting to know her neighbors, in addition to leading creative small groups that paint, scrapbook, and serve those in need. She has degrees in Fine Arts, Family Life Education (counseling), and a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She was born and raised in Saline, on her grandfather's dairy/vegetable farm. She owns her own 5-acre farm just south of Eaton Rapids, growing flowers from seed and rescuing animals who need a mommy to love on them.
Pastor Melany is quirky and a child at heart, she loves to puddle jump on rainy days and curl up under a quilt as she movie marathons it with her 6 Grands. She creates artwork in her studio at Mellow Farm and upon retirement will run her own art gallery again, as she did before being called into ministry. She is married to Darryl, who is a commercial construction superintendent and huge race fan. They have two adult sons, Jerry (Erin) Losee and Mikayl (Ashley) Losee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Samantha enjoys camping, riding bikes, taking walks and kayaking. She also enjoys spending time in her craft room making t-shirts, home decor items and seasonal crafts.
Samantha decided to make the move out of Public Education and into Ministry because she felt that God had called her to "Come and follow Him." Samantha has a heart for the local church and wants to see not only FUMER but all churches and God's kingdom thrive and grow. Her faith has always been a huge part of her life and was blessed to have parents that were active in their own faith and in their church. She believes that her role as Discipleship Director is to help provide opportunities to move each person closer to God no matter where they are currently in their faith journey.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Member of the Finance Committee