Rev. John McMullen
Senior Pastor
john@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 217

Contact About
Board/Committee Service
General Church Operations
Goal Tracking
Worship (8:30 & 11:00 Sanctuary)
Pastoral Care

Bio
John McMullen has served First Church as Senior Pastor since 1994. He is responsible for Sanctuary worship and the supervision of all work group facilitators. His more than 36 years in the ministry include serving churches in San Antonio, Corpus, and San Angelo. Raised in Weslaco, Texas, he attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy. He also received a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Reverend McMullen was ordained Elder in 1971. He has chaired several major bodies in the Southwest Texas Conference, and served as Delegate to Jurisdictional Conference. In addition, he has participated in lecture series at other congregations, and received several preaching awards.

Beyond his main responsibilities at First Church, John enjoys teaching Mind & Spirit courses. Together with wife Fara, he has two married children, Stephanie Vaughan and Michael McMullen. Both live in the Austin area and attend First Church. The McMullens are also the proud grandparents of Noah, Mackenzie, Sam, and Anna. John spends his time outside the church playing golf, woodworking, and playing with his grandkids.

Rev. Mimi Raper
Pastor of Ministry Development, Facilitator of the Ministry Development Work Group
Pastor of Adult Christian Education & Evangelism
mimi@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 212

Contact About
Ministry Moments
Pastoral Care
Programs (i.e., Alpha, Missions, Social Justice, Stephen Ministry, UMW)
Program Staff/Clergy Supervision
Spiritual Direction
Worship (8:30 & 11:00 Sanctuary)
Adult Christian Education (i.e., Sunday School, Mind & Spirit, and Short- and Long-Term Classes)

Bio
Mimi Raper originally came to First Church in 1985 serving as Associate Pastor for UT students and single adults. In 1989, Mimi became pastor of another area church. In 1992, she began part-time work at area Methodist churches, and led 10-15 spiritual retreats per year. Later she served as Spiritual Director at New Life Institute, a United Methodist counseling center. She returned to this congregation in 1997. In her current role, she supervises all pastoral and program staff, plus the care aspects of life at First Church. Born and raised in North Carolina, Mimi has an undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She attended Perkins School of Theology at S.M.U. where she received a Master of Theology. She has also received graduate training in spiritual direction from Shalem Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. In the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, she has served on many boards and agencies. She was elected Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Conference in 1996 following more than 15 years of service on that Board. She has been a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference three times.

Mimi has an adult daughter, Rebecca, who lives in Austin. When Mimi is not working she is visiting with friends, reading, or riding her bicycle.

Rev. Kathleen Jones
Associate Pastor
kathleen@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 216

Contact About
Pastoral Care
Worship (9:00 Chapel, Wed. evenings)

Bio
Kathleen Jones has served many years on the First Church staff, first as Director of Youth Ministries, after graduation from Southwestern University in Georgetown. After six years in San Antonio, she returned to First Church in 1970, serving as Director of Christian Education. She was ordained permanent deacon in 1997, and was the first Chair of the Order. She was a delegate to the 2004 Jurisdictional Conference and serves on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Her current duties include leading the Wednesday evening Chapel service and the 9 a.m. Sunday Chapel service. She also works with Adult Christian Education and Evangelism teams. First Church honored her many years of service by naming the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center after her, along with the Pastor Emeritus Bruno Schmidt.

Kathleen’s daughter and son-in-law, Caroline Jones and Greg Trosclair, and their daughter, Veronica Trosclair, are active members of First Church.

Rev. Young Min Son
Pastor of International Ministries & Congregational Care
young@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 214

Contact About
English as a Second Language
Hospital Visitation
Prayer Concerns
Stephen Ministry
Website Design/Functionality
Worship (8:30 Sanctuary, Selah, & Wed. noon)
Pastoral Care

Bio
Young Min Son came to First Church in 2002. He oversees First Church’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Hospital Visitation programs. He also serves the congregation as an active Stephen Minister and Web master for www.fumcaustin.org. Originally from Busan, South Korea, he graduated from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea. He received a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and served Korean UMC-Austin for 5 years as associate pastor for youth prior to coming to FUMC.

Young has lived in Austin since 1997. He is very active in the First Churhc ESL program with wife, Joy Choi. They have two children, Kevin (4yrs) and Hannah (1yrs).

Rev. Clifton Stringer
Pastor of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
clifton@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 226

Contact About
College Ministry
Confirmation
Young Adult Ministry
Youth (6th-12th Grade) Ministry
Worship (9:00 Chapel, Selah, & Wed. noon)
Pastoral Care

Bio
Clifton Stringer was just appointed to First UMC in June 2007, his first pastoral appointment. His areas of emphasis in ministry include preaching and leading worship at the 9 AM chapel and “Selah” (11 AM chapel) services, working with the college and youth ministries, helping teach an Alpha course, working with small groups, and (with Rev. Young) visiting hospitals. He is very excited to get to serve at First UMC.

From 2004 to May 2007, Clifton loved attending seminary at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. But he is very happy to be back in Texas. When not at church, Clifton loves spending time with his wife Lindsey, hanging out with friends, reading, playing guitar, and walking around Austin.

Clifton’s friend Cameron has described him as a “dork,” which is not unrelated to his proclivity for making puns and thinking they’re funny.

Rev. Bruno Schmidt
Pastor Emeritus

Paula Stiernberg, Ed.D.
Director of Children & Family Ministries
paula@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 211

Contact About
Children & Family Ministry (Infant-5th Grade)
FUM Preschool Administrative Board
FUM Preschool Chapel Services

Bio
Paula Stiernberg joined the staff at First Church in 2004. She oversees the Children’s programs, including the childcare program and Sunday School for children through 5th grade. She is also very involved in the FUM Preschool, both as Chapel director and board member. Paula’s previous experience includes serving as a public administrator for a middle school and a high school. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Texas Tech University, a Master of Education from the University of Houston, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Baylor University.

Paula has been a member of FUMC with husband, Michael, for six years. They have one son, Stanton Dean, who regularly gets to attend events for the big kids.

Scott Davis
Director of Music Ministries, Organist
scott@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 209

Contact About
Instrumentalists
Sanctuary Choir
Paid Soloists

Bio
Scott Davis has been Director of Music Ministries and Organist at FUMC since 1997. He oversees a program of multiple vocal and instrumental ensembles with volunteer and professional staff. A native of Indiana, Scott began formal training in music at an early age. Following college at Indiana University at Bloomington, he has served in United Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic parishes as organist/choirmaster in Indiana and Texas. For sixteen years he was the organist for The Texas Annual Conference, as well as organist for the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Scott has performed for audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, receiving unanimous critical acclaim. His teachers have included Clyde Holloway, Gerre Hancock, and David Wehr.

Shirley Derryberry
Director of Handbell Choirs
shirley@fumcaustin.org
Home 331-7368

Contact About
Adult Handbell Choir

Bio
I grew up in Minneapolis the first decade of my life and then we moved to Texas. I knew I would have a horse and live on a ranch. Surprise!!! We lived in Farmers Branch-- where band did not start until 6th grade. I had already been playing clarinet for two years and taking private lessons. The Texas school did not know what to do with me.
I attended the North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas, and received a Music Education degree in instrumental music. During this time period, I was a low wind specialist in the North Texas area and continued this job after graduation.

I have been involved in church music throughout my entire life as a singer, an instrumentalist and as a director. I directed the childrens choirs at a Methodist Church in Dallas for 4 years before we moved to Austin.

I am a wife (Bill Derryberry’s!!), a mother (Rebekah and Tom’s), a teacher at Bethany UMC in Austin, a missions team volunteer (Russia team and other projects), and a musician, just to name a few.

First Methodist is my home church and I became involved in the music program, both singing and instrumentally. When FUMC started the handbell choirs, I joined in and eventually started the children's handbell program and then directed the Adults and Youth. I have been directing handbells at FUMC since 1989.
Welcome to FUMC and come join the bell choirs.

Jennifer Pavlovich
Director of Children's Music
jennifer@pavlovich.com
Ext. 210

Contact About
Children’s Choir

Jim Weaver
Director of Operations, Facilitator of Operations Work Group
jim@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 205

Contact About
Buildings
Data Processing
Facilities Maintenance
Finance
In-Kind Donations
Pledged & Non-Pledged Giving

Bio
Jim Weaver has been the Church Administrator at First Church since 2003. His areas of responsibility include facilities maintenance, accounting and budgeting, data processing, support staff supervision, and general office management. Prior to FUMC, Jim worked in non-profit administration for 30 years working at the State Commission for the Blind, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, and Planned Parenthood. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Miami University and a Master’s degree in public policy from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jim and his wife Susan have twin sons, David and Adam. Jim has been active in Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Housing, and Mission-to-Mission. He is a sports fan and an active tennis player. Other hobbies include reading, bridge, and bicycling.

Jen Stuart
Director of Membership
jen@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 203

Contact About
First-Time Visitor & New Member Information
Membership Integration

Bio
Jen Stuart has been a member of First Church since Valentines Day 1999. As our new Director of Membership she is in charge of keeping track of all our members from the time they join until they move on. She would love to help you connect to a Sunday School Class or to a Committee or Group that uses your gifts and talents. She is a member of the Genesis Sunday School Class, the Children’s Team and the Administrative Board. She holds a BA from the University of Houston in Theatre. Previous work experience includes her position here as the Director of Childcare and 9 years working at The Taxtrailer.

Jen has been married to Derek Stuart since 1993 (they were mere children when they married). They have two fabulous daughters, Clara and Ava, who you will find singing in the Children’s Choir or just singing for no particular reason. Jen’s parents, Doak and Linda Thomas, and her sister’s family, Melanie, Jeff and Sam Miller have all joined the church in the past few years.

Tami Kellberg
Director of Publications
tami@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 204

Contact About
Editor in charge of Communications
Class Registration
Liturgy Reading Schedule
Publication Layout
Wedding/Funeral Bulletins
Worship Flowers

Bio
Tami Kellberg has served as the First Church Publications Secretary since 1986. She was encouraged to join the staff by her mother, Ireta Kellberg, also on staff. Her duties include designing, printing, and assembly of all weekly worship bulletins and the monthly news magazine, The Beacon; taking class registrations for Adult Ministries and Mind and Spirit classes; and coordinating the of altar flowers for the Sanctuary. Prior to joining First Church, she worked in retail, which she still does on a part-time basis.

Working seven days a week does not leave Tami much spare time, but she enjoys the company of her 25-pound cat named Trouble. And, as you can tell by his name, he tends to keep her life very interesting!

Cathy Stone
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
cathy@fumcaustin.org

Contact About
Junior High Ministry
Senior High Ministry
Youth Website

Bio

Samantha Franklin
Director of Childcare
childcarefumc@yahoo.com

Contact About
Childcare

Bio
Samantha Franklin has been employed with First United Methodist Church since February 14, 2006. She has over five years in early childcare development and joined our Preschool staff this year. She came to from St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School where she was certified with the Episcopal Church to teach “Safe Guarding God’s Children,” a powerful program to protect children against abuse.

Samantha has lived in Austin for over ten years. Her daughter, Jen, is the light of her life. When not attending one of Jen’s soccer or basketball games, she enjoys shopping for the Church Mission programs. Teaching children about God is a goal for her. Other hobbies that she enjoys are hiking, reading, and gardening.

Marilyn Good
Director of Stewardship
mgood@tnlaonline.org

Contact About
Stewardship

Bio
Marilyn Good, the only unpaid staff person to facilitate a work group, began her role as Facilitator in 2005. She oversees the spiritual development component of First Church’s age-level ministries and educational opportunities, as well as the Stewardship Committee, which she chairs. Marilyn has served as Communications Director for the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association since 1990. She holds a degree in education from the University of Kansas at Lawrence, and a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Marilyn was raised in the Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas, and started going to First Church in 1986. She and husband, Dan Wood, sang in the sanctuary choir for around 15 years and Marilyn played in the bell choir for several years. She has served multiple terms on the Finance Committee. The blended Good-Wood family has four children and six grandchildren, including the Dippel family (Leslie, David, Avery, and Joseph) who are members of First Church.

Shannon Sullivan
Assistant Church Administrator, Office Manager
shannon@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 202

Contact About
Accounts Payable
Designated Funds
Payroll

Bio
Shannon Sullivan has been on the staff at First Church since 2004. Her areas of responsibility include serving as Administrative Assistant to the pastors and scheduling all events at First Church. Her job has been described as being queen of all space and time! Prior to joining the staff, she co-owned a massage business with husband Jon. She is a Registered Massage Therapist, but now only does massage part-time.

The Sullivans have lived in Austin for ten years and can't imagine living anywhere else. They are the parents to one dog and three cats. Shannon regularly attends the 9 a.m. Chapel service. She is an active participant in Hands on Housing, Four Corners Mission Trip, and is the current leader of the Social Justice team. She is also a founding member of the Genesis Class. Other hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, camping, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Laurie Barr
Receptionist, Data Processing and Membership Assistant
laurie@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 200

Contact About
Membership Data (changes to/requests for member contact information)
Prayer Concerns (if Young out)
SS Attendance

Bio
Laurie Barr has been on the staff since July 2004. She greets all visitors to the church office, and hers is the friendly voice you hear when you call the church. As assistant to the Membership Director, she is responsible for entering church and Sunday School attendance into our database.

Laurie was born and raised in Austin and attended ACC and the University of Texas. She is a third-generation member of First Church. Her grandparents and mother joined in 1949, and her daughter, Danielle, is the fourth-generation member. Laurie and her mother, Eleanor Smith, were on our church’s first Appalachia Service Project team in 1979, and she worked on four subsequent teams with Danielle. She is a Stephen Minister, a member of the “Knit Wits”, and is very active in the Emmaus community. Laurie regularly attends the Selah service in the Chapel on Sunday mornings.

When you come to the church, please introduce yourself to Laurie, and she will be glad to direct you to the right person or place.

Cindy Reidland
Administrative Assistant to Pastors
Director of Scheduling and Events

cindy@fumcaustin.org
Ext. 206

Contact About
Pastors Scheduling (Baptism, Wedding Counseling, etc.)
Gate keeper of the "master" FUMC calendar
Worship Attendance
Ministry Moments Scheduling
Building Scheduling
Custodial Staff Schedules
Equipment Scheduling

Bio
Cindy first joined the staff in March 2003, but had to leave in March 2004 to care for her Mother. She was available to rejoin the staff in July 2006 as Administrative Assistant to the Pastors on a part time basis.
Beginning in November, 2007, she became full time as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastors and Director of Scheduling, Building and Events.

Cindy retired from SBC Communications (now AT&T) in Sept. 1999 after a 26 year career in management. Her career included 10+ years in the training organization as both an instructor and team leader for the Southwestern Bell 5 state region. Cindy had a great career at SBC, but she must admit that she is thrilled to be back at FUMC!!!

Cindy joined FUMC in September 2001. She is a UMC “preacher’s kid” and spent her childhood growing up in the Southwest Texas Conference, from Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. She is involved in the Stephen Ministry program as one of the Stephen Leaders for FUMC.

Karen Over
Administrative Assistant to Music Minisitries
tenortaz@earthlink.net
Cell 466-5318

Contact About
Sanctuary Choir
Sanctuary Sound Board

Bio
Karen officially joined the First Church staff part-time in 2005, but fulfilled the same role for long before that. She assists with administrative work and publicity for the Sanctuary Choir, and also operates the Sanctuary sound system. Early in her life, Karen was a ballet dancer and a professional horse rider. She also traveled as a roadie with the Ohio Players. She also currently works in retail receiving for bestdressedkids.com.

Karen joined the Sanctuary Choir when Scott Davis was hired as Director of Music, joined the church a year later. She has served on the FUMC Administrative Board for six years.

Roy and Jan May
Missionaries

Website: www.pensamientos.com/news.htm

Bio
Roy and Jan May have served on the faculty of the Latin American Biblical University in San Jose, Costa Rica, since 1987. Roy teaches theology and ethics and works with the Emaus Forum dedicated to defense of workers’ rights on banana plantations. He is part of the faculty-training pastors for the emerging UM church in Honduras. He teaches and lectures on environmental ethics. Jan teaches graduate courses on gender issues and ministry, feminist theology and qualitative research and research in ministry. She has launched an Internet course on gender issues and ministry. She is a frequent guest preacher in local area churches. We were privileged to have Roy and Jan visit with us in July 2003 and share with us the significant mission work they have been doing for 17 years.