Howard has roots in Indiana and grew up in Indianapolis.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Evansville and a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.  

 

Howard is married and has 5 children and one grandchild.  He enjoys traveling, hiking, jogging, riding roller coasters, attending concerts, and reading.  His favorite book is “Jayber Crow” by Wendell Berry.

 

Favorite Scripture:  Micah 6:8  

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

 

 

Sarah was born and raised in Columbus, IN.  She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biblical Studies.  Sarah has a Master’s Degree from the Wesleyan Seminary in Youth/Children/Family Ministry.  

 

Sarah and her husband, Mark, have 2 daughters.  Sarah enjoys traveling, trying new recipes and restaurants with her family, and reading.  Her favorite food is sushi and her favorite movies are the Harry Potter movies.  Sarah is an IU and a Colts fan.  Her favorite vacations are her family trips to Disney World.

 

Favorite Scripture:  Jeremiah 29:11

 

 

Sue Ellen attended Hanover College and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science and received a Masters in Public Administration degree from IU Bloomington.  

 

Sue Ellen and her husband, Glen, have 2 children.  She enjoys traveling, watching sports with her family, eating meals around the kitchen table, and sewing.  Sue Ellen enjoys reading and her favorite author is John Grisham.  Her best vacation was to Boston.

 

Favorite Scripture:  Philippians 4:13

 

Kevin grew up in Columbus, IN and went to IU Bloomington where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree.  

 

Kevin enjoys reading, theatre, and watching IU basketball.  He enjoys spending time with friends and family going out to eat.  Kevin’s favorite color is red and his favorite candy is Milky Way Carmel.

 

Favorite Scripture:  Psalm 100

 

Roland and his wife, Ann, live in Columbus.  He has been a custodian at First Church since 2014. 

 

Roland like bicycle riding, driving, and watching TV.  

 

Tammy grew up in Columbus, IN and she and her husband, Bob, have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.  Tammy enjoys spending time with her family and looks forward to family dinners.  Her favorite food is any pasta and chocolate.  She is an IU fan and enjoys quilting, cooking, and riding her motorcycle.  Her favorite song is “Hallelujah Chorus” by the Canadian Tenors/Celine Dion.

 

Favorite Scripture:  Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

Marcia is from Columbus, Indiana and has been a custodian at FUMC since 2009.  

 

She enjoys line dancing, antique shopping, bicycle riding, and reading books.  

 

Marcia always gets excited about spending time with her family and reminiscing, which she gets to do often.  Her brother, the oldest, remembers the best stories from their childhood and Marcia never tires of listening to them.  

 

Julianna is from Columbus, IN.  She graduated from Chapman University (Orange, CA) where she earned a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance.  She also earned her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Rice University (Houston, TX).  

 

Julianna and her husband Kevin have 2 daughters and they enjoy traveling, playing outside, bowling, and riding their bikes together.  Julianna’s favorite color is purple and she enjoys Thai and Chinese food.  She enjoys surfing, swimming, biking, reading, and shopping.  Her favorite music is anything written by Mozart and anything sung by Streisand.  

 

Favorite Scripture:  John 4:23-24

 

Gayle is a Columbus native.  She and her husband, Chris, have 3 children.  Gayle’s favorite color is blue.  She enjoys Italian food and watching basketball.  Her favorite family vacation was when she traveled to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.  They enjoyed watching the zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest migration. They enjoyed a hot air balloon safari where they got to see elephants, giraffes, topi (fast African antelope), kongoni (African antelope), and impala up close and personal.  

 

Kiswahili Proverb:  Kila ndege huruka na mbawa zake.  

(Every bird flies with its own wings.)

 

 

Erik grew up in Glen Ellyn, in the western suburbs of Chicago, studying piano from the age of seven. Later on, he began organ lessons, going on to graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Organ and Church Music, with a minor in Mathematics, from Valparaiso University. While at Valpo, he studied organ with Stephen Schnurr, harpsichord with Joseph Bognar, and voice with Ralph Klapis and David Govertsen. Through the Chapel at Valpo he served as Co-Director of the University Handbell Choir (the “Resurrection Ringers”), as Matins Organist, and as Morning Prayer Music Coordinator.

 

 

Paul and his wife, Lisa, have five children and one grandchild.  He graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry.  Paul retired after working for 30 years in the Veneer and Lumber industry and has been responsible for the FUMC building and grounds since 2014. 

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Jen was born in Western New York and has lived in Indiana since 2010.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Grove City College, a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University, and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary.  Jen’s previous career was devoted to helping children with autism reach their full potential.  

 

Jen cherishes her role as step-mom to her husband Eric’s two children.  She enjoys pushing her limits in running, focusing on developing a healthy lifestyle, reading a wide variety of books, spending time with her cat, and traveling with family.  Jen’s favorite vacation was an anniversary trip to Greece and England.  She loves college basketball and NFL football.  Jen tolerates baseball, having lived in Boston and married into a family of avid Cardinals fans.  

 

Favorite Scripture: James 3:13 (MSG)

 

 

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”