Matt has been serving as the Lead Pastor of First UMC-Denton since January 2007, and he has helped the church redefine the three morning worship services to the more traditional at 8:30 am, relocating the 9:45 am Jazz Worship Service to the more intimate Flinn Hall, and leading the planning of a more blended worship service at 11:00 am. He has also continued the church’s commitment to a strong mission identity and presence in the Denton community. Matt is married to Rev. Cammy Gaston, who serves as the Campus Minister of the Denton Wesley Foundation; and they have a son, Blaine. After receiving a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University, Matt obtained a Masters of Divinity from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. In 1993, Matt and Cammy served as the founding pastors of The United Methodist Church of the Disciple in DeSoto, Texas, and then from 2002- 2007 Matt served as the Senior Pastor at Flower Mound UMC. He serves on a number of District and Conference Committees and Teams including the District Committee on Ministry, Chair of the Conference Creating Congregations Teams, and Mentor Pastor. Matt also serves the church and the community by providing direction and guidance in Adult Education, Equipping Ministries, and Stewardship. He relaxes with a good game of golf and a long bike ride.

Lisa was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she grew up working for her father in the family feed store business. She loves outdoor activities, mostly camping and hiking, and she enjoys spending time exploring the world God has made. Lisa received her B.S. in Psychology from New Mexico State University and then continued her education at Southern Methodist University, receiving a Masters of Divinity. Lisa had been a volunteer in a variety of church positions throughout most of her life, and in 2000 she accepted a part time job as a youth minister at Fellowship UMC in Trophy Club. Answering God’s call into full time pastoral ministry, Lisa has been serving here at First UMC as the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care since June 2006 and was ordained an elder in June of 2010. She serves our community of faith as the coordinator for pastoral care and as the staff liaison for the Continuing Care, Stephen Ministry and Prayer Ministry teams. She believes that First UMC-Denton is a wonderful place to call home. Lisa parents two sons, David and Drew.

Lisa married Jeff Blaylock in December 2011.

Jessica was born in Glendale, California, and was raised in Bryant and North Little Rock, Arkansas. She married musician Andy Wright in 2002. They have one son, James Andrew, born in September 2010. After receiving her B.A. in English from the University of Central Arkansas, she attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where she received a Masters of Divinity in 2009. Jessica began working as a staff member for a large church, then followed her ministry journey to seminary and then through a pastoral internship at Flower Mound UMC along with a campus ministry internship at the Denton Wesley Foundation. Jessica provides leadership in Missions, Hospitality & Outreach, Adult Education & Spiritual Life, Communications, and the Neighborhood ConneXion groups. She is also involved in the community through the Denton Wesley Foundation.

Deana, our own home-grown pastor at First UMC- Denton, followed her faith journey at this church from adolescence to present day, developing a passion for its ministries. Joining our staff as a Children’s Director in 2002, she moved into a Program Director position in 2009. Now a Local Licensed pastor and appointed to 1st Denton in July of 2010, Deana plans to continue her education through Perkin’s Course of Study. She serves the church by supporting Children’s Ministries as staff liaison; and in February 2012, she began her tenure as Youth Pastor. She oversees our preschool daycare and elementary after school care programs. Deana is now serving on the Hope, Inc. Board and has served on the Apple Tree Board for Interfaith Ministries of Denton County. Deana considers herself blessed because her parents, her daughter and son-in-law, and her grandson are members of this church.

Joe is one of those people who enjoys attending school. He has a BS and MBA from Florida Institute of Technology. After serving as a programmer on the Space Shuttle for several years, he then went on to seminary and completed his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from SWBTS in Fort Worth. Recently Joe completed his class work for certification as Certified Financial Planner.

After working as a programmer, Joe has served in several churches across the state as a Single Adult Minister in Waco and Beaumont; Minister of Education in Beaumont; Church Business Administrator, Single Adults, Missions, College, and Communications Coordinator for a church in Amarillo; and as a Church Business Administrator for another church here in Denton before coming to First UMC-Denton.

He has two children—Jonathan, who is serving in the Air Force, and Kristen, who is studying to be a Pharmacist. He and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 24 years. Joe has a passion to serve Christ in whatever manner best helps the church fulfill its mission. He loves to teach, and along with his family, working together on mission trips. When not at church, Joe loves music, books, traveling, and being with his family.

Conductor, pianist, stage director and composer John Priddy has served as Director of Music & Worship at First UMC-Denton since July, 2001. He is the conductor of the congregation’s Chancel Choir, Credo Youth Choir, Men’s Ensemble and Chamber Singers as well as FUMC’s renowned Big Band - Foo McBubba.

He holds degrees in music and German from Texas Tech and Indiana University. He also did post graduate work at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin, Germany, as a stipend recipient of the German Academic Exchange Service. While at Indiana University he was the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including twice being awarded the $10,000 Elsie Sweeney Scholarship. He received grants from the Indiana Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts to support a Chamber Opera program he established within the university as well as a fellowship from the Indiana University Foundation which underwrote a private master class with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
John made his European conducting debut with the Harlem Opera Ensemble in 1985 in Switzerland followed by performances throughout Europe, including appearances in Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Monte Carlo and Lyons. Between 1988 and 1996 John worked in the opera houses of Germany conducting and stage directing a broad repertoire of opera, musicals and ballet.

Returning to the United States, John served as arranger, music director, producer and musician in several theaters in Branson, Missouri, including work with Bobby Vinton and Japanese violinist Shoji Tabuchi.

John has composed several major choral works including Passion – Seven Lasting Words and Hodie. Grace, Love and Dirty Socks, a children’s sacred theater piece written in collaboration with his wife, Jean Wilkinson Priddy, was performed in Denton in 2004. A full-length musical Dreams received its premiere in Germany in 2006. His conducting credits include performances with the Symphony of Southeast Texas, The Abilene Philharmonic, the Lubbock Symphony and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. An active arranger, his Civil War Trilogy for baritone and orchestra was recently performed by the Danville Symphony Orchestra.

In Denton, John has worked frequently with the Music Theater of Denton as a stage director and conductor including productions of Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story and Cabaret.

John is the proud father of a daughter, Gillian. When not making music, John enjoys landscaping, carpentry, cooking and computers.

It was in May 1994 that Gwynn answered her call to serve at First United Methodist Church. A staff position that began as editor of the church newsletter grew into a full-time position that now encompasses a wide variety of communications. Under the Communications umbrella, she manages print and electronic media, website, television ministry, public relations and advertising for the church. Gwynn is a member of the Denton Community TV Advisory Board.

Gwynn holds a degree in education, with specialties in English and history; she taught in Texas public schools and at the University of Alaska. The Jump family joined First UMC-Denton in 1981, while Gwynn managed their home as a stay-at-home mom to two daughters. In the next 12 years, she partnered with her husband in a software development company.

She enjoys traveling with her husband of 30+ years, reading, cooking and needlework.

Gail has plenty of experience meeting new people due to the fact that she was forever “the new kid” growing up. Her family moved twelve times before she finished high school which allowed her to experience new places and different cultures. She’s lived in Denton since 1992, and that seems like such a long time in one place! Her family joined First UMC-Denton in November of 2001.

You can find her in the main office each day juggling church calendar issues, maintaining the membership database, working on reports and statistics and helping those who enter the church doors each day.

Sueann serves as the Pastors’ Assistant and her duties include preparing the Prayers of the People list each week, finding the readers for the Call to Worship each Sunday, coordinating the flowers and Communion bread, and assisting Gail Warren and our wonderful pastors with various duties.

Her family consists of husband, Donald, son Kevin, and daughter Dorian. Time away from work finds her working crossword puzzles, reading, and walking her two rescue dogs, Bella and Zoey. She served on the PTSA Board and volunteered at Guyer High School (Go Wildcats!) through May/June 2011 and is an Honorary Lifetime PTA Member. Sueann has been a member at First UMC-Denton since 2002 and has been active in the youth ministry, television ministry, the receptionist group, VBS, as well as serving on various committees and boards throughout the church.

Sherry was born and raised in Dallas, where her parents and sister still live. After attending Stephen F. Austin State University, she married the son of a preacher and had two wonderful daughters. The desire to raise the girls in a small country town led the family to Aubrey, where Sherry put her creativity to work in the renovation of an old farmhouse and the purchase of a small diner. Her cooking skills led her, in 2001, to First UMC-Denton as Food Service Manager. Five years later, everything learned from serving as a vice president for an investment firm (pre-children, of course) was put to use when she became the Financial Assistant for the church. Currently serving in this same capacity, Sherry enjoys spending time away from work gardening with her delightful, energetic grandson. Sometimes, though, she wouldn't mind some of that time being spent quietly working a crossword, listening to blues music or snooping around an antiques shop. And, just to rev things up a bit, she loves to shoot pool and ride motorcycles!

Delores and husband, Terry, moved to Denton in 1996 from Houston, after Terry’s early retirement from Amoco Production after 28 years and being transferred many times (Monahans, Odessa and Houston, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Chicago, Illinois.) Delores retired from Gibson Greeting Company where she had worked as a greeting card merchandiser for almost 10 years. The Hettlers have two daughters and 1 grandson.

Delores was a stay-at-home mom when the girls were small and then worked as a teacher’s aide in a private school when living in Tulsa. She volunteered in the school libraries and became the volunteer Librarian of their church in Houston. She volunteered in the First UMC-Denton church library and became the part-time Librarian after Betty Eddy retired from that position in 2008 and has served in that position for 3 years.

The Hettlers are also ushers for the 11:00 worship service and members of the Bungalow Sunday School Class. She also volunteers for RSVP and United Way.

Martha, with her 12 years of service here at First UMC-Denton, knows all the nooks, crannies, and cracks to be found. Her knowledge and careful attention to the facilities and to the members of the congregation along with her commitment to learning elevated her to the job of Facilities Manager a few years ago. While working at the church, Martha became a US citizen in July 2004 and in 2008 earned a certification in HVAC. During 2010-2011, Martha attended the various classes offered in a Certification Program by the National Association of Church Facilities Managers (NACFM) and wrote a paper concerning the operations here at First UMC-Denton. She became a Certified Church Facilities Manager (CCFM) in the spring of 2011 and is one of only two women with this designation across the United States. Her primary responsibility at the church now is the management of the custodial personnel who keep the building clean and ready for use by our church and community members. Her schedule often varies, but she is most likely to be found at the church between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm during the work week, Monday-Friday.

Martha came to the United States from Mexico and now lives in Sanger, Tx. Her family consists of her husband, one son, two daughters, one son-in-law, and one granddaughter.

Kay began working at First UMC-Denton in August of 1974 as a teacher of 3-4 year-olds in the then twice-a-week preschool program. When the program moved to the Fellowship Building and extended to a program of 5-mornings per week program, Kay became the Director of Children’s Day Out. Kay is a graduate of UNT, with a degree in education.

She loves working with young children and watching them grow and learn according to their individual possibilities. Children are a gift from God, and she feels blessed to have been and continue to be a part of so many young lives.

Kay’s family consists of a husband of 45+years, two adult children, and 3 grand dogs.

Laura Sennott comes to First UMC-Denton by way of First UMC-Lewisville, where she began her ministry work with children as a preschool teacher, continuing in that capacity for 7 years. During a year-long study in Disciple 1, she heard that "we are to be and do for others what God has been and done for us" and knew that she wanted to get back to working with children and sharing God with them. Soon after she was hired as the Coordinator of Children's Ministries at First UMC - Lewisville and worked there for 6 years.

Laura has been involved in many church ministries during her life - Children's, Confirmation, Youth, Visual Arts for Worship, Missions.

She was born in Dallas, Texas, and has 4 children — 3 sons and a daughter - ranging in age from 30 - 17. She enjoys anything that lets her be creative,
and her friends say she never stops and that she loves to help people.

Although Beth was born in Dallas, she was raised in Denton, graduating from Denton High School and claiming First UMC-Denton as her church home. She credits her mother and grandparents with the foundation of her faith journey together with the strong youth program here at the church. Beth’s ministry areas in the church are children, children, and children. Currently, she serves as our childcare coordinator. She sits on the Finance Committee as a representative of the Children’s Day Out and FunStop Afterschool Programs.

Beth enjoys being with her family. She is married to Billy Wilson, a Denton County law enforcement officer, and together they are raising three children –
Dylan, Baylee, and Gage.

Beth carries her faith outside of the church walls to participate in the Emmaus Community, to help at her children’s schools, and to volunteer for Relay for Life and the Great American Clean Up efforts.

Chanel came to Denton via League City and Nacogdoches,Texas, after attending Stephen F. Austin State University. With her degree in Child & Family Services, (minor in Early Childhood Education), in hand, she moved to Denton, where her family grew to include two children, Maddie and Clayton.

She originally began her work at First UMC-Denton as a teacher of 2-year-olds in the Children’s Day Out program, then took on the church’s Childcare Director’s position. In July 2009, Chanel became the Director of Fun Stop After School Care program for elementary-aged children. She also serves as Co-Director of the Children’s Day Out program, where her role is to train staff, evaluate lesson plans and assist the Director, Kay Jennings, in the supervision of staff.

Church work wasn’t in her plans, but God took over. Now, she can’t imagine her life any other way and feels blessed to be in a place where it is ok to share God’s love with co-workers, staff and most importantly – our world’s next generation. She recently attended the Walk to Emmaus and her journey there confirmed that this is exactly what God intended for her to do with her life. She returned full of ideas on how we can teach our young, future leaders the meaning of grace and the importance of spreading God’s love through mission work and every day acts of kindness.

Beth teaches in Children’s Day Out, where she has served for the past three years, and added Children’s Ministry Coordinator to her responsibilities here at First UMC-Denton in April 2011. As Coordinator, Beth’s responsibilities include preparation for all of our children’s ministry events.

Beth was born in Corning, Iowa, but has lived in the Denton area for the past five years. She has one daughter, 4-year-old Briley, with whom she enjoys playing games. Beth is a baseball enthusiast, having pitched in a college world series, so she spends some of her off time watching Texas Ranger’s games.

Where and when would you most likely see Beth at the church?

• Monday-Friday, 9:00 am—2:00 pm, in the Little Tykes Room at Children’s Day Out
• Tuesday/Thursday, 2:00-6:00 pm, at a desk in the East Wing or on the 2nd floor of the East Wing
• Wednesday, 4:30-8:30 pm, on the 2nd Floor of the East Wing

Shea became our youth ministry intern in August 2011, bringing experience in ministry through the 6 years he served as an intern at Bridgeport Camp and as a director of a junior high camp this summer. He is also currently a staff member at our FunStop After-school Program.

Shea is a student at UNT. According to his Facebook page, he enjoys all kinds of rock music (including but not limited to U2, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, and Journey). He reads a lot of different genres but doesn't watch much TV. His interests include cooking, traveling, history, and philosophy.

First UMC-Denton welcomed Andy as the new organist at the 8:30 and 11:00 am worship services on March 6, 2011. Andy is currently a student at the University of North Texas as a doctoral candidate in Organ Performance. He has played the organ for over 20 years and received his previous education in Organ Performance at Brigham Young University and the University of Kansas. He is currently a guest organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle and regularly performs recitals there. Andy is an active composer and recently had an anthem performed by First Presbyterian in Fort Worth. Andy is happily married and is the father of two little girls. He and his family moved to Texas last summer and love being here. Andy is excited to be a part of and serve our congregation.

Andy blogs and shares his music at lloydmusic.wordpress.com.

Jett is a product of West Texas – specifically Floydada and Lubbock – relocating to the North Texas area to attend the University of North Texas.

He graduated from UNT in 1992 with a degree in jazz arranging. Along the way, he met and married Nancy, with whom he has shared over 25 years of marriage and two daughters, Hannah and Rebekah.

Jett has played the piano since he was in 2nd grade, and he frequently accompanies instrumental and vocal soloists in performance venues. He passes on his musical knowledge to private piano, guitar, and brass students.

Since childhood, Jett sensed a calling to ministry but has never had an opportunity to pursue a formal education toward full-time ministry. He has a special interest in helping children grow in their faith; and since music is such a big part of his life, being involved with Children's Choirs (first as accompanist and now as director) is a natural fit. On Wednesday evenings during the school year, Jett can be found in the children’s choir room working with our Cherub, Chorister, and Challenger Children’s Choirs (ages 4-years through 5th graders).

In his church life before Children’s Choirs, Jett spent time in lay leadership – serving on the Adult Education and Spiritual Life Committee, as a Sunday School teacher for children and youth, a VBS volunteer, and a vocal ensemble director of Men’s Ensemble and Measure by Measure (a female vocal group).

Jett takes his talents out into the community through Musical Theatre (as rehearsal pianist and pit musician) and by accompanying school band, orchestra and vocal students at competitions, playing keyboards and singing in the Christian progressive rock band: Supernal Endgame.

Jett’s day job since 1992 has been at Pender's Music Company.

Carol Lynn is the Conductor of the Handbell Choirs at First United Methodist Church, Denton, and is a long-time member of the First UMC-Denton Chancel Choir and Chamber Choir. She is the Band Director at Strickland Middle School in Denton and has also conducted the Denton Community Band since 1978. She holds B.M.E. & M.M.E. degrees from the University of North Texas and has done extensive post-graduate work at UNT.

Carol Lynn is a Charter Member of Concert Bells of Fort Worth, an auditioned community handbell choir in the Metroplex. She currently serves as a Ringer and was
co-conductor of CBFW for two years and on their Christmas Favorites CD. She hosted the Denton Area Bell Jam for several years and served as Mass Ringing Conductor. Carol Lynn has rung since 2002 with Distinctly Bronze, an international event for advanced Handbell ringers and rang with the Dream Team at Pinnacle, 2004, an event for Community Handbell groups. She has served as Handbell Clinician for area and national festivals including the National Seminar of the AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers), the Music and Arts Camp of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, and Mo Ranch. Carol Lynn was the AGEHR Area V Festival Conductor in October, 2008, where her winning composition of the Area V Composition Contest, Fiesta con Campanillas, was premiered, and Festival Mass Ringing Conductor for the CORD (Central Oklahoma Ringers & Directors) Festival in November, 2008. She was also the Conductor for the HEB Handbell Festival in Hurst in February, 2009, and composed the commissioned work for the Festival: I Sing the Mighty Power of God.

An active participant in community arts, Carol Lynn was a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Denton Arts Council for 9 years, served as Treasurer, served as President (1986‑87), and was the recipient of GDAC’s Community Arts Recognition Award (CARA) in 1989. She served as Associate Director and Mass Conductor of the Denton Festival of Carols for thirteen years.

Carol Lynn holds membership in Texas Music Educators Association, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and Sigma Alpha Iota. She serves on the Handbell Committee of The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. Carol Lynn is a published composer and an oboist. She and her husband, Bob, have two daughters, Michelle Corazao and Jennifer Bollinger, and sons-in-law Marc Corazao and Bob Bollinger, and a grandson, Ian Corazao, born in 2011.

David Rowland serves as leader of our Connection Worship Service for an extended interim period. David has a music education degree from UNT where he studied voice with Juanita Peters. David has served as a elementary music teacher at McNair Elementary here in Denton for ten years. There he directs the McNair Commander Choir, a group he founded and which has been featured on the ‘Good Morning Texas Show.’

He is currently the fine arts council representative for elementary music teachers for Denton ISD. He has been active in Denton’s Community Theater groups as a performer, music director and orchestra musician, and he has appeared on PBS as a soloist with TCC. He has lead praise and worship in several congregations in the area.