STAFF & LEADERSHIP

  • REV. JOE DIPAOLO

    Lead PASTOR      

    Email Pastor Joe

    Pastor DiPaolo leads through preaching, worship leadership, visioning, supervising staff, and engaging in pastoral care. 

  • pastor Laura Sambrick

    Associate Pastor

    Email Pastor Laura

    Pastor Laura leads the ministries of Discipleship, Outreach and Pastoral Care.

  • dr. brian norcross

    Worship & Music Director

    Email Brian

    Brian is the Director of Music and oversees all musical activities for sanctuary worship.  He directs the Chancel Choir, selects music, hymns, service music, musicians, administers sound and light for sanctuary services.

  • Brian Close

    contemporary worship leader

    EMAIL BRIAN

    Brian is the worship leader for our 9:30 Contemporary Service and plans and leads worship each Sunday.  Contact Brian if you would like to be part of our vibrant service!

  • Amanda Culp

    Discovery corner preschool director

    Email Mandee

    Amanda directs the Discovery Corner Preschool Program at First Church. 

    Click Here to learn more about Discovery Corner and its staff.

  • Peter Omundsen

    Organist, Bell and Youth Choir Director

    EMAIL Peter

    Peter is the church organist and is the longest tenured staff member at First Church! He directs the Chapel (youth) Choir and the Wesley Handbell Choir. 

  • Christian Faux

    Minister of Youth and Young Adults & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR

    Email Christian

    Christian oversees all activities for youth and young adults in the church.  He also manages all the technical parts of our ministry, including the livestream worship & YouTube. 

  • faith kickery

    coordinator of children's ministry

    Email faith

    Faith oversees our children’s ministry program, including Sunday school, Children’s Church and events like our annual VBS.   

  • KAREN SENKOWSKI

    DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATION CARE

    EMAIL KAREN

    Karen coordinates  pastoral care. This care includes hospital and home visitation, transportation to appointments and Sunday services, providing meals, prayer shawls, grief care, and sending cards & packages.  Prayer requests are submitted to Karen.  

  • Jan betty

    Director of children's choirs

    email Jan

    Jan directs 2 children’s choirs at First Church. The Carol Choir is for children in 3rd through 6th grade, and meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The Cherub Choir is for children 3 years old through 2nd grade and meets Saturdays at 10:30 AM.

  • jennifer isenberg

    MANAGER OF FACILITIES & FINANCES

    EMAIL jennifer

    Jennifer brings over nine years of accounting experience and an M.A. in Business Administration to the First UMC administrative team.  She supports the financial staff and works closely with our Finance and Stewardship Teams.  Jennifer also coordinates all aspects of the building, calendar, rentals, events and custodians.

  • Brian Lehman

    Resident Artist

    Email Brian

    Brian endeavors to activate the visual arts in the worship experience. FUMC's goal of connecting people to their faith through the arts is paramount in his role. Parishioners experience this through classes, art shows, live art and seasonal installations.

  • beth bjerklie

    Nursery Care

    Beth has the most fun job in the church!  She cares for the littlest members of our family and provides a fun, safe space for them to begin their journey with Jesus!

  • Katherine Spear

    Membership SECRETARY

    Email Katherine

    Katherine's primary role is to oversee care for the membership records of First Church, but she serves in many capacities to help First Church run smoothly.

  • Sharon Heagy

    church secretary

    Email sharon

    Sharon handles the clerical needs of the staff and congregation, and assists those who come to the church during the week.  She is in charge of the bulletin, newsletter and keeping the information flowing smoothly to the congregation. 

  • Pam Young-White

    Bookkeeper

    EMail Pam

    Pam oversees all financial bookkeeping at First Church.

  • Jesus Perez

    custodian

    Jesus works as our custodian on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  He is also employed by Anchor Lancaster as a guest service employee.

  • Joan Thao

    Director of Communications

    Joan handles majority of the communication pieces at First Church, which includes all social media posts, website maintenance, advertising and digital pieces for special events, newsletters and reports, and weekly E-mail announcements.