Our Team
Our team of ministers and staff are excited to welcome you FUMC!
Ministry
Rev. Amy Aitken
Pastor
Pastor Amy Aitken began her ministry at Pasadena First in July of 2021. A native of Southern California, Pastor Amy attended high school and college in California before moving to Atlanta to earn her Masters in Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and later earned a Doctor of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. She was ordained in 1997 and has served United Methodist Churches in Ventura, Granada Hills, Long Beach, Costa Mesa and Redondo Beach. Pastor Amy is passionate about connecting our Christian faith to our everyday lives in ways that are practical, spiritually-grounded, compassionate and just.
- Favorite Food: Indian and Pizza
- Favorite TV Show: Ted Lasso
- Favorite Place to Visit: Kenya
- Favorite Bible Verse: Micah 6:8: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?"
Rev. Jennifer Chapman
Director of Intentional Faith Development
Born in California and raised in Texas, Rev. Jennifer Chapman is happy to be living in the sunshine state! As the Intentional Faith Development Director at First UMC, Pastor Jen oversees the Christian education programs with a primary focus in ministry to children and youth and families. She is also the lead clergy person in a new initiative of FUMC to build relationships with our unhoused neighbors.
- Favorite Food: Mexican or Italian
- Favorite TV Show: Drama or Dramadies
- Favorite Place to Visit: The beach
- Favorite Bible Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Rev. Connie Tamkin
Minister of Hospitality
Rev. Connie Tamkin served throughout most of her ministry in Dallas, TX. She has returned “home” to FUMC-Pasadena, where she had her call to ministry over 20 years ago. Her grounding theology is the gracious hospitality of God and its extension of hospitality ministry and congregational care. She is an ardent social justice advocate and is currently engaged with housing justice issues throughout the San Gabriel Valley and is championing the development of a Community Land Trust.
- Favorite food: Parkway Grill Asian deep-fried catfish
- Favorite TV Show: Shows in the mystery genre.
- Favorite place: Anza Borrego for spring blooms.
- Favorite Scripture: Psalm 139.
Communications Director
Office Staff
Tim Sun
Business Administrator and Treasurer
Tim has served as the Business Administrator and Treasurer of FUMC Pasadena over 20 years. Born and raised in Shanghai, China, he received his undergraduate degree in Business and Finance before moving to Pasadena in the early 1980s to pursue his graduate degree. He previously worked for a national research institute and in higher education where he held roles including Sr. Finance Manager and Director of Operations.
Aisha Figilis-Williams
Facilites Manager
Aisha Figilis-Williams serves as the Office-Facilities Manager. Aisha has an extensive background in facilities scheduling and development, project management, and staff supervision.
- Favorite Food: Sushi and Italian
- Favorite TV Show: Survivor
- Favorite Place to Visit: Italy
- Favorite Spiritual text: Psalms 18:1-2: I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Ashley Slade
Communications Director
Ashley Slade serves as Communications Director. She holds a Masters Degree in Communications from Johns Hopkins University and has experience in graphic design and editorial work. Her dog Comet assists in the production of the Messenger magazine.
- Favorite Food: Cioppino
- Favorite TV Show: Only Murders in the Building
- Favorite Place to Visit: Mono Lake
- Favorite Poem: won’t you celebrate with me by Lucille Clifton
Dave Lohr
Audio Video Director
Dave Lohr serves as director of our Audio Visual team.
- Favorite Food: Tacos
- Favorite TV Show: M*A*S*H
- Favorite Place to Visit: Palawan
- Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Music Staff
Scott Lehmkuhl
Director of Music Ministries
Scott Lehmkuhl has been a singer, music educator and conductor for many years. In addition to his work at First UMC, Scott is also the Artistic Director of Pasadena Pro Musica and a lecturer in Applied Music at Pomona College.
- Favorite Food: Mac & cheese
- Favorite TV Show: The West Wing
- Favorite Place to Visit: Any national park
- Favorite liturgical text: Prayer of St. Francis
Aaron Shows
Organist
Aaron Shows serves as an organist and pianist. His original compositions have been performed throughout the United States as well as in Europe. He has composed original scores for features, short films, web series and commercials. Follow him on his YouTube page.
Eleen Hsu-Wentlandt
Cherubs Choir Director
Since Fall 2021, Eleen Hsu-Wentlandt has been serving our pre-shoolers, the Cherubs, in our Children's Music Ministry. She leads them in first experiences in music education, which includes skills in singing, verbal, movement, and percussion instruments.
Megan Goldstein
Handbells Director
As Director of Handbells at FUMC since 2005, Megan conducts handbell groups for all ages (children, youth, and adults). The various groups enjoy performing not only in Worship but also at various events in our larger community.
Custodial Staff
Calbert Murray has served many years as a custodian at FUMC. Calbert loves the Church and sees his work as ministry.
Jair Solis has an extensive background in custodial care and facilities maintenance.
Jose Escobar has 12+ years of custodial maintenance experience.
- Favorite Food: Tommy's Burgers
- Favorite TV Show: The Price is Right
- Favorite Place: Guatemala