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. Mina Nau-Mahe
Associate Pastor
Pastor Mina is a Tongan-American who grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before deciding to pursue her call to the ministry, Pastor Mina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel and Textiles, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Fashion Design. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Pastor Mina was ordained an elder when serving in the Mountain Sky Conference (Colorado, Utah, Montana). A passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church, Reverend Mahe serves on the national board of the Reconciling Ministries Network. She is a deep listener, and a thoughtful pastor with a Spirit-led and collaborative vision for the ministry we all share.
- Favorite Food: My top 3 are Polynesian, Italian and Korean.
- Favorite TV Show: Growing up it was Family Matters. I also love Yellowstone (1883 and 1923), Godfather of Harlem, and From.
- Favorite Color: Purple
- Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do and God will show you the way." (GNB version)
Office Staff
Jami Carrera
Business Administrator and Treasurer
Jami serves as the Business Administrator and Treasurer. Jami has a long history with FUMC Pasadena, having joined the church in 1996. She was married at this church, and her three sons were baptized and confirmed here, too. Jami earned her Master's degree in Organizational Psychology and has made a career in helping small businesses navigate their financial practices and employee relationships.
- Favorite Food: Tacos!
- Favorite Movie: Grease
- Favorite Place to Visit: Anywhere near the water!
- Favorite Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a Time for Everything
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
Dori Fotsch
Ministry Coordinator
Dori is a life-long United Methodist who has served on church staffs for decades. She holds a Masters in Arts from the Claremont School of Theology and many certificates (and awards) in youth ministry. She has served as a Global Mission Volunteer working in migrant communities in New Mexico and Los Angeles, and is a passionate advocate and activist for justice, equity and inclusion.
- Favorite Food: Mexican Food and Popcorn. (Not at the same time!)
- Favorite TV Show: My sister introduced me to
Shitt’s Creek and I love it! - Favorite Place to Visit: The Beach.
- Favorite Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:18: Let all that you do be done in Love.
Joy Kimura
Administrative Assistant
Joy is a native Pasadenan, returning after sojourns in Alaska, London, Boston, NorCal and SoCal. She spent 25 years raising funds for arts and education non-profits. An Episcopalian, Joy trained as a spiritual director with Stillpoint.
- Favorite food: Strawberries
- Favorite TV show or movie: Pride and Prejudice
- Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, reading and writing fiction.
- Favorite quote or scripture: Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes.
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.
Chrissa Hayes
Cantate Choir Director & Coordinator of Children’s Music
Chrissa Hayes was raised in the church and has worked for the FUMC music program since the year 2000. In 2008, she was assigned to lead the Cantate Choir and serve as Coordinator of the Children’s Music Program. She loves working with the kids on reading music, vocal skills, and especially fostering a love of sharing their gifts with the community.
Caleb Dehn
Cherubs Choir Intern
Caleb currently works as an intern for the Cherub choir with Eleen Hsu-Wentlandt and as an accompanist for the youth choir with Scott Lehmkuhl. Playing instruments, singing, and dancing with the children is the highlight of his week!
Outside of church, Caleb works as an Emergency Medical Technician and studies at the University of Southern California, pursuing a B.A. in Music and a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Healthcare Studies and Philosophy.
Outside of church, Caleb works as an Emergency Medical Technician and studies at the University of Southern California, pursuing a B.A. in Music and a B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Healthcare Studies and Philosophy.
Custodial Staff
Calbert Murray has served many years as a custodian at FUMC. Calbert loves the Church and sees his work as ministry.
Jose Escobar has 12+ years of custodial maintenance experience.
- Favorite Food: Tommy's Burgers
- Favorite TV Show: The Price is Right
- Favorite Place: Guatemala