Meet the FUMC Church Staff The Program Staff of First Church is responsible for ministries and programming in the life of the congregation. These persons are:  SENIOR PASTOR
The Rev. Daniel J Berger, a native of Indiana, is a 3rd generation pastor. He and his wife, Kelly, have lived in South Bend for the last 7 years.
Dan has served six churches, Elkhart Simpson, South Bend Grace (where he was associate pastor when Phil Klinger was senior pastor), South Whitley, Crown Point First, Culver Wesley and most recent South Bend First.
Dan received a BA from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where he earned a double major: Religion and Sociology/Anthropology. He minored in music. After graduating from college he attended Boston University School of Theology, where he received a ThM (Masters in Theology) in Biblical Studies. He spent an additional year of seminary study at New College, Faculty of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Kelly grew up in Culver, Indiana. She received a BA from Indiana State in Anthropology, then a MA from Arizona State University in Archeology and Museum Science, and after a time as a museum curator, a MA from Purdue University in Special Education. She has been a special ed teacher since her graduation from Purdue, and has had teaching positions in Connersville, Lafayette, and Granger, Indiana.
Dan's passions include travel, music, the family and sailing. On days off during the summer he can be seen on their Catalina sailboat. Kelly's interests include travel, the family, needlework, reading and walking.
Their son Brandon (25) resides in Hobart, and their daughter Jessica (21) lives in South Bend. And they would love to tell you about their grandchildren, Victoria (6), Diani (4) and Jaida (10 months)."
dberger@fumcwl.org
 PASTOR OF HOPE
Denise C. Frank (Denny) and her family joined First United Methodist Church in 1985. While a member of First Church, she began her seminary studies at Christian Theological Seminary in September 1992, completing her Master’s Degree in Christian Education (MCE) in December of 1996. Denny was consecrated as a Diaconal minister in 1997 and ordained a Deacon in 2000. Prior to beginning seminary she taught at Village Nursery School for 11 years. From May 1994 until September 2001 she served as Director of Adult Ministries at First Church, leaving at that time to complete a chaplain internship at Home Hospital and to continue her education in the area of grief and bereavement. Her role is evolving as that of a companion for those who have experienced loss and grief in their lives. Denny and her husband Rich have four adult children: Laura, Jennifer, Stephen, and Andrew. They have been blessed with five grandchildren: Isaiah, Devin, Drew, and Myles and Melaina. dfrank@fumcwl.org  PASTORS OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND CAMPUS MINISTRY
Lana Robyne grew up in central Illinois, receiving a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois and MDiv and Master of Theological Studies from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Glen Robyne grew up in Urbana, Illinois, receiving a B.A. in Physics from Knox College in Galesburg IL, and MDiv and MCE from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. Both are Ordained Elders in the United Methodist Church. Lana and Glen were married in 1994 and have two children— Isaiah, 6, and Ella Ruth, 5. They moved to W. Lafayette in 2002 as part-time campus pastors at Wesley Foundation so they could also be home with their children. They took five months away from that ministry from February-June 2006 to assist in campus ministry at Africa University in Zimbabwe. Now they are back, happy to be serving at both Wesley Foundation and one-quarter time each at First UMC. At FUMC, Glen will work with Junior High and Confirmation while Lana will be working primarily with adult education. In their free time they love canoeing, bicycling, hiking, camping, traveling in general, playing scrabble, and of course enjoying time with their kids. Lana also likes watching movies, reading, writing, quilting, scrapbooking, and singing! Glen also loves to play ultimate Frisbee and wallyball! grobyne@fumcwl.org lrobyne@fumcwl.org
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES Shari Bittles became director for Children’s Ministries in May 2003. She is responsible for the programming for children ages 2 through 6th Grade. The mission is “To help create an environment where children experience God’s love and feel included in the life of the congregation and have opportunities to grow in their faith.” Shari (Schermerhorn) Bittles is originally from Wawaka, Indiana, located in the northern part of the state. She graduated from East Noble High School in 1982 and Purdue University in 1986. Shari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and worked as a Surveillance Officer for 6 ˝ years. Shari and her husband, Steve, have two children, Natalie, 11 and Bradley, 9. Shari and her family were all baptized at FUMC on October 15, 2000, at which time they also became members of First Church. She has been active teaching Sunday School, Worship Express, VBS, and Faith Safari. Shari enjoys boating, reading, crafting and creating memories with her family. sbittles@fumcwl.org 
MUSIC MINISTRIES DIRECTOR:
Ellen Wilson was born and raised in Wabash, Indiana. She went on to study music and graduate from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. While being a stay-at-home mom of 3 children for many years, Ellen taught private instrumental music lessons and was the Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Wabash, Indiana. Later, she became the Director of Music and Worship Ministries at Main Street United Methodist Church in Peru, Indiana. Ellen and her husband, Mike, have been married for 2 ˝ years. Beside music, Ellen enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and dog, baking, gardening, playing tennis, and hiking. ewilson@fumcwl.org CHILDREN’S MUSIC DIRECTOR Amanda Rowe is our new Children’s Music Director. Amanda and her husband, Jason, joined First Church in 2004 and Amanda has been a part of the Village Nursery School staff since 2006. Amanda and Jason have three children, Justin, Jackson, and Anna. arowe@fumcwl.org  ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Tab Baker joined the First Church staff in July of 2000. Her primary responsibility is to oversee all of the administrative office work of the church. That includes managing the church office, scheduling and managing the facility, maintaining the membership records, and publishing the monthly newsletter and being secretary to the Senior Pastor. She is also the “go-to” person for any office or administrative need in the various ministry areas and committees. Tab was born and raised in Logansport, IN but moved to Delphi, IN to raise her only daughter, Christina, who is currently attending IUPUI as a sophomore. In her time away from First Church she enjoys reading and gardening. She has three small dogs, Skittles, Kea and Sammie, and one very ornery cat, Kody. She always has time for a visitor to her office. Stop in some time and see her; if she’s busy, take a lollipop from her desk and relax. tbaker@fumcwl.org  PROGRAM STAFF SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST
Rhonda Todd joined the First Church staff in March of 2000. After high school, Rhonda attended college at both Ball State and Ivy Tech. Before coming to First Church she worked in daycare for 5 ˝ years. As Program Staff Secretary and Receptionist, she is the support secretary to all ministry areas of the church and staff. Her other responsibilities include managing editor of Sunday’s bulletin, PowerPoint Presentations for Sunday’s Worship Services, data entry, answering the phone, and most importantly being the face that greets the people. Rhonda currently resides in the Monticello area. In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys traveling, boating, going to the beach, spending time with friends, shopping, and sharing her life with her boyfriend, Bill, and their Labrador Retrievers. rtodd@fumcwl.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Beth Kinder started at First United Methodist Church as the Finance Secretary in November 2005. She brings with her a wealth of experience and is in charge of the financial recordkeeping system for staff and facilities. Her job keeps her busy throughout the day, but she is always willing to put her work aside to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Beth is a 1987 graduate of Napoleon High School, in Napoleon, OH, where she studied Business Education. She moved to Monticello in July 2003 and became a member of Monticello United Methodist Church. She loves spending quality time with her family, Doug, Chance and Austin. Beth also likes to write poetry and songs. She wrote a song about our American Soldiers in March 2003 which now hangs in the White House. She is currently waiting to do an interview in Indianapolis about her song and her support of our troops. bkinder@fumcwl.org  VILLAGE NURSERY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Lana Callahan is in her second year as director of VNS.
She taught at VNS for twenty five years previous to becoming director. A
graduate of Miami University (in Ohio) with a degree in Elementary
Education, Lana has always had a passion for young children. Lana's husband
is newly retired from a long career as a campus minister at Purdue. They
have two married daughters and each daughter has one child. Lana is very
much enjoying her new role of caring for the staff, parents, and children of
Village Nursery School.
lcallahan@fumcwl.org CHURCH NURSERY COORDINATOR Tish DeHaven began serving as Nursery Coordinator of FUMC in November of 2005. Her responsibilites include caring for the babies and toddlers, coordinating childcare workers for church events, and keeping the nursery in clean, working order. Tish is originally from Cass County, near Logansport, IN. She graduated from Lewis Cass High School and Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement. She taught Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade for 10 years in the Lafayette area from 1990-2000! She now stays home and takes care of her 5 children. Tish and her husband, Dustin, have 4 daughters and 1 son. Mackenzie 11, Madison 9, Grace 7, Luke 5, and Lanie 2. tdehaven@fu,cwl.org CUSTODIANS  Joanna Cook joined the First Church staff in July of 1995. She is originally from Muncie, IN. Joanna is the evening and weekend custodian. She is also employed full-time at Purdue University in the Mail Services Dept. Joanna has four children: Vanessa, Vicky, Heather, and Justin. She has seven grandchildren, Katie LeeAnn, John Thomas Jr., David Matthew, Ryan Merkel Jr., Desiree Nicole, Emily Christine, and Jacob Allen. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
jcook@fumcwl.org
Randy Hahn joined the First Church staff in March of 2006 as the daytime custodian. He is a 1973 graduate of Marion High School in Marion, IN where he is originally from, but he now resides in Lafayette. He is the proud father of six adult children. In his spare time he likes to work-out at the YWCA. rhahn@fumcwl.org
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