About Us
First United Methodist Church of Pasadena is located east of Old Pasadena in the Playhouse District and serves people from throughout the city, neighboring communities and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. Founded in 1875, the congregation today includes families of all ages with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
On October 23, 2011 members of First UMC voted overwhelmingly to become a Reconciling Congregation – a congregation committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life of the church. In the fall of 2015, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, the congregation voted to allow same-gender weddings to be held in the church’s facilities and to support its appointed clergy in officiating at these services.
We seek to become disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Ministry Team
From left to right: Calbert Murray (Custodian), Rev. Jen Chapman (Director of Intentional Faith Development), Rev. Gregory Norton (Minister of Music and Communications), Rev. Connie Tamkin (Minister of Hospitality), Tim Sun (Business Manager), Rev. Dr. Amy Aitken (Pastor), Ashley Slade (Communications Associate), Aisha Figilis-Williams (Facilities Manager).
Rev. Dr. 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.
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.
Rev. Gregory Norton
Minister of Music & Communication
With a heart for deepening the connection between music and the proclamation of God’s Word, Greg is equally at home conducting choirs and orchestras, playing the organ and piano, singing and preaching. He is a published composer and choirs under his direction have been heard on National Public Radio and have toured Germany, Austria and Mexico. He is frequently invited to speak and teach on church music topics and his articles and sermons have been published nationally. Greg joined the staff at First UMC in 2015.
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.
Office Staff
Calbert Murray
Mr. Calbert Murray serves as Custodian. Calbert loves the Church and sees his work as ministry.
Aisha Figilis-Williams
Mrs. Aisha Figilis-Williams serves as the Office-Facilities Manager. Aisha has an extensive background in facilities scheduling and development, project management, and staff supervision.
Ashley Slade
Ms. Ashley Slade serves as Communications Associate. She holds a Masters Degree in Communications from Johns Hopkins University and has experience in graphic design and editorial work.
Timothy Sun
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.
