Meet Our Ministry Team
Our team of ministers and staff are excited to welcome you to FUMC!
Rev. Amy Aitken
Pastor
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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. She currently serves on the boards of Friends in Deed and the Pasadena Playhouse Village Association.
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
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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)
Music Staff
Scott Lehmkuhl
Director of Music Ministries
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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
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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.
Megan Goldstein
Handbells Director
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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 & Children’s Music Coordinator
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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.
Alia Kerr
Cherub Assistant & Accompanist
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Alia is originally from Washington state, where she grew up and received a degree in music education. She plays piano and viola, which she also teaches privately as well as violin. She has had the opportunity to perform with orchestras in Washington and Los Angeles and worked with music students age 4--collegiate. Her goal is to go to graduate school for viola performance. In her free time Alia likes to cook, paint, watch movies, and spend time with her two cats Gizmo and Tarsier.
Office Staff
Jami Carrera
Business Administrator and Treasurer
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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
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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
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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: Any classic detective show.
Favorite Place to Visit: Mono Lake
Favorite Poem: won’t you celebrate with me by Lucille Clifton
Dori Fotsch
Ministry Coordinator
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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
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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
Director of Media Ministries
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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.”
Campus Care Team
Calbert Murray
Campus Care Specialist
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Calbert Murray has served many years as a Campus Care Specialist at FUMC. Calbert loves the Church and sees his work as ministry.
Jose Escobar
Campus Care Specialist
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Jose Escobar brings 12+ years of custodial maintenance experience to our Campus Care Team.Favorite Food: Tommy's Burgers
Favorite TV Show: The Price is Right
Favorite Place: Guatemala
