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                     SENIOR PASTOR:                   

 Reverend Terry Shaughnessy

Pastor Terry is a native of Franklin, PA and has served United Methodist churches in Eastbrook, Union City, Grove City, Washington, and now Erie, PA.  He is a graduate of Duke University Divinity School where he continues to attend annual Continuing Education events.  Pastor Terry has served on the Wesley Woods Board of Directors, Olmsted Manor Board of Directors, the Erie-Meadville District Board of Ordained Ministry and the Board of Trustees, and is currently serving on the Conference Nominations Committee.  He is also a Clergy Mentor.  He enjoys being involved in the communities where he has served churches and has been a member of a variety of community boards and agencies.

Pastor Terry has been married to his wife Jan for 34 years.  They have a daughter Lisa who is a Research Assistant for the Head of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery at Boston  Medical Center and a son Patrick who is a High School Math Teacher in Charlotte, NC and is married to Courtney.

Pastor Terry enjoys long-distance bicycle riding, is an avid Duke Basketball fan, enjoys solving crossword puzzles and reading, and loves traveling and dancing with his wife Jan. And, he likes Oreos!
 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Rev. J. Howard Wright

Howard is a retired pastor, serving First Church part-time as Associate in Visitation. He is a native of Pittsburgh and has served churches in the Pittsburgh and Johnstown area, Howard served as District Superintendent of the Erie-Meadville District from 1985-1991.  After retiring in 1999, Howard and his wife Carol made Erie their home. They have four grown children and five grandchildren. In addition to his duties at First Church, Howard conducts worship services and Bible Studies at the Regency, St. Joseph Apartments, and the Liberty House for Veterans.  He is also on the Board of Directors of Wesley Woods, enjoys volunteering at the Erie Maritime Museum and is an avid model railroad enthusiast!

MINISTER OF WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRIES/ORGANIST: Bruce R. Gingrich

Bruce R. Gingrich is currently the full-time Minister of Worship and Music Ministries/Organist at First UM Church, where he directs all adult and children vocal, Handbell and Choirchime choirs, brass and instrumental ensembles. He serves as organist for Friday night services and the High Holy Days at Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie.
Bruce is a well-known organ recitalist in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, having dedicated numerous new organs since 1990. He produces a monthly organ concert entitled “TNT” Thursday Noon Together at First Church on the first Thursday of every month from September to May on the church’s 59 rank Phelps Mechanical Action Pipe Organ. This noontime program,started in 2001,is followed by a lunch,and has attracted an average of 150 people per concert. He is a private instructor of voice and organ. Bruce has served as the president of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. Mr. Gingrich traveled to Brazil in 2004 and presented a workshop to over 100 people at the Central UMC on “Ministering to Children Through Music”and an organ recital at the Patio de Collegio,downtown Sao Paulo,the oldest church in South America for the Brazilian Guild of Organists.
On March 24th & 25th, 2006, Bruce was the guest soloist with the Gannon University Chamber Orchestra in two performances of “Concerto in G Minor for Organ, Tympani, and Strings” by Francis Poulenc. He was again the guest soloist with the Gannon University Chamber Orchestra in the presentation of “Organ Concerto No 7 in Bb” by G. F. Handel and the Albinoni “Adagio” for String orchestra and organ on Friday, March 20, 2009. Bruce was received as a member of the downtown Erie Rotary Club in August, 2006, and is the Official Club Music Director.
Bruce served as the Conference Choir Director and Organist for the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1995-2008.  Mr. Gingrich is a member and past dean of the Erie Chapter American Guild of Organists.  He is married to Cecily Gingrich.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR BRUCE AND THE PHELPS ORGAN

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES: Aileen S. Baxter

CHURCH SECRETARY: Shirley Yeaney

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR: Melodye McFadden

VAN DRIVER/EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT: William Steadman

METHODIST TOWERS ADMINISTRATOR: Darlene Winicki