Our Church Staff
To email one of the staff members, please click on their name.
Senior Pastor
Joy Barrett joined the staff as senior pastor in July 2004. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Boston University School of Theology. Joy lived in Massachusetts and Florida before moving with her family to Bay City, MI at age 8. Joy is the oldest of three children; her parents and siblings live in Michigan and North Carolina. Joy and Rob met in Boston and have been married 24 years (1984).
Joy has been a pastor in The United Methodist Church since 1983, serving churches in Midland, Sterling Heights, and Saginaw; and as a district superintendent for the Ann Arbor district. Joy finds her life and ministry centered in two passages of scripture. From Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." And Jesus teaching which we call "the great commandments", "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and soul, and strength, and mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Luke 10:27).
Joy celebrates the partnership of laity and clergy serving together in God's good work. God's Spirit is poured out upon all disciples for the work of the church. "As we listen and learn, serve and share, laugh and love - all of us together - we honor God and people come to know the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ."
Joy and Rob share many interests - gardening, bicycling, cooking, delighting in times with family and friends, reading, and long walks with their dog Jazmine.
Associate Pastor
Barbara Lewis-Lakin has been on the pastoral staff of Chelsea First since July 2003. Her current job description includes visitation, Stephen Ministry leadership and worship/preaching leadership. Barbara has been ordained in the Detroit Annual Conference since 1980 serving churches throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. She received her college education from Albion College, her seminary education from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling/Psychotherapy from Garrett-Evangelical.
Barbara also serves as a pastoral psychotherapist at the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Michigan and is a licensed professional counselor in the State of Michigan.
She and her spouse, Shawn, who is currently Superintendent of the Manchester Community Schools, are the parents of Peter and daughter-in-law Errin, Abby and Kate.
Director of Youth Ministries
Jon Ellegood has been Director of Youth Ministries since January 1, 2007. He is a lifelong United Methodist and is originally from Peoria, IL. He is a 2003 graduate of Ohio Northern University, where he met his wife (Jenny), as well as a 2006 graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Jon is a member of the advisory board of SRSLY Chelsea, a program of the Chelsea Community Youth Collaboration. He also enjoys running with his dog (Mia), playing golf, taking every available opportunity for eating ice cream, and dating his wife.
Director of Music Ministries
Kyle Webber has been Director of Music Ministries since June 2007, where he leads a comprehensive music ministry of 13 musical groups from Kindergarten - Adult. Kyle was born and raised in northwest Indiana and graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in May of 2004. Before coming to Chelsea First United Methodist Church, Kyle taught Middle School Band and Orchestra in the Sarasota County, FL public schools. He also has served numerous churches as organist and/or director of music since he was 13 years old. Kyle is married to his wife, Jocelyn, and enjoys playing golf and cheering on Chicago sports teams in his spare time. Kyle and Jocelyn reside in Chelsea with their two cats KitKat and Donovan.
Director of Children's Ministries
Allison has been the part-time Director of Children's Ministries since July, 2008. She grew up in Chelsea and has been a member of CFUMC for most of her life. Allison attended the University of Michigan and earned a degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering. After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and worked for Honeywell as a manufacturing engineer in the aerospace division. It was there that she met her husband Mike. They were married in 1997, and in 2000, they moved to Chelsea to be closer to their families. They have two children, Drew and Kate. For the past eight years, Allison has enjoyed volunteering in the church nursery, teaching Sunday School and Creative Play, and serving as a greeter, confirmation mentor and coordinator of the local MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) group. She feels blessed to be the Director of Children's Ministries and to have the opportunity to serve families with young children in our church and in our community.
Director of Seniors Ministries
Our Office Staff:
Secretary
Linda joined the staff at CFUMC in 2000 as secretary. Besides keeping the church calendar current and assigning rooms for activities, she produces the Calendar and Activities Packet. Linda also works as support for other staff members and helps with the monthly Messenger. Other things you may see her doing around church is singing in the Chancel Choir on Sunday mornings or knitting with the Prayer Shawl Ministry.
Linda and Frank have been members at CFUMC since 1985. They have been married 34 years and have 2 adult children, one grandchild and a cat who thinks he's a dog. Free time finds Linda reading, knitting, cross stitching, or lately trying to get to Baltimore to visit her new grandson, Caleb.
Secretary
Liza and her husband Walter have always been residents in Michigan. They have 3 children, 15, 13 and 9. Liza has served at the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea since May 2005 as a secretary. Previous to that she worked at Automatic Data Processing dealing with automotive claims for 13 years. She left there to stay home and raise their kids until they were in school full time. She has been a member of the church since 2000 and has had many different responsibilities within the church. She has been a Girl Scout leader for 9 years and is also involved with Boy Scouts.
Liza likes to spend time with her family watching movies, playing games and camping. She also likes to read, watch hockey and football. Their house is split between Michigan fans and Michigan State fans.
Ken Sharp
Facilities Manager
Ken has been employed at Chelsea First United Methodist Church for 10 years. Ken's major responsibilities around the church include custodial work and maintenance. When Ken is not busy at the church, he is out officiating high school sports, which include baseball, softball, and basketball. In 2006 Ken had the honor of officiating the state high school softball championship game. Ken's hobbies include playing golf and working in his garage. Ken loves working at Chelsea First and enjoys meeting lots of great people.
Kendra Ford & Lori Campbell
Child Care Providers
Volunteer Staff:
Pastoral Assistant
Norm and his wife Alberta have lived in the Chelsea area since 1971 where they have raised two children and are Nanna and Papa to their wonderful grandchildren. They have been members of CFUMC since 1985. Norm is retired from a 38 year carrier as a research chemist and has been active as a Pastoral Assistant since 2006. He is a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader.
Norm loves to kayak, cross country ski and bike; as well as play on the lake with his grandkids.
Director of Discipleship
Lisa is responsible for creating an array of opportunities for adults to grow both intellectually and spiritually in their Christian faith. This includes coordinating adult Christian education classes and programming, designing and leading women's retreats, creating special worship and prayer experiences. Commissioned a Probationary Deacon at the May 2006 Detroit Annual Conference, Lisa was appointed to serve at Chelsea First United Methodist Church effective January 2007, after completing her coursework for Certification in Spiritual Formation and Basic Graduate Theological Studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. Lisa has two grown daughters, three grandchildren, and has lived in the Dexter/Chelsea area since 1971. She works full-time at the University of Michigan, and is 'owned' by a longhaired, somewhat imperious cat named Shelley, who graciously allows Lisa to feed, pet, play with, and cater to her every whim. Though her 'office hours' at church are limited to Sundays, and Saturdays/evenings (by appointment), anyone with questions or suggestions is more than welcome to call her at home (475-9884) or contact her by email.
Len Niehoff
Pastoral Assistant
