Pastors
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Rev. Cynthia PaquettePastor of Congregational EngagementRev. Cynthia Paquette worked as an entomologist for 10 years before answering her call to the ordained ministry in 2007. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology and worked in the field until 2015. She originated from Malaysia, came from a Buddhist family and had a conversion experience at the age of 16 while trying to find meaning and direction in life after the passing of her grandmother. She completed a Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2015, was commissioned as a Provisional Elder and was appointed to First Church in June 2016. As Pastor of Congregational Engagement, Rev. Cynthia oversees the cradle to grave faith formation by working with the different programming staff and the pastoral and congregational care ministries by working with her clergy colleagues and the congregational care ministries. Rev. Cynthia’s gifts for ministry are in the areas of administration, healing, and teaching.
Education (Children, Youth, Adults)
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Barb GraubergerDirector of Children and Family MinistriesBarb has been involved with First Church since 1994, first as an active member and currently working with children and families at First Church as the Director of Children and Family Ministry as well as the Assistant Director of Parent’s Day Out. Over the years Barb has worked as the Nursery Coordinator, Vacation Bible School Director, and Sunday School Teacher. She is passionate about this church and the people in it. She has many years of experience working with children from newborns to teens.
Barb has a degree in Merchandising and Design from Colorado State University. She has been married to her husband Brian for 29 years. Together, Barb and Brian have four children, who keep her very busy on her off time.
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Laurie ElliottChildcare CoordinatorLaurie and her family joined FUMC in 2007, and she feels fortunate to have become a part of the many the different children’s programs shortly thereafter. She began as a childcare provider in the church nursery, then joined the Parent’s Day Out Staff, and in 2009, began teaching for FUMC Co-Op Preschool. She will start her 11th year with that program this fall. She considers being a part of helping the young children of FUMC start their faith journey an incredible gift.
She was a business major in college and is happy to be able to put those skills to use. Laurie’s other interests include playing golf, reading, and spending time with her family. She is married and blessed with four children and three grandchildren.
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Ali GesslerPreschool DirectorAli has been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in our Preschool for 11 years, so she knows the program well! She is respected and loved by Staff and Parents alike, and most especially by the children in her care. Ali holds a degree from CSU in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, and has many years of experience in a variety of educational settings
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Gail FarnumParent's Day Out DirectorAlthough she hesitates to admit it, Gail Farnum has been working in the child care field for almost 40 years. Gail was born in Fargo, North Dakota and received her degree in Child Development there at North Dakota State University. Shortly after joining First United Methodist Church, she began working in the church nursery. She later became a teacher for the Parent's Day Out program at First Church, and in 1995, became its director. She was the Vacation Bible School music director, and also director of child care for the annual Methodist conference for many years. Gail and Bob were blessed with two daughters, Chelsey and Rachel. Besides young children, Gail’s passions include playing guitar and singing. She is proud to be caretaker of the wonderful ministry of Parent's Day Out.
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Victoria BurkettDirector of Youth and Young Adult MinistriesVictoria graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies in 2018. For the last five years, Victoria has worked with youth and young adults as a Youth Ministry intern, Summer Camp Counselor, tutor, Summer SUCCEED counselor (for youth in foster care program), Colorado Youth for Change AmeriCorps member, Paraprofessional at Rocky Mountain High School, and Kindred Director. Victoria’s passion and call to ministry is to youth and young adults. Victoria attended, served as liturgist and assisted with AV at our Modern Worship Service. She is a pastor’s kid who hopes to be a professor in religious studies in the future. Victoria is married to Brandon Burkett. They are very creative people; Victoria draws and paints while Brandon does woodworking. Victoria is also a runner and avid reader. They have a beloved dog, Mabel.
Music department
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Joel BaconOrganist/Artist in ResidenceA native of N.J., Dr. Bacon holds degrees in mathematics and organ performance from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he was a student of Joyce Jones, and an artist diploma in organ from the Konservatorium der Stadt Wien (Vienna, Austria), where he studied with Michael Gailit. With a dissertation on the use of organ in selected orchestral works, he earned his PhD in historical musicology through a joint degree program of Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts and the University of Vienna.
Dr. Bacon currently holds the Stewart and Sheron Golden Chair in Organ and Liturgical Studies, the first endowed chair in the College of Liberal Arts at CSU.
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Karen StoodyOrganist EmeritusKaren Stoody served as organist at First Church from 2003 until her retirement in 2021 at which time she was named Organist Emeritus in recognition of her many years of dedication and service. Karen's standard of excellence in the magnificent music she contributed to worship at First United Methodist Church will live on in perpetuity.
Administrative Staff (Office, Facilities)
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Gail WellsMembership SecretaryGail joined the church in February 2020, along with her husband Brian, after moving to Fort Collins from Spring, TX. They moved around quite a bit, as Brian was in management with Walmart for 22 years. Gail and Brian have lived in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and now Colorado.
She worked at a church in Lewisville, TX, first as a volunteer to the Ministry Assistant, and then as the bookkeeper. Over the years, Gail has taught Sunday School, helped with VBS, and sung in the choir at various churches where she and her husband have been members. She has also worked in embroidery shops, which she really enjoyed, and recently purchased a home machine.
Gail and Brian have four adult children, two here in the Fort Collins area, and six grandchildren.
