Karen has lived all of her life in Independence.  She attended William Chrisman High School and was active in the youth group at First UMC.  She has enjoyed singing in the church choir and being a part of the UMW, Stephen Ministries, Disciple Bible Studies and various other studies over the years. Karen has been on staff since April 16, 1980 after the senior pastor at the time, Rev. Bill Crawford, approached her with the offer of the position.

 

Karen and her husband Jim have been married 46 years and are blessed with 3 children and 7 grandchildren.

Among her interests, Karen enjoys reading, knitting, fishing and most of all time spent with her family.

One of her proudest legacies is the history of the church which her late father, Chester E. Crenshaw, wrote after almost 2 years of research for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration.  She continues to add to it and hopes that it will be maintained for future generations with the help of her son, Scott.

 

 

 

 

Angy Bounds has been with FUMC since 2004, primarily as the church organist and choir accompanist. Recently she has taken lead of the praise band for “the Door” service. She taught elementary music for 8 years in Grandview then took a break for one year to be a mommy! Following, she taught preschool music at FUMC’s Starshine Preschool. Deciding that her son was now ready for “real world” daycare she took a full-time teaching position at Lee’s Summit Community Christian School. During her three years with the school she conducted 5^th-12^th grade bands and taught Pre-K-4^th grade general music. Currently she divides her time between accompanying choirs at Raytown South High School, leading “the Door” praise team, preparing organ music for weekly services, being a mommy and a wife! Angy’s husband, Scott, leads the media for “the Door” services. Their 6 year old ball of energy, Connor, loves music and “helps” at every opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

Patt Braley, a lifelong member of FUMC, has directed the Glory Ringers handbell Choir since 1983.  In 1995 she retired from Fort Osage School District where she had served as an elementary music teacher for 22 years.  Patt is a 1962 graduate of Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, and has earned a master's degree from UMKC in 1999; both degrees are in music education.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitch Jarvis is a native of Southwest Missouri where he grew up near the lake. When he was a high school sophomore his family moved to Marshfield, Missouri. In Marshfield, he met and later married his neighbor Sarah. They have been married 21 years . Mitch served as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force after high school and then graduated from Missouri State with a degree in natural sciences. Sarah and he waited a long time to have kids (14 years) but now their family is rounded out by Abigail (6 years) and Willis (4 years).

 

Mitch’s life with Christ started in 1998 through the ministry of Broadway UMC in central KC. A few years and career moves later, Mitch and Sarah responded to God’s calling their family to vocational ministry and Mitch began attending St. Paul School of Theology, where he graduated with honors in 2008. Prior to being appointed to Lead Pastor at First UMC, he served as the Associate Pastor at Ashland UMC in St. Joseph for five-plus years.

 

Mitch is restoring a classic truck you’ll see around the church in various states of repair (he’d welcome any mechanical help or advice you may offer.) The older he gets, the more he enjoys baseball, fishing, fiction and yard work; he welcomes conversation about any of these any time. In addition to serving as a pastor, Mitch has worked as an air traffic controller, in environmental testing, as a waiter, at Bass Pro, a warehouseman, a janitor and in fast-food.

 

 

 

 

 

Bryson is originally from the great state of Colorado where he graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. degree in history and a minor in sociology. Bryson came to Missouri to attend Saint Pail School of Theology in Kansas City, where he is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree. "Basically, I love being in ministry! I love walking the journey that is a Christian life with people of all shapes, sizes and persuasions. I especially love working with my youth group because they inspire me and keep me wanting to grow as much as they are."  Bryson  enjoys reading, playing various sports, rooting for Colorado sports teams, playing computer/video games and listening to Classic Rock music. Bryson is married to Sarah, who is his polar opposite and the love of his life. "Between us we make one dynamic and awesome couple, with Sarah definitely being my better half."

 

 

Sarah recently became the Worship Arts Coordinator for FUMC.  She has the privilege of directing the choir, organizing the music, and the visual art and media for the 10:00 service.  She is a member of the Door praise band.  Sarah is an elementary music teacher for the Blue Springs School District and is currently working on her masters degree at UMKC.  She has loved music her whole life and loves serving God with this gift.  

 

Sarah was born in Colorado and lived there until she moved to Independence in 2008 with her husband so he could attend seminary in Kansas City.  When not running around church, school or KC, Sarah loves working out, reading and laughing with her wonderful husband, Bryson, FUMC's youth minister.