Our Staff

Senior Pastor - Dr. Don Wright

Associate Pastor – Rev. Johnny Frazier

Johnny became a member of the staff in January 2010. Johnny received his Local Pastor’s license in June 2002. He and his wife of 29 years, Claire, have used the last 8 years by serving as the pastoral family of two rural United Methodist churches in Walker County, Curry UMC & Five Points UMC. Johnny & Claire have always called Haleyville First home. They have served as Sunday School, Disciple Bible Study and Wednesday night teachers. Johnny has a B.A in Accounting from the UA (no “T” needed) and is currently attending the Alabama Ministerial Course of Study program for part time local pastors. Johnny also serves as the North Alabama Conference accounting controller in the Office of the Treasurer. Claire holds a BA in Interior Design from UA and a Masters of Art Education from UAB. She is the Art instructor at Haleyville High School. Johnny & Claire have two children and one daughter-in-law. John David is a graduate of Auburn and a Captain in the United States Air Force, currently based at Whiteman AFB in Missouri where he resides with his wife Emily. Sarah is a RN graduate of UAB and works at UAB Hospital’s Cardiac Care unit and is a graduate student in the School of Public Health at UAB. Johnny says “Claire and I had wonderful experiences while serving the Curry and Five Points churches. And now to find ourselves ‘back home’ and able to work for the Kingdom of God at Haleyville First is a real blessing. It is our prayer that we can grow more disciples of Jesus Christ wherever God sends us and for the current time it is here at Haleyville.”

Church Administrator - Pam Putman

fumcadmin@centurytel.net

Youth Director - Mark Burleson

fumcyouth@centurytel.net

Mark officially joined the FUMC Haleyville family in March 2008 as youth director. "Believing in God is not the issue; believing God matters is the issue." Mark married his wife, Jessica, in July of 2001. Mark and Jessica ministered to the youth at First Baptist Church in Double Springs, AL for three years before joining FUMC Haleyville's staff. They both graduated from Winston County High School. Mark in 1994 and Jessica in 1998. They have two wonderful children. Hanna Brooke Burleson turned 4 on July 14th 2008 and Tanner Lewis Burleson turned 1 on August 29th 2008. "Its is such a joy to just be a part of seeing what God can do in a teenagers life from the time they begin in the 7th grade until they finish their senior year." If you have any questions, or if you would like to know whats going on in the life's of the teenagers here at First United Methodist Church, please Contact Mark by phone at (205) 486-2735 ext. 300, or by e-mail at fumcyouth@centurytel.net.

Children's Director - Jennifer League

fumcchildren@centurytel.net

In 2011 Jennifer became the Children’s Director with Haleyville First United Methodist Church. Kiddie Kollege was Jennifer’s first connection with FUMC, starting as a substitute teacher in 2009, then a full time teacher and now Children’s Director. Working with children has been a passion of hers, starting at age 12 babysitting, working in a nursery, daycare center, operating a home daycare, and now FUMC. “I love kids, why I’m just a big kid myself, was a little one once. Just once.” says Jennifer. Jennifer grew up in Illinois where she met and married Kirk League, of Haleyville, in 2000. From there they went to Alaska, Wyoming, and now home to Haleyville. Jennifer says, “Being military we had to move a lot. Each move I missed my daycare kids, felt like I was abandoning them. But, I’ll always remember them, all of them, even the ones I cared for when I was 12, 15 years old. You learn a lot of the basics, the simple truth, from kids.”

Kirk and Jennifer have two wonderful kids Kelsey Lynn League (10) and Kirk Alan League Jr. (8). If you have any questions, concerns, or want to volunteer, you can contact Jennifer at (205) 486- 2735 ext. 301 or email fumcchildren@centurytel.net.

Choir Director - Debbie Wood

Debbie has been a part of First United Methodist since moving to Haleyville in the fourth grade . She was active in Sunday

School, church and youth. She graduated from Haleyville High School in 1974, and arned her BS degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama. She married her life-long friend, Robert Wood, and spent a couple of years in Jasper serving as the Methodist choir director, moved to Birmingham, then returned back home. Debbie became our choir director in 1983 and has been with us ever since. In addition to leading the adult Chancel Choir, Debbie also leads the Children’s Choir. Throughout her tenure, she and Robert have also taught various children and youth groups and been active in other various committees and activities of the church and the community. Debbie is also the elementary music teacher at Haleyville Elementary School. She and Robert have two children, a daughter Katie who recently graduated from The University South Alabama with a Master’s Degree in Psychology, and a son John who is scheduled to graduate from The University of Alabama majoring in Entrepreneurial Business in December. Debbie enjoys worshiping the Lord here at First United Methodist by leading the congregational singing and choirs.

Kiddie Kollege Director - Ashley Frazier

Ashley has been a member of FUMC since 1997. She has been working with Kiddie Kollege since 2002 - first as a substitute, then as a teacher, and as director since 2004. She loves job and working with kids! "There is nothing like the joy and innocence of preschoolers," says Ashley. Ashley also is co-teacher of the 3 & 4 year old Sunday School class, which she has been doing for several years. Ashley graduated from UNA in 2000 with a Business Management/ Entrepreneurship Degree. She is married to Brandon and they have a beautiful little girl named Indi who just turned "2".

Church Secretary - Konnie Lyle

konnielyle@centurytel.net

A lifelong resident of Haleyville, Konnie grew up at First Baptist Church but joined First United Methodist Church

in 1987. Having a great love for children, she worked in Kiddie Kollege for nineteen years as teacher and/or director. In 1994, Konnie began the job of church secretary and has worked with five pastors in fourteen years. Thru the years the church, it’s people, and her work have been a continuing blessing to her. In the past she served as Children’s Director and as co-teacher of the two year old Sunday School class. Konnie and husband Steve have three children-Chad Lyle, Jason Lyle, and Kristi Jones (Guy). The joys of her life are their three grandchildren, Conrad, Teague and Linwood.

Church Hostess - Benita Foster

Benita has lived in Haleyville all her life and she joined the First United Methodist Church in 2002. Benita graduated from Haleyville High School in 1980 and later attended Bevill Community College and graduated in 1982 as a Licensed Pratical Nurse. She is now employed at Banks Family Dentistry in Haleyville. In 2006 she was hired as Co-Hostess of the FUMC. Benita is married to Randal Foster of 24 years and they have one daughter, Ashley and a son-in-law Jeff Lovett. Benita and Randal are very happy being a part of the church family and being able to serve.

Church Pianist - Charlotte McNutt

A lifelong resident of Haleyville, Charlotte became a member of FUMC in l956, and came on staff in l986 as pianist

for the 11:00 traditional worship service and the 6:00 PM service. She helps with the children's choir and plays for the services for the nursing home ministry at Haleyville Health Care Center which meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00. Charlotte and husband Don have two sons, Brad and Todd, and four grandchildren. Psalm 150 says,"Praise the Lord with stringed instruments. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." Being the pianist is just one way to praise and worship the Lord and share the love of God through music. She also loves to share the love of God through baking sour dough bread.

Church Organist - Bryan Ward

Bryan, a 1983 graduate of Haleyville High School, joined the First United Methodist Church staff in June of 2011. Bryan and his wife, Bonnie, have three daughters, Bambi Hyche, Candace Ward and Carmen Ward. They also have one granddaughter, Josee Dee Hyche. Bryan received his Bachelor's of Instrumental Music Education from the University of Montevallo in 1989. After graduating college, Bryan taught band at Lynn High School for nine years. He is currently employed at Haleyville City Schools as the ESL teacher and Spanish translator. Prior to returning to Haleyville, Bryan served as the pianist for Eastside Baptist Church in Winfield.

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalms 33:3 NIV

Church Hostess - Martha McMillan

Facilities - Bill McMillan