Staff | First United Methodist Church

Reverend Nancy Nichols

Pastor

Pastor Nancy came to Michigan City First UMC in July of 2016. Among other congregations, Nancy has served Hamline Chapel in Lawrenceburg, Broadway Christian Parish in South Bend, and St. Paul’s in Muncie.

Pastor Nancy is passionate about getting to know the community where she lives and is often seen walking her puppy Licorice around town or Friendship Botanic Gardens while getting to know shop keepers, coffee shops, and other hidden gems.

Pastor Nancy has spent her entire ministry by making connections with all sorts of folk and learning about faith from them. She delights in designing worship, connecting with children, and challenging individuals to grow in faith and discipleship.

Education: Valparaiso University, BA in History; Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, M. Div.; Ball State University; MA in Adult Education; EDD (ABD) in Adult, Higher, and Community Education.

Family: Nancy is one of 4 sisters and has many folks who call her ‘Aunt Nanny’ – some are relatives by blood and others by choice. She has dear friends all over the state of Indiana who bring joy and delight to her life. Her current house mate is an adorable and delightful bochigle (Boxer, Chihuahua & Beagle mix) named Licorice.

Favorite Things: Nancy has always been a reader of fiction, non-fiction, theology, cereal boxes – if it has print, she will read it. She is also an amateur photographer, sings in the church choir, is a member of Monday Musicale, and has often played her oboe for worship and in community bands across the state. Her favorite place to visit is Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, especially in the fall, and any place on water. Nancy writes a morning prayer most days and posts them on the church Facebook Page and her own page.

Trish Johnsen

Children's Ministry Director

My name is Trish Johnsen and I am the Children’s Ministry Director here at 1 st UMC. As the director of the “MC1st kids”, I oversee the programming for the children’s department, special events that involve the whole family, and I also prepare lessons and teach on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. I’ve worked in Children’s Ministries since I was fourteen years old, and started teaching Sunday School in my home church. Through the years, I directed many Vacation Bible Schools, and taught many Sunday School classes, while always being involved in Kid’s ministries. I served as a Youth Ministry Director on staff in Lafayette, IN. I spent twelve years working in public schools as a reading (and sometimes math) interventionist. I worked with school’s RTI teams, and taught small groups of K- 6 th grade students who needed a little bit of intervention to be more successful in school. My husband’s job moved us several times, and when we landed here in Michigan City, we knew we were home! I’m so happy to be serving the kids and families of First UMC of Michigan City. My husband of twenty -three years is Chris. He and I are the proud parents of Billy, who still lives at home while working and going to school. We also have a little zoo in our house with a crazy pair of cats, Dakota and Panda, and a seventeen -year old lab mix named Molly. When I’m not working on kid stuff, my house, or my yard, I’m definitely reading a book. I like to spend my weekends with my husband, showing off our bright orange 1969 Ford F100 at local shows and cruise ins. Come out and find us- we’re easy to spot!

You can find me here in my office at church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00- 4:00 or reach me by email at trishatchurch@gmail.com

Bev Griffith

Music Director

Beverly Griffith has been part of the Michigan City First United Methodist Church staff since 2007, hired first as an assistant pianist and serving since 2009 as Music Director. She came to the church after answering a small classified ad in the local paper for a musician: “must be able to read music”. (Simply had to call! 🙂

She holds a Bachelor of Music Performance in Piano from Wheaton College and was owner and director of the Wheaton Yamaha Music School in Wheaton, Illinois for 40 years before she and her family moved to the Michigan City area. She was also employed as a teaching consultant for 20 of those years by Yamaha Music Corporation, assisting schools in the United States with teacher training and support.

Since coming to First UMC, Bev has been involved with the Try-It children’s program, the annual Madrigal events, Messy Church, and is an active member of the United Methodist Women.

Bev trusts that she’s in the right place at the right time to make a difference in the life of the church through music. She’s also really glad she answered the ad.

Cindy Jackson

Administrative Assistant

My Name is Cindy Jackson. I was born and raised in Chesterton Indiana. I have 2 children, a son, and a daughter. I love to be social. I have a very sweet and fun sense of humor. I love bike riding and hanging out with my kids. My kids mean the world to me. I love my job and hope to stay here until I retire. I am very active in the church. I love my church family. I love helping people.

George Jenks

Bell Choir Director

My name is George Jenks. My wife Pam has been a member her whole life and I have been a member of this church since 1982 when I transferred my membership from the Westville United Methodist church. Pam got me to join the bell Choir in 1990. I love playing the bells all these years. In 2005 I became the director of the children’s bell choir. Being in the adult bell choir, there were 5 of us that made up a small group called the Ringers Five where we would go around and play all 4 octaves of bells at special events, schools and retirement homes. Then in 2011, I became the director of the adult Memorial Bell Choir after Lew Timberlake retired after almost 30 years. It has been a joy and pleasure directing these fine and dedicated people.
I am also in charge of our TV Ministry. I started being a part of that in 1988, when they asked me to operate the studio camera for the children’s Sunday School Play in the community room. From that moment on every Sunday I have been video taping our Sunday worship service to broadcast on our local cable channel with a bunch of great people. For the past 18 months we have been live streaming to Facebook and Youtube.