Staff

I was born in Paterson, New Jersey and went to High School in Frankfurt,Germany. Nearly every chance we got, we traveled all over Europe and this had a great influence on me. I attended Virginia Tech for both undergraduate and graduate schools and received a B.S. and M.A. For many years I read a book nearly every day and memorized thousands of pages, nearly all of which I have forgotten. The influence of literature, art, and architecture remains though, and I still feel the words and see the images of Renaissance artists.

I became a Christian at college after a summer of homelessness and am grateful God called someone to reach out to me.This has given me a drive to help people learn what it means to live atransformed life. I attended Princeton Theological Seminary where I received a Masters of Divinity. While at Seminary, I worked at a United Methodist Church, and they offered me a job upon graduation. I later decided to be ordained in the United Methodist Church. I served two churches in Eastern Pennsylvania. In 1995, my family moved to Orlando, and we launched a new church in Ocoee that grew to over 400 people. In 2013 we moved to Tampa, and in 2024, I am now at 1st UMC of Homosassa.

I was married in 1979 to Brenda and cared for her through a lengthy illness until she passed away on May 14, 2023. I have two children: Matthew and Ashley. Matthew is married to Tracy and they live with me now and they have four children: Drea, Dominic, Elijah and Isaac. Ashley is married to Robert and they live in Citrus Springs with their son Ezekiel.

I enjoy the outdoors and walk a lot, usually in the morning to start my day. I have a passion to help people live transformed lives because Jesus changed my life.

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Donna Munsen joined the staff in January 2017. She is the church's go-to person whose work touches all of our members, staff, volunteers and visitors.

In addition to keeping the office humming, she supervises the church custodian, bookkeeper, security detail and a cadre of volunteers; oversees maintenance of a database of people the church assists with food, financial aid for utilities, and other needs; and always knows where everyone and everything can be found.

Donna and her husband Bob have lived in Florida since 1980 and enjoy visiting with family in Georgia, Illinois and Maine and showing their dog in AKC obedience and rally. In addition, Donna likes reading, crocheting and gardening.

Dixie Lay joined the staff in 2010. She oversees all aspects of the church music program including the Chancel Choir, Sunrise Singers, Handbell Choir, and all special music.

Dixie received her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of West Florida and a master's degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She began working in Methodist ministry at age 17 and has served as a children's pastor, youth pastor, youth drama director, and children's choir and children's handbell choir director.

She and her husband, Brady, live in Sugarmill Woods with their two children, Jeralyn and Reed.

Sandy Dewart joined the staff in July 2003. As a church member, Sandy first volunteered to audit the church’s financial records before taking the bookkeeper position.

Sandy has implemented many of the practices used to date. She maintains all church financial records, manages payroll and accounts payable/receivable, and attends monthly finance meetings. Her attention to detail helps us be good stewards of offerings/donations made to the church. Sandy is in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sandy lives in Homosassa. She enjoys time with her family, boating, and decorating.

Dale Evans joined the staff in July 2003. He is responsible for the overall care and cleanliness of the church campus from the sanctuary to the parlor, from the kitchen to our administrative offices, and everything in between.

Dale and his wife Jerri live in Beverly Hills. Dale, a volunteer fire fighter, enjoys camping, paint ball wars, and spending time with his family.

Sharon Cooley is back! She worked as our A/V Tech years ago and stepped back up to this position when it opened back up. She handles all related events for the fellowship hall that require Audio Visual. She has many years of experience behind her and served in our military for years too.

Caleb Namey has been a part of the church since 2014, joining as a member in 2023 as a part of the church’s tech crew, making sure the presentations, slideshows, and audio is running smoothly alongside Sharon Cooley and our cadre of Audio Visual volunteers every Sunday. He has aspiring goals to be a professor with a doctorate in history in the future. For now he plans to be with the church growing his knowledge and faith for as long as he can.

Krissy and Wayne grew up in a small town in Indiana andattended the same school. They first met at the local bowling alley. Wayne wasone of the coaches for the Special children’s bowling league. Krissy was one ofthe members of the bowling league and Wayne was her coach. They married in1998.

The couple moved to Florida in 2006 after Wayne injured his ankleand was unable to fully recover from it. After they moved to Florida, theydecided to find a church to be involved in. They first went to First UnitedMethodist Church of Homosassa. And they are still here!

Wayne and Krissy enjoy working with youth and children. Theyboth have experience in working as camp counselors in Indiana. Wayne hasbackground in teaching from working toward a teaching degree in college andthen switching over to a working towards a degree in continuing studies.

They have been working with the youth of First UnitedMethodist church from 2012-2019 and as interim youth leaders from 2021 topresent day. Since Krissy and Wayne have no children of their own, theyconsider the youth as their own children from the time they step in the doorand beyond!! They love what they do and enjoy helping our youth learn and growin their faith.

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Joy Potts is the organist at First UMC of Homosassa. She has 28 years of church organ experience and is a lifelong pianist. Joy is a published composer of both sacred and secular music.

She and husband Jim located to Homosassa following her retirement in 2000 from an administrative position at Lake Forest College in Illinois. Jim is equally involved at First UMC of Homosassa in various capacities. Joy and Jim combined have nine children and 21 grandchildren, most of whom live in northern Illinois.

Karolee McLaughlin. Piano Accompanist

From living at 10,000 feet above sea level near Estes Park CO for the past 35 years and tired of shoveling snow, Karolee, with husband Jim of 44 years moved to Homosassa four years ago! Karolee brings 42 years experience in music education encompassing High School Band and Orchestra directing; piano accompanying; choir directing both in schools and church; and private instrumental instruction. She loves God, people, and dragonboating. Jim works remotely overseeing Americule, Inc a manufacturing company he started 30 years ago. She and Jim have three daughters, three grandsons and five grand-dogs.  Currently, Jim and Karolee are restoring a beautiful 100 year old home and enjoy fishing and gardening. Karolee is looking forward to using God’s gifts and making the United Methodist Church of Homosassa  home.