Staff

Rev Patricia “Patti” Aupperlee is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.  She and Paul have been married for 32 years and are blessed with 3 beautiful adult children. Their daughter, Samantha, just graduated from seminary and is new serving her first appointment in the Southwest district. Erin works for Southwest Airlines in Tampa. Alexis and her husband, Chris, live in North Palm Beach. Alexis works for Iberia Bank and Chris is in the auto parts industry.   

Pastor Patti’s husband, Paul, a former chef, not only enjoys culinary creations, but also wood working projects. They enjoy spending time on the water and at the beach.  

Pastor Patti worked as Church staff for twelve years as the Director of Newcomer Ministries at United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches and where she subsequently served as Senior Pastor.  Pastor Patti has served both urban and rural churches in Pahokee and Canal Point, FL.  She is thoroughly Wesleyan in her theological perspective and finds her home in the United Methodist Church. 

Pastor Patti has a passion for connecting to the community and in her words “I believe that the church should be a central and vital part of the local community and seek to meet the needs of relationship building among neighbors. Our society has become isolated and the church can bring community together meeting physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs with other partners within the community. I seek to be faithful wherever my context of ministry is. Whatever the community setting, God’s people are in it.   

I enjoy the challenge of discovering how God leads us to build bridges that strengthen relationships with God and each other.  I have greatly enjoyed and experienced ministry in a rural, agricultural context and a city setting.”

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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.

Branden Paul started out in the Youth Group and as a volunteer video operator for Sunday services in 2010 and joined our church as an A/V Tech in June 2018. His experience with A/V systems prior to 2010 was in another local church and at his middle school and high school. Currently, his primary responsibilities include maintaining and operating audio, video, live-streaming, lighting, cameras, and computer network equipment for the church. He also supports an amazing group of volunteers and staff to ensure everything goes smoothly for all church events.

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 Branden. 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.

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.

We are seeking an accompanist/pianist for Sundays, special ocassions and Wednesday evening practice. For more details please send your resume to pastor@1umc.org. Organ experience a plus.