FUMER STAFF
Marty DeBow
Pastor
Marty DeBow (email) began as Senior Pastor of First UMC in July 2014. He finds it a privilege to serve FUMER as well as this community he is fortunate to call home. Marty was born and raised in the town of Dewitt, MI. Living in small communities has always been attractive to him because rich, lasting relationships are formed and memories are made.
Following high school graduation, he spent two years at Alma College and then completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. From an early age, Marty felt a call to serve God in some way. He followed this call to Kentucky, receiving a degree in Divinity. Marty and his wife Cindy have been blessed with two married kids who have made Mason and Spring Arbor their homes. They are enjoying the delight of being grandparents!
Marty has always enjoyed the benefits that a small community provides: Friday football in the stadium and basketball in the gym, the enjoyment of school plays and choirs, and the simple pleasure of meeting new people on the street.
A verse of scripture that he's come to call his own is Psalm 27:1. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" What a powerful description of the God we believe in!
Now that he has shared some of his life with you, he looks forward to having you share your life with him in the future.
Following high school graduation, he spent two years at Alma College and then completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. From an early age, Marty felt a call to serve God in some way. He followed this call to Kentucky, receiving a degree in Divinity. Marty and his wife Cindy have been blessed with two married kids who have made Mason and Spring Arbor their homes. They are enjoying the delight of being grandparents!
Marty has always enjoyed the benefits that a small community provides: Friday football in the stadium and basketball in the gym, the enjoyment of school plays and choirs, and the simple pleasure of meeting new people on the street.
A verse of scripture that he's come to call his own is Psalm 27:1. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" What a powerful description of the God we believe in!
Now that he has shared some of his life with you, he looks forward to having you share your life with him in the future.
Brenda Austin
Director of Music
brendaeaustin.com (website)
Brenda Austin (email), a native of Southwest Michigan, has been serving First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Music since 2003. At the church, Brenda directs several handbell choirs of all ages and levels and leads worship with the Praise Band. Outside of FUMER she is Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble and Handbell Editor for Hope Publishing.
Brenda is active in the community directing Children’s musical theater and a handbell choir at the elementary school. Each year the church hosts an annual handbell festival where Brenda has served as conductor and clinician. Additionally, Brenda is a freelance handbell composer, arranger and clinician.
Brenda graduated with degrees in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree and Eph Ehly. Brenda received many awards for her conducting including being a semi-finalist in the ACDA National Student Conducting Competition in Washington D.C., and a finalist in the Graduate ACDA Student Conducting Competition in San Diego, CA.
Since her first publication in 2014, she has had compositions and arrangements published at Hope Publishing, AGEHR, Beckenhorst Press, the Lorenz Corporation, SoundForth, Jeffers Publishing, Alfred Publishing, GIA Music, From the Top Music and Chorister’s Guild.
Brenda lives in Eaton Rapids, MI with her three children; Hannah, Blaine & Mia.
Brenda is active in the community directing Children’s musical theater and a handbell choir at the elementary school. Each year the church hosts an annual handbell festival where Brenda has served as conductor and clinician. Additionally, Brenda is a freelance handbell composer, arranger and clinician.
Brenda graduated with degrees in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She studied with Craig Arnold, Steve Zegree and Eph Ehly. Brenda received many awards for her conducting including being a semi-finalist in the ACDA National Student Conducting Competition in Washington D.C., and a finalist in the Graduate ACDA Student Conducting Competition in San Diego, CA.
Since her first publication in 2014, she has had compositions and arrangements published at Hope Publishing, AGEHR, Beckenhorst Press, the Lorenz Corporation, SoundForth, Jeffers Publishing, Alfred Publishing, GIA Music, From the Top Music and Chorister’s Guild.
Brenda lives in Eaton Rapids, MI with her three children; Hannah, Blaine & Mia.
Donna Sederlund
Office Manager
Donna Sederlund (email) has been a part of the office staff since 2013 and also works with communications, congregational care, hospitality, education, and worship presentation in the church. She retired in June 2013 from Eaton Rapids Public Schools after teaching at the elementary level for 35 years. Her undergraduate degree is from Spring Arbor College where she studied education and she also received a Master's degree in Reading from Michigan State University. She and her husband, Rick, live on the family dairy farm west of town. They have two married sons and four grandchildren. Donna enjoys being involved in the church, exercising, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Curtis Richard
Youth Director
Curtis Richard (email) grew up in the Congregational Church of Owosso, Michigan, where he was active in choir, hand bells, summer camp, and youth group. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation Resources in 1988, he spent over five years working at Walt Disney World. He then returned to Michigan with a desire to work with kids, which he have done for the better part of his career since 1995. Curtis has worked in kid's programs with YMCA Storer Camps, Grand Traverse Resort, Impression 5 Science Center, and with Highfields in their Breakthrough and Reaching Higher programs. He lives with my (soon to be) high school age daughter, wife, and a lot of 4-footed family members on an old farm on Barnes Road.
Elizabeth Reed
Chancel Choir Director
Elizabeth Reed has been the Chancel Choir Director at FUMER since the fall of 2017. She grew up attending FUMER where she was very active in the music and youth programs. She attended Michigan State University for her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and received a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. She currently teaches 5th and 6th grade choir in the Okemos Public Schools, and lives in East Lansing with her husband, Jon. She enjoys yoga and baking.
Jan Denton
Organist/Pianist
Jan Denton is a retired elementary/preschool teacher. She began piano lessons at the age of 8 years with the organist of the Methodist Church in Maumee, Ohio. In eighth grade, Jan also began taking organ lessons from her and playing for the church services. She studied organ one year at Bowling Green State University. In each community where she and her husband, Jack, have lived she has served as organist for the church they attended. For two years Jan was the organist for the annual conference of the UMC’s West Michigan District. Jan also plays piano once a week for the residents at Island City Assisted Living and for the local Rotary Club.
Jan and Jack enjoy working together in their yard, golfing, camping, traveling, and spending time with their two sons, daughter-in-laws and two grandsons. Jan also enjoys reading and gardening.
Jan and Jack enjoy working together in their yard, golfing, camping, traveling, and spending time with their two sons, daughter-in-laws and two grandsons. Jan also enjoys reading and gardening.
Anthony Furnaro
Pianist
Anthony Furnaro has served as Vocal Music Director for the Eaton Rapids Public Schools since 2013 where he directs the Middle School and High School Choirs. Choirs under his direction have earned high ratings at both Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) District and State Choral Festivals as well as performed at Disney World. Students under Anthony’s tutelage have excelled at MSVMA District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and have participated in all levels of the MSVMA Honors Choir Program including annual participation in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival All State Honors Choir.
In addition to his teaching duties, Anthony co-directs the Eaton Rapids Middle School Fall Musical and the Eaton Rapids High School Spring Musical each year. He is also a staff pianist at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids where he accompanies traditional services and plays in the Praise Band. Anthony also serves as the MSVMA District 8 Manager.
A native of Grosse Ile, Michigan, Anthony attended Western Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. At WMU he studied choral music and conducting with Dr. Joe Miller and Dr. James Bass while also studying voice with Dr. Carl Ratner. Anthony earned his Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from Eastern Michigan University studying with Prof. Trey Jacobs.
Anthony currently resides in Lansing, Michigan where he enjoys cooking and spending time with his family and friends.
In addition to his teaching duties, Anthony co-directs the Eaton Rapids Middle School Fall Musical and the Eaton Rapids High School Spring Musical each year. He is also a staff pianist at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids where he accompanies traditional services and plays in the Praise Band. Anthony also serves as the MSVMA District 8 Manager.
A native of Grosse Ile, Michigan, Anthony attended Western Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. At WMU he studied choral music and conducting with Dr. Joe Miller and Dr. James Bass while also studying voice with Dr. Carl Ratner. Anthony earned his Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from Eastern Michigan University studying with Prof. Trey Jacobs.
Anthony currently resides in Lansing, Michigan where he enjoys cooking and spending time with his family and friends.
Linda Jones
Pianist
Linda Jones became a church musician at the age of fifteen after praying for an opportunity to use her talents in the church. She went on to study piano at Michigan State University where she received degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Music Therapy. In addition to her position at FUMER, she works as an independent music teacher in piano. She also serves as a collaborative pianist for the Eaton Rapids Public Schools. Linda is the mother of four grown children. She and her husband, John, liv in the Mason area.