FUMER STAFF
Melany Chalker
Pastor
Melany Chalker (email) began as Senior Pastor of FUMER in July 2021. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, serving since 2000 as lead pastor in communities from Onsted, to Concord, Marshall, and now Eaton Rapids. Arriving in 2021, after the Covid-19 pandemic, everything is a bit different. Melany is the first female lead pastor at FUMER in 181 years. She is also the first to arrive with pink, purple, and blue hair in… well, forever!
Pastor Melany is an artist by nature, a pastor by calling, and a follower of Jesus by choice. She brings artistry to ministry, is led to serve outside the church building, and follows Jesus to help assist the least and the lost. Melany has quite the background, describing herself as broken, and yet healed by the love of Jesus.
You’ll find Melany in local establishments, getting to know her neighbors, in addition to leading creative small groups that paint, scrapbook, and serve those in need. She has degrees in Fine Arts, Family Life Education (counseling), and a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She was born and raised in Saline, on her grandfather’s dairy/vegetable farm. She owns her own 5-acre farm just south of Eaton Rapids, growing flowers from seed and rescuing animals who need a mommy to love on them.
Pastor Melany is quirky and a child at heart, she loves to puddle jump on rainy days and curl up under a quilt as she movie marathons it with her 6 Grands. She creates artwork in her studio at Mellow Farm and upon retirement will run her own art gallery again, as she did before being called into ministry. She is married to Darryl, who is a commercial construction superintendent and huge race fan. They have two adult sons, Jerry (Erin) Losee and Mikayl (Ashley) Losee.
Pastor Melany is an artist by nature, a pastor by calling, and a follower of Jesus by choice. She brings artistry to ministry, is led to serve outside the church building, and follows Jesus to help assist the least and the lost. Melany has quite the background, describing herself as broken, and yet healed by the love of Jesus.
You’ll find Melany in local establishments, getting to know her neighbors, in addition to leading creative small groups that paint, scrapbook, and serve those in need. She has degrees in Fine Arts, Family Life Education (counseling), and a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She was born and raised in Saline, on her grandfather’s dairy/vegetable farm. She owns her own 5-acre farm just south of Eaton Rapids, growing flowers from seed and rescuing animals who need a mommy to love on them.
Pastor Melany is quirky and a child at heart, she loves to puddle jump on rainy days and curl up under a quilt as she movie marathons it with her 6 Grands. She creates artwork in her studio at Mellow Farm and upon retirement will run her own art gallery again, as she did before being called into ministry. She is married to Darryl, who is a commercial construction superintendent and huge race fan. They have two adult sons, Jerry (Erin) Losee and Mikayl (Ashley) Losee.
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.
Samantha Carroll
Discipleship & Communications Director
Samantha Carroll (email) the Director of Discipleship and Communications, grew up in Hastings, Michigan and graduated from Alma College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She is married to Adam and has a daughter named Amelia.
Samantha enjoys camping, riding bikes, taking walks and kayaking. She also enjoys spending time in her craft room making t-shirts, home decor items and seasonal crafts.
Samantha decided to make the move out of Public Education and into Ministry because she felt that God had called her to “Come and follow Him.” Samantha has a heart for the local church and wants to see not only FUMER but all churches and God’s kingdom thrive and grow. Her faith has always been a huge part of her life and was blessed to have parents that were active in their own faith and in their church. She believes that her role as Discipleship Director is to help provide opportunities to move each person closer to God no matter where they are currently in their faith journey.
Samantha enjoys camping, riding bikes, taking walks and kayaking. She also enjoys spending time in her craft room making t-shirts, home decor items and seasonal crafts.
Samantha decided to make the move out of Public Education and into Ministry because she felt that God had called her to “Come and follow Him.” Samantha has a heart for the local church and wants to see not only FUMER but all churches and God’s kingdom thrive and grow. Her faith has always been a huge part of her life and was blessed to have parents that were active in their own faith and in their church. She believes that her role as Discipleship Director is to help provide opportunities to move each person closer to God no matter where they are currently in their faith journey.
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, live in the Mason area.