Meet our wonderful ministry leaders! | First United Methodist Church Ministries, Pendleton & Ingalls, IN

Meet Our Pastors

Rev. Julia Pritchett-Gonzales

Lead Pastor

Pastor Julia is the lead pastor at First United Methodist Ministries as of July 2025. She received her call to ministry when she was in high school and jumped directly into pastoral ministry after earning her Bachelor’s at Purdue University (2015) and MDiv (2018) from Duke Divinity School. She has served as an associate pastor and solo pastor in other United Methodist churches and was ordained as a full elder in 2023. Pastor Julia has a passion for preaching and building others up in Christ. Her approach to ministry is "faith conquers fear". She renews her soul through various art projects, reading, journaling, gardening, and taking time to rest and be with God. She is married to Kyle Gonzales and they have a boxer-mix named Addi and no plans for children at this time.

Pastor Susan Barrett

Associate Pastor

Pastor Susan is one of our associate pastors with a focus on Youth and Family Ministries. Serving 23 years as director of children's ministries, in January of 2021, she was appointed as associate pastor. She is inspired by the children and youth and their enthusiasm to serve, to grow in their faith, and their desire to make the world a better place through their love for others. She is a lifetime resident of Pendleton and mother to Jennie, Chris, Maddie, Ella, and Connor.

Pastor Mary Cloud

Associate Pastor

Pastor Mary is one of our associate pastors, serving as our Ingalls Campus Pastor. Having been part of First UMC for 19 years, she began her service as associate pastor in 2019. She is inspired by seeing people understand that grace and mercy of Jesus Christ are free to them and they are forgiven, no matter what! She enjoys seeing how folks continue to grow and change in their new life in Christ. She is married to Mike and they have three children and a granddaughter.

Meet Our Staff

Carrie Dutton

Church Administrator

Carrie serves as our Church Administrator, with over 20 years experience in bookkeeping, payroll, and office management. She grew up here at PFUMC all through her childhood, teen, and young adult years. Carrie and her husband, Josh, were married here in 1999 and have two children: Madeline and Adam. Carrie enjoys music, painting, nature, and has a heart for helping those who are in need.

Lamonte Kuskye

Music Director

Lamonte is the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church Ministries. Serving in this role for over 30 years, he still makes beautiful music with the voice of the choir. His musical gifts and talents, paired with his ability to lead spiritually, bring out the best in people as he encourages them to sing from their hearts. He is a long time music educator in Central Indiana and can still be found imposing his gifts of music on students and adults alike.

Meet Our Worship Team

Reginald Rodgers

Pianist

Reg has served as pianist at for over 20 years, and the sounds of his piano music seem to get better and better each time he plays. He is a Professor of Music at a nearby college and has brought many talented musicians to share their musical talents over the years. It is always a joy to hear Reg and Shirley play a beautiful piano/organ duet!

Shirley Farr

Organist

Shirley has served as our organist for 64 years, beginning in April of 1957! If you have yet to hear her and Reg play, please join us on a Sunday morning. She is most inspired by spending time with her family, including her church family. Being a part of several programs throughout the church, she very much enjoys being involved, especially with the music ministry. She was married to her late husband, Jerry, for 63 years.

Paula Simmons

Handbell Choir Director

Paula directs Handbell Choir. She began attending over 30 years ago, participating in the Christmas Choir Cantatas, and has directed our Handbells for over 10 years. As a music educator in Elwood Community Schools for 46 years, her passion is serving as a role model to her students. She can often be found giving advice and positive encouragement to them. A lifetime resident of Elwood, she still enjoys teaching and interacting with her current and former students.

Ryan Coyle

Praise Band Leader

Ryan is our Praise Band Leader. Being a member for over 40 years, he is thankful to have been able to serve in this role for the last 20 years. Having been involved with music of some type throughout his life, he feels blessed to continue to share those gifts with his church family as he continues to build on his leadership and faith. He is married to Jobi, who is also a long-time member, and they have three sons; Ty, Mac, and Brooks.

Pendleton First United Methodist Church

225 W State Street Pendleton, IN, United States, Indiana 46064

(765) 778-8074

Office@pendletonfirst.org

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