Our Staff
Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley
Senior Pastor, ext. 104
elizabethch@fumccharlotte.org
Sr. Pastor, Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley believes strongly that faith is an action, not just a belief, and she got involved in global outreach ministries at a young age. It was while volunteering at a UN refugee camp in Nicaragua, at just 14 years old, that she realized that God had called her to help others. The Dalton, Georgia native speaks Spanish, and has lived in some of the farthest reaching places in the world including Argentina, Alaska, and Spain. She lived in Colorado for a year, waiting tables and skiing powder, and was inspired by a woman who was the Head Pastor at a Methodist church in Breckenridge.
She met husband and fellow FUMC Pastor Jonathan while camping out for Blue Devils basketball tickets, during Divinity School at Duke University. Elizabeth’s goal for FUMC is to maintain an open environment and be a vital part of Uptown Charlotte. This energetic Head Pastor and mother of two children will tell to expect a vibrant, diverse congregation that values its connection to Uptown Charlotte. It’s a place where membership is not easy, but meaningful, and where the purpose of her ministry is to inspire and equip us to do the work of God; as much for the people outside the church’s walls as inside.
Jonathan Coppedge-Henley
Pastor of Congregational Development, ext. 105
jonathanch@fumccharlotte.org
Jonathan grew up high in the mountains of North Carolina, where heaps of snow often framed his ride to First Baptist Church on Sundays, and in high school, you would most often find him on the basketball court.
When he wasn’t hitting jump shots, Jonathan was on stage, where he played the lead role as King Arthur in ‘Camelot’, and continued on to Lees McRae College on a performing arts scholarship. His mom died when he was 16, giving him a desire to question every assumption about God; because the truth is often in the question, not always in finding answers. He completed Seminary at Duke University, and it was while camping out for Blue Devils basketball season tickets that he met his wife, and fellow FUMC Pastor, Elizabeth. Shortly after marriage they weathered a year of northern exposure while Jonathan served as campus minister at the University of Alaska. Their spiritual path soon lead them back East, where children Owen and Lora were born, and they worked together in United Methodist congregations in Greensboro and Henderson County.
Jonathan describes being a parent as one of the most hopeful things humans can do, and the “coolest responsibility God has given me.” He’s survived cancer, climbed to the top of 14k foot Long’s peak in Colorado, and has a simple mission as Pastor at First United Methodist Church : to expound on how God calls us to live ; like Jesus, with justice and compassion for everyone. He sums up his outlook with a quote from U2’s lead singer, Bono. “Jesus came to show us what God meant all along.”
Robert E. Boggan, Jr.
Pastor Emeritus, Congregational Care
rebogganjr@carolina.rr.com
First United Methodist Church is a community of faith where grace abounds. That must be so, because they have granted me a “second chance” to do ministry and to get it right this time. You see, I retired at the end of June 2002 after 48 years of ministry in churches of all sizes and descriptions: rural, suburban, and inner city. After only one year of retirement, I was invited to come on the staff here as Minister of Congregational Care.
My wife, Pat, has been the ideal “preacher’s wife” since our wedding in 1959. Our three sons and our three grandchildren are the source of great joy. I love preaching, teaching, singing, doing the work of missions and outreach, and sharing life with people of all ages. I am a photographer, and have enjoyed the new realm of digital photography and computers. I collect very old hymnals, and love to travel.
One highlight of my career was serving as the catalyst for the building of the new Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. I led the first volunteer building team which worked on the first phase of constructing the early buildings. Africa University is now a modern campus providing top quality education and training for some of the brightest students from many countries in Africa.
I graduated from Brevard College and Wofford College, then received my master of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in 1966. I recently concluded 12 years of service on the Brevard College Board of Trustees.
Tracie Rose
Assistant Pastor, ext. 102
trose@fumccharlotte.org
Tracie Rose is a life-long Methodist, baptized, confirmed and married in First United Methodist Church of South Charleston, WV. She is a wife, mother of three grown children, and oh-so proud grandmother of Mallory. Tracie had a 30-year career as a surgical nurse and has lived in Matthews for over 30 years, where she and her husband Stuart raised their three children: Diane, Daniel and Rachel. Tracie will tell you that she has been listening intently for God’s quiet voice, seeking to answer a question that many of us face- “What would you have me do, Lord, how can I serve you?” She will also tell you that she hears God calling her to help bring light into the darkness in which too many of God’s children live. Tracie has experienced the healing transformation of God’s unconditional love and God’s grace in her own life and is called to share that redeeming love with others in this hurting world. Tracie accepts her appointment as Assistant Pastor to FUMC with great joy and anticipation of continuing to walk with us, where God leads us, together.
Aidyl De La Cruz
Church Business Administrator, ext. 101
adelacruz@fumccharlotte.org
Aidyl joined our team at First United Methodist Church in March of 2008; with an Associated in Science Degree in Business Administration & Computer Science from Miami Dade College and 10 years of experience in the non-profit, political and commercial direct mail industry; Aidyl came from The Western North Carolina Conference where she was the Executive Administrative Assistant to two vital ministries the Nurture & Christian Education and the Ethnic & Justice ministries.
She started her association with United Methodist Church in 1999 as the Church Business Administrator for Coconut Grove United Methodist Church, she also served as the Financial Administrator for the Miami District Office of the United Methodist Church; followed by seven years of dedicated service as the Church Business Administrator for First United Methodist Church of South Miami until she and her husband Miguel relocated to South Carolina in August of 2007. With a not-so-secret passion in the church for congregational care and the desire to share life and ministry with the wonderful people of God.
Ashley Anne Lloyd
Director of Children, Family and Youth Ministries, ext 114
Boyd Johnston
Choir Director, ext 112
musicministries@fumccharlotte.org
A native of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Boyd Johnston has spent most of his adult life in North Carolina. He earned the Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Western Carolina University in 1987 and taught band for six years in the Hickory Public Schools. He earned the Master of Music in French horn performance from Appalachian State University in 1995 and has been a member of the music faculty at Charlotte Latin School since then, also teaching band. Mr. Johnston has played for several regional orchestras as well as for a few Broadway productions in Charlotte. In the fall of 2008, he was guest soloist for the North Carolina Independent School Choral Festival in Raleigh. Mr. Johnston was a recipient of Latin’s Pauline A. Flemm award at the end of the 2008-2009 school year, and in August of 2009, he was also recognized by the school for his work to help foster a climate which embraces diversity. Having been an active member at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte since 1999, Mr. Johnston has been the director of the Chancel Bell Choir since 2002, and has been director of the Chancel Choir since April 2010. He has been involved in bell choirs for over 30 years and has extensive experience both as a ringer and director. His choral experience stems largely from singing under J. Jerome Williams at First United Methodist Church, Hickory, and Raymond Tucker and John-Palmer Smith at First United Methodist Church, Charlotte. He also studied voice under Dr. Joyce Farwell as an undergraduate student at Western Carolina.
Don Kaufhold
Church Organist/Accompanist, ext. 112
musicministries@fumccharlotte.org
A native of the Chicagoland area, Don began studying the organ in the third grade. After his family moved to Charlotte in 1981, he studied first with Dr. Robert Stigall, former organist at Myers Park Presbyterian Church and then with John-Palmer Smith, former organist at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. Don obtained his Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Church Music from Appalachian State University and studied the organ under Dr. H. Max Smith. He then obtained his Master of Liturgical Music degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. and studied organ under Drs. Peter Marshall (son of composer Jane Marshall) and Robert Grogan, Organist and Carilloneur at the Basillica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Also while in Washington, Don studied improvisation with Dr. Jeffrey Smith (now Visiting Assistant Professor of Organ and Church Music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music) at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street.
Don has performed recitals at National City Christian Church and Washington National Cathedral, and played a dedicatory recital at Springfield United Methodist Church at the conclusion of the rebuilding of the organ. He has also performed Haydn’s Creation with the choir of Arlington Presbyterian Church and members of the National Symphony Orchestra, and Gloria and Requiem by Rutter and The Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois at Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) of Burke, VA. Also while at Church of the Good Shepherd, he led the pit orchestra from the piano for a musical theater production of The Wizard of Oz and conducted the orchestra for the production of Children of Eden.
Don has served as Director of Music at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and also as Interim Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where portions of the Bach Christmas Oratorio were sung on Christmas Eve, 2009 with organ and chamber orchestra. While Interim Accompanist for the Choir School at St. Peter’s, the year culminated with a choir tour to Chicago and Choral Eucharist at St. James Cathedral.
Don served as Interim Organist at First United Methodist Church from October 2009 and was then made a regular member of the church staff beginning in March 2010.
Since 2001 Don has worked full time for Accenture where he conducts corporate due diligence and special investigation functions worldwide.
Don lives in Charlotte with his two feline housemates, Oliver & Vincent.
Jennifer Wallis
Music Leader for CONNECT
jwallis@fumccharlotte.org
Jennifer is originally from Illinois, where she graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Jazz Studies. She has served in various musical ensembles including traditional choirs and contemporary praise teams. Her experience as a pianist, praise team leader and worship orchestration makes her a viable part to our new service. She likes to play golf, swim, dance and loves musical theatre. Jennifer lives here in Charlotte and is currently also an entertainer at Howl at the Moon, an international dueling rock ‘n roll piano show. She is excited about the musical possibilities here at FUMC.
Janice Price
Director of the Child Development Center, 704.333.4882, jpFUMCDC@aol.com
Janice Price has been a member of First United Methodist Church and director of the Child Development Center for over 10 years. She has a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and a minor in music education. In addition to her teaching background, she was also director of Christian education in The United Methodist Church for 6 years prior to coming to FUMC in 1997. She is able to utilize her education and music background and her great love for children by working with the families in the Child Development Center and feels called to do this.
Janice is committed to using this Monday-Friday ministry to bring young families into FUMC. She truly believes in the Child Development Center motto: “working with parents for children.”
Bob Aycock
Communications Coordinator, ext. 107
Eddie Owens
Building Maintenance Technician, ext 103, eowens@fumccharlotte.org
Eddie is dedicated to maintaing our beautiful church building. He is from Fayetteville, NC and married with 3 children. He loves working and fixing things, especially his 1984 truck. He enjoys cookouts with his family and friends.
JoAnn Jackson
Building Custodian
A native Charlottean, JoAnn is married with 2 boys, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She likes everything about her job and works tirelessly to keep FUMC in order. She loves to cook, especially a pot roast.