Affectionately known as “Dr. Sam,” Rev. Sam Wright, born in Indiana, is the oldest of four children. He earned a Ph.D. in biblical studies. He has served Methodist churches of Florida since 1994 and was appointed Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Sarasota on July 1, 2016.
In addition to being a pastor, Dr. Sam has a passion for both teaching and writing. He has taught at universities and seminaries in Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, and Brazil. He has also written Sunday School curriculum and articles for theological journals.
He and his wife Yvonne suffered the tragic loss of their son in 2013. Their personal journey through the grieving process is the basis for his book Heartbreak to Hope: Overcoming the Anguish of Grief. This 2016 publication has helped many people find their way through their grieving. The book is available in the church office and on www.amazon.com.
Dr. Sam’s first volume of a series entitled Smart Aleck’s Guide to the Bible is a humorous look at the stories of the Bible and also an introduction to the Bible for non-Christians. This book is also available in the church office and on www.amazon.com.
Dr. Sam and Yvonne’s daughter Rebekah Joy lives and works in Sarasota. She tells all that her cat Max is quite affectionate, especially to those who dislike cats. She has a sense of humor similar to her father’s.
Dr. Sam’s favorite part of his job is “the people.” When he is not tending to the needs of his congregation, he enjoys sailing, writing, reading, and photography.
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Michael, a native Floridian, became the Director of Music /Organist in May 2018. His undergraduate and graduate degrees in organ performance are from Baylor University. He has been the Principal Organist for FUMC, Houston, and Associate Organist/Choirmaster at Peachtree Road UMC, Atlanta. Michael has often performed with Sarasota and state symphonies and orchestras. With both organ and piano talents, he has often appeared as an organ soloist and has toured the British Isles in concert performances. He delights in meeting new people and spending time with his family and daughter Chloe. Michael, the man of daily unique socks, continues to bring innovations to the music program of First Church.
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Donna, born in Virginia and raised in Tennessee, has a degree in English. After moving to Florida to get her Master’s Degree in Education, she taught high school and junior college English for seventeen years, bypassing administration. She has worked for the University of Michigan in survey research, traveling between Ann Arbor and other states. A leader in Methodist churches and the Florida conference, she became a First Church staff member in January 1999. Her responsibilities fluctuate with the season but include hospitality, new members/sponsors, writing, editing, assisting with worship, organizing, coordinating, and whatever needs to be done. Donna enjoys exercising, traveling, and meets no stranger.
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Joyce and husband David both became active members of the church in 1993 after moving to Florida from Indiana and Illinois. Joyce taught at the University of Evansville (Nursing Program). Joyce became the volunteer Faith Community Nurse in 1993 then the Pastoral Care Assistant in 2003. She connects with and watches over untold members of the church family and others who are ill, whether at home, in the hospital or other facility. With her caring heart and vast knowledge, she makes life, sometimes death, much easier to face. She is also a chaplain at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She has four children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her hobbies are reading, knitting, and certainly people.
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Alyssa Machado, born in Indiana, has lived in Florida since she was six. She later tried Indiana again but left after two years – “I couldn’t handle the cold and ice.” Alyssa began attending First Church with her parents in 2009. Before she became Children’s Director in 2021, she volunteered her creative talents with children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She has also been a popular area dog groomer since 2004. She and husband Yshua have two daughters who are growing up in First Church. You may have seen them with her during Sunday’s Children’s Moment.
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Woody, a native of Maine, has been a counselor, police officer/deputy sheriff, nonprofit CEO, professional magician and entertainer, and an innkeeper. Later he was called to ministry, eventually serving as the Associate Pastor at Cressey Road UMC in Gorham, Maine. Woody and his wife, Dee, moved to Sarasota in 2018, and he volunteered at Gocio Elementary School teaching Drama. He joined the FUMC staff in 2019 to help move First Church beyond the walls of the church, has facilitated online study groups and helps in other areas. He is active with the Sarasota Ministerial Association's HEAART (Hate Ends As All Rise Together) action team and is a co-founder and board member of Suncoast Community Mediation, a nonprofit conflict-resolution organization.
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Candy started her career in our Early Care Center in 1993, working as a toddler and lead teacher until she became the ECC Director in 2020. Her credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a VPS endorsed Director’s Credential (and a big smile). She says the best part of her job is, “The brightness in the children’s eyes as they see me each day.” Candy is from Indiana where she still visits her family. Her hobbies are reading, antiquing, and watching sports. A member of First Church, she is an usher and frequent volunteer for many projects.
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Maria has lived most of her life in Florida, even graduated from Sarasota High School. She began her career with children as a teenager working in the nursery of FUMC and has worked with Early Care (ECC) since 1997. She has been the office manager since 1999. A major portion of her work is the financial ins and outs. She also assists with all aspects of the day-to-day operations. Her passions are the children and connecting with their families. Her vacations are mostly spent traveling and hiking in national parks. Her exercise is walking her two dogs. As a member of First Church, Maria also serves in a variety of capacities.
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FUMC welcomed Eric to the staff in 2020. His height and can-do attitude certainly define him to everyone he meets. From Ohio, Eric worked for the water department in Warren. Eric, wife Pam, and two children moved to Florida in 2014. He enjoys golf, yard work, painting, and home repairs – the latter three adding to his skills needed for his job at First Church. His favorite part of his workday is working with all the church members whom he says are the nicest people he has ever met. Interesting tidbit about “his family” – a dog named Simon and a bird named Samson.
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Jesse is recognized by his helpful attitude desire to help rescue animals. He was born in Long Island, New York, and lived there for twenty years. He then moved to the Poconos in Pennsylvania where he worked in the antique business. Jesse came to Florida in 2001. His passion is wildlife conservation which led him to work for the park service in New York and Florida. Jesse joined the FUMC custodial staff in 2014. He enjoys his job because it is always different each day. His hobby is making semi-scale models of historic sites plus learning the history and geography of the northeastern U. S.
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Baron, Director of Praise Music for the contemporary service since 2015, shares his variety of musical talents with the First Church family and other musical groups in the community. He has traveled the United States and Europe in music and acting roles for over 40 years. Not quite native, Baron was born in Cincinnati and came to Florida age 9 with his parents and one younger brother. He has two daughters and a son who grew up as First Church kids. Baron tells everyone about his loving and generous church family.
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David, a true Florida native, was born and raised in the Sarasota area and stays amazed at all the growth and changes. He has Associate and Bachelor degrees in Computer Graphics and Design from Keiser University and also a degree in 3D Art from Full Sail University. David had been working as First Church’s Audiovisual Tech Assistant since 2019 before taking over the new position in 2022. Few get to meet Dave because he is usually in the balcony booth for worship. In his spare time David develops products using 3D printing, laser engraving, CNC cutting, and fine woodworking. He also enjoys building and racing freestyle drones.
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To let our church family, guests, and staff see and know that their safety is of the utmost importance to First Church, we contract with United Intelligence Services LLC, owned by Johnny Szabo. Johnny has been “watching over us” since 2018, either directly or through one of his other trained Security Specialists. Born in Hungary, Johnny worked in law enforcement in Europe, including the protection of U. S. and Israeli dignitaries as a member of the Executive Protection Services, before moving to Florida. Johnny, as an "adopted" part of the FUMC community, is honored to provide a safe, yet welcoming, environment. He is also a certified life coach with his own practice, and has a passion for helping others. His daughter is his pride and joy.
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Another person you might see ensuring the safety of our church family is Executive Protection Specialist Richard Luisi. Richard made the transition from England to Florida in 2014. He has undergone intense training within the Executive Protection Industry. Getting over 20 certifications, he has extensive knowledge of the threats that surround us. His most recent certifications include Religious Venue Protection, Active Shooter Scenarios and Hostage Situations. Richard and Johnny Szabo have combined their experience and skills and now co-own Threat Intelligence and Protection Services.
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