Our Staff

Lisa Schubert Nowling is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with all people through worship, discipleship, service, generosity, and social advocacy. After graduating from Indiana University and Duke Divinity School, Lisa has served churches in urban, small-town and campus settings. Lisa and her husband, Colin, have a daughter, Rachel, and two dogs. They enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and cheering on their favorite sports teams, especially the Hoosiers.

Favorite food? Steak & pizza

Best Super-power? Flying

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Combination of arts, sports, and international cuisine.

I am greatly delighted to be the Associate Pastor here at First Methodist. I am delighted to co-work with Lisa, Donna, Matt and all the great staff team here and I look forward our shared ministry to the community.  I am married to Faith and we are parents of two millennials, Njeri (Cherie) and Kimathi (Kim). As an ordained Minister (Presbyter or Elder) of the Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK), I have been privileged to have worked in Africa, Europe and North America continents, that is Kenya (1991-2002), Iowa/USA (2002-03) and UK mixed with Kenya (2003-2021). I enjoy ministry of word and sacraments and love preaching. I celebrate this exposure as I served in the sacred space that is as a pastor in churches and secular space which included corporate directorship.

Favorite food? Kenyan chapati and Ugali but I have developed a huge taste for Mother bears (fresh or reheated will do!)

Best Super-power? Conquer the galaxy

Favorite thing about Bloomington? First Methodist is endowed with great people. I also love to watch IU Soccer games… and Mother Bears, of course!

Donna Goings serves in a part-time role and oversees Outreach ministries, Caring ministries, and Senior Adult Ministries. She is a second-career retired United Methodist pastor. She has had several previous career roles in nursing, nursing informatics, nursing education, and human resources.

Favorite food? Carrot cake

Best Super-power? Mind-reading

Favorite thing about Bloomington? The vitality of the city and the myriad of restaurant choices.

David Price leads the Common Ground Band, which is the contemporary worship band that played at The Open Door. The band is currently providing music for the Common Ground contemporary worship service. David’s roots are in classical piano and keyboards, having played in all types of bands for over forty years. He has been involved in various capacities of church music and worship coordination for most of his adult life.

Favorite food? Pancakes with real maple syrup and breakfast sausage

Best super-power? I’d say time travel but I’d probably mess things up, so I’ll go with flying.

Favorite thing about Bloomington? I don’t have to get dressed up very often.

Chuck Prestinari started attending FUMC during his undergraduate studies at IU in the 1990s, and from 1998-2004 served as Worship Coordinator and Wesley Choir Director at FUMC. After completing his Doctoral studies in choral conducting, Chuck went on to serve as Chorus Master of New York City Opera and San Diego Opera. He returned to Bloomington in 2016 to join the faculty of the Jacobs School as a member of the Collaborative Piano Department, and in 2019, returned to FUMC, where he now assists in planning and overseeing music for the Sanctuary services, as well as serving as Associate Organist.

Favorite food? Pizza

Best super-power? Time travel

Favorite thing about Bloomington? The wealth of free musical concerts and events.

Kim joined our staff as Church Administrator in 2020. She oversees the daily operations and business functions of the church. She has a M.S. in Business Management and a B.A. in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University. Kim is originally from Bloomington, and is thrilled to be back in the Bloomington area to be closer to family and friends. She has three children; Jennifer, Zach & Riley; and three grandchildren.

Matt Upshaw comes to First Methodist with a background in ministry in a variety of church settings and a passion for building faith communities that are open and inviting for all people. He holds an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and a B.A. in Business Management & Religious Studies from Olivet Nazarene University. He loves living in Bloomington with his wife and their two children. So much so that after moving away in 2018, they came back in 2021!

Favorite food? Ice cream

Best super-power? Telekinesis

Favorite thing about Bloomington? The diversity of cultures and our awesome library.

Markus encourages college students and young adults to grow in faith and to be themselves--through Jubilee’s activities (weekly gatherings, social events, etc), one-on-one tea times, and baking cookies with strange ingredients (beets, cricket powder, etc.). A former tenured professor in Computational Linguistics at IU who sometimes bores students with analysis of their emojis, Markus has been helping with Jubilee since going on the Spring 2016 Mission Trip. He hasn’t been able to stop hanging out with the students since then.

Favorite food? Peanut butter (which he says goes on everything)

Best super-power? The ability to factorize any number instantly

Favorite thing about Bloomington? No one seems to mind me reading and walking at the same time.

Adam started at the church around 2016 as church videographer and moved to Tech Director with the sanctuary renovation. After taking some time off to be a stay-at-home dad, he'll be reprising his role as Tech Director, coordinating tech volunteers and Sunday Worship technology. He enjoys playing and designing board games, biking around town with his two kids, and enjoying the wonderful ethnic foods in Bloomington with his wife, Anne.

Tonya McCray (Bettis) joined FUMCB in the summer of 2024.  Tonya attended Vincennes University, where she studied Musical Theater, and she is a 2024 Graduate of Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences. She has decades of experience as an administrative assistant, as well as many years as a substitute teacher and classroom assistant. She sings in a local a cappella group called the Global Warblers, and she loves hot yoga, swimming, and kayaking.  Tonya has two sons and one daughter.

Favorite food? Samosas

Best super-power? Encouraging Others

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Access to a wide range of cultures

Mariah Gese is the Pastoral Assistant at FUMCB, providing support to the Pastors and assisting in event planning. Mariah is originally from New York, but came to Bloomington to attend IU and stayed for the vegan bakery. Mariah spends a lot of time reading, drawing, and playing music, and is always down to talk books.

Favorite food? Coffee & a baked good

Best super-power? Shapeshifting

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Rainbow Bakery!

Desiree

Favorite food? 

Best super-power? 

Favorite thing about Bloomington? 

Anne has worked for First Methodist for over 25 years. Originally from Olney, Illinois (where they have white squirrels!), Anne now lives in Bloomington and loves spending time with her daughter and two granddaughters. In her spare time, Anne teaches aerobics at the YMCA!

Favorite food? Lobster

Best super-power? Flying

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Walking her dog through Bloomington’s many parks

Jared joined our staff as Head Custodian in August of 2021. He has lived in Bloomington for a little over two years but has spent his whole life in the Bloomington area. Jared is a huge IU fan and enjoys watching sports and spending time with his two dogs.

Favorite food? Anything sweet!

Best super-power? Unlimited energy so I would never have to sleep.

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Being so close to campus and IU athletics!

Mary Wilson does the day-to-day finances and assists Kim in her work. Mary has an accounting degree and has worked as a Controller for two private resort clubs, and as an Accountant in several other businesses.

Favorite food? Sushi

Best super-power? To see the future, so I would know what to do or not do.

Favorite thing about Bloomington? I grew up in Nashville, IN. I lived in Bloomington before moving away in 1989. My son was born here. He now lives here with his family. I moved back to be near my son and get back with old friends.

Michael Rousey has a degree in Computer Information Technology and ten years of experience in the field. He is honored to be able to serve at FUMCB in this capacity, to keep the work of ministry going. He sees his duties here as an opportunity to help those on the front lines of ministry accomplish their very important work, to be the hands and feet of God. While not serving at FUMCB, he serves as a credentialed AG Minister at his church and travels overseas on mission trips and crusades.

Favorite food? Ribeye steak with mushrooms and jack cheese

Best super-power? The ability to spread happiness and love to all in a split second

Favorite thing about Bloomington? Hoosier hospitality!

Tatum (she/her) is currently a junior studying Neuroscience at IU. She self-identifies as a nerd and is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), the pre-medical fraternity, and Alpha Chi Sigma (AXE), the chemistry fraternity. When she isn't busy prepping for med school, you can find her talking about her latest obsession. Some of her favorite things include books, BTS, podcasts, ice cream, and traveling. She loves Jubilee and her JubiFamily and can't wait to be an intern this year!

SJ (they/them) is a Junior in the IU School of Education with dreams to be a 6th grade teacher. They love being involved on campus as a member of the Filipino American Association, Queer Student Union, Independent Council, and Education Library Staff. Their hobbies include frequenting local coffee shops, reading Riordanverse books, singing nonstop, riding their bike, thrifting clothes, and scrapbooking memories. They are excited for the opportunity to be an intern for their beloved Jubi-community!