mweiler[at]umc-kzo.org

jstilger[at]umc-kzo.org

Ruth LaMachia came to Kalamazoo First in September 2012 from Perrow Church in Cross Lanes, West Virginia where she also served as their Church Business Administrator. Before that, she spent 25 years as an administrator and manager in the insurance industry in Connecticut and West Virginia. She is originally from the Chicago area and her father, a former minister, is from Port Huron so she spent much time growing up visiting family in Michigan. Ruth lives in Kalamazoo with her husband Bill and their two dogs. She has two adult children, Elizabeth and Justin, and a granddaughter, Imogen. 

rlamachia[at]umc-kzo.org

jlibrizzi[at]umc-kzo.org

He attended Central Michigan University where he was active in the Wesley Foundation.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, Thom moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend Candler School of Theology (Emory University) where he enjoyed interning as a hospital chaplain and exploring the theology of disability.  In addition to his studies, Thom served in music ministries as praise band director, guitarist, and gospel choir member.

Thom joined Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church in 2014 after returned home.  Since 2016 Thom has served in a variety of roles including office assistant, security staff, pastoral care volunteer, tech troubleshooter, and facilitator of the satellite worship services at the Fountains, Heritage Community, and Friendship Village.

In his spare time, Thom enjoys working on computers, playing guitar, photo and video editing, hanging out with his cat sidekick Maggie and serving as a member of the Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.

Vickee moved with her family to Kalamazoo at the age of 4.  In 1971, when she was a third grader, they joined First United Methodist Church.  One of her earliest happy memories at church was the annual father-daughter dance.  During her elementary and teen years, she played hand bells and participated in the youth choir and the children’s musical.  All of those groups were led by Georgia Woolrich.

Vickee’s mother gave her children the gift of music and the gift of valuing education.  In recent years, Vickee has been in the Chancel Choir and the hand bell choir.  As a part of her interest in education and mission outreach, Vickee worked for a year in 2016 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at an international Methodist school.  For her, the highlight of the job there was working with three year olds.  On the weekends, she was the teen supervisor in the boarding school.  On Saturdays, they would take the students all over the island which gave Vickee a chance to see different natural areas and cultural sights.

Although she has worked in different volunteer and paid capacities at the church, including going on ASP trips with the youth, Vickee currently works church security.  Off the job, she enjoys the outdoors, especially kayaking.  She has four children and many grandchildren.

Mandakini joined our staff the end of August 2021 after previously working at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. She and her husband Jason live in Kalamazoo with their cat, Moomer. Mandakini is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she got her undergrad in Advertising. She is currently in the master’s program at Western Michigan University to become a licensed therapist, specializing in trauma. Along with this she is interning at CTAC (Children’s Trauma Assessment Center). In her free time Mandakini enjoys playing music, writing, reading and knowing people on deeper levels.

Christiane (Chris) joined the staff in November 2021. Originally from New England, Chris is a big Patriots fan! She moved to the Midwest in her early 20s and five states later has made Michigan her home. Chris and her husband Bob live in Plainwell with two dogs and two cats. They have three adult sons spread across the continent and three (so far) grandchildren who are the light of their lives. Chris enjoys traveling (good thing!), biking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, beekeeping, cooking and especially eating! She enjoys most sports and since moving to Michigan has learned how to curl.

Christi first came to First United Methodist church in 2003, drawn by the powerful organ and the evening worship service.  She began volunteering in the church office soon after.  A lifelong Methodist, she began serving churches as a toddler when accompanying her parents to their local church, where they were the custodians.  It was then, while hiding from the vacuum her mother pushed, Christi discovered the peace and calm of the cool sanctuary floor.  She has served churches as a Pianist, Instrumentalist, Organist, Vocalist, Worship Leader, Choir Director, Youth and Adult Handbell Choir Director, Music Director, Worship Coordinator and Music Librarian.  Christi, curious about the mysteries of faith, studied Religion and Music at WMU, earning a Bachelor’s Degree.  She is married to Bill, and they have four children.

Bethany joined our staff in 2020 to share the story of FUMC Kalamazoo and all the wonderful ways our congregation works together to help the community.  She grew up near Hickory Corners and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Western Michigan University.  She has worked in arts marketing and health care marketing and, in recent years, has spent a lot of time on digital marketing and social media.  In her spare time, she loves to read, watch movies and go for neighborhood walks with her family.  She’s proud to call Kalamazoo home with her husband, two children and their Boston Terriers, Otis and Elmer.

When Bernie is not at church, he enjoys spending his time gardening, cooking and restoring old houses.  Bernie lives in a Victorian house in Kalamazoo with Teaberry the Cat.

Because her father was a United Methodist pastor, Robin grew up in West Michigan churches, moving roughly every four years.  She’d always wanted to be a nurse, and in 1985, she started a nursing program at Kalamazoo’s Nazareth College, graduating in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

 During her years at Nazareth, she made several close friends and began to be interested in spiritual development.  Because of this, Robin was sometimes asked to pray with patients or their families in the cancer unit where she worked.  As time passed, she realized she also had a special interest in treating dementia patients.

Robin began visiting First Church in 2001 and immediately decided to join the Companions in Christ program because of its focus on spiritual formation.  The program’s emphasis on prayer fit well with Robin’s priorities.  In her work at First Church’s security desk, she often prays with people who come to the church looking for help.

The role of parish nurse was appealing to her since it combined nursing and spirituality.  In 2006 the church made it possible for Robin to attend a parish nurse program at Nazareth College.  She received her certification that summer and began the volunteer position of parish nurse for First Church. 

Since joining the church in 2002, Robin has worked in the office and also as a security person for First Care.  She aims to be a spiritual presence in every setting, whether welcoming the young children who come to the day care program or helping people who phone the church.

He was instrumental in the church’s transition to livestream worship during the Covid pandemic.  Both the congregation and staff are grateful for Casey’s talent and skill in making meaningful online worship possible.