Our Staff
Our wonderful staff is here to make First United Methodist Church of Loomis a warm and welcoming place for everyone. Below you can read the biographies and missions of our staff.
Alison Berry
Senior Pastor
I am delighted to be the pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Loomis. I graduated from Pacific School of Religion with a Master of Divinity degree and have served in the following churches: FUMC San Leandro, FUMC Gilroy, San Ramon Valley UMC, Sierra Pines UMC, and Church of the Joyful Healer in McKinleyville. I enjoy all aspects of ministry — pastoral care, worship, small group activities, spiritual formation, preaching, teaching, mission trips, etc. I love being outdoors and possess a healthy spirit of adventure. I am deeply passionate about social justice issues.
Melanie Oliver
Deacon of Christian Education
I have spent much of my adult life working in youth and children’s ministries, and have been with FUMC Loomis since 2013. In 1999, I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Religion from Wimberly School of Religion at Oklahoma City University, satellite of St. Paul School of Theology. I completed by seminary coursework at Duke University in 2021. In my role at FUMC Loomis, I have the privilege of working with teams to create a holistic plan of Christian Education that nurtures young disciples and provides opportunities for them to live our their faith in hands-on ways that meet a hurting world’s needs. I am grateful for the love and support they receive from our congregation as they grow up in the church. We definitely believe in an "it takes a village" approach to ministry!
Susan Goebel
Finance Director
For 15 years I have had the privilege of working for FUMC of Loomis in overseeing our church’s finance and administrative areas. I’m responsible for all financial functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, tithe recording, reconciling of accounts, production of all financial reports to Board members, financial liaison to the Board, and payroll. If you ever have any questions regarding these issues, please feel free to contact me at our office.
Martin Beal
Music and Choir Director
Martin has been performing and teaching for more than 40 years, which seems strange since he is only 29. He has a Bachelor in Music from CSU Sacramento and a Master in Music from University of Southern California. The variety of stage work he has enjoyed includes singing in a gospel group as back up to Earth, Wind, and Fire, singing with the Los Angeles Jazz Choir backing up Rosemary Clooney and singing with the Los Angeles Chamber Singers. Some of his favorite professional roles in Broadway style productions include Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady”, The Padre in “Man of La Mancha”, Pangloss in “Candide”, Tony in “Westside Story” and Frank Butler “Annie Get Your Gun”.
Martin has worked with American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Stockton Opera, TheaterWorks, Runaway Stage, El Dorado Musical Theater and Sacramento Music Circus in various capacities such as Choir Director, Performer, Vocal Director, Carpenter and one stint as Props Manager. He won two Ellie’s for Music direction.
Martin has 3 albums available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. “My Iris Eyes”, “Martin Beal with a Touch of Brass” and “Smile”. Songs from “Smile” hit number one on several Jazz stations around the world. Her is working on his third of Broadway Tunes.
Martin is also a woodworker and voice over talent.
Sharon Gipson
Office Manager
I have been blessed to be with FUMC Loomis for over 14 years. I enjoy being the face of the church as people come in the office, and all the duties pertaining to being Office Manager at a very busy church. Keeping the calendar is always a challenge!
My husband and I will celebrate our 38th anniversary this fall. We are now empty nesters; our oldest son moved to the Richmond area last summer, where he works at Amazon as a plant technician for all of the equipment. Our youngest son moved back after spending time in San Jose, Denver, Colorado and Madison, Wisconsin. He is a Nutrition/Dietician at a Senior Center in Natomas . He was married last September in the highlight of our year, at a beautiful ceremony with friends and family at a lodge near Fort Ross. We now have a beautiful daughter -in-law that has joined our family. We have attended CenterPoint Roseville for almost 20 years. In my free time I enjoy exercising at the Mike Shellito Roseville Pool, walking our dog, Luna, doing bible studies, spending time with friends or going to Kings or San Francisco 49ers games.
Kay Hight
Accompanist/Vocalist
Kay’s Bio coming soon!
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Founded by Japanese farmers in 1903, FUMCL is a Reconciling Congregation serving Southern Placer County. We believe that God calls us to put our faith into action wherever we are, welcoming all into the kingdom of God.
Service Time
Join us for Worship! 9:30 am Sundays
Inspirational messages and uplifting contemporary music create a casual, spirit-centered worship service. (More)
