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.
Ray Fisher
Music Director
Ray oversees the music program at the church from selecting hymns for each service to leading and playing/singing in the Celebration Music Team and playing piano or organ for the Chancel choir. He also coordinates with other church choirs in the area to bring additional singers and orchestral musicians together for our annual Christmas and Easter cantatas. Ray has a long history in Christian music and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as part of a band called The Nelon’s in 2016.
Sharon Gipson
Office Manager
After 19 years of being home with my two children, the Lord blessed me with the position of Office Manager with FUMC Loomis starting in October of 2011. I enjoy greeting people as they come in the door, answering the phone, being editor of the weekly newsletter, and basically being in the hub of the life of this church. Prior to this I worked a short time with Cornerstone Methodist in Rocklin, before it was closed permanently.
My husband and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this year, we have two sons, one has graduated from Sac State, and the other is at San Jose State University. We have attended Centerpoint Roseville Community Church for almost 12 years. In my free time, you will find me doing water aerobics at the Roseville indoor pool, walking our dog or working in my vegetable garden. I also enjoy traveling to new places.
Martin Beal
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.
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)
