Rev. Dr. Bridget Thornton is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. She was first licensed for ministry in 2012 and this is the fourth church she has served in a pastoral role. Prior to 2012, Pastor Bridget was a church administrator/bookkeeper. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Florida State University, a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL, and is completing a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics, Church, and Culture at Portland Seminary. Bridget is married to Kevin and they have identical twin sons. Though born out of state she has spent the majority of her life in Florida. She claims North Carolina (Kevin's home) as her second home and loves spending time with family.
Jim is an accomplished singer, pianist, organist, conductor, theater director and educator. He has been the organist at the Key West United Methodist Church for the past 6 years. Jim has taught high school vocal music for 31 years. He was also the Director of Music at the Milford United Methodist Church in Milford, Michigan for 27 years. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Music in piano, voice and education. He received his Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Eastern Michigan University where he was a student of Emily Boyd Lowe. Jim's high school groups have won many awards with performances throughout the United States and Germany. Jim was the conductor of the Keys Chorale at the Florida Keys Community College for the past 3 years.
Ann McFarland began piano lessons at age 8 and organ at age 14. She has served as organist and choir director of numerous churches in Pennsylvania. She holds a BM in Piano from Susquehanna University, a MM in Music History from Temple University, and a PhD in Music Education, also from Temple. Dr. McFarland moved to Key West in the summer of 2015 after retiring from West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she served as coordinator of student teaching and field placement for music education as well as director of Orff-Schulwerk studies. In addition to her position as organist for Key West United Methodist, she is a member of the Southernmost Chamber Music Society and accompanist for Keys Choral Arts. Dr. McFarland volunteers as a music enrichment specialist at the Montessori Children’s School and teaches private lessons in her home.
Janet Vazquez is our Director of Children and Family Ministries. Janet holds an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been married to her husband, Alfredo, for 32 years. She is the mother of three adult children and the grandmother of five. Janet was born and raised in Key West and is a sixth generation conch. Janet believes that learning is a lifelong process. She loves her job working with the children and families of our church.
Shannon Lucas has always loved children and comes from a big family where the kids outnumber the adults. She is the Director of Outreach for the Healthy Start Coalition which focuses on meeting the needs of pregnant moms, young children and families in the Keys. She has worked for six years as an adoption specialist with Wesley House for children in the foster care system. Prior to that, she spent 13 years as a marketing professional for the YMCA abd would take breaks to play games with and to comfort the babies in our nursery. All of these careers required extensive background checks, trainings to work with children, and CPR/First Aid certifications. She also has experience as a child welfare professional, nanny, after school counselor, summer camp counselor (K - teens), nursery worker, and was a supervisor of child care staff. On Sundays while in college, worked in the Arlington Texas, United Methodist Church nursery with the two year olds.
She attended a private Christian school for most of her school age years. She is a Christian with a strong belief in the power of Christ's love.
Oksana Snipes teaches a 2 year old class at Sunbeam Christian School. She began teaching Sunday School Key West UMC in June 2018 and has enjoyed watching the children grow in Christ. Her daughter Svetlana, and husband Jeff enjoy the services.
