The Clergy & Staff of First UMC
MINISTRY
On July 1, 2024, the Rev. Greg Batson was appointed as the Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica. He began his ordained ministry here as an Associate Pastor in 2000-2004 and has served as Senior Pastor of three other United Methodist congregations in Southern California: Burbank (2004-2009), Tustin (2009 -2013) and La Mesa (2017-2024). Rev. Batson also served as President & CEO of the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation (2013-2017).
A life-long Methodist, Rev. Batson was born and raised in the rural farming community of Liberty, Georgia. He attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA and received his B.A. in English and Economics in 1986. It was there that he met his wife Tania singing together in the college choir. After an eleven-year career as corporate banker in Nashville and New York City, Rev. Batson heard and followed his call to ministry in 1997, attending Union Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 2000 and moved to Southern California to begin his ministry.
Rev. Batson is married to Tania Trotter Batson and has three adult sons: Tom, Dan & Wes. Favorite hobbies include playing golf, fishing in the Sierras, and attending baseball games and concerts.
Rev. Keri Olsen Paget is an Ordained Deacon in the UMC. As the Deacon Associate for Spiritual Formation, Keri promotes and cultivates opportunities for others to deepen their awareness of themselves and their connection with the divine and community. Her gifts and interests are in teaching, listening, individual or communal spiritual care and reflection. She assists with worship twice a month.
Keri grew up in Southern California. She is a graduate from Emory: Candler School of Theology. She has worked primarily as a hospital chaplain and ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education Certified Educator since 2011. This means she trains clergy and lay people in spiritual care skills and the profession of chaplaincy. She has worked for hospitals in Atlanta, GA; UCLA Health in Los Angeles, CA; Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD; and PIH Health in Downey, CA.
Keri and her husband, Josh, have a young daughter named Elizabeth. Keri enjoys riding bikes and playing make believe with her family. To nourish her soul, Keri likes to create – whether that be through prayer, painting, cooking, dancing, gardening or developing new spiritual/reflective practices with others.
Tricia Guerrero – Pastoral Associate
Tricia is a Pastoral Associate here at First UMC. She was born and raised in Texas and is a life-long United Methodist, discovering early on her passion for service and leadership. After 6 years of working in faith-based non-profits in Chapel Hill, NC, she came to California to attend seminary and then stayed after discerning a call towards leadership in the church. Tricia is passionate about helping all ages to know God’s love as real and to connect our faith to our daily lives. She finds this especially meaningful with children and youth, helping them to find places where their joy and passion intersect with the world’s needs. In her free time she loves to hike, read, and explore the sights and happenings in the community.
Anne Premer – Congregation Care Associate
Anne joined the First UMC staff in 2016. Originally from New York, she graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.A. in Psychology. In June 2023, she received a certificate in Pastoral Care from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. After working years in the entertainment industry and experiencing some life-changing events, Anne felt compelled to follow a calling to serve in pastoral care. She is passionate about helping people and finds working with our congregation very meaningful, particularly as they face the challenges of aging. She feels privileged to bring God’s grace and healing touch of humor to our homebound members as well, always reminding them that they’re never alone and never forgotten. In her free time, she loves music, yoga, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.
Jamie Jones – Family Ministries Coordinator
Jamie was born in Santa Monica and has been part of her church community for as long as she can remember. She grew up attending First UMC Preschool, Sunday School, CAST, Vacation Bible School, Summer Adventures, youth group, youth choir and bells, and service trips. These experiences sparked her love for ministry and shaped her belief that kindness, service, and community are at the heart of faith.
Today, Jamie has the joy of walking alongside children, youth, and families as they grow and explore their faith. She leads weekly preschool chapel and story time, helps with monthly Messy Church, serves as a youth counselor, coordinates Sunday School, leads Kids Night Out, and curates the church’s famous Messy Camp each summer. Whether it’s storytelling, organizing crafts, or cheering on youth group games, she loves creating spaces where faith and fun go hand in hand.
Jamie graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology. She is currently studying for the MCAT and hopes to become a pediatrician one day. She also serves as a volunteer researcher in the Travis Lab at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles.
When she’s not at church or studying, Jamie enjoys being outdoors, crocheting, playing board games, playing pickleball, spending time with friends, and volunteering at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in the Pooch Therapy Dog Program with her dog, Jack.
MUSIC STAFF
Dr. James E. Smith – Music Director
Jim Smith has been the Music Director of First UMC Santa Monica since 1965. He spent 42 years as Professor of Music at Santa Monica College, nine of which were as chairperson, before retiring in 2010. His principle areas of concentration were Director of Choral Activities, conductor of the Santa Monica College orchestra, and teaching music theory. Before Santa Monica College, he held teaching positions at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, and The Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College; his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University; and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Southern California.
Ty Woodward – Organist
Ty Woodward has played classical and theatre organ concerts throughout the U.S. His recording credits include a solo classical recording on the former Aeolian-Skinner organ at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and a theatre organ recording on the Wurlitzer organ at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, N.Y. along with accompaniments for many choral recordings. Ty’s film credits include conducting a men’s chorus for the Bugs Bunny Episode “From Hare to Eternity”, and most recently he is the organist on the 2018 version of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.
Ty holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California. He is a former Dean of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and has served on the Commission of Liturgy and Music for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
He is currently Staff Organist at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, and Organist at First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica. As Principal at Diapason Pipe Organ Consultants LLC, he has worked with numerous churches on the design and installation of their pipe organs.
PRESCHOOL STAFF
Johanna Cortez – Co Preschool Director
Ms. Johanna was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. After teaching in the classroom for 9 years, she is now Co-Director. This is a very exciting role for her and she loves creating a wonderful community with the children, parents, and teachers. Ms. Johanna attended First UMC Preschool as a child, as well as her mom, so this place is extra special to her.
Dane Rold – Co Preschool Director
Dane was born and raised in Montana and moved to the Los Angeles area in 2008. He has taught swim lessons, cooking classes and directed dozens of children’s theatre shows before starting in administration as Assistant to the Director at the preschool in Spring of 2014. Dane lives with his wife Sarah, has three young children. He loves spending time with family, reading, playing board games and going to the tide pools. He is passionate about continued education for teachers and is currently enrolled at CSUN for further Childhood Development education. Dane is inspired by the strong, lasting connections that form within the First UMC Preschool community, where families remain close long after their child’s preschool journey.
Dee Menzies – Preschool Director Emerita
Dee Menzies became Preschool Director in August 2019, following three months as Interim Director. Building on the seven-year tenure of Batsheva Spector, the First UMC Preschool continues its 70-year history as one of the areas preeminent preschools, serving children and families through its developmental approach and dedication to each family.
Director Menzies, recently retired following 33 years as Head of School at Carlthorp, offers unsurpassed vision and dedication to the Preschool. A highly-respected Santa Monica resident, active across the community, and long-time member of First UMC, Director Menzies brings recognized leadership and experience that will continue the Preschool’s excellence.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Christina Eddy – Business Administrator
Christina joined First UMC in early 2010. She has nearly thirty years of experience in non-profit work. She is a C.P.A. and received her M.B.A. from Notre Dame De Namur in 2000. Prior to 2010, she has served as Director of Finance of YMCA of San Francisco and as C.F.O. for JVS SoCal. It is one of her greatest joys to serve our church and connect people and resources so that the mission and ministry of First UMC moves forward with transformation and grace. She finds the connectional body of the church to transform the world authentic, encouraging, and a privileged responsibility. Her youngest son was a graduate of First UMC Preschool in 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys family time, practices hot yoga daily, and enjoys hiking the trails of Mt. Baldy.
Tina Gage – Communications Director
Tina has worked in the church office since 2015. She enjoys her job where she designs all things graphic – from the website, orders of worship and Sentinels, to the large sanctuary banners and special event signage. Tina graduated from UC Irvine in English, and has a masters degree in Fine Art from Claremont Graduate School. Tina lives in Calabasas with her sons. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, yoga, hiking and reading.
Sarah Rold – Office Manager
First UMC has been part of Sarah’s life since she was a child. Visiting her Aunt Claudia and Uncle Phil Flanders every summer, they would bring her to worship on Sundays. So when she moved from Montana, after receiving her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Montana, to live somewhere much warmer, she continued to come to church and hasn’t stopped yet. Sarah also loves reading, scrap-booking, and most of all spending time with her husband and their sons.
David Penson – Facilities & Membership Coordinator
David originally hails from Phoenix, Arizona, and has actively attended church here at First UMC since 2005. He graduated from Santa Monica College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. In his free time, David enjoys traveling with his wife, Jen. Stop by and say hello to David in the church office!
Brandon Searfoss, Program and Outreach Coordinator, and AV Tech
Brandon was baptized at First UMC and grew up in the church attending Sunday School, handbells and choir, youth group, and eventually became a youth counselor. He has explored several options with education but pursued a certification for cyber security. In his free time, he enjoys archery, gaming, fiddling with technology, and exploring the outdoors.