Congregation and Pastoral Care:
We are here for you! Feel free to leave a phone message anytime (310-393-8258) or email message for any of the church staff. The Pastoral Care line (310-393-8258 and enter extension 1), is always available for people to leave a message requesting care.
If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to volunteer to help with our homebound folks, please call Anne Premer at (310)393-8258 ext 103. To see a full list of local community resources, go to the First UMC Congregation Care Resources webpage.
Pastoral Care Team:
Rev. Greg Batson (Senior Minister)
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.
Tricia Guerrero (Pastoral Associate)
Tricia 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.
Rev. Keri Olsen Paget (Deacon Associate for Spiritual Formation)
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.
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. 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 older adults 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, and having fun with family and friends.