LEAD PASTOR

Hi, I’m Rev. Brad Laurvick.

I love serving the people of Fort Collins with First United Methodist Church. Everything I do centers on living the teachings of Jesus (love, acceptance, justice, and hope) in ways that invite relationships to grow. As a preacher, I strive to help people find points of personal connection with stories from our scriptures— I believe the Bible is for everyone, not just those who quote it at people. My passion for reclaiming our scriptures drives my work for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, environmental sustainability, and food/housing justice; these are biblical values and places I encounter God.

I love helping people find meaning in their everyday lives and creating space for big questions. As a sociologist of religion and a practical theologian in a postmodern world, I strive to faithfully confront the realities of life without discounting people’s experiences. I don’t need you to believe exactly what I do— I do want to make a difference in the world with you, as we discover God’s love.

When I am not working, I enjoy biking with my family, volunteering at my kids’ schools (I’m a crossing guard!), and enjoying our daily Wordle and favorite shows with Meghan, my wife. I also serve on the steering committee for Leadership Fort Collins.

Outside of professional ministry, I have been a park ranger, a college health educator, an Apple employee, an elected official, a yoga studio cleaner, and a puppeteer/social media influencer.

BS Religious Studies, CU Boulder
Masters of Divinity, Iliff School of Theology

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PASTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Rev. Cynthia Paquette worked as an entomologist for 18 years before answering her call to the ordained ministry in 2007. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology and worked in the field until 2015. She originated from Malaysia, came from a Buddhist family and had a conversion experience at the age of 16 while trying to find meaning and direction in life after the passing of her grandmother. She completed a Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2015, was commissioned in 2016 and ordained in 2018. As Pastor of Congregational Engagement, Rev. Cynthia oversees welcoming, hospitality, adult faith formation, discipleship, congregational care, and faith library ministries by working with the different staff and many ministry leaders. Rev. Cynthia’s gifts for ministry are in the areas of administration, healing, and teaching.

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DIRECTOR OF PARENT’S DAY OUT

Although she hesitates to admit it, Gail Farnum has been working in the child care field for almost 40 years. Gail was born in Fargo, North Dakota and received her degree in Child Development there at North Dakota State University. Shortly after joining First United Methodist Church, she began working in the church nursery. She later became a teacher for the Parent's Day Out program at First Church, and in 1995, became its director. She was the Vacation Bible School music director, and also director of child care for the annual Methodist conference for many years. Gail and Bob were blessed with two daughters, Chelsey and Rachel. Besides young children, Gail’s passions include playing guitar and singing. She is proud to be caretaker of the wonderful ministry of Parent's Day Out.

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DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

Victoria graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies in 2018. For the last five years, Victoria has worked with youth and young adults as a Youth Ministry intern, Summer Camp Counselor, tutor, Summer SUCCEED counselor (for youth in foster care program), Colorado Youth for Change AmeriCorps member, Paraprofessional at Rocky Mountain High School, and Kindred Director. Victoria’s passion and call to ministry is to youth and young adults. Victoria attended, served as liturgist and assisted with AV at our Modern Worship Service. She is a pastor’s kid who hopes to be a professor in religious studies in the future. Victoria is married to Brandon Burkett. They are very creative people; Victoria draws and paints while Brandon does woodworking. Victoria is also a runner and avid reader. They have a beloved dog, Mabel.

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COMMUNITY BUILDER

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KIDS’ CLOSET COORDINATOR

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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND ARTS

Dr. Nathan Payant joined the fantastic team at FUMC in 2023 and is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful and support community. He is excited to serve as the Director of Music and Arts, leading the Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra, and Handbell Ensembles. In addition to directing these ensembles, he oversees many of the musical aspects of worship and happily coordinates with outside groups that use our beautiful space for their musical events.

Nathan is a devoted conductor, educator, and professional singer who strives to cultivate long-lasting connections with others through the choral arts. He has choral teaching and conducting experience at the middle school, high school, college, community, and professional levels. In addition to his work at FUMC, Nathan is an Instructor of Music at Colorado State University, where he directs the Concert Choir, teaches Conducting, Voice Skills for Music Therapists, Foundations of Music Education, and Music Appreciation.

A dedicated advocate for choral music education, Nathan is involved in NAfME, CMEA, ACDA, and CoACDA, placing special emphasis on encouraging lifelong singing. He is frequently invited to present lectures and reading sessions at state conferences, as well as visit and clinic at local high schools throughout the Front Range in Colorado. He has served on the Colorado All-State Choir Board, the Vocal Music Council of CMEA, and the Colorado ACDA Council as the Treble Choir R&R Chair. He fully believes in promoting standards of the choral repertoire, as well as discovering and supporting newly composed works.

Nathan is also a very active member of the professional choral community in Colorado. Currently, he is the Artistic Director of the Fort Collins community choir, Laudamus Chamber Chorale, as well as the Chorus Personnel Manager and singer in Colorado Bach Ensemble. He also has a passion for composing/arranging and has several choral arrangements published through Hal Leonard Publishing.

A native of South Dakota, Nathan is a proud alumnus of Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He received his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting and Literature from University of Colorado, Boulder. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Nathan enjoys traveling and spending time with his beautiful wife, Natalie, and three daughters, Faythe, Ava, and Lilian.

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ORGANIST/ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Joel Bacon is the Stewart and Sheron Golden Chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies and the Fr. Don Willette Chair of Catholic Studies at Colorado State University.

As a concert organist, his recent performances have focused on music by W. A. Mozart, Herman Berlinski, and Petr Eben, as well as works for organ and orchestra. His teaching and research are centered on topics related to Catholicism and the creative arts, especially Gregorian chant.

He has performed throughout Europe and North America, and his performances have been broadcast on Austrian Radio and Public Radio International. He has played with numerous orchestras and chamber groups, including the Borromeo String Quartet and the Canadian Brass.

He directs and teaches an annual summer course for young organists (CSU Organ Week) and has directed many Pipe Organ Encounters of the American Guild of Organists. He has taught at the Oundle International Festival (Cambridge, UK), at organ courses of the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, and at numerous other courses in the US and Canada.

He earned a Ph.D. in historical musicology through a joint degree program of Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts and the University of Vienna, with a dissertation on the use of the organ in orchestral music. In his work as a musicologist, he has lectured widely on topics related to the organ and liturgical music. Most recently, he has researched the composer Herman Berlisnki (1910–2001), whose organ concerto, “The Tetragrammaton,” he performed in a world premiere in Munich in 2019.

From 2008 to 2020 he conducted the St. John XXIII Schola Cantorum, a choir specializing in Gregorian chant. He is currently organist and artist in residence here, at First United Methodist Church, Fort Collins.

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ORGAN EMERITUS

Karen Stoody served as organist at First Church from 2003 until her retirement in 2021 at which time she was named Organist Emeritus in recognition of her many years of dedication and service. Karen's standard of excellence in the magnificent music she contributed to worship at First United Methodist Church will live on in perpetuity.