Staff Page 1

Wayne Sayre - Head Pastor
Rev. Sayre comes to Frankfort from serving as District Superintendent in the Ashland area. A native of Owensboro, 53-year-old Sayre is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and DePauw University. Previous to his appointment to Ashland, he was pastor in Hopinsville, Prestonsburg, Dawson Springs and Bowling Green, as well as associate at Elizabethtown Memorial. He has served on a number of boards and agencies of the church and currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry. Wayne and his wife, Betty. have been married for twenty-five years. Betty, a paralegal, is a native of Elizabethtown and a graduate of Johnson Bible College. Rev. Sayre's email is waynefumc@fewpb.net .

Roy Nance - Minister of Music
     As senior staff member, Roy has been employed at our church since September 1978. He was hired regardless of the plaid suit he wore at the interview! Roy has graduate degrees in sacred music and music history from Southern Methodist University where he was a graduate assistant to Carlton Young, editor of the last two United Methodist hymnals. Roy also has a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University where he met his future wife, Karen. A native of Glasgow, Roy grew up in First Christian Church there, but began playing the organ at First United Methodist Church his senior year in high school.
     The music and arts program have grown and expanded at our church. Among the things of which he is most proud to have had a part in are: the installation of our new pipe organ, Chautauqua series, Madrigal Dinners and Yuletide Festival, and needlepoint altar cushions. Above all of these projects Roy is most grateful and appreciative of the many persons in the congregation who participate in and support the music ministry here.
     Roy is a diaconal minister. He is an active member and chairs several Kentucky Conference committees and professional organizations.  Roy gives Karen credit for much of the inspiration and work for the many projects in which they are involved here. They are proud parents of two children, Amy and Adam, who literally grew up in our church, went away to college and now have returned to make Frankfort and this church their home. Roy's email is royfumc@fewpb.net.

Tonya Kenner - Minister of Education
Tonya Jennings Kenner has been Minister of Christian Education at First since June, 1990. After completing a Bachelor's Degree at Kentucky Wesleyan in 1983 (double major in elementary education and philosophy/religion), she graduated from Scarritt College for Christian Workers with a Master's Degree in Christian Education in 1985. Her first appointment was with Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She was consecrated as a diaconal minister in 1987 and then ordained a deacon in 1996. She is married to Paul Kenner and parents three children - Catelynn, Quentin and Cameron. Her work at the church includes overseeing Sunday school for all ages, children's ministry, adult ministry and Wonderful Wednesdays. She enjoys cooking, eating, taking walks, watching her kids in sports and school events and being with family and friends. Tonya's email is tonyafumc@fewpb.net.

Jim Shepherd - Minister Emeritus

Dr. Shepherd has served the United Methodist church for 64 years and counting, and is a blessing on our staff here at First UMC, where he was pastor for 10 years. He also served on the Frankfort District (6 years), Immanuel UMC (10 years), Lexington's Park UMC (8 years), Versailles (6 years), and at Southern Hills in Lexington (15 years). Jim was married to Rosalie Shepherd for 56 years, and they had four children who became 2 Methodist ministers, 1 doctor, and 1 Circuit Court Judge. Jim has four grandchildren and is a doting great grandfather to three great grandsons. Jim continues to bless this church through his energy and ministry.