Robert Brown
robert@communityfirstumc.org
If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve dinner and playing games.
If we had a church talent show, I’d wow everyone with my ability to wiggle my ears.
A quote I love is from Madeleine L’Engle. ““We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
Wes Maston
wes@communityfirstumc.org
Wes is a native of California’s Central Valley. Before coming to Community First UMC, Wes served at Shiloh United Methodist Church (pastor), Alpharetta First UMC (staff), and Norcross First UMC (staff). He earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Classics from the University of California, Fresno State before attending Wheaton College to work on a Master’s degree in Biblical Exegesis. From there he attended Emory University Candler School of Theology where he received a Master of Divinity.
Wes and his wife Jessica have been married for 17 years. They have two children, Jack (age 7) and Eleanor (age 5). As a family they enjoy exploring the various parks that Georgia has to offer and vacations at the beach.
If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve consuming brownies.
If we had a church talent show, I’d work everyone with my ability to consume brownies.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Brownies, anyone?”
Ken Stephens – Pastor of Visitation
ken@communityfirstumc.org
Ken serves as the pastor of congregational care and visitation. He is a retired Elder, in full connection, in the United Methodist Church, North Georgia Annual Conference.
He says, “If I could invent a holiday it would be a day of fun and frolic with our children and grandchildren at St. Simon’s Island, GA. And if the church had a talent show I would tell stories from all of the churches that we had served over the past 50-plus years. My favorite qute is from Helen R. Walton, ‘It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.'”
Britt Martin, Youth Ministries
britt@communityfirstumc.org
Britt is a Carroll County Native and has been in youth ministry professionally for almost 15 years. Here’s a little about Britt:
If I were to invent a holiday, it would definitely involve Hot Wings!! They’re quite literally the perfect food. So versatile, and worthy of being celebrated
If we had a church-wide talent show, I’d wow everyone with my ability to catch fish. But then again, it may be hard to bring fish and a lake to a talent show.
A quote that I love is, “It’s amazing how much we an accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.”
Tony and Cheryl Childers, Accompanist
childers.tony@gmail.com
Tony and Cheryl have been part of the music team in Carrollton since 1989. Most recently, Tony has served as director and Cheryl as accompanist for the United Methodists in Carrollton. They met in Waycross, Georgia, married and moved to Carrollton where they have lived the last 35 years. Both are accomplished keyboard musicians with both piano and organ backgrounds.
Tony retired from a local school district in 2017 where he served as principal, assistant principal, central office staff, and chemistry/physics teacher. In addition to his career in the public schools, he also served as a School Improvement Specialist for the State of Georgia Department of Education.
Recent accomplishments for Mr. Childers include working together with local music directors to establish the annual Carrollton Choral Festival and Way of the Cross concert series.
Casey Jones, Children’s Ministries
Casey@communityfirstumc.org
Casey Jones serves Community First UMC as Director of Children’s Ministries. She joined the team on Jan. 28, 2024 and supports our congregation by coordinating children’s activities, nursery care, and Children’s Church on Sunday mornings. She says, …
If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve Thanksgiving food, no matter what time of year.
If we had a church talent show, I’d wow everyone with my ability to quote Disney movies word for word.
A quote that I love is, “Our greatest national resource is the minds of our children.” – Walt Disney
Emily Graffius, Music
emilygraffius678@gmail.com
Emily is a native of Alpharetta, Georgia and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. She is heading into her 2nd year of teaching here in Carroll County at both the Mt Zion and Bowdon school clusters, teaching middle and high school chorus. Having started her musical career at 7 years old in the children’s choir at her local church in Alpharetta, she is so excited to be joining the Community First UMC team as the Director of Music so she can share her love of music and worship with this wonderful community!