Staff Bios
Pastors at First Church
Dr. Jim Standiford, Senior Pastor
Rev. Molly Vetter, Justice and Outreach
Dr. Elbert Kim, Minister of Education
Rev. Mary Allman-Boyle, Minister of Faith-Sharing and Spiritual Formation
Rev. Greg La Due, Director, New Life Counseling Center
Rev. Jim Mowry, Minister of Visitation
Key staff at First Church...
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Dr. Jim Standiford
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Jim was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, but his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when he was about one year old. He graduated from high school in Phoenix. His undergraduate work was at the University of Redlands where he met his wife Mary Lou. They graduated from college on June 1, 1969, and were married on June 5. Jim began seminary on June 9. A busy week!
Jim and Mary Lou have two adult children and one grandchild. Jim has been an ordained United Methodist pastor since 1970, serving congregations in Southern California and Arizona. He was a District Superintendent in Southern Arizona for four years overseeing the work of thirty-six congregations. He has been the pastor at First United Methodist Church San Diego since 2000.
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Rev. Molly Vetter
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Rev. Molly Vetter is passionate about many things: building community with unlikely and diverse people, making the church more boldly welcoming, and caring for the earth. With this in mind, she guides our congregation’s response to our Gospel call: to work for justice and peace as we reach out to the community. She leads our congregation in local outreach and global missions through simple acts of mercy and a global perspective. She is also the primary preacher in Water's Edge worship.
Molly became a pastor at First Church immediately after graduating Claremont School of Theology in 2001 and has served an ordained elder since June of 2004. Her appointment at First Church allows her to use her gifts and passions for social advocacy in the context of a faith community.
Molly helped found and assists in leading a contemporary, multimedia, multi-sensory worship gathering, called The Water’s Edge. Molly has also served as a leader at the San Diego District Junior High Camp and as Co-Dean/Spiritual Leader for Strength for the Journey, a retreat for adults living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego County.
As a pastor, Molly enjoys teaching. She has led a weekly Bible study at the San Diego Rescue Mission Women and Children Center. She has also guided Bible studies and taught classes for the California-Pacific Annual Conference and San Diego State University.
Her involvement beyond the local church includes serving as Chair of the Order of Elders for our Annual Conference, and as member of its delegations to General Conference in 2008 and 2012. She served on the National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission, and as a delegate to the World Council of Churches at their 1998 Assembly and 2009 Faith and Order Plenary.
As an undergraduate, Molly studied Art History at Boston University. While abroad in the West African country of Niger, she learned to speak a bit of Zarma and weave wedding blankets.
Molly, who graduated North Platte High School in western Nebraska, is grateful to her parents, now living in Grand Island, NE. Her grandpa, aunts and uncles live on an organic farm just south of Marquette, NE.
Molly, her husband, Matthew Parker, and their son Jonah live in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. She enjoys music, making things, gardening, hiking, and being with friends.
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Dr. Elbert Kim
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Dr. Elbert Kim directs the Christian Education programs at First Church. His great passion is helping people of all ages grow in faith. Whether leading the Chapel Time with the weekday Preschool or teaching the History of Christianity, Elbert is an engaging teacher. He also works with the San Diego School of Christian Studies to provide seminary-level course offerings for our congregation and community.
Elbert was appointed to First Church in 2005 after serving in several churches throughout Southern California. He received his Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology and the Doctor of Ministry from the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Ordained in 1999, he serves as an Elder in the United Methodist Church and his appointment to First Church has given him opportunity to put to work his skills and passion for education and learning. His abundant energy and willingness to try new approaches serve him well in his work with young people. His love of analysis and intellect helps him connect with all generations.
Beyond our congregation, Elbert serves as the Chair of the San Diego District Leadership Team and the Registrar for the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Annual Conference. Having studied Mathematics and Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Elbert uses his knowledge of technology to strengthen the ministry. His love of life beyond ministry is his family. Elbert is married to his beautiful wife, Grace, a teacher at Coronado High School. They are proud parents of two young boys, Nathaniel and Daniel. You’ll recognize the boys by the streak of lightning that shoots through the church office on their way to dad’s office or to fellowship hall for donuts.
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Rev. Mary Allman-Boyle
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Rev. Mary Allman-Boyle is most passionate about spreading the Gospel message. Through hospitality, the Alpha Course, small group ministry and retreats, she encourages the congregation, friends, neighbors and honored guests to explore life’s big questions in a non-threatening environment. For Mary, there is no greater joy than witnessing a life transformed in Christ. Her mission is to nurture people in their faith journey, helping them see how the Gospel message connects with their needs and aspirations.
Mary was called to ordained ministry while serving as an active lay person in a local church. With her extensive business career background, Mary can readily relate to high-stress secular settings. She values and nurtures everyone’s walk with God and enthusiastically supports those who want to explore God’s unique call. She feels deeply blessed to walk alongside fellow pilgrims, all in need of God’s grace.
Mary received her Masters in Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She and her husband, John, enjoy golf, bike rides and movies. Mary grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and while she and John enjoy returning for large Thanksgiving gatherings on the East Coast, they relish their time with his family here in California.
Feel free to contact her and share your life journey as well as humorous anecdotes. Mary loves to have fun and feels that laughter and humor are essential in both life and ministry.
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Rev. Greg La Due
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Rev. Gregory A. LaDue, M.F.T., is a Licensed Local Pastor and has been a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 15 years. He is the Director the New Life Counseling Center at San Diego First United Methodist Church and is responsible for coordinating adult education experiences. Greg leads numerous retreats and teaches frequently in the adult education classes offered at First Church.
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Rev. J. James Mowry
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Jim was ordained as an Traveling Elder in the Methodist Church at Pittsburgh, PA in 1961. He holds degrees from West Virginia Wesleyan, Drew University School of Theology, and Andover Newton Theological School.
Following ordination, Jim served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, retiring as Captain. After retirement from the Navy, he served as the pastor of the Alpine Community Church, UCC, for 15 years. He retired from the California Pacific Annual Conference in 2006 and joined the staff at First Church in August 2007.
Key staff at First Church
Beckie Henselmeier, Director of Children's Ministries
Randal Newton, Director of Youth Ministries
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Beckie Henselmeier
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Beckie Henselmeier is a graduate of San Diego State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. She is currently studying for her Master's in Divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado, in pursuit of ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Born in Colorado, Beckie moved to California when she was just a baby and has attended First Church since four years of age.
With a great passion about educating children, not only in learning about God and Jesus but also in preparing them for worship and becoming members of our church, Beckie oversees the Children and Family Ministries, working mainly with age 4 through 5th grade and as a leader of our Tween Program at First Church. She actively coordinates our summer Vacation Bible School as well as many other education and family events, such as the One-day VBS and the Fall Festival.
Furthermore, Beckie enjoys leading small groups, and coordinating church-wide activities and she loves interacting with children and their families as they grow in their faith. Beckie joined the staff as the Assistant to Youth Ministries in 2004 and became the Director of Children's ministry in 2006. She has worked with the youth in Sunday School, confirmation, and on retreats.
Beckie lives in North County with her husband and two daughters. Besides her work at church, she enjoys studying, reading, and exploring the great outdoors of San Diego.
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Randal Newton
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Randy Newton is dedicated to Youth and Family Ministries. He oversees sixth grade through high school ministries at First United Methodist Church, San Diego. Randy believes in empowering youth and families to live their spiritual lives in service to God and their community. Because he is concerned about peace and justice ministries, Randy organizes volunteer opportunities to help youth and families make a difference in their communities.
Randy has been on staff as Director of Youth Ministries since 1994 and is taking classes at Claremont School of Theology and Wesley Seminary in pursuit of ordination in the United Methodist Church.
Randy has served as District Coordinator of Camping, as well as leader at District Easter Camp and District Junior High and Senior High Camps, and has been on staff for Conference events such as “Youth Alive” and “Spirit Quest.” Each summer, Randy volunteers for Sierra Service Project.
Randy enjoys teaching, leading small group ministries, and coordinating service opportunities. He loves working with families and enjoys interacting with the congregation and staff at First Church.
Randy grew up in Quartz Hill, California, in the high desert above Los Angeles. He moved to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University but relishes his visits to Bear Valley Springs above Tehachapi, where his parents, sister, two nephews, and baby niece now live.
Randy lives on Shelter Island and enjoys traveling, golf, photography, reading, and time with friends.
