First United Methodist Church

Dennis A. Wilkinson, aka Dennis the Minis--ter
dwilkinson@fumccoppell.org

Dennis was appointed as Senior Pastor in June of 2004. He came to Coppell after serving nine years as Senior Pastor of Floral Heights UMC in Wichita Falls. Previous appointments were at FUMC Commerce, FUMC Van Alstyne and Waples Memorial UMC in Denison. His other service in the Conference has included: Co-Chair of Children's SEEK Camp (for special needs children); Chair, NTC Camping Committee; Registrar, NTC Board of Ordained Ministry, Division of Preparations and Qualifications for Elders; Chair, NTC Commission on Equitable Salaries; Secretary, NTC Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

He attended seminary at The Iliff School of Theology (MDiv '80) in Denver and his undergraduate degree is from SMU (BA '70). Between those times he served six years in the Air Force as a pilot -- or as the staff says,

"What?! You flew…?"  He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Chaplain, thereby living out his fascination with the Sixties protest song by Eric Burden and The Animals, "Sky Pilot."

Dennis and Linda celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in July '06.

Linda is a Speech-Language Pathologist in Coppell ISD.

Their great joy is their family, immediate, extended and adopted. This includes, of course, their children -- Sarah, age 24, currently a special ed teacher's aid in Austin and hopefully,

fall of '07, a graduate student studying Public Policy;

Graham, age 26, a singer/songwriter in Austin;

Aaron, deceased in '03 at age 26, a singer/songwriter in NYC.

Interests include traveling, concerts, movies and (dreaming about) flying. 

   Rev. Susan Bryan – Congregational Care & Adult Christian Formation
sbryan@fumccoppell.org

Susan is an ordained deacon and a licensed professional counselor, and has been on staff at FUMC since June of 2006. 

She and her family live in Carrollton. Husband Bill is a pharmacist. Daughter Brittany just graduated from UNT in Social Work and in August will go to Congo, Africa as a missionary for one year. Son Brandon just graduated from Newman Smith HS and will go to UNT next year. They have one very spoiled cat, Angel.

In her spare time, Susan enjoys reading, traveling, retreats, antique shopping, good movies, chocolate, and silence and solitude.

Rev. Jennifer Scott - Pastor of Children's Ministries
jscott@fumccoppell.org

Jennifer grew up in Jenks, OK and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Oklahoma State University in 1995.  She graduated Perkins School of Theology (SMU) with a Master of Religious Education in 1997 and returned to Oklahoma to work in the local church.  Jennifer was ordained deacon in the Oklahoma Annual Conference in June, 2004 and came to FUMC Coppell that same month. 

Her husband Toby is an Operations Manager for Saddle Creek Corporation in Fort Worth.  They have one son, Charlie, who is 3 years old and was recently "dethroned" as the youngest staff member at FUMC. His new sister Abby took over that role on April 11, 2008.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys playing with her "boys" and their new princess and hopes to return to marathons again someday.  

   Rev. Ashleigh Joyner- Associate Pastor
ajoyner@fumccoppell.org