Staff of 1st United Methodist in West Hills

Dr W J Foreman Pastor, Dr. Willie Foreman

Dr. Foreman is originally from Mississippi, a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles. He received a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the Claremont School of Theology. He served the Methodist Church in Murrieta, CA and St. Paul's Methodist Church in Los Angeles while completing his doctorate. Dr. Foreman pastoral appointments include Faith UMC, Torrance; Compton First UMC; Hamilton UMC, Los Angeles; Saint Marks UMC, San Diego and presently, at First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park where he was appointed in 2003. He has also served as District Superintendent of the Riverside District and Dean of the Cabinet. Prior to his appointment at FUMCCP, he completed a two-year assignment with the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN. Dr. Foreman has traveled throughout Europe, Africa and the United States.

At present Dr. Foreman is the chairman of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Locally, he is active in the Valley Interfaith Council. His interests include genealogy, woodcarving, and the use of multi-media to enhance the effectiveness of worship services and to deepen the involvement of the congregation.

Dr. Foreman's wife, Karen, currently teaches English in the Los Angeles Unified School District. They have three daughters and two grandchildren.

Melinda Teter Dodge, Community Youth Pastor

Ms. Dodge is excited to join with the body of Christ in ministry at First UMC of Canoga Park! She is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology with a Masters of Divinity degree. She is pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church, where she hopes to continue her passions which are working with and for youth, creative worship and social justice concerns.

Melinda also holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre from the University of Michigan, and has worked internationally in live theatre and opera production. She and her husband, a United Methodist elder, the Rev. Johan Dodge, are the proud and busy (!) parents of a very active one year old baby girl, Lucie Katrijn. During her more restful moments, Melinda enjoys a yoga practice, quilting, baking, and enjoying God’s beautiful creation we call our planet Earth.

Wendy Finley, Preschool Director

Wendy received her training in Early Childhood Education at Los Angeles Valley College and University of California, Los Angeles. Wendy began teaching at First United Methodist Preschool in 2003 and became director in April 2006. She has fostered a Christian child-centered curriculum designed to prepare children socially and academically for both kindergarten and life-long learning. Her goal is an environment in which children thrive. During her tenure the preschool facility and grounds have undergone major repair and the enrollment has increased. She extends an invitation to all to visit http://wwww.fump.org and especially welcomes opportunities to give campus visitors a personal tour and to explain the benefits of attending "FUMP."

Music Director Director of Music, Dr. Pamela Blackstone

Dr. Pamela Blackstone received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from University of California at Los Angeles. She has taught choral music in colleges and universities in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Santa Ana and Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Blackstone served as the assistant conductor of the Angeles Chorale in Westwood, California for two years,. She has both worshipped and conducted at Methodist churches in every state in which she has lived. Dr Blackstone is a certified yoga teacher and teaches group, private, corporate and senior classes. She is the owner of Blackstone Photography (www.blackstonephotography.com) and is a photographer for the Santa Monica Mirror newspaper.

Organist and Accompanist, Marianne Crosby

She has performed at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the Chatam Opera Company and the West Hills Symphony Band near Pittsburgh. She taught choral and instrumental music in grades K through 12 for the Mount Lebanon, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park School Districts in Pennsylvania.

Marianne also taught music for special-needs children at Woodville State Hospital and at the Highland School. She considers these her most wonderful teaching experiences and feels she was the one most blessed.Marianne originated and led the One Generation Music Outreach Program at FUMCCP
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Administrative Assistant, Linda McCabe

Linda McCabe was born in Spokane, Washington and moved to California at the age of four. She first lived in Hollywood, later moved to Orange County and San Bernardino County, but the place she most happily calls home is the San Fernando Valley. Linda was licensed and worked in the insurance industry for 26 years. She has been a professional dancer, model, and has also done film work for the Disney and Warner Brothers Studios..

Linda was the church treasurer of St Paul's UMC in Tarzana prior to coming to FUMCCP. Her interests include painting, sculpting, sketching, fabric design, knitting and crocheting. She is a sports enthusiast who enjoys golf, tennis and cross-country skiing.

Wedding Coordinator, Suzanne Kush