Church Staff

Dr. Jim Biedenharn, Pastor

Meet the newest addition to our staff, Dr. Jim Biedenharn. He came to us at the end of June and with him he brought his lovely wife Clare. Clare is a Critical Care Chaplain at East Jefferson General Hospital, as well as a fully ordained Pastor. They came to Picayune from Byhalia, Mississippi, where he served as pastor for the last three years. They have been blessed with two sons: Jay, 26, and Robert, 24. Click here to see the newspaper article about their arrival.

Linda Hancock, Director of Music Ministries

Linda has been a member of FUMC and Chancel Choir for 41 years. She is currently the Director of Chancel Choir, Youth Praise, and Children's Choir. She has been directing these choirs for 20 years. Linda earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and is retired as Choral Director and Music teacher from the Picayune School District after teaching for 28 years. She is currently directing the Pearl River County Chorus, which performs with the Pearl RIver County Band. Linda has been happily married to Jimmy Hancock, an active member of FUMC, for 39 years. Together they have two sons, Jay and Josh. Jay is married to Tanya and Josh is married to Courtney. They have been blessed with one grandson, Blake. Both of their sons and their families attend FUMC.

Betty Breland, Organist

Betty has been playing the organ at FUMC for over 40 years. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and is a private piano teacher. She is married to Terrell Breland, and they are the parents of Jennifer Breland Dore' and Brian Breland. They are also the grandparents of Ali and Aniston Dore' and Cade Breland.

Patricia Dawsey, Pianist

Patricia graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Education. She has been a school teacher for 23 years and is currently the music teacher at Roseland Park Elementary School. She has been playing the piano with FUMC for about four years. Patricia has a wonderful husband of 33 years, Cleve, who is also an active member of our church. Together they have one son, Holden Dawsey, 13, who is an active participant in our Youth Fellowship.

Suzan Wilson, Lay Leader

Suzan has been a member at FUMC her entire life. Suzan's great-grandmother was one of the charter members of our church, and Suzan says that she "will attend this church until the day I die." As Lay Leader, Suzan does a fantastic job of communicating between the congregation and the Pastor. She does an amazing job of keeping all lines of communication open for everyone. Along with being our Lay Leader, Suzan says "Good Morning" to the congregation every week with such poise and grace.

Jim Hallberg, Director of Celebration Ringers

Jim has been directing Celebration Ringers on and off for over 20 years. In 1980 Jim was selling the handbells as his job, and he sold a set of them to our church. It was then that the church recruited him to be the director of Celebration Ringers. Sadly, his job took him away from home several Sundays, and he stepped down as director for a number of years. He came back to us full force and enjoys directing the Celebration Ringers. As well as his work with Celebration Ringers, Jim was band director in the Natchez public school system for 16 years. He earned his BA in Music Education from the University of Louisiana, Monroe and his Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from Louisiana State University. Jim and his lovely wife Patsy are both long-time members of our church, as well as being part of Celebration Ringers. They are also active in Chancel Choir and Sunday School classes.

Susie Rogers, Director of Youth Ministries

Susie is coming back to us after serving as a Youth Director at another church in the community.

Ginny Downs, Director of Children's Ministries

Ginny has been working with the children here at FUMC for years. We look forward to the fun adventures she is going to take the children on through our Bible Village.

Michelle Tierce Jones, Nursery

Michelle has been a member of FUMC of Picayune for 26 years. She has been an active member and has participated in all areas of the church from Sunday School, Children and Youth Programs and VBS with her three children, Courtney - 18, Colin - 8 and June Rose - 3, She continues to participate with her grand daughter Ayden - 1. She is married to Warren Jones. With her years of child care experience she is excited about her new role on our staff.

Dennice Walden, Secretary

Dennice just became our secretary again after taking a few years off. We look forward to welcoming her back into the church family.

Patsy Cassell, Sound Technician

Patsy has been handling the sound at FUMC for several years. She is very excited about the installation of a new sound system this year. She has been married to Nolen Cassell, Jr for 2 1/2 years, and is looking forward to growing old with her husband.

Alvin Paige, Custodian

Alvin has been our custodian for several years. The church would fall apart without his hard work and dedication.

I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what you will. Rank me with whom you will. Put me to doing; put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full. Or let me be empty. Let me have all things. Or let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. Amen

-John Wesley

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