Rev. Eric Ryburn was appointed the senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, Alvin in June 2008.  Eric is a native of Lexington, IL and moved to Texas to attend graduate school at Texas A&M.  Eric has a bachelor’s degree in physics from North Central College in Naperville, IL.  Upon answering his call to ministry, Eric attended and eventually graduated with an M.Div.  from Brite Divinity School at TCU in Ft. Worth.  He was ordained elder in June 1999, and has served small and large churches in the Texas Annual Conference since 1995.

Matt has been Director of Fine Arts at FUMC Alvin since February 2007. He was born and raised in Orange County, California. He attended The Master's College and received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Theory and Composition, and did graduate work at California State University, East Bay, in Music Education. Matt's wife, Katherine, sings in the choir at 8:30 AM. She is in the nursing program at Houston Community College, and works in the labor and delivery unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center.

Here at FUMC, Matt leads the chancel choir, worship team, children's choir and handbells. He also oversees all other aspects of Fine Arts including One Accord, Tempered Steel, and the art gallery. In addition, Matt plays bass with On the Upside, the youth worship band.

He enjoys books, movies, and music.

Roger Stafford and his family (3 girls and 2 boys) joined our staff in February of 2007.  Roger did the smartest thing ever by marrying Lori on May 23, 2003.  She is definitely the best part of the partnership.  Roger has been in youth ministry for 19 years and still loves the job more than any other in the world.  An avid, or maybe rabid, Arkansas Razorback fan, Roger has made his office a monument to theme "overkill."  He has lots of books and important looking thing in hopes that he might impress his friends, students, parents and enemies.  He writes this blurb in third person because that is what one does when one writes blurbs. 

Since moving to Alvin in 1968 with my parents, God has blessed me with an abundance of challenging, rewarding and life changing events. My husband Anthony and I are blessed with three grown children and three grandchildren and are hoping for more grandbabies in our future. Our two cats are not counted as children, even though some say we treat them like our children.  From experiences ranging from Pre-school director to children's book illustrator, working for and with children has been a passion of mine. Using the words of one of my favorite children's songs, each child is a promise, possibility and full of potentiality.  It is the prayer of the FUMC Children's Ministry team that we can join with your family in encouraging your children as they grow in the knowledge of God's love for them.

Wanda joined our team in May 2007 as Director of Finance.  She has been a life-long memeber of the United Methodist Church moving from First United Methodist Church of Palacios, Texas, to Gateway United Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, and now at First United Methodist Church of Alvin.
Wanda grew up in Palacios, Tx, and was an Honor Graduate of Wharton County Junior College where she received her Associate in Arts Degree.  While at WCJC she was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Wanda met Al, her husband, while taking country and western dance classes in Gulfport.  They returned to Texas to be near Wanda's three grown children and nine grandchildren.
Her job responsibilities began as bookkeeper and then executive secretary to the superintendent of Palacios ISD for 12 years.  She also earned her CPS degree (Certified Professions Secretary) along the way.  During her eight years in Gulfport, MS, Wanda was first administrative assistant to the executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau and then director of administration. She also worked for a short time at Alvin ISD asUIL clerk.  All of these business position have allowed Wanda to contribute to the many ministries of the church by managing church finances and providing prompt and accurate information for the church's decision making committees.

Hi, I'm Roxann!  I moved to Alvin with my husband due to his change in job in 1988.  Being from West Texas, I find Alvin to be challenging climatewise! I didn't know you could work up a sweat from the house to your car! I joined FUMC and went straight to volunteering by answering the phones in 1999. I don't know why, but they decided to hire me, and  I became a full-fledged staff member in 2000.  Besides serving my church, I love to walk my dogs (though I've been told they walk me), paint, and garden.  I'm a pushover for all kinds of critters. I've been married to the my childhood sweetheart for 28 years.  If you decide to visit on a Sunday, I'm here to help you.  God Bless!