Senior Pastor
Pastor Keith Manry
Keith joined the staff on July 1, 2008 as our Senior Pastor. He was ordained an elder in the Western New York Conference in June of 2007. He received his bachelors degree from Houghton College in 1999 and his Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in 2003. Currently he is enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program specializing in preaching at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where he anticipates graduating in May of 2010.

He and his wife Erica were married in February of 1997. They have four children ranging in age from 10 years to an infant, and another child who passed away in October of 2001.

Before coming to Akron he served as the pastor of the Belfast and Caneadea United Methodist Churches for six years. Prior to that he served as the associate pastor of the Springville United Methodist church and the pastor of the Whitesville and Stannards United Methodist churches.
 
Keith enjoys boating, camping, golfing, geocaching and weightlifting. Beyond his love for Jesus Christ and his family, his other great passion in life is preaching. He believes that the local church is the hope of the world and enthusiastically anticipates the great things God has planned for the Akron First United Methodist Church.  E-mail Pastor Keith here.

Youth Coordinator
Director of Discipleship and Family Ministries
Marc Smithers grew up in Gouverneur, NY, a small town 45 minutes northeast of Watertown, NY. Marc attended Houghton College and graduated with a degree in Political Science in May of 2008. He plans to continue his education and receive a masters degree in Divinity.  He has passions for worship, youth ministry, and discipleship.  He enjoys music, reading, and movies. He especially enjoys playing the acoustic guitar and learning to play the tin whistle. He loves listening to the David Crowder Band and reading anything that Henri Nouwen has written.  He and his fiancee Ailie will be married in early January of 2009. E-mail Marc here.

 

Coordinator of Pastoral Care
Pastor Dave Weidman
Dave also joined the staff as of July 1, 2008 as the Coordinator of Pastoral Care. Having been a graduate of Houghton College in 1971, he received his Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1979 and has served as an American Baptist pastor for the past 29 years. Currently he is serving the First Baptist Church of LeRoy, NY as its half-time interim pastor, with the possibility of being appointed pastor at the end of its pastoral search process, which is also anticipated to be a half time position. Dave’s duties at Akron FUMC are a quarter-time position with the goal of assisting Pastor Keith and the Ministry Care Team in providing pastoral care for those who are home-bound and/or in the hospital.

Before coming on board at the Akron First United Methodist Church, Pastor Dave served the yoked pastorate of the First Christian/Lewiston Baptist Churches in Niagara Falls for seven and a half years, the Gaines-Carlton Community Baptist Church of Albion for thirteen and a half years, and the First Baptist Church of Akron for seven years, as well as the supply pastor of the Jeddo Community Baptist Chapel north of Middleport for nine years.

For those who might be wondering what his connection to the United Methodist Church might be, Dave is married to Carol L. Weidman, the Lay Leader at Akron FUMC, and was the husband of the late Rev. Linda S. Weidman, a United Methodist pastor for twelve years before her death in 1991. Having been born and raised in Akron, he has also been a lifelong friend of many folks at the Akron First United Methodist Church, where he became a member in July, 2007.

Dave enjoys collecting (and winding!!!!) Antique clocks, Pepsi, Oreos, yard keeping, and visiting Amish friends in Holmes County, Ohio whenever the schedule allows. He is very excited about being able to serve Christ and his church family at Akron FUMC in this way. E-mail Dave here.

   
Office Manager
Anita Giles
Anita has worked at this church as the Office Manager since October of 1994.  She is in the office from 9-3:30 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  She is also the Office Manager at the Oakfield United Methodist Church on Wednesday.  Anita lives with her husband, Dennis and have one son, David who is a senior in high school this year and is planning to attend Genesee Community College in the fall.  She lives in Oakfield, New York. E-mail Anita here.