MEET OUR STAFF
Rev. Ric Shewell
Lead Pastor
Pastor Ric came to Christ UMC in the summer of 2017. He previously served churches Idaho, Missouri, and Kansas. He's currently working on Doctor of Ministry from St. Paul School of Theology and holds a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. When he's not writing sermons and connecting with people over coffee or beer, you can find him exploring parks with his family, drawing portraits of his children, and dreaming about a clean office.
Elizabeth Tuosto
Administrative Assistant/
PROGRAM MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Coming to Christ UMC in 2007, Elizabeth and her family quickly became active members. Elizabeth has been a choir leader, taught children's ministry, lay leader, bells choir leader and has been an integral reason for the growth of Christ UMC. We are blessed to have Elizabeth and her passion of teaching, her always positive attitude and natural leadership abilities. Outside of church, Elizabeth sews, works in chronic illness awareness, and loves to spend time with family. Connect with Elizabeth if you want to know more (or join) a church group of one of the many ministries we have at Christ UMC.
Mazie Magnum
Worship Music Director
Mazie has been leading worship at Christ UMC since 2018. Her friends describe her as a "very chill person", but internally, She claims she's definitely type A! She has been leading worship in churches from a young age and majored in Music Education and Psychology at Warner Pacific and PCC. Besides being passionate about creating a safe worship environment for everyone to encounter God, her other passion is to shatter the stigma of mental illness and create a community that her children feel safe and welcome to share their struggles freely and become their best selves.
Rev. Karen Nelson
Social Justice Liason
Karen Nelson is a retired United Methodist clergy person who began attending Christ UMC in the fall of 2017. She spends a great deal of her time working with several social justice groups: Western Methodist Justice Movement, Methodist Federation for Social Action, and Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists. She is also active in Oregon-Idaho camp and retreat ministries. Karen’s quiet time is spent reading, quilting, and exploring Portland with her husband.
Rachael Pelham
Children Ministry Director
Rachael joined Christ UMC through our preschools and came on staff as the Children's Ministry Director in the fall of 2019. She brings a business and special education background to the role, along with her joy of leading children in the growth of their faith and love! When she's not creating new ways for kids and their families to connect with the church, you can find Rachael spending time with her husband and two children, tending her garden, raising chickens, traveling, walking her dog, or rearranging her furniture!
