Avon United Methodist Church Staff
Rev. Karen E. Devaisher serves as Senior Pastor at Avon United Methodist Church. Pastor Karen's journey into ministry was one of an active involved layperson including the United Methodist Woman as well as working as a church secretary. After answering God's call to full time service, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Evansville and received her Masters of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky. She has served churches in Boonville, Grandview-Rockport, and Corydon prior to coming to Avon. She and her husband, Ron, both grew up on farms in Illinois. They lived in Illinois, except for Ron's time in the U.S. Army, until moving to Evansville, Indiana in 1961. Ron is a retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Evansville. Pastor Karen and Ron have five children and nine grandchildren. Three of their children live in the Indianapolis area, one in Newburgh, IN, and one in Panama City Beach, Florida. Pastor Karen serves on the Board of Directors of Fletcher Place Community Center, Alumni Board of Director of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Chair of Annual Conference Session Committee, other district and conference responsibilities, and newly appointed to the Clarian West Board of Directors. Pastor Karen says, “I consider it a privilege as well as responsibility to serve God. I love people and experience God’s blessings each day serving Avon United Methodist Church.”
Ministry Passion: Prayer, Pastoral Care, People and Missions
Awards: 2007 Hendricks Regional Health Treat People Better Award
2007 Dr. Henry Denman Evangelism Award by the South IN Conference
Favorite Scriptures:
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalm 121, Psalm 150, and Gospel of John
Favorite Hymns: "Victory in Jesus", "Freely, Freely., For I Know Whom I Have Believed", and "Here, I am, Lord"
kdevaisher@avonumc.com 317-294-1224 cell phone
Pastor Dirk Caldwell Associate Pastor. Dirk’s primary responsibility is assisting Senior Pastor Karen on all levels of leadership. He also organizes a school year basketball league for men of the church which meets at a local middle school on Thursday evenings. Most recently, Dirk has helped organize an annual golf outing with two other congregations.
He and his wife, Cathy, live in Avon along with their three children. They have one set of twins and most recently a girl from China. Dirk and Cathy are affiliated with Tabitha USA. (http://www.tabitha-usa.org/Index.shtml) Tabitha Foundation USA is a benevolent trust, founded in 2003 to support mission and aid efforts.
Dirk has his B.A. in Religion Psychology from Wabash College. A declared candidate for ordained ministry from our congregation, Dirk started a Master of Divinity degree at Christian Theology Seminary located next to Butler University in Indianapolis in the fall 2006.
Favorite Activities: Dirk enjoys a variety of sports and participates in triathlon events in the area, golfing and has a passion for the people of Cambodia.
Favorite Scripture: “God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” – Psalm 68:6
Favorite Hymn: “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”, and “Heart of Worship”
dcaldwell@avonumc.com
 Pastor Ron Branson Pastor of Visitation, is serving as visiting shut-in’s and seniors. Pastor Ron serves on the Prayer Team and offers leadership in our monthly nursing home worship service.
Pastor Ron is a retired minister and an Associate Clergy Member of the South Indiana Conference. Ron began serving churches in 1994. He was the Pastor of Thorntown United Methodist Church, 2000-2004.
Pastor Ron and his wife, Peggy, live in Danville. They have three children and seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Favorite Activities: Writing, photography, swimming
Favorite Scripture: “Hast thou not know? Hast thou not heard, the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faith; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faith and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint” (KJV, Isaiah 40:28-31).
Favorite Hymn: "The Holy City" (Jerusalem)
rhbranson20@yahoo.com
Diane Gattone serves a Director of Christian Education at Avon United Methodist Church. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Development at the University of Kansas and received her master’s degree in School Counseling from Butler University. Her primary responsibility is to provide leadership for the spiritual development of children and adults of the church.
Diane is married to Vince, a professor and scientist at Indiana University School of Medicine. They have five children. Oldest daughter, Jenny, resides in California and Christina resides in London attending grad school. Sons Anthony and Nick attend college, and youngest daughter, Cate, is a senior at Brownsburg High School. Their family also includes two cocker spaniels, Max and Lucy.
Favorite Activities: time with family and friends, reading, traveling, cooking, listening to music and watching college basketball (go Jawhawks!).
Favorite Scripture: “And so we know and rely on the love of God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
Favorite Hymn: “Here I am Lord, On Eagle Wings”
dgattone@avonumc.com
 Suzie Clore, is Avon UMC's Administrative Assistant. You can find Suzie in our church office during regular business hours. Most likely it is Suzie who will greet you when you call or come in to the church office. She is also the substitute organist and is a member of our chancel choir.
Suzie, a native of Indianapolis' west side, is a graduate of Ben Davis High School and attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Suzie, a life-long United Methodist, has been a member of AUMC since 1993. She has been married to Bill Clore for over 40 years. They have two sons who are both married and four grandchildren.
Favorite Activities: Suzie is an avid reader. Her favorite is Christian fiction. Her favorite way to relax is to play the piano. Suzie plays golf and loves to spend time with her grandchildren.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (TNIV)
Favorite Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
sclore@avonumc.com
 Gail Shugart is the Church Secretary. She maintains the church’s membership role, produces the weekly Sunday bulletin and the monthly newsletter, as well as records weekly attendance in our church data base. Gail has been a member of the AUMC staff since 1995. You can find her weekdays in the church office.
She is a native Hoosier, having lived in the Avon area for most of her life. She graduated from Avon High School and from IUPUI. Gail has two sons. She and her two sons are members of Avon United Methodist Church.
Favorite Activities: Family time, reading.
Favorite Scripture: II Corinthians 5:7 "We walk by faith, not by sight."
Favorite Hymn: "Because He Lives"
gshugart@avonumc.com
Debbie Zusan, C.P.A., is our Business Manager/Treasurer. Debbie graduated from Purdue University in finance and has her Certified Public Accountant License. Her duties include general accounting functions; working closely with Finance, Trustees and Staff-Parish Relations Committee. This is a new position at AUMC, created in 2005. In general Debbie can be found in the office on Mondays, Thursdays and part of the day on Friday.
Debbie says, “I enjoy working on new systems and the challenge of finding new and more efficient ways to accomplish our goals. This is my first time working in a church and have enjoyed working with the staff and lay members. You really learn more about how things work by being on staff! I love being close to home and seeing the kids come in to Play N Share, especially when they share their talents as they parade through the offices.”
Debbie is married to Greg Zusan and they have four girls, two married, and two at home, one grandson and a granddaughter on the way. They have been coming to AUMC since 1992 and joined in membership in 2000. To complete the family Zusan, they live with one dog, two cats, and two rabbits.
Favorites Activities: chasing children (young and old), working on scrapbooks, reading, messing with computers, and glass fusing and other art projects
Favorite Scripture: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust don not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (TNIV, Matthew 6:19-21).
Favorite Hymn: "Here I Am, Lord"
dzusan@avonumc.com
Kitty Wilson serves as the Director of Play-N-Share which is our pre-school ministry here at Avon United Methodist Church. She is better known as “Miss Kitty” to the students and families of Play-N-Share since she has been a teacher at Play-N-Share since the 1995 – 96 school year. As of September 2006, Miss Kitty is only the third person to take the helm of this highly regarded ministry. Kitty is a graduate of the State University of New York of Buffalo and holds a B.A. in Psychology and Human Services with an emphasis on Child Care. Kitty is married to Willy Wilson and they have a daughter, Robin, who is in her junior year at Avon High School. The Family Wilson came to Avon, Indiana in 1994 as they moved for Willy’s employment. They have been active members of Avon United Methodist Church since 1995.
Favorite Activities: Quilting, Reading, Walking and “keeping up with Robin”
Favorite Scripture: “[Jesus] said to them, “ . . . For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard see, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20 NRSV).
Favorite Hymn: “Lord, of the Dance”
kittywilson@avonumc.com
Play-N-Share Phone: 317-272-1786
 Wanda Money serves as our Senior Director. Her primary responsibility is to be a liaison to our shut-in and our nursing home members and the church. Wanda, also, brings leadership to the Young at Heart(s) group for a number of years, which usually has a monthly activity.
Wanda been a member of Avon United Methodist Church for nearly 40 years, and she has served as church secretary for 19 years. She is married to Don Money and they have three children, and two grandchildren.
Favorite Activities: reading, travel and church work
Favorite Scripture: Psalms 23 and John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: "How Great Thou Art"
 Betty Mabis currently shares the duties of the Newcomer Ministry with Patsy Porter. Her responsibilities include greeting and welcoming visitors to our congregation and making them feel at home.
Betty Mabis and co-chair of Newcomers Ministry, Patsy Porter, were awarded the distinguished Denman Evangelism Award 2006 from the South Indiana Annual Conference at the annual meeting in June held in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Denman Evangelism Award was established in 1980 by The Foundation for Evangelism to honor pastors and lay person who are doing the work of responsible evangelism in the local church (The Foundation for Evangelism Award guidelines as found on http://www.evangelize.org/index.php?id=denman-awards).
Betty is originally from Knox County, Indiana. She and her late husband moved to the Avon area to raise their four children. Betty now has eight grandchildren and enjoys being involved in many of their activities. She has been a member of Avon United Methodist Church for over 45 years
Betty was one of several people to start the first private kindergarten in the Avon area that was later accepted into the community school corporation. She was employed by the Avon School Corporation in the food service department and retired from Maple Elementary School after 22 years in the kitchen, the last eight years as supervisor.
Favorite Activities: Betty enjoys reading, volunteering, attending church functions, and spending time with her family.
Favorite Scripture: “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before me” (RSV, Isaiah 49:16).
Favorite Hymn: "I’ll Fly Away"
newcomer@avonumc.com
Patsy Porter is Co-Coordinator of the Newcomer Ministry along with Betty Mabis. Some of Patsy’s responsibilities include greeting and welcoming visitors to our congregation and making them feel at home.
Patsy Porter and co-chair of Newcomers Ministry, Betty Mabis, were awarded the distinguished Denman Evangelism Award 2006 from the South Indiana Annual Conference at the annual meeting in June held in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Denman Evangelism Award was established in 1980 by The Foundation for Evangelism to honor pastors and lay person who are doing the work of responsible evangelism in the local church (The Foundation for Evangelism Award guidelines as found on http://www.evangelize.org/index.php?id=denman-awards).
Patsy was reared in Mitchell, Indiana. She works part-time at Donovan's Interiors. Patsy and Ed, her husband of 31 years, have two daughters: Cathy, age 30 and Cheri, age 28. Ed is retired from Allison Rolls-Royce. Patsy has been attending Avon United Methodist Church since 1974. Patsy has taught Sunday School 24 years and has held various Avon United Methodist Church committee positions.
Favorite Activities: She enjoys spending time with her three granddaughters, her friends, and her flowers and old hymn singing
Favorite Scripture: Book of James
Favorite Hymn: "Because He LIves"
newcomer@avonumc.com
 Lisa Dure, Director of Music Ministries, Lisa joins us from Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township where she was the assistant Director of bands. She is a '95 graduate and 1999 Ball State University music education graduate. Her husband Robb, is the Director of Bands for the Danville School Corporation. Interesting enough, they met on the marching band field at Ball State and have a one year old boy. They reside in Danville, IN.
Favorite Activities: Lisa enjoys playing piano, flute, singing, scrapbooking (really anything crafty and creative), hanging out with her family and three large puppies.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Favorite Hymn: "Lamb of God"
lisadure@avonumc.com
 Duane S. Fleener, Song Leader, has attended Avon United Methodist Church since 1948 and became a member a few years later. He was honored by the church in December 2001 for directing the choir for fifty years. Duane is currently retired from a 40 year career in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana, having served as an English teacher, assistant principal, principal of two different junior high schools, director of personnel services, and interim superintendent of schools. He still remains active in the education field by doing consultant work, having served as an interim superintendent of schools and as a negotiator for several boards of education. Duane holds baccalaureate and masters degrees from Butler University and a doctorate from Indiana University. He and his wife, Patsy, have three daughters, Jill Savage, Jackie Fleener, and Juli Krizan. Duane and Patsy have two granddaughters and four grandsons.
 Keith Monroe serves in our Maintenance and Custodian area. Keith is responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of our church facility. “This is my ministry to make the place look good and functional for people. I enjoy the staff and the people of Avon United Methodist Church.”
Keith was reared in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis and grew up at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis and holds many fond memories of the pastors, staff and people of Broadway.
Keith is also an Air Force Veteran who served in Thailand during the Vietnam war.
Keith and his wife, Eva, have celebrated over 25 years of marriage and have two sons who are in college. They have raised their family in Avon and been members of AUMC since 2000. Keith and Eva can often be found worshipping in the 9:30am service. Eva leads the Children’s Church at 10:45am on Sundays. The family pet is a cat named Pumpkin.
Favorite Activities: cars, reading, and hiking
Favorite Scripture: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all age, world end. Amen” (Ephesians 3: 20-21, KJV).
Favorite Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord”
kmonroe@avonumc.com
Kim Ayers, Director of Youth. Kim's primary responsibility is working with the youth of our church. Her focus is to work alongside youth empowering them with leadership and spiritual growth while inspiring an environment for creativity and play.
Most recently, Kim attended the University of Indianapolis as a youth ministry major and is a 2005 Plainfield High School graduate. She has experience at Hanke Photography, Salt Shaker Christian Bookstore, working as a nanny and currently works part time at Starbucks in Brownsburg. Kim joined Avon United Methodist Church in 2000 and resides in Plainfield. She can be reached at the church on Mondays and Wednesdays as well by cell at 317.752.2916.
Favorite Activities: Kim enjoys snow skiing and reading
Favorite Scripture: “Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 86 and "Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit in me." - Psalm 51:10
Favorite Hymn: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "The Summons”
kimayers@avonumc.com
 Ann Knicley, Office Assistant. Ann's primary responsibility is scheduling. Ann and her husband, Kevin, have lived in Avon for 11 years. They have two daughters, Erica, age 16, and Hannah, age 12. Ann will greet you in the office Monday - Friday from 9am - 1pm.
Favorite Activities: Ann enjoys gardening and scrapbooking
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:8.
Favorite Hymn: "In the Garden"
annknicley@avonumc.com
Karl Scholtes is our Evening Custodian, however, you may see Karl working on some days, especially on Saturdays and for some weddings. In addition to his work at our congregation, Karl is a bus driver for the Avon School Corp.
Karl has lived in Avon, Indiana since 1993, and been a member of Avon United Methodist Church since 2002. He has two children: Annie, who is a 6th Grader and Alex, who is a junior in high school. You will often find them worshipping as a family in the 8:15am Sunday morning service.
Favorites Activities: Golf; music of kinds from “Swing Era” musician, Benny Goodman to Country music stars, Brooks and Dunn; working on his house; running; baking and cooking – especially at Christmas time.
Favorite Scripture: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] believed” (John 20:29 KJV).
Roger Jones, Weekend Custodian. You will see Roger around the church on Saturday and Sunday evenings. He stays very busy cleaning and setting up for Sunday School classes, meetings, dinners and more.
Favorites Activities: Roger enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren as well as reading.
Favorite Scripture: I John 5:4 "For Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith."
Favorite Hymn: “The Rugged Cross” and "Amazing Grace"
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