Ed Brandt
Interim Pastor Beginning May 1st
Ed Brandt comes to UCMI following nearly 32 years of service in the National Guard and having served pastorates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, California, and Michigan. Most recently, Ed served as the Pastor of Lely Presbyterian Church where they experienced great growth under his leadership.
For over twenty years, Ed served as an installed pastor while serving the National Guard one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
In 2008 Ed deployed to Iraq serving as a Brigade Chaplain providing pastoral care and worship to over 1200 Soldiers. For his service in Iraq, Ed received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Upon returning home, he continued service as a Chaplain at the National Guard Bureau, then as State Chaplain for Delaware. Ed was eventually selected as Chief Chaplain, National Guard Bureau and United States Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Brigadier General in May 2020. He was honored to serve as the guest preacher for the 2019 annual Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery.
At his retirement he received the Distinguished Service Cross from the Delaware National Guard, and the Joint Service Medal, normally reserved for the rank of major general and above, from the National Guard Bureau.
Ed’s academic degrees include a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Findlay. He has completed various MBA courses and participated in the Homeland Defense Seminar at Harvard University in 2016.
Samantha Arago
Director of Operations
Samantha graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications. As Director of Operations, Samantha works closely with the minister and church leadership to implement strategic planning initiatives while practicing careful administration of finances, fundraising, and consistent communications. Samantha’s background, combined with years of experience in our organization, ensure that our vision and mission are fulfilled through ministry, programs, and outreach.
Responsibilities:
Worship Planning and Preparation Alongside Senior Minister
Production and Publication of Weekly Bulletin and Enews Communications
Oversight and Management of Administrative Organization, Media and Marketing Initiatives, and Financial Processes
Recruitment, Onboarding and Directing of Staff Team
Planning and Directing Ministry Programs and Projects
Music Team
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Chris Moore leads our music department, planning, coordinating and directing the music for weekly worship services and special events. Chris also works alongside our Music Committee planning the annual concert series and promoting the overall music ministry. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, with a double Major in Voice and Music Education, and minor in Organ. Throughout his career, Chris taught public school music and served as the Executive Director of the Springfield Arts Council. Chris has performed as soloist with the Springfield Symphony and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestras, has performed and served as assistant music conductor of the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, Kentucky, and has years of experience both accompanying, directing and conducting music theater productions throughout the Miami Valley. Chris regularly consults with not for profit arts organizations in the areas of board and program development, and fundraising, and has 20 pieces of choral music published by Lorenz Publishing and Beckenhorst Press. Chris has a plethora of experiences over the years but his deepest passion at this time is to share God’s gift of music to enhance worship and music ministry within a congregation.
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Barbara Wischmeier joins us on campus Thursdays and Sundays each week providing worship music, bell choir direation, and acting as accompaniment. Barbara formerly served as the Associate Director of Sacred Arts at First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs. She is also the former chair of the Fine Arts Department at the St. James School in St. James, MD. Barbara earned a BA in piano from Judson University and a M.M. in organ from Northern Illinois University. As such, Barbara brings a myriad of gifts and talents to United Church that inspires our faith and deepens our worship together.
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Wanda's unique blend of career experience, combined with excellent people skills and internal expertise leads our administrative efforts at United Church. Much like her current position, Wanda's career has demanded a range of talents. Wanda began working in nursing and pharmacy. Lifestyle changes and an overall interest in health and well-being led her to Weight Watchers where she ended up working as a Territory Manager for over 25 years. While leading a weekly meeting on our campus, Wanda was recruited to assist in general administration on a part-time basis. A growing relationship with the congregation, along with a desire to see the church grow, led Wanda to a full time position at UCMI. Wanda has worked at United Church of Marco Island since 2015 and has risen to the challenge of widely varying positions and responsibilities. Wanda’s background and long-standing knowledge of the many church details allows the church office to hum like a well-oiled machine.
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Christy's God-given gifts and experience are an awesome blessing to United Church. After graduating with a degree in nursing from the University of Scranton, Christy served as a registered nurse and more recently an oncology nurse in New Jersey for 28 years. Throughout this time, Christy was involved in many aspects of church ministry and hospital chaplain ministry where she served as a volunteer in health and wellness programs, provided health screenings, and gave talks to bereavement groups about illness, caregiver fatigue, faith journey through the Hospice process, and survivorship through the grieving process. As Congregational Caregiver, Christy leads the Card Caring Ministry, making phone calls and sending cards to those in need of prayer and encouragement. Christy also hosts informal grief support groups as well as caregiver support groups with a focus on self-care practices. Christy's seasonal programs include informative seminars on Hospice and palliative care. Christy is passionate and enthusiastic about providing compassionate cares. Christy's faith, warm personality, and thoughtful demeanor helps United Church fulfill its call to extend love and care to all who are in need.
"I have helped many patients and families, in both my personal life and through my professional life, to navigate through the complex medical system and diagnosis of illness, keeping in mind the importance of their connection to their community and their faith journey. My door is always open to anyone who needs my help, expertise, support and guidance."
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Mike began his career at UCMI as a member of our Bargain Basket team. Mike still volunteers his time in the Bargain Basket electronics department researching, repairing, restoring and pricing electronics and media items.
Mike began his professional career as the Sales and Marketing Director for AdRem Software, an enterprise network monitoring software developer in Poland. Mike was responsible for their English-language sales and their entire global marketing presence. Mike is now a freelance digital marketing professional, with a focus on running paid social and search advertising. Mike has worked with other non-profit charities, providing paid social and search ads, as well as providing IT assistance in reporting, troubleshooting, training and web development. Mike is also experienced in managing social platforms and editing videos.
In addition to managing our worship livestream and audio system, Mike is responsible for all of our innovative ministry endeavors involving technology. Mike is also tasked with maintaining our social media and online presence and attending fellowship events as scheduled to digitally capture memories in the making.
“As valuable Bargain Basket staff members, the following group of dedicated staff work throughout the week to ensure that we can continue to provide for our community. Their connection to the local community allows the mission of the Bargain Basket to thrive in so many ways. ”
Bargain Basket Staff Team
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Originally from Ohio, Bill and his family have been settled into Naples / Marco Island since 2013. In his free time, Bill enjoys spending time with his family outdoors and taking advantage of life on Marco Island by boating and going to the beaches.
Bill joined the Bargain Basket team in 2021 with a diverse background in hospitality management. In his time at the store, Bill has always demonstrated a clear love of the mission and the dedicated volunteers that he works alongside.
As Operations Manager, Bill works full time to ensure that the day to day operations of the store run smoothly and efficiently. Bill's creative thought process allows the Bargain Basket to continuously improve while still maintaining its comforting atmosphere, centered on kindness and community outreach. Bill’s personality and prior experience allows him to connect with the volunteers, donors, and customers to provide that fun-loving environment that brings everyone back for more! Under Bill's management, the Bargain Basket has consistently exceeded monthly sales and donation goals.
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Upon leaving her origin of England, Jackie spent four years in Johannesburg, South Africa prior to moving to the USA in 1994 where she laid down roots, had kids and made a home in New Jersey. Shortly after moving to Marco Island, Jackie joined the Bargain Basket team in 2018 and has provided interpersonal and organizational skills that have allowed the Bargain Basket to adapt and improve continuously even throughout a worldwide pandemic.
Jackie has a passion for creativity and the arts. Outside the Bargain Basket, you can find Jackie on the stage, acting and assisting in many local plays.
Jackie's creativity keeps the Bargain Basket looking beautiful and charming. In her time with us, Jackie has been a part of many of the store re-designs and uses that knowledge and experience to continuously perfect individual displays and the overall store layout.
As Floor Manager, Jackie has developed a team of kind, hard-working volunteers that share her love of the store. Jackie works closely with the volunteers to schedule them in the department that best fits their time and talents.
