Born in Montgomery, Alabama to Rev. Jamie Pickard, a retired United Methodist Minister, and Barbara Pickard, an archivist and retired primary school teacher, Mary Ann recently graduated from Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia with her Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree. Growing up in the United Methodist Church, Mary Ann’s heritage consists of a long line of Methodist ministers, with her father, grandfather, and great grandfather serving as elders within the Alabama West-Florida Conference.
Following her undergraduate graduation from Emory University, Mary Ann began working for a global privately held executive search and management consulting firm, both in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California. While in Los Angeles, Mary Ann rededicated her life to Christ and began volunteering with Hollywood United Methodist’s Tuesday Homeless Mission project. After serving as a member at Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC) for 3 years, during which time she continued to volunteer with various homeless outreach missions, sang with the Chancel Choir, and co-led a covenant group, Mary Ann felt the call on her life to enter the ministry, and received support from HUMC begin the United Methodist Candidacy process and apply to seminary.
Mary Ann began seminary at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in August 2017. While at Candler, she served as a chaplain at the Gateway Center, a large homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta, and served for two years as a pastor of a two-point charge within the Alabama West-Florida Conference. During her third year, she worked with New Sanctuary Movement of Atlanta, an interfaith and multicultural immigrant rights organization, co-leading weekly trips for members of the community to observe immigration court proceedings to bring greater transparency to the immigration judicial system. Throughout her time at Candler, she remained in contact with the California Pacific Conference and her home church, HUMC, and was excited to continue the elder track candidacy process with the California-Pacific Conference back in Fall 2019. After graduating Candler, Mary Ann moved back to California to start her first conference appointment at Wayside United Methodist Church in Lomita, where she has been the pastor since July 2020. She was also accepted into a chaplain residency through Providence Healthcare and completed a year-long program to obtain her chaplain certification. Currently, Mary Ann serves as the pastor of Wayside United Methodist Church and as a hospice chaplain with Providence’s Trinity Care Hospice in the South Bay.
Our Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Paul Kaho
Paul is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2008.
He and his wife Patty have been married for over 22 years and have two children, Hannah and Trevor. The Kaho family has lived in Lakewood since 1998.
Paul grew up in Long Beach and is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach. Paul enjoys gardening and cooking. His favorite breakfast item is pumpkin pancakes. Paul is an Eagle Scout and is active as a Scout leader with Trevor’s Troop.
Paul’s ministry focuses on teaching and leading people of all ages in their faith development.
Contact: Office@lakewoodfirstumchurch.com
I come to LFUMC with over 20 years of Office Administration. With experience in warehousing, phone administration, accounts payables, purchasing, meeting facilitation and facilities management. I hold certificates in Secretarial Support from California State University, Long Beach and Human Resource Management and Advanced Human Resource Management from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Prior to joining the Office Team, I worked for the corporate office of a Fortune 500 company, an aftermarket automobile testing corporation and a law firm.
I am an active member in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As a member of the Disciples Women Commission I am an Area Rep and the Co-chair of Communications. I am pursuing my Certificate of Ministry Studies (CMS) from the Disciples Seminary Foundation in Claremont in a cooperative effort with the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley. I am widowed and in Norwalk with my three cats, Boxer, Suri and Little Bit. If you ever have the opportunity to stop by the office, please say hello.
Our Organist/Accompanist:
Resident Bishop - Dottie Escobedo-Frank
District Superintendent - Rev. Siosaia Tu'itahi
