May Simonds (AKA Mary Anne, her given, legal name or "Maypo" to her husband) was born in Farmington, Maine, the third of four children of a Methodist Preacher's Kid.  The family moved to Alaska in 1967, and she grew up skiing, hiking, fishing, camping and generally, enjoying life in the Last Frontier. 

She attended college at Oregon State University, Class of 1977; and married another Alaskan, husband Michael, on July 26, 1978 at First United Methodist Church (on the Parkstrip) in Anchorage.  Michael is a corporate pilot with over three decades of professional piloting and more than 20,000 accident-free hours in the cockpit. Naturally, next to Methodism, aviation has been a dominant life theme and area of interest.  May and Michael have two daughters, Eden, living in Seattle, WA; and Monica, here in Thousand Oaks. 

Although May has been a member of UMCTO since 1994, she just recently joined the church staff in January, 2011 as office administrator.  May has questioned and pondered her Methodist roots throughout her spiritual journey, but she says it has been UMCTO that has provided the fertile soil where those life roots have found peace and sustenance.  Now, she wants to give back, and serve God and God's people.   

Connie Jones, birth name – Constance Anne Swartout – joined our staff January of 1991. Connie has a great love for people of all ages which is felt in all the ministries she serves.

Connie presently oversees our Family Ministries, Small Group Ministries, all Adult Education and Spiritual growth programs, Puppet Ministry – “Hands for Christ” and Stephen Ministries which includes being a Stephen Leader and Minister.  Once a week, during the school year, Connie leads Chapel for the Montessori School on our church site.

Connie is a California native but has lived in Kansas and Missouri for brief periods of time.  She deeply loves her six grown children, Natalie, Ruupak, Adam, Amber, Autumn and Abel as well as her grandchildren, Heather, Shannon, Tyelor and Ashley.

Connie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Christian Leadership from Azusa Pacific in 2001.  Connie claims she has been a Methodist since she was in the womb.  She began serving in the Christian Education field of the United Methodist Church after a heart warming experience in 1982.  She loves to read and has an insatiable quest for learning especially in the Biblical and Spiritual realm of studies.  She also is a lover of outdoor life through gardening, hiking, beaches and water skiing at Lake Naciemento. 

Connie affirms the mission statement of this church:”Changing the World through Jesus Christ” and welcomes the opportunity to help you “Make Your Faith Real.”