Our Staff

Natasha Murray

Pastor of Hospitality and Belonging

Brittany Richardson Watson

Pastor to Kids and Families

Brittany was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas and while she was born into the Episcopal church, her family began to attend the United Methodist Church while she was in elementary school. She considers herself an (almost) life-long United Methodist and felt a deep call into ministry since her high school years. She had many opportunities to explore this call including college internships at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock and seminary years serving with Franksville United Methodist Church in Franksville, Wisconsin. She has been serving in The United Methodist Church for over ten years and each congregation has given her a fuller vision of what it means to be part of this incredible connection that is God’s church. After being ordained as an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church in 2011, Brittany served at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Highland Valley United Methodist Church in Little Rock and Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church in Sherwood. She was appointed to First United Methodist Church in Little Rock as Pastor of Neighboring in June of 2018. She lives in Little Rock with her husband Clark and their three sons Joseph, Leo and George. In addition to spending time with family, a few of her passions include reading, tennis and traveling.

Haley Jones Wells

Pastor of Community Engagement

Haley joined the staff as Pastor of Community Engagement in September 2017. She is a native of Mississippi and a member of the Mississippi Annual Conference. After graduating from seminary at Boston University School of Theology in 2015, she spent two years on the Reconciliation Ministry Team at Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, England. Haley has a passion for reconciliation and helping faithful people be “repairers of the breach” to live into God’s call for shalom. She is responsible for inspiring and energizing First Church to engage in transformative service across Little Rock and think critically about issues of justice. Haley works closely with the SERVE and SPEAK committees at First Church that work on missions and public advocacy, leads small groups and book groups on social justice themes, and coordinates the daily community assistance program.

Mary Jane Cole

Spiritual Director in Residence

Sonja Taylor-Larkowski

Director of Finance and Administation

Sonja graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Accounting and Finance. She has been working in Finance, Administration and Human Resources for 29 years. She also has certifications in Human Resources and Life and Health Insurance. She has been married Jerry Larkowski for 4 years and together they have 5 sons, Austin, Mason, Colin, Clayton, and Trevor.

Harold Wesley

Director of Buildings, Grounds and Security

Wesley started with FUMCLR in October of 2024. He comes to us from Philander Smith University where he was the Director of Plant Operations. He was born and raised in Little Rock. He and his wife have one son in college.

Lesley Andrews

Director of Communications

Lesley Andrews joined the First Church Staff as Communications Director in August 2010. Lesley is the managing editor of the church’s newsletter, In The First Place, and is responsible for church publications, advertising, and maintaining the church’s website. Lesley graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Journalism with a special emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations. Lesley and her husband, Justin Andrews (also a U of A graduate), live in Maumelle with their three boys Cody, Beau, and Tag.

James Stanley

Director of Music and Worship Arts

James joined the staff as Associate Director of Music and Worship Arts in August of 2016. He serves as organist and administrator of the First Arts program. He holds a bachelors and a masters degree from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia in organ performance and organ pedagogy. James has held positions in Georgia and Indiana as organist, choir director, praise team leader, and choral section leader in Presbyterian and United Methodist congregations. His wife, Christen, is a teacher.

Shannon Webb

Associate Director of Music and Worship Arts

Shannon brings a wealth of both performance and church music experience to this role. She has degrees from Oklahoma City University and Colorado State University in vocal performance and has had an impressive career on the stage notably starting as Ruther Bader Ginsburg in the opera Scalia/Ginsburg. However, Shannon also has years of church music experience as a section leader and music intern for choirs in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Arkansas.

Shelby Clark

Building Services

You’ll see Shelby in the afternoon and evening shift. You’ll often notice his smiling face at the evening events when the church office is closed.

Chris Cone

Communications Assistant

Chris has been a mainstay in the Communcations department since starting as an intern in 2013. After graduating from UALR, Chris became an integral member of the Communcations team. He handles most of the audio and video production for the department. But you’ll also see him helping out whenever an extra hand is needed in other areas!

Sammy Moore

Building Services

You will see Sammy’s smiling face early in the morning at First Church. He is often working security and helps keep our beautiful facility at its best!