MEET THE STAFF
PAM DEDEA
REVEREND Pam DeDea
Rev. Pam DeDea began serving as our senior pastor since July 1, 2021. She is visionary in her ability to see the needs of the community and helping to develop ministries that help alleviate community needs. Since her arrival, UM Temple has partnered with First Presbyterian in the Buddy Break Ministry, Heartland for Children and is growing our partnership and ministry with Cygnet School.
She serves as the Co-Chair of the Disability Awareness Committee for the FLUMC; Chair of Buildings and Locations Gulf Central District of the FLUMC.
She is married to Steve DeDea, who serves as Pastor at Alturas Community Church. They have two grown children Jennifer/Bill and Larissa/Andy, two grandchildren Nicole/Darien and Tommy/Tori, three great grandchildren Skyler, Josiah (JJ) and Noah, and four fur babies, Charles, Abbie, Gracie, and Cosmo.
MELANIE PRANNO
ADMINISTRATOR
Melanie Pranno joins us as our Administrative Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of South Florida. She served for 37 years as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. She played Second Flute in the Imperial Symphony Orchestra for 35 years and performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. Her summers were spent as Executive Director of the University of Central Florida String Workshop for 21 years. She is married to Art Pranno. Together they have 5 cats, 1 dog, a turtle and a Greek tortoise.
THADDEUS LOBOS
AUDIO - VISUAL
Thaddeus Lobos recently moved to Lakeland from Louisiana to further grow his education in STEM after completing his classes at Louisiana Institute of Technology. He has worked with computers since grade school and a teacher's assistant for a former college professor, leading him to specialize in computer and software engineering. He enjoys playing chess, long walks on the beach, and cooking.
KIARA SNIPE
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Kiara Snipe was born and raised in western Massachusetts and moved to Florida to study music at Chipola College in Marianna, Florida where she received her associates degree. She is married to her wonderful husband Morgan and has three kids, Lilly (7), Eamon (4), and Elliza (1). She has previously worked for St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winterhaven, Florida, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Marianna, Florida. She has been singing in church for as long as she can remember and can't wait to see what God does at United Methodist Temple.
GEORGE REZAC
ORGANIST
Born in Czechoslovakia, George grew up in Germany and England before serving in the U.S. Air Force as a computer software analyst. A self-taught organist, he has served 21 churches of various denominations, including three years playing and repairing the Morton pipe organ at the Polk Theatre. George is an amateur radio operator with five daughters and a rescue poodle.
BETSIE HUGHES
Assistant Pastor
My name is Betsie Hughes, and I am honored to have UM Temple as my ministry setting for one of my classes at school. I am currently attending Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where I will receive my MDIV and then move forward with becoming a Deacon in the UMC. I am 32 years old and received my call at 15 years old. After many years of trying to ignore my call because I felt unjustifiably unworthy, God finally put down the megaphone that God was using to prompt me to live into my call fully. I finally chose to listen.
One of my passions is connecting people to church so they can feel seen, heard, and loved by God. I love meeting new people. I have experience with grief support ministries and am co-chair of the Florida Disabilities Awareness Ministry Team. When not learning about and "doing" ministry, I like to read, hang out with family, or cuddle with McEldowney, my service dog. I look forward to working and learning about this Temple Community. I can't wait to get started and see how God is working through YOU!