Staff & Leaders

Lead Pastor

Rev. Dr. Mary Kay Totty was appointed Lead Pastor beginning July 2020. Mary Kay grew up in the South earning a bachelor of art degree in Religious Studies/English Literature at Louisiana State University and a master of divinity degree from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. In 2015, Mary Kay completed her doctorate of ministry degree in Arts and Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. She is a United Methodist ordained elder having served churches of various sizes in Nebraska, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.

Mary Kay treasures the rhythm of the church year flowing from one liturgical season to the next. She enjoys planning worship, preaching, teaching, working with congregations to achieve goals and to embody grace through all the various ministries. Mary Kay is married to Rev. Stephen Griffith, a United Methodist ordained elder. They live in the Highlands Neighborhood of nearby Lincoln. In her free time, Mary Kay enjoys creating art — tatted lace, watercolors, and paper crafts.

Director of Music & Worship Technology

A life-long member of Seward United Methodist Church, Wess joined the SUMC leadership team in 2018. Wess assists with planning worship and selects hymns & songs to enhance the scripture readings and sermon each week. Wess conducts our Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, and Praise Team and works in partnership with various musicians and our audio/visual team. Wess shares the joy of music with children during our Wednesday after-school programs, through the production of an annual Christmas program, and each summer at Vacation Bible School. Wess can also be found assisting various groups and teams with their communication, publicity, and technology needs. Wess was baptized, confirmed in faith, and married at SUMC. He and his wife Shannon live in Seward with their son, Gavin.

Director of Children & Youth Ministries

Born and raised in Seward, Mary Beth was blessed to be a part of the Seward United Methodist Church throughout her youth. Sunday school classes, Christmas programs, mission trips, and Godparent Group were just a few of the wonderful memories made during her years at SUMC. She struggled to find another church that felt like home as she traveled around the country for college and then for life on the move as a military spouse. When her husband, Rick, retired from the United States Air Force in 2022, they were excited to move back home to Nebraska. Coming full-circle, Mary Beth and Rick are happy to be living close to family and friends again, and are thankful for the chance to give their children – Arthur, Mavis, and Thomas – the opportunity to grow up in a wonderful church family as well. Recently joining the SUMC staff as Director of Children & Youth Ministries in August 2024, Mary Beth is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the church and community that helped raise her. She helps develop and oversee the faith formation ministries for the children and older youth in the SUMC congregation.

Director of Congregational Care

Hannah Weisgerber joined the SUMC staff in 2026. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing in 2011, followed by a master's in nursing in 2015. Her professional background is in public health and education. As director of congregational care, Hannah works with the church's caring ministries, which include home and hospital visits, the card ministry, Faith Community Nurses ministry, Cancer Care Ministry, and outreach to area care facilities, among other programs.

Hannah is originally from Alliance, where she was raised in the Methodist church. She and her husband, Tanner, married in 2013 and moved to Seward in 2021 to be closer to family. They have one daughter, Hazel. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys walking their dog, Fern, reading, baking sourdough bread, and co-leading Hazel's Girl Scout troop.

Administrative Assistant

A Seward native, Emily joined the SUMC staff in 2024. She produces church communications, maintains membership records, coordinates finances, and works with various committees and groups at the church to assist them in their ministries. A member of the SUMC congregation, Emily has served as a volunteer member of the Bright Beginnings Child Development Center Board of Directors since 2018. She and her husband Layne were married at SUMC in 2021 and live in Seward with their daughter and son.