Charlie is a Maryland native. He studied and then taught at Boston University, was a Chaplin in a mental hospital, and Pastor with a United Methodist Church in Ohio. He came to southwest Florida in 1991 and served at the Trinity Methodist Church in Bradenton prior to “finding” the Chapel in 1993. The Chapel is his twelfth church home. Charlie became Pastor Emeritus in 2010.

Jeff moved to Sarasota in 1980 with his parents. His husband of 4 years, Michael, moved to join him on Longboat Key in 2015. They currently live on the mainland in Bradenton but look forward to returning to live on Longboat again in the near future. Both are avid bridge players with Jeff maintaining a student directory and teaching online. He has recently become one of the Chapel’s tech support team members. Both enjoy arts and crafts and swimming. They both love to sing and hope to join the choir in the near future. They say that it was the friendly and accepting nature of the congregation that drew them to the Chapel.

Becky joined us in 2023! A transplant from Wayzata, MN, Becky has lived in Florida since 2018, starting off in Cape Coral and later moving to Bradenton in 2020. She has two grown children and one grandchild still living in the cold tundra. She went back to college at age 53 to complete a BA degree in professional writing.

Her motto’s are:

• You are NEVER too old to learn something new or to follow your dreams!
• BELIEVE in God’s spiritual energy and lift yourself to it.

Susan Schaefer re-located to Florida from Michigan in 2009.  She retired after 22 years from the Admissions Office of Central Michigan University.  The skills utilized in her position of Office Manager are utilized daily at the Longboat Island Chapel.  She and her husband Bruce became members of the Chapel in 2009, and Susan was hired in 2011.

Jerry is originally from Augusta, Georgia and has an associate degree in Parks Management from Lake City Community College. Prior to coming to the Chapel he worked for a company that installs and repairs windows. His custodial duties include setting up rooms for group meetings, multiple interior and exterior building maintenance as well as various projects on the grounds of the Chapel.

Diane joins us once again as our wedding coordinator, as she once served in this capacity for the chapel. Her desire to return was rooted in the love of the Longboat Island Chapel’s mission and people.  Diane grew up in Bradenton and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Communications degree. Diane and her husband John have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three grown children. Their son Chris is in finance in NYC, daughter Emily is a lawyer in Tampa and the youngest Caroline is a distance runner at the University of Notre Dame.

Diane has worked in event planning, wedding coordination, public relations, and healthcare sales throughout her career. Her expertise will be at the forefront of ensuring that brides and grooms experience a seamless and joyous wedding day. In her spare time, Diane enjoys running, walking the beach, reading, and enjoying time with family. Diane’s favorite motto to live by is, “Carpe Diem”.