Background and Education

Bryan Schneider-Thomas is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church.  He has served congregations in Michigan and Ohio.  He currently serves Amble UMC, a small rural congregation, part-time.  An integral part of Bryan’s professional identity is a strong commitment to local parish ministry.

In addition to his parish work, Bryan has served both individual congregations and the regional United Methodist denomination by providing liturgical art.  Working primarily in textiles, Bryan employs techniques including piecework, embroidery, appliqué, weaving, felting, and dying.  Recently he has begun to design custom liturgical furnishings for parishes.

In 2001 Bryan began serving as a liturgical design consultant.  Noting a need in protestant denominations for theological insight into worship and ministry space, he sought a way to serve that need.  Receiving further education, Bryan has begun to provide a process to help congregations identify what is actually needed in their building and how to develop it.  In some cases this has resulted in a reworking of the ministry of the congregation and a renewal of congregational enthusiasm.

In late 2003 Bryan developed the Guild of Parish Artists.  This group provides help, guidance, and resources to people working the the visual arts in local parishes.  This is achieved through a regular newsletter, periodic meetings, and on-line resources.  Through the on-line resources the group has become a national gathering.  As director, editor, and web designer for the Guild, Bryan is kept busy helping others develop artwork in their congregation.

Bryan received his B.A. from Adrian College and his M.Div. from United Theological Seminary.  In addition, he has studied Liturgical Design Consultation through the Institute of Liturgical Consultants in Chicago and apprenticed with Christine Reinhard, a practicing consultant in Fenton, Michigan.

Bryan is a member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.

Bryan has had articles on liturgical consultation, liturgical art, and worship in the following journals and books:

WorshipArts - the journal of the fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts 

Interpreter - resource journal for the United Methodist Church

Abingdon Worship Annual 2006 - lectionary worship resources.

Bryan also serves as care-giver for his 1 year old daughter, Katherine, along with Julie, his wife.  Julie is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, who serves Zion Lutheran Church in Comstock Park, Michigan.  The rest of his family is composed of a dog, four sheep, and two llamas. 

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Send mail to bryanscht@simpleraiment.com with questions or comments about this web site.