About Pastor Jim


The Reverend James R. Sands – or Pastor Jim, as he likes to be called – is a life-long United Methodist born and raised in Carmichaels, Pa.  Pastor Jim served his home church of Carmichaels First United Methodist Church in just about every way imaginable, from Sunday School teacher, to custodian, to president of the youth group, sound technician for worship, and even head of the trustees before being called into itinerant ministry.  A 1995 graduate of Carmichaels Area High School, Jim attended California University of Pennsylvania as an education major.

After graduation from Cal U in 1999, Pastor Jim served for seven years as a substitute teacher for two school districts. During that period, he also worked for a pizza restaurant, becoming general manager and winning several awards: Manager of the Month, customer service, and highest sales increase in the company. Pastor Jim served for 11 years as the chairperson of the Greene County Church Dartball League and served as league statistician.

In 2011, Pastor Jim began serving in itinerant ministry as pastor at Eldersville UMC while attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Robert M. Ezzell Homiletical Prize for excellence in preaching. Pastor Jim was then appointed to Scalp Level Trinity UMC in Windber, and he was ordained an Elder in 2017.  Pastor Jim serves as the registrar of the Johnstown District Committee on Ministry and enjoys mentoring newer clergy.

Pastor Jim is an avid bowler. He is a self-described “Bible nerd” and enjoys studying Scripture with an emphasis on history, science, and philosophy. He is passionate about women’s issues, particularly as an advocate for women as leaders in ministry.

Pastor Jim met his wife Kristen while counting offerings at church. They have two children, Ryan and Molly.  Ryan is 10 and was born with cerebral palsy. He loves electronics and dinosaurs. Molly is 3 and loves pestering her big brother. Kristen is an avid reader who serves as the co-chairperson of the Conference Disability Concerns Committee. Pastor Jim and Kristen enjoy traveling and visiting museums and historic sites.

Pastor Jim was appointed to serve Monaca UMC and First UMC, Aliquippa effective July 1, 2022.

Coming Up…

< May 2024 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
      1AA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
2National Day of Prayer all day
+ Google calendarBusy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendarPickleball Club from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Please contact us for details
Carey Center + Google calendar
3 4AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendarLadies Spring Tea from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
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Carey Community Center + Google calendar
5Worship w/ Communion from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Holy Communion Offered Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Starts following the children's message during worship, at approx. 11:15am. + Google calendar
6 7 8Aliquippa First "PhDs" from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
For "Projects Half Done" - knitting/crochet group; 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
9Pickleball Club from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Please contact us for details
Carey Center + Google calendar
10VBS Planning Meeting from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Overflow Room + Google calendar
11Stamp Out Hunger all day
+ Google calendarAA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
12Happy Mother's Day! all day
+ Google calendarWorship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Starts following the children's message during worship, at approx. 11:15am. + Google calendar
13 14Community Lunch from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
+ Google calendarFood Pantry Distribution from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
+ Google calendar
15AA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
16Busy Hands from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Volunteer Group
Carey Community Center + Google calendarPickleball Club from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Please contact us for details
Carey Center + Google calendar
17 18AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
19Worship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Starts following the children's message during worship, at approx. 11:15am. + Google calendar
20 21 22Staff-Parish Relations Committee Meeting from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm
+ Google calendarAliquippa First "PhDs" from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
For "Projects Half Done" - knitting/crochet group; 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Aliquippa First UMC + Google calendarExecutive Council Meeting from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
+ Google calendarAA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
23Pickleball Club from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Please contact us for details
Carey Center + Google calendar
24 25AA Meeting from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
26Worship from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Traditional worship, including prayer and the singing of traditional hymns. Church Sanctuary + Google calendarKids Sunday School from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm
Starts following the children's message during worship, at approx. 11:15am. + Google calendar
27Memorial Day all day
+ Google calendar
28 29AA Meeting from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship Hall + Google calendar
30 31