First Congregational United Church of Christ Alexandria, MN

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Staff

Please contact to learn more about our church or ministries.

Meet Our Pastor: Dr. Rev. Jill Sanders

The Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders became the pastor at First Congregational UCC on March 1, 2020. Jill received both her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Having grown up in Iowa, Jill served most of her ministry there. She served small, mid-sized and large congregations for 12 1/2 years and then for 17 1/2 years as a consultant and resource person on the Conference Staff of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. Jill is also a trained spiritual director and feels privileged to accompany others on their spiritual journeys. Her heart has always been with the ministry of the local congregation which she sees as the heart, hands and feet of Jesus in the world today. Jill’s extended family remains  in the Des Moines area. She loves to follow the activities of her two nieces and two nephews. Jill enjoys hearing people’s stories, working in coffee shops, and finding new purposes for old things! She also loves to read and zentangle. She has three Yorkies— Emmy, Ruthie and Ellie—who are stellar at offering unconditional love to everyone they meet! Jill is passionate about facilitating “aha! moments, working for justice, and creating faith communities where everyone is welcome and included.

Our Office Administrator: Joy Wrolson

Joy is a member of our congregation who has taken on the role as our Office Adminstrator.

If you want to engage her in a long conversation ask about her dogs, Zimbabwe, or the latest play she saw. She is a theatre academic and liberation theologist and wants to live into both.

She is also the chair of the Board of Spiritual Life.

Margaret Kalina - Organist, pianst

Margaret attended St Olaf College where she took organ lessons. She continued lessons at the University of MN where earned her nursing degree. Playing organ and piano on the weekends allows her to be involved with many different congregations and stay in touch with people throughout our community. She finds great peace and joy playing the organ and the piano for which she feels ‘very blessed.’

Currently looking for a choir director/musician

We have a vintage 1937 Kimball pipe organ, baby grand piano, and bells.  We try to incorporate special music throughout the year.

Jane Harstad - Our Moderator

Jane is our moderator or contact for the congregation.  Our church is run by its members who are voted into leadership positions each year. Jane, as moderator, leads the church business and the church council meetings during her term.