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.
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.
Diane Alveshere
Spirited Traditional Worship Accompanist, 2nd and 4th Sundays
Diane Alveshere is returning to First Congregational United Church of Christ and reprising a role she previously held until 2013. Watching Diane play is a delight be-cause she exudes joy!
Diane owns Alveshere Piano Studio where she is a skilled teacher of piano. She is in high demand as an accompanist, and can be found at several organ benches in churches around the area
Carrie Gamm
Choir Director
Carrie is a para-educator at Alexandria Area High School and is a lover of music. She will be our new choir director beginning January 1—and will be present with us in our Spirited Traditional Worship on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. In her previous church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran in Apple Valley, MN., Carrie sang in the choir and was also a vocalist/keyboardist on the Worship Team.
Margaret Kalina
Rehearsal Accompanist and occasional Organist
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.’
Kayla and Ray Noble
First Sunday, Blended Contemporary Service (5th Sundays too)
The Nobles will be with us on the first Sunday of each month for our Blended Contemporary Service, and on those months where there is a 5th Sunday when they will plan special services in different music genres like folk, pop, oldies or jazz.
Ray and Kayla are professional musicians and educators. Their Face-book page The Nobles describes them as a folk-pop cover duo, music educators, and live sound specialists. Kayla teaches music at Lincoln Elementary, and Ray teaches music at Discovery Middle School. Both were involved in the most recent high school musical produc-tion Mamma Mia—Kayla as vocal coach and Ray covering sound. Ray also plays in the band Blonde and the Bohunk. In addition to being vocalists, they play several instruments including keyboard, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and rhythm instruments.
We have a vintage 1937 Kimball pipe organ, baby grand piano, and bells. We try to incorporate special music throughout the year.
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.
