Class Leaders First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ 2000 "D" Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68502-1698 Office (402) 476-7565 Fax (402) 476-8402

Class Leader's Biographies

Kim Beyer-Nelson
Kim Beyer-Nelson holds a master's degree in Comparative Religion and a graduate certificate in both holistic health care and cardiac rehabilitation Hatha Yoga. Kim has also served as a one-on-one stress management consultant at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE and has taught stress management courses at UNL. She is a hand-weaver, spiritual director, retreat leader and writer. Her first book, A Little Book of Wholeness and Prayer, was published by Skinner House Press in 2003.

Andrea Bolland
Andrea Bolland received her MA and PhD in art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She came to UNL in 1994, and is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History.

Rev. Donald Bredthauer
Rev. Bredthauer is a retired United Methodist pastor and a Spiritual Director in Omaha. He has practiced Centering Prayer since 1989 and he regularly facilitates Centering Prayer retreats and classes for which he was commissioned in 1995 by Thomas Keating and Contemplative Outreach.

Rev. Karla Cooper
Rev. Karla Cooper is an ordained Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also serves as the pastor of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lincoln, as well as Chaplain/Coordinator of Service Programs at Doane College. She is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary where she received a Master's degree of Divinity .

Rev. Nancy Erickson
Rev. Nancy Erickson has spent much of her adult life in the human services and advocacy fields. She has a Master's degree from the University of NE and is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. She graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1989. She joined the First-Plymouth staff in June of 2004, where her primary responsibilities are adult education and pastoral counseling.

Kathy Foster
Kathy Foster received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from UNL and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston University with a specialty in Family Therapy.  She has been a licensed Mental Health Practioner for over 14 years. Most recently, she has been working at the Lincoln Regional Center. 

Rev. Dr. Jim Keck
Rev. Dr. Jim Keck received his Doctorate of Ministry from Andover Newton Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1990. In 1993, after serving churches in Berkeley and Corona Del Mar, CA, he became the Sr. Minister at the Westford Concord Union Church, in Massachusetts. In 1999, he became the Sr. Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, CA. In 2006, he became the Sr. Minister at First-Plymouth Church.

Rev. Renae Koehler
Rev. Renae Koehler joined First-Plymouth in 2008. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Emory University's Candler School of Theology. She specializes in African drumming, Cajun dancing and storytelling.

Deborah McCauley
Deborah McCauley has been a certified Pilates Instructor for 4 years. She brings to her teaching over 25 years of ballet and over 12 years of gymnastics experience. Deborah also is certified in Aerobics teaching including, step, kickboxing, spinning, weight training and Yoga.

Laurie Reinsch
Laurie Reinsch received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Kearney State College in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Doane College. She has worked as a therapist within the Dept. of Correctional Services and currently works as a therapist at the Lincoln Regional Center.

Margaret Rickers
Margaret Rickers is a Nationally certified and licensed massage therapist. She is a certified Healing Touch Practitioner and practices energy therapies in her work. She has facilitated classes in yoga and quieting techniques for 20 years. Margaret has a Masters degree in Family Wellness.

Deb Savage
Deb Savage has a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Creighton University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a diploma in Nursing from Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor/Academic Counselor at Bryan College of Health Sciences. And is currently a student in the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento CA.

Cindy Slone
Cindy Slone, MSN, RN is a personal and professional life coach that received her training from the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento, CA. She is the founder and CEO of Lifescape Coaching based at Lincoln Life Coaching Center in Lincoln.

Rev. Barb Smisek
Rev. Barb Smisek joined First-Plymouth in 2005. A graduate of UNO, Barb was a banker for over 20 years, serving the last 3 as president of Home State Bank, Louisville, NE. In 2007, Barb graduated from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City with a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies degree. Barbara's primary responsibilities at First-Plymouth are pastoral care, Stephen Ministry, and the Christian Board of Outreach.

Gary Summers
Gary Summers received his bachelor's degree in Education at the University of Nebraska. He has worked in the Human Service field for over 20 years serving in such capacities as program director, teacher and clinician in Mental Health Hospitals and community based programs.

Becky Walkowiak
Becky Walkowiak is a registered nurse and counselor. She works with clients and families dealing with physical, emotional and spiritual pain. She has been involved with Grief Recovery groups since 1989.