First Plymouth Staff

Clergy
	Rev. Dr. James (Jim) Keck, Senior Minister Jim, born in Des Moines, Iowa, started heading west for undergraduate study at the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduate study in Berkeley. He 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, California, he became the Sr. Minister of the West Concord Union Church, in Massachusetts. In 1999 he became the Sr. Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific School of Religion; as president of the Peninsula Clergy Network which links 400 clergy with other area civic leaders; and as a board member of the Mission Hospice of San Mateo County. He has also served as a guest lecturer at Tufts University, Andover Newton Theological School, American Baptist School and Pacific School of Religion, as well as a keynote speaker for numerous denominational events. Jim is married to Karen Taylor and they have two young children. When Jim is not at church he loves to play golf, basketball, handball, tennis, or just about any sport. Contact Jim
	Rev. Nancy Erickson, Associate Minister The Rev. Nancy J. 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 in1989 and since then her ministries have included working the jail, a homeless shelter and an alcohol and drug treatment center. She joined the First-Plymouth staff in June of 2004 where her primary responsibilities are with adult education and pastoral counseling. Contact Nancy
	Rev. Barbara Smisek, Associate Minister Barbara, a native of Weeping Water, Nebraska, joined First-Plymouth in 2005. A graduate of the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Barb was a banker for over 20 years, serving the last three as president of Home State Bank in Louisville, Nebraska. In 1996 Barbara became a licensed UCC minister and served her hometown church, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ as the associate minister for five years. In May of 2007 Barbara graduated from 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, Diaconate and the Christian Board of Outreach. Barb is married to Todd, a John Deere sales manager for Stutheit Implement in Syracuse. Barb and Todd have three daughters and a son-in-law: Emily and Ben Graham, Sarah, and Meggan. Barbara enjoys time with her family, dancing, theater and playing the piano. Contact Barbara
	Rev. Renae Koehler, Associate Minister Renae was raised on a farm west of Tecumseh, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, taught high school Home Economics on a Native American Indian Reservation in Walthill, NE and later at Northwest high school in Omaha. Renae attended seminary at Saint Paul's in Kansas City and Emory in Atlanta. During her seminary years, she worked at shelters for the homeless. In 1993 Renae graduated with honors from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA. and was ordained into Christian Ministry at her home church; Saint Paul's United Church of Christ in Rural Tecumseh. Renae has served 4 other UCC churches before coming to us; Birmingham, Alabama, Glenwood, Iowa, and most recently the yoked churches of Weeping Water and Avoca, Nebraska. Renae is currently a student at Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago working toward her Doctoral Degree in Ministry with an emphasis on confirmation for youth. Renae has 18 years of experience teaching and performing liturgical dance. Her main emphasis at First-Plymouth is the Deacons and shepherding of new members. Renae's last name is pronounced "Kay-ler" which is her original name (she didn't change it when she got married.) Her husband's name is Steve Martin. Steve is one of the directors for the State Department of Agriculture. They have two sons, Izac and Cashel. Renae's hobbies include contra dance, cajan dance, African drumming, fishing with her husband, cooking cuisine of India, theatrical roles at the Lofte Theatre, jigsaw puzzles, reading, sudoku, art of any kind, gardening, and yoga. Contact Renae
	Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Sturdy - Ralph serves First-Plymouth Church in the capacity of part-time Minister of Visitation. He retired in 2003 following a 40-year ministry as pastor of churches in Aurora, NE; Bedford, NH; Lincoln, NE; Livingston, NJ and Nelson, NE. He graduated from North Park College, Chicago, IL in 1960 (BA); North Park Theological Seminary (M/Div.) in 1965 and earned his Doctor of the Ministry in Spiritual Care and Counseling from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, MI. Ralph and his wife, Joyce, have been married for 45 years. They have three children, a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. Ralph will be making weekly hospital pastoral visits, making calls to nursing homes and home-bound members of the church. He will also be an occasional worship leader in our weekend services plus be available for Pastoral Counseling as needed.
	The Rev. Dr. Otis E. Young, Senior Minister Emeritus The Rev. Dr. Otis Young served First-Plymouth Church as Senior Minister from 1972 until his retirement in September of 2006. He's served on the national UCC staff and has had pastorates in Connecticut, Chicago and St. Louis. He is a graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri and Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut in 1957. He is married to Rowena and has three children and nine grandchildren. Contact Otis

Christian Education
	Kathie Johnson, Director of Christian Education, Dove Choir Director, Carillonneur Kathie Johnson has been involved with First-Plymouth in various capacities since 1968. She has served as Church School teacher, organized and directed the first handbell choir, and currently is a Church School Teacher Coordinator, Dove Choir Director, Carillonneur, director of the puppet ministry, and directs the WOW Wednesday percussion group. She has her BA in Church Music and Education from Jamestown College and has taught music in the Lincoln Public Schools. Contact Kathie
	Jenni Jensen, Junior and Senior High Youth Director Jenni joined the First-Plymouth staff in late June and will be working with the Junior and Senior High youth. She looks forward to the opportunity to make a difference in these young adult’s lives. Her goal as a youth leader is to give each person that comes through the programs a strong base on which to grow. She wants to enrich the lives of youth so they learn to make choices that will honor God as well as themselves and looks forward to building strong relationships with the youth and their families. Jenni grew up in Lincoln in a very loving family. She has a sister Jaclyn, 14, who attends Scott Middle School and they share a very close bond. Jenni graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May of this year with a B.S. degree in Education and Human Sciences. Through her college years she was involved in many youth programs such as Heartland Big Brothers & Big Sisters as well as Gamma Girls. In the same month of May, Jenni married Jason Jensen. They are just beginning a new life together and are very excited to become active members of First-Plymouth. Jenni states she feels very privileged to have this opportunity to work with such amazing people and is excited to begin creating wonderful memories and friendships. Jenni can be reached at the church during the week at 476-7565, extension 245. Contact Jenni
	• Deb Comstock, Director of Church childcare

Program Development
	Tammy Alvis, Media Director and Director for New Program Development and Singles Ministry Ms. Tammy Alvis started her ministry at First-Plymouth in February 1987 after having worked many years as an Emmy Award winning TV Producer/Director at commercial radio and television stations in Miami, Florida and Lincoln, Nebraska. At First-Plymouth she is the Media Director overseeing the radio/television/web page ministries/public relations and advertising. Serving as Associate for New Program Development she founded many of our specialized ministries, small groups and discussion groups. She is the director and founder of our Singles Ministry. She also develops all the adult educational programs and classes and produces special events featuring national speakers and guest lecturers. She graduated from Doane College with a degree in Corporate Communication. Tammy has been very active in the Lincoln community having served 10 years in leadership positions on the Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation-Historic Haymarket and the Downtown Lincoln Association and was appointed by then Mayor Mike Johanns to serve on the Community Development Task Force which administers the Federal Block Grant funds. In 2002 she was selected to represent Nebraska & Iowa for a Rotary Group Study Exchange Program Ambassador to Queensland, Australia. Tammy has also been an Adjunct Instructor of Television Production at Doane College. She loves to garden and travel. Contact Tammy
	Addie Powell, Administrator Coordinator of New Programs Addie Powell joined the staff of First-Plymouth Church in May 2005 as the Administrative Coordinator of New Programs. She recently moved from her hometown of Yankton, SD where she worked at History Cooks®, with author and food culinary historian Mary Gunderson, and her national award-winning book "The Food Journal of Lewis & Clark." She also was an active member of the First Congregational Church, UCC in Yankton, SD. Addie is a 2004 graduate of the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, where she earned a BA in Contemporary Media & Journalism (Emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising), with a Minor in Music. At USD, she was involved with numerous organizations including Public Relations Student Society of America American Advertising Federation, South Dakota Advertising Federation, and Alpha Phi International Sorority. In the summer of 2003, she served as an intern at the LIED Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. Contact Addie
Music Department
	Dr. John Cummins Minister of Music and Artistic and Executive Director Abendmusik: Lincoln concert series. Cummins holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music as well as master's and bachelor's degrees in music from the University of Alabama. He was organist and choirmaster for the past nine years at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky, and was Minister of Music at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1989 to 1996. An accomplished organist and conductor, Cummins was also director of the MasterWorks Chorale, the choral ensemble for the Louisville Orchestra. Contact John
	Jeremy Bankson, Associate for Music Associate Director Abendmusik: Lincoln concert series Jeremy joined the staff in August of 2007. He is a native Nebraskan who received his BM from UNL in 1997. He was the Director of Music/Organist at St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice Nebraska for three years before moving to be the Associate Director of Music at Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1999. Jeremy is active as a composer/arranger, clinician and hymn festival leader. He has led workshops and hymn festivals for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, American Guild of Organists, Leadership Program for Musicians and various other churches around the country. His compositions can be found in the catalogs of MorningStar Music Publishers, Augsburg Fortress Press and Concordia Publishing House. Contact Jeremy
	Ruth Diedrichsen, Handbell Choir Director Ruth Diedrichsen began working with handbells as a ringer in 1975. She became director of handbells at First-Plymouth in 1982. She has served on the Nebraska handbell committee and Area VIII board. She has taught handbell related classes at state, area, and national handbell events. She has attended numerous national events and traveled to Europe twice with concert choirs. She is an accomplished solo ringer. She is a laboratory supervisor in the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska. Contact Ruth
	Carolee Curtright, Matin Singers Director
Church Operation
	Louise Deaton, Administrative Assistant • Church Calendar, Financial Records Louise joined the staff at First-Plymouth in May of 2000. Her chief responsibilities include maintaining the financial records, handling wedding and other facility use reservations, and acting as assistant to the senior minister. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Peru State College, and an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Lincoln School of Commerce. Her previous employment was as Business Coordinator for a construction company for seven years. Three years as Assistant Director for a recreation center gave her additional experience in finance and taught her that your job is something you should enjoy. Contact Louise
	Gary Schuerman, Head Building Manager • Building & Grounds Maintenance
	Adam Witte • Associate Building Manager, Building and Grounds
	Barakat (Brad) Elshalaby • Building and Grounds maintenance Brad works with Gary Schuerman and Adam Witte as one of our Building Managers of the church and grounds. Brad, originally from Cairo, Egypt, came to Lincoln in 2000 where he became acquainted with Rev. Nancy Erickson. Brad has worked in construction and has also earned his Journeyman license in air-conditioning from Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska. Brad enjoys soccer, ping pong (any challengers?), watching figure skating, chess, classic movies and light rock music. He also enjoys meeting new people and making more and more friends.
Early Education
	Nancy Rosenow, Director of Early Education Programs Nancy has been Director of the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation (which runs the First-Plymouth Early Education Programs) for 18 years. Nancy has developed a number of community-wide initiatives: a Multicultural Education Outreach Program; a Scholarship Fund that provides more than $80,000 in tuition assistance to low-income families each year; and an annual Community Concert Series and Children’s Festival. She also works in collaboration with area Universities & Colleges to provide off-campus teacher and student training experiences. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in early childhood & elementary education and has completed graduate work to become an Endorsed High/Scope trainer for the Nebraska Department of Education. She has served as a Primary Program Facilitator and consultant for the Nebraska Department of Education, Lincoln Public Schools and for programs throughout Nebraska and Iowa. Currently she serves as Nebraska’s state president for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She also works with the Nebraska Early Childhood Coalition, is a member of the Nebraska Department of Education’s Early Childhood Policy Study Committee, and serves as facilitator of the Community Services Initiative Early Childhood and Youth Coalition. Contact Nancy
	Sue Erdkamp, Operations Director Sue serves as Operations Director for Dimensions Educational Research Foundation (which runs the First-Plymouth Early Education Programs). She is in her 26th year and oversees daily operations, including staff scheduling, and registration and scheduling for families participating in the Early Education Programs. Sue is certified in Family Education through Creighton University, and is also a certified Stephen Minister.
	Linda Maack, Financial Director Linda is in her 23rd year, and serves as Financial Director for the Dimensions Foundation (and First-Plymouth Early Education Programs). She has a degree in education from Midland College, as well as experience in banking. She oversees all aspects of the program’s financial operations, and also serves as a certified Dimensions Foundation Trainer.
	Michelle Zimmer, Infant/Toddler and Special Programs Director Michelle oversees registration and scheduling for the Infant/Toddler portion of the Early Education Programs, and also works with Special Projects, including planning programming (infant through grade five) for the Summer Discovery Days sessions. She is in her 14th year with the program, and has a degree in early childhood and elementary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Michelle also works with aspects of development of Dimensions Foundation research-based resource materials.

Staff

First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ

First-Plymouth Congregational Church
United Church of Christ