FCC STAFF                                                                   

Rev. Kathryn J. Timpany-Senior Pastor                         

When I was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1950 I became part of the sixth generation of one of the founding families on my mother's side of the family tree.  We attended the church that my ancestors on my father's side had founded, and so I grew up steeped in the stories of our history.  I attended Washburn University in Topeka for two years after high school before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Education.  I began a master's degree in choral conducting at the University of Iowa, and served several churches in Iowa, Washington and Massachusetts as a music director before entering Andover Newton Theological School, from which I graduated in 1988 with a Masters of Divinity degree.

I returned to my hometown of Topeka and served Centr al Congregational UCC for nearly 16 years as both an associate and then the sole minister before coming to Sioux Falls, where I work as a wordsmith to help equip these wonderful saints for their great and varied ministries.

In 2003 I married Tim Worthington who is also an ordained pastor in the UCC and we have a beautiful blended family:  son Matt, his wife Wendy Weigel and our grandson Alec, live in Indianapolis ;  daughter Andi is married to Tony Greco and lives in Topeka with our newest grandson, Kellen;  daughter Evin is married to David Alcindor and lives in Wichita, KS;  son Taylor is a college student at ITT in Chicago, IL and visits us as often as possible.

Pastor Kathy can be contacted at ktimpany@fbx.com

Rev. Duane K. Rhoadarmer - Interim Associate Pastor

I was born at Greeley CO but grew up on the west coast; we were active in the Presbyterian Church in Washington and then Methodist in California.  I graduated with a BS in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland OR in 1964.; and then from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969.  I was ordained by the UCC on 12/1/68 at my first parish in North Dakota.  Since then I have served churches at Lake Preston, Erwin, Amour & Fairfax in South Dakota (70-79), Cheyenne WY (79-90), Bayard NE (91-99), and Larchwood IA (2000-2); I have also done Interims at Ogallala NE, Creston IA, Lowell NE, Geneva IA, and Mitchell SD.  I took the Interim Ministry Network training course in 2003-4.
 
I met Sue several years ago through our square dance club and we were married January 27, 2007.  I retired (sort of) in December 2006.  I have a daughter and 2 granddaughters that live in Sioux Falls and a son & wife in California.  Sue has a step-son, wife and family of 2 girls here in Sioux Falls and a step-son in Idaho.

 Pastor Duane can be contacted at drhoadarmer@fbx.com

Jack Mohlenhoff-Minister of Music and Arts 

I am a native of Eastern South Dakota - born in DeSmet and spending most of my childhood years in Brookings.  After spending time in the Pacific Northwest (undergraduate music studies at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA) and in the Northeast (graduate studies in church music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ), I came back to the Midwest, serving as a fulltime church musician at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorheard, MN, and First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls.  In 1998, I left First Presbyterian and began a career in Human Resources.  I was fortunate to find First Congregational Church at this time, as well - first as a part-time church job, and more importantly as a church home for me and my family.  Since that time, I have continued to share my musical gifts with our family of faith as director of the bell choir, youth choir and organist/choir accompanist.

I have held local and regional office in the American Guild of Organists, The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and Choristers Guild.  I am a past director of the Singing Legionnaires, and am currently co-director of Heartland Handbells - a community handbell choir.  My wife, Marilynn and I enjoy sharing our music - mostly piano duets - in the church and community.  Children Katie (University of MN) and Jonathan (Lincoln HS) are both musicians, as well.

Jack can be contacted at jmohlenhoff@fbx.com

Lori Menke-Director of Christian Education

 I was born and raised in western South Dakota, but moved east to attend the University of South Dakota graduating with a degree in Elementary Education.  It is during my years at The U that I met my husband of 25 years, Dick.  We have three wonderful sons.  Dan graduated from college and is working for Citibank here in Sioux Falls, Ross is currently a sophomore at Iowa State in Ames, IA and Peter attends middle school. 
 
I have held this position (in various capacities) since 1991.  Currently I am in charge of the entire church school program, F.I.R.S.T. Wednesday activities, all the youth fellowship activities and assisted our Mission Board on launching First Church's first ever mission trip to Philadelphia!  My duties as Director of Christian Education consist of recruiting volunteers for all the CE areas that involve newborns through the 12th grade throughout the year.  Classroom teachers, caregivers for the nurseries, Adult Education leaders, Jr. Ushers, Acolytes, Jr. Caregivers, Activity Room Leaders and Book Store and Gift Shop volunteers all makeup this group.  Additional duties are maintaining all supplies, curriculum materials, supervising all special children and youth programs (VBS, Christmas Pageant, fundraising, etc.), making budget projections, and reporting educational goals and statistics to the CE Board. 

Lori can be contacted at lorim@fbx.com

Kris Dickey-Office Administrator                        

 I was born and raised in South Dakota.  I graduated from Marion High School in 1991 and went to college at the University of Sioux Falls where I  graduated in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in Business Administration with my area of focus in management. 

I have been the office administrator for 6 years.  It has been a joy working here with the FCC staff and members.  I am thankful to God for the opportunity to serve this church.

Kris can be contacted at fccsf@willinet.net

 

  Tanya H. Kaufman-Financial Administrator            

 I grew up in various communities around the United States as a result of my father working for the United States government's Department of Interior.  My Christian education is as varied as my homes- I was baptized as a Presbyterian, educated as a Methodist, became a Lutheran and joined First Congregational Church.
 

I graduated from high school in Huron, SD, and I have my undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in accounting.  I worked in public accounting, with an emphasis in tax, for fourteen of the last twenty years.
 

My education and work background makes my business role at First Congregational Church enjoyable.  I am currently the Financial Administrator.  I am also the South Dakota Conference of the United Church of Christ treasurer.  The Conference office and the Church office job share me.

Tanya can be contacted at tkaufman@fbx.com

  

Paul Vincent-Church Custodian                            

I was born in Camp Le Juene, N .C.  I traveled all over the world in my younger days.  With my wife, Laurie, I have four daughters; Miranda, Sarah, Abbie, and Haylie.  We also have two grandchildren, Chloie and Darryl.

I've worked at FCC for 13 years.  I'm currently the custodian here, but I'm striving to become the office administrator.  

 

Chris Laughlin - Sacred Grounds Bookstore/Giftshop Manager

Born and raised west of Chamberlain, SD I ‘converted’ to ‘east river’ status in my 20’s.  I met my husband, Rick, when we both worked at the EROS Data Center .  About two years after we married Rick went back to school and earned a BS in Civil Engineering at SDSU.  Then it was my turn.  I earned a BS in Business Management at USD.  Rick and I have two daughters; Rochelle who graduated from SDSU in December 2007 and Mallory, in middle school.

My past experience includes accounting, marketing and resource development.  In addition to managing Sacred Grounds, I am a residential real estate appraiser.  As manager of Sacred Grounds (coffee shop, book share program and Christian gifts) I coordinate volunteers to operate the shop on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.  I also take care of the bookkeeping for the shop and order products including Fair Trade coffee.

 I’ve been a member of First Congregational Church for about 13 years (and consider it to be my home away from home) and I am currently on Mission Board.  I’ve also been a Girl Scout leader for seven years and I love to sew in my ‘free’ time.