First Congregational United Church of Christ

an open and accepting congregation

2503 Main Street     La Crosse, Wisconsin  54601-3962
(608)784-8137      contact us
 
Worship: Sundays at 9:30am
The church office is open 8am-4pm Monday - Thursday. 
The Chapel is open for prayer 8am-4pm Monday - Thursday.

Staff

Senior Minister: Rev. Joan E. Sulser

Joan has announced her resignation, effective mid-October. (Read the explanation.) Joan began in December 2001. She previously served churches in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and Platteville, Wisconsin. Before coming to La Crosse, Joan was Minister of the Northeast Wisconsin Association. Joan was a high school librarian before entering ordained ministry. She is married to Kurt Jensen, and has a step-daughter, Jamie. Check out Joan's 2007 sabbatical blog.

bullet1988 - Master of Divinity; Yale Divinity School; New Haven, Connecticut
bullet1978 - Master of Library Science, University of Illinois; Urbana, Illinois
bullet1977 - Bachelor of Arts, with a major in English and a minor in Library Science; Marycrest College; Davenport, Iowa
bullet1974 - Rock Island High School; Rock Island, Illinois

Office Manager: Kristi Wolf

Kristi has been with the church since November 2000. She brings extensive experience and training to this position. Kristi and her husband Frank are the parents of Jesse and Alex.

Parish Visitor: Audrey Kader

Audrey began serving as Parish Visitor in July 2004. She is a long-time church member with wide-ranging knowledge of the various services available from the county, city and other organizations. She is the parent of three grown children.

Christian Education Co-Director: Jerilyn Dinsmoor

Jerilyn began in November 2004. Jerilyn has primary responsibility for middle school youth, high school youth, adult education and spiritual formation. Jerilyn has a Bachelor's Degree in Clothing, Textiles and Design from UW-Stout. She and her husband Brad are the parents of Trevor and Derek.

Christian Education Co-Director: Heather Rabe

Heather began in November 2007. Heather has primary responsibility for Christian Education for children birth through fifth grade, including Kongo Kids. She has previously worked as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings. Heather has a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from UW-Madison. She and her husband Neal Oeltjen are the parents of Mia, Rabe and Anna.

Organist/Pianist: Xiao Hu

Xiao Hu began in September 2004. Xiao has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati. Xiao serves as adjunct faculty at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She and her husband Du Huang are the parents of a son, Adrian Zong-Ning Huang.

Music Director: Nancy Allen

Nancy began in August 2001. She is on the music faculty at Viterbo University, and has extensive experience with choral conducting. Nancy has a Bachelor of Music from Viterbo College and Master of Music from University of Northern Iowa.

Financial Secretary: Pamela Kendall

Pamela began her work with the church in March 2007. Pamela has many years of experience in business, accounting, and finance - most recently at UW-L. She has two wonderful grandsons.

Custodian: Bill Butterfield

Bill began in 2000. A native of La Crosse, he has extensive experience in cleaning and maintenance.