First United Church of Christ, 300 Union Street, Northfield, MN 55057
507-645-7532 (Phone)
Senior Minister
Rev. Todd Smith Lippert, Email Todd
The Rev. Todd Smith Lippert received his Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He served two UCC churches in Southwest Wisconsin before joining the staff at First UCC in Northfield.
Todd is particularly interested in nurturing faith formation for people of all ages. He’s also interested in offering an interpretation of the Christian faith that helps us address the ecological challenges that we face. The Scriptural call to be good stewards of the land, “to till the garden and keep it,” (Genesis 2:15) has led to an abiding interest in sustainable agriculture and the many ways that this approach nurtures the health of our bodies, our communities, and the land.
Todd is married to Sara and they have three children, Clara, Simon, and Ruth.
Todd enjoys spending time playing ball and reading books to his children. He also enjoys everything about food: growing it, raising it, harvesting it, cooking it, and eating it.
Interim Associate Minister:
Rev. Dr. Bob Griggs, Email Bob
Bob became First UCC’s interim associate minister on Oct. 2, 2011.
Ordained in 1973, he began his ministry as an associate pastor at First Congregational UCC in Manchester, New Hampshire. While in New Hampshire, he also served as chaplain at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home. In 1979, he was called as Senior Pastor of Lynnhurst Congregational UCC in Minneapolis. He left Lynnhurst in 2005 and since then has served churches in St. Louis Park, Mendota Heights, Wadena, Bertha, and Benson Minnesota. Bob also served for three months in 2008 as Sabbatical Supply Pastor here at First Congregational UCC in Northfield.
He has received training as an interim minister from both the Interim Ministry Network and Appreciative Inquiry (AI). He also has a Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling and feels a strong call to this part of ministry.
Office Manager:
Jennifer Kluzak, Email Jennifer
Jennifer became the church’s office manager in July 2011. She was raised in Philadelphia and Southern California, moving to the Twin Cities in 1995 where she met her husband Keith. Prior to adopting their boys from Russia and being a stay-at- home mom for five years, she worked for over ten years in office settings, including administrative positions at the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Coldwell Banker South Metro.
Bookkeeper and Website Manager:
Andrea Pegram, Email Andrea
Andrea became the church’s bookkeeper in 2008, and is responsible for all tactical fiduciary operations of the church. She also works closely with the church treasurer in development and implementation of the church’s annual budget, and with the Stewardship Committee during the church’s annual pledge drive. Additionally, she manages our church website and publishes the monthly church newsletter. Andrea is a Northfield native and St. Olaf College alumni, with a background in Economics and Finance.
Director of Music:
Christopher Brunelle, Email Chris
Christopher Brunelle has served as Director of Music since 2003, conducting the Senior Choir and organizing the musical life of the church. His Congregational roots go back to his childhood at Plymouth Church in Minneapolis. As a student at Carleton College he performed in over 100 concerts, and from 1989 to 1991 he sang in the King’s College Choir of Cambridge, England, the first American to do so. Chris encourages anyone interested in contributing to the church’s musical life to get in touch with him.
Director of Children’s Music:
Shana Hodel, Email Shana
Shana becaume our Director of Children’s Music in September 2010. She is a member of First UCC and a teacher at Northfield’s Montessori School. Shana has a wealth of experience in leading children and in teaching and playing music, and she has been involved with the church’s musical life for over a decade.
Director of Spirit Voices Choir:
Bob Gregory-Bjorklund, Email Bob
Bob is active in leading music for many regional and national UCC events, and leads the Spirit Voices Choir in our worship service once a month.
Organist:
Theo Wee, Email Theo
Child Care Coordinator:
Tammy Rischmiller, Email Tammy
Since 2008 Tammy has been responsible for overseeing the equipment and supplies in the church nursery, and scheduling childcare volunteers for Sunday mornings. She is both present and in charge of the nursery during worship service and special events.
Sexton:
Mark Fischer, Email Mark
Mark makes sure our building is locked and secured each evening.
