Rev. Michael Wuehler

Lead Pastor
507-289-4019 ext. 207

Rev. Wuehler has an Associate Degree in Marketing from Normandale Community College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mankato State University in Philosophy and Psychology. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN. He is married to Pat, an accountant at Mayo. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. David Lieder

Minister to Children, Youth and Families
507-289-4019 ext. 213

Dave grew up in Iowa and eventually found his way to Candler School of Theology, and later to Claremont School of Theology. He loves his ministry, especially with youth as they grow in their own understanding of faith. He lives with his wife, Jan, on a beautiful river bank near Stewartville. They have one son, Phil, living in Colorado.

Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon

Minister of Caring Ministries
507-289-4019 ext. 208

Nancy coordinates three lay visitor teams, working in ministries to include: parish nurses, health cabinet, prayer chain and senior fellowship. As part of her ministry, she visits hospitals, nursing care facilities, senior residence facilities and homes regularly. Nancy and her husband, Chuck, have two sons ages 15 and 19. She is a graduate of Hamline University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and was appointed to Christ Church in 1998.

Lael Van Ert

Director of Children and Family Ministries

507-289-4019 ext. 214

Lael joined our staff in the summer of 2010 and is responsible for coordinating the programming of Children's and Family Ministries at Christ Church. She brings a strong background of elementary and family programming through her volunteer work in the public school system. Lael looks forward to using her gifts to create an environment where children and families can grow together, living, loving and serving as Jesus teaches. Lael currently lives in Rochester with her husband Rick, and their 4 children.

Erin Davis

Coordinator of Young Adult and Group Ministries

507-289-4019 ext 210

Erin grew up in Stewartville, MN so she knows this area well. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA and then migrated to Minneapolis to work for Augsburg Fortress Publishers, writing and editing Sunday school curriculum. Erin tested the VBS web site for usability, wrote and edited supporting content for the NRSV Bible for 3-6 graders.

Erin was Youth Minister for Salem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Sarah Kinsman/Welsh

Director of Operations
507-289-4019 ext. 209

Sarah manages the daily operation of Christ Church. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She has a strong background in small business and construction, and also possesses experience in marketing and communications. Sarah and her husband, Michael, have four children.

Kent Jurgenson

Director of Music
507-289-4019

Kent has directed numerous church choirs, youth choirs, adult choirs, band and also contemporary groups. He has been mentored by Lee Aftdahl at First Presbyterian Church in directing handbells. Since that time, he has either directed or assisted in directing handbell choirs. Throughout his tenure as a school music teacher and leader, he has organized and developed performing arts groups, supervised hundreds of volunteer and paid staff, organized fundraising activities and developed and managed departmental budgets. Kent will provide leadership by giving vision, direction and purpose to the music program. He is excited to be able to apply his various talents to help lead, serve and enhance the music program at our church.

Sheila Parker

Administrative Assistant
507-289-4019 ext. 203

Sheila brings many gifts to our staff and community. She is responsible for the communications of the church, including the New Spirit newsletter and the Christ Church website. Sheila also supports our ministries through scheduling the many activities and functions of Christ Church. Sheila and her husband, John, attend Rochester Covenant Church and are happy to have several children and grandchildren in town.

Cindy Landes

Financial Administrator

507-289-4019 ext. 211

Cindy Landes Cindy was born and raised in Chicago IL but has called Rochester "home" since 1985. She owned and operated a home-based retail business in Rochester for 13 years. She's a member of a machine knitting group, the Knit Babes that knit hats for Christmas Anonymous and caps and booties for Bundles of Love. She is blessed with two beautiful daughters and four grandchildren.  

Jean Keefe

Administrative Assistant to the Clergy
507-289-4019 ext. 203

Jean owns and operates Keefe's Wall Enhancing, a decorative painting company. She is a native of Rochester. She and her husband have six children and eleven grandchildren. Being of a creative nature, she has found decorative painting to be a wonderful outlet to satisfy her passion. In the past five years, she has created custom artwork as well. She also creates banners for worship services at her church. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and close friends.

Pat Hrabe

Parish Nurse
507-289-4019 ext. 215

Julie Plunkett

Childcare Worker

Julie provides the ministry of childcare during our worship services and other times as needed. One highlight of Julie's year is attending the Passion for Ministry conference and learning new ways to engage the church's youngest members in learning about God's love.

Lois Marsh

Organist

Lois started studying piano at the age of 7 and pipe organ at the age of 10. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education K-12 with a major in piano and a minor in voice. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Grades 1-6 and a Master's in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Lois taught public school music for 16 years in LaCrosse, Pine Island, and Rochester and first and second grade classroom education in Rochester for 19 years. She retired from Rochester Public Schools in 2009. In the 1980's and `90's, Lois sang in the Chancel Choir at CUMC, directed Children's Choirs, and participated in adult handbells. She has studied pipe organ with her longtime friend and mentor, Rev. Rober Scoggin since 1976. She was a substitute organist at CUMC, First Presbyterian, and other Rochester churches. Lois has performed in the Tuesday Noonday Organ Recitals previously held at CUMC and the Lenten Organ Recital Series at First Presbyterian. She serves on the board of Rochester American Guild of Organists and the board of the Rochester Chamber Music Society. Lois and her husband, Dr. W. Richard marsh, are members of Christ Church. She is thrilled to have the opportunity for a "second" career and looks forward to working with the whole staff at CUMC.

Leroy Christofferson

Building Maintenance

Leroy has been part of Christ Church's staff for a year and thoroughly enjoys maintaining and improving the building. Leroy is good at solving "fix it" type problems and helps us look at the bigger picture of our ongoing building needs.

Oscar Quinones

Evening Custodian

Oscar's ministry is helping Christ Church welcome the community in the evenings. Many of the groups that meet in our building are blessed by Oscar's balance of cleaning the building and helping groups find the things they need for their meetings and ministries to run smoothly. Oscar and his wife, Pam, have 2 children, Olivia and Emilio, Oscar enjoys spending time with his family.

Carlo Scalcini

Weekend Custodian

Carlo keeps the building and sidewalks ready for guests of Christ Church on Saturday and Sunday. He is a welcoming presence and people know to find him when they need assistance.

Matt Fiscus

Maintenance, Web developer

Not only has Matt been involved with the church since he was 7yrs. Old but since 2010, he maintains the website and assists in maintaining a clean and welcoming environment around the church.