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Meet the Staff
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Pastor Brenda came to DLUMC in 2007. Previously she served as the pastor of Albright UMC in Marshall, Minnesota, and Associate Pastor of Owatonna UMC. She attended college and seminary in South Dakota, her home state. Youth and family ministry was an important focus of her studies.
In her own words: "During my early teen years, I began going to church with a friend. Eventually my whole family began attending church. The transformation I experienced as a new Christian, and the transformation I saw in my family inspired me to share the faith and love I had found with others. We sang a chorus each Sunday during that time called 'People Need the Lord.' My conviction as a young Christian that indeed people needed to hear the good news of God's grace was the catalyst for my call to ministry."
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Ministry Coordinator: Lisa Braun lisa@dlumc.org
Lisa became Ministry Coordinator at DLUMC in September 2011. She grew up in this congregation, was confirmed here and married here. She has continued to be active teaching Sunday School, working with Vacation Bible School, serving on the Education Committee and as Wedding Coordinator. Her familiarity with our congregation will serve her well in her work of inviting, equipping, and enabling people to be involved in the church's ministry. Lisa coordinates many of the visiting ministries of the church, including Stephen Ministry and Friendly Visitors.
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Director of Children & Youth: Nikki Larsen nikki@dlumc.org
Nikki became Director of Children & Youth at DLUMC in 2009. Prior to this, there hadn’t been a Youth Director in quite some time, so Pastor Brenda and Nikki worked closely together to develop a program that would fit the current and growing numbers of participants.
After growing up in an active and meaningful youth program in her Lamberton MN UMC, she is devoted to providing a similar experience to children and youth at DLUMC. She currently oversees the Education Committee, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Nursery, Jr. and Sr. High Youth groups along with all the activities and meetings for these groups.
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Ellen became DLUMC's new secretary in 2009. (Her predecessor had been in the position for 30 years!) Prior to her work at DLUMC, Ellen worked as a secretary to the principal in the Detroit Lakes school district, both in Callaway and at Rossman schools. Ellen takes care of anyone who calls or comes in to the church office, produces the monthly newsletter and the weekly bulletin, and likes getting to know the people who belong to DLUMC.
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Diane is a Concordia College graduate and has been directing the choir at DLUMC for over 20 years. In addition to Sunday morning musical offerings, each year she motivates this group of somewhat unsure volunteer voices into performances of cantatas for Christmas and Easter that are well-respected throughout the community. She is a music teacher in the Lake Park-Audubon schools and gives private voice and piano lessons as well.
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Jane has a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin--River Falls. She is a music teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Detroit Lakes, teaches private piano lessons, and plays trumpet in two area bands. She has been the organist at DLUMC since 1984. She also accompanies the choir and many soloists who provide special music at DLUMC services. Just as she has been gifted with tremendous musical talents, she in turn offers them as a much-appreciated gift to God and to the church.
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Custodians: Ted & Marvel Sims
Ted & Marvel are long-time members of DLUMC and became church custodians in December 2009. Although they make the big bucks at this job (NOT!), they don't do it for the money--they are retired! They saw the church had a need and they stepped up to fill it. Their service is motivated by the knowledge of this need and the satisfaction the job offers.
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