Union Congregational Church

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; varieties of activities, but it is the same God that activates all of them."

Our Church Staff

Church Officers and Lay Leadership

A Brief History of Union Church

Our Church Staff

Senior Minister: Rev. Dr. Dana Mann

Dana was called to serve Union Church in August, 2007 – indeed a long way from her home in Vermont! She holds a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, as well as a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a Master’s degree in family counseling; and all of this rests on a professional career, early on, in classical dance. Her life experience affirms her deeply held belief in the creative potential of a diverse community, and her vision as our pastor is to encourage the prophetic among us as we serve God’s world. Email Dana.

Church School Director: Marthe Herbert

Marthe officially joined the staff at Union as the interim Church School Director in January 2006 and accepted the position on a long term basis in August of 2006. Formerly the Director of Education for Camp Snoopy, she has also been a contract teacher for Como Zoo and The Wildlife Science Center. She currently has her own business – Creature Encounters, Inc. – in which she rescues exotic animals and travels throughout the metro area presenting live, educational animal shows. Having been involved with Christian Education as a teacher and board member, our church educational programming is in very capable hands. Email Marthe.

Youth Ministries Coordinator: Kristin Krueger

Kristin Krueger began her work as Youth Ministries Coordinator in the Fall of 2008. In addition to co-leading the Confirmation class with Kirk Atkinson, Kristin attends Conference Youth Events, retreats, and leads the Youth Forum on Sunday Mornings. Kristin was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin and is still rooting for the Packers. Once upon a time, she worked as a taste-tester for Johnsonville Sausage Company! Her work with the UCC denomination began in Sheboygan Falls at Saron UCC where she was involved in the Board of Christian Education, taught Sunday School and Confirmation, served as a "faith coach" and chaperoned lotsa kid events, doing her share of sleeping in church hallways during lock-ins. Here at Union Church, she became an active member right away, serving on search committees, and volunteering on boards. In addition to her work with the Youth of Union Church, she serves on the Children and Youth Board at the conference level. Email Kristin.

Organist: Rev. Doug Potter

Doug became our organist on June 8, 2003. He is a retired Presbyterian minister. He plays for our worship services and accompanies the choir. His wife, Lois, also an organist, plays at another church. We are delighted to have Doug with us.

Choral/Chorister Director: Amy McNabb

Amy became Choir Director in February 1996. She recruits choir members, chooses music, maintains the music library, practices with the Senior Choir every Wednesday evening and directs the choir at Sunday worship services and at special services. She recently began working with the Choristers, a children's choir. Amy shares with us a variety of musical gifts, committed faith, and love for worship.

Handbell Director: Marilyn Olson

In October 1997, Marilyn became our Handbell Director. She is a caring Junior High band director with deep commitments to family, church, faith, people, and justice. Her duties as Handbell Director include recruiting new members, choosing music, and practicing with the choir every Wednesday evening. The Handbell Choir usually plays at the Sunday services once a month.

Custodians: Ken & Kyle Stueve

Ken has taken care of the custodial services at Union Church since December 1996. Kyle has been helping his dad for a few years, but officially became part of the staff in 2006. They keep us spic and span, caring for every square inch of our beautiful church.

Office Administrator & Communications Coordinator: Linda Zupon

Linda began her work in the office in the Spring of 2009. She has over ten years of experience working with non-profit organizations and most recently served as Administrative Assistant to the Admissions Department at United Theological Seminary. Her knowledge of the United Church of Christ, combined with her work history and college education in English-Writing and Theology, make her a great fit for the position.

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Church Officers and Lay Leadership

Senior Minister		Rev. Dr. Dana Mann
Christian Ed. Director		Marthe Herbert
Youth Ministries Coordinator		Kristin Krueger
Administration & Communications		Linda Zupon
Organist		Rev. Doug Potter
Choral/Chorister Director		Amy McNabb
Hand Bell Director		Marilyn Olson
Custodians		Ken and Kyle Stueve
Kitchen Coordinator
Moderator		Tom Brown
Clerk		Ruth Johnson
Treasurer		Arlo Schultz
Financial Secretary		Kurt Bebeau
Property Manager		Rick Campbell
Historian		Bonnie Rule
Personnel		Linda Fisher

Board and Committee Chairperson

Altar Guild			Virginia Schultz
BeFrienders			Jackie Schuelein
Building Use			Linda Zupon
CAER Volunteers			Joyce Oberg
Camping (Pilgrim Point)			Marthe Herbert, Aleta Hill-Olson
Centennial Society (Secretary)			Mary Schuldt
Centennial Treasurer			Jean Brown
Children’s Advocacy (CCCC)			Paula Donnelly, Chris Moore
Christian Education			Marce Ediger
Confirmation			Kirk Atkinson, Kristin Krueger
Council Members at Large			Jan Wick, Kirk Atkinson
Diaconate			Diane Narr
Delegates			Edi Apelt, Marce Ediger, Cheryl Wold
Endowment Fund			Trustees
Faith in Action			Mary Wilson
Funeral Lunches			Mary Bender, Judy Halgren, Sandy Stroebel
Growth and Membership			Joan Stevens
Habitat for Humanity			Kathy Hess-Stevens (Youth Ministries)
Hanging of the Greens			Charlie Schuldt
Interior Design			Nancy Gongoll
Library			Monica Miller
Mobile Meals			Lisa Thompson
Memorial			Val Hanson
Memorial Treasurer			Aleta Hill-Olson
NA Task Force			Todd Goerke
Nominating Committee			Linda Fisher
Pastoral Relations			Stephanie Brown
Service and Mission			Edi Apelt
Service and Mission Treasurer			Ryan Stricker
Social Justice Task Force			Paula Donnelly
Trustees			Charlie Schuldt, Dorothy Jackett
Webmaster			Linda Zupon
Wedding Coordinator			Ann Palmer
Worship and Arts			Su Arnold
Youth Ministries			Kathy Hess Stevens
Youth Ministries Treasurer			Adam Horner

A Brief History of Union Church

On February 6, 1875, a meeting in Elk River was called for the purpose of organizing a Christian Church. The result of that meeting was a new church to be called the United Christian Church of Elk River. A constitution, Articles of Faith, and a Covenant were proposed and adopted. The next day, February 7th, the church "publicly accepted the work of the organization".

The parent body, the United Christian Society of Elk River, organized in 1872, had been holding Sunday School as early as 1866. Services in the school and court house were attended by some 90 persons who became the base for the church organization in 1875.

The twenty-seven charter members were formerly Congregational, Freewill Baptist, Close Communion Baptist, Unitarian and Methodist. Membership grew quickly from many backgrounds and the term "Union Church" came to mean "Christian Community" to the present.

The property of the present site was deeded to the Society in 1874 by Horatio and Melissa Houlton. The deed states that "in consideration of one dollar ($1.00) they sell lots 12 and 13 in Houlton's Addition" with the stipulation that "if the party of the second part does not within ten years from this date erect a meeting house upon these lots for the purpose of Christian worship, said lots shall revert to the party of the first part".

Records of the first ten years are scarce, but activity resulted in a building dedicated in November, 1881, and reported in both local papers. "The church, which is one of the handsomest in any village in the state, has cost the Society about $4500 and is all paid for but $1000. It is handsomely furnished and ...is a credit to society and the village

In 1922, the Meadowvale congregation was merged with Union Church. The clergy from Union had been serving there for some years. And in 1924 it appeared that more room was needed so a cornerstone was laid for a new Parish House. To do so money was borrowed from the Congregational Building Fund which necessitated re-incorporation as a Congregational Church. Having an agency through which to channel missionary funds had also directed the Union Church closer to the Congregational Churches.

So in 1925 the Parish House was dedicated. Walter Beech, the minister, led the service with guests. A note on the program says that "the pastor wishes to express thanks to all officers of the Church, and especially to Mrs. Mary Corey, the President of the Centennial Society, Mr. Dwight W. Longfellow, and Mr. Thomas E. Beck, the superintendents of the work."

Continual growth in the congregation and enhancement of its building has marked the progress of Union Church. Founders windows, the peace window dedicated to World War I dead and many memorial additions have enriched the base of service to the community. In 1936, an electric organ was given to the church by the Longfellow family, a memorial to a son. And in 1962 it was replaced by an organ in memory of Sam Houlton, who sang in the choir for nearly 30 years. These instruments, with capable musicians of the church, have made Union Church outstanding in its quality of music and worship.

Events of importance during this period include the combining of the Society and the Church which had operated with given by separate responsibilities until 1951. And in 1962, Union Church voted to confirm the 1957 merger of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Combining her heritage with another Reformed branch of Protestantism, Union Church is now a United Church of Christ.

After study and consideration the church proceeded to build additional classroom space and renovate existing facilities in 1968. This produced a building which was much used by both the congregation and and various civic and service groups of the community.

But a church is more than a building. Union Church has been blessed with an active and concerned congregation, excellent ministers, good music, an active Sunday School, and a dedicated and tireless Centennial Society, service since 1876. All this has made us a church of God and a witness to the Gospel these first 100 years.

In February of 1993 the congregation adopted a Mission Statement with one emphasis being to: "Maintain the physical church and preserve its heritage. A committee was appointed to study the future needs and options of the physical property to accommodate growth and visions. Two years later, in February of 1995, the committee presented it findings to the congregation. The study identified seven areas to be addressed: Handicap accessibility, Church School expansion, Administration space, Sanctuary restoration, Church sound system, development of the corner lot (parking), and addressing the exterior of the church.

Then in 1997, the Church Council appointed a Facilities Planning Committee to update the previous study and proceed with specific recommendations. By the next February, 1998, the congregation had approved the Master Plan presented by the committee and motioned to form a Building Committee and to authorize a fundraising effort for the new construction. Nine months later, November 1998, the capital funds campaign had raised more the $500,000 for the project.

By late December 1998, a contractor had been selected and planning began. A groundbreaking service was held on June 6, 1999, and officially kicked-off the construction of the new addition. Construction continued through the summer and into the winter of 2000. Construction was completed in February of 2000 and a building dedication service was held on the 125th anniversary of Union Church, February 6, 2000.

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