Church Staff

	Julie Benson, Parish Education Director flcminot@minot.com (Attn: Parish Ed) Julie has been the Parish Education Director for 6 years. Julie is married to Tim and they have one daughter, Breanna. Julie has taught special education for 30 years and loves her work with special needs children. Her duties include developing/planning the curriculum for children ages preschool to grade 6, preparing lessons and materials for the teachers, assisting with confirmation activities, and planning for Vacation Bible School. Julie enjoys the enthusiasm and curiosity of children when they learn. If you have any questions about Sunday School, Wednesday School, Vacation Bible School, or confirmation activities, please feel free to contact her at 852–6251.
	Becky Ortiz, Receptionist/Membership Secretary flcminot@minot.com Becky, a long-time member, is our Receptionist and Membership Secretary. She is married to Eddie, with two adult children, Stephanie and Peter. She started out as a kindergarten teacher, but working for First Lutheran has become her calling as she loves working for the members. Her duties are to keep track of member (and family) information such as addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and various dates. She also works with transfers, baptisms, weddings and funerals, along with running copies for the weekly bulletins and announcements, and all other items for the staff. In her spare time she enjoys reading mystery novels. If you have a change of address, phone/cell number, email address, or want to schedule a baptism or wedding, contact Becky at 852-4853, or flcminot@minot.com
	Jennifer Hunze, Finance Secretary flcfinance@minot.com Jennifer has been the Finance Secretary since 2001. She is married to Jason, and they have 2 children - Shaelyn & Zachary. Her duties include payroll, billing, contributions and donations, and managing the many different church funds. If you have any questions relating to financial matters, contact Jennifer, at 852-4853, or email to flcfinance@minot.com.
	Karen Wing, Parish Secretary flcsec@minot.com Karen has been the Parish Secretary at First Lutheran Church since spring of 1995. She is married and has one grown daughter. Her duties include the weekly bulletins and announcements, calendars, newsletters, website, computer-related tasks, and many other office details. Contact her at 852-4853, or email at flcsec@minot.com.
	Vicki Rusch, Volunteer Coordinator flcvolcoord@minot.com Vicki has been the Volunteer Coordinator for 6 ½ years. She grew up in Sherwood, ND. She is married to John and has three boys. Jacob lives in Dallas, TX, while Cody and Wyatt live at home. She has been a long-time member and enjoys working with people. Her duties are to coordinate the volunteers for the service groups to include greeters, coffee hosts, lectors, communion servers, and workers for wedding and funeral receptions. Please contact Vicki, at 852-4853, or email flcvolcoord@minot.com, for volunteer questions and opportunities.

	Mary Hove, Nursery Coordinator Mary Hove is our Nursery Coordinator. She provides a fun, family atmosphere in the nursery for the children (ages 4 and under) to enjoy while the parents are in church. She is married with two children. When she can find time in her busy schedule for hobbies, she enjoys paper crafting.
	Jerry & Sharon Heizelman, Custodians Jerry and Sharon have been the custodians here for 14 years. They are responsible for all the church’s custodial requirements. They have three grown children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Contact the church office, at 852-4853, for any custodial needs.

	Wayne Schempp, Cathedral Choir I am currently serving as Director of the Cathedral Choir, a position I have held since 2003. Prior to serving in this position at First Lutheran, I was the Director of the Senior Choir at St. Paul's Lutheran at Garrison. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from MSU in Music Education and a Master of Science Degree from MSU in Management. In addition to serving as choir director, I am also a member of the Good News Band, playing trumpet in that group. I have done several solos as well as playing with brass ensembles at First Lutheran. My wife, Margaret, and I are the proud parents of 2 grown daughters. Anyone interested in joining the Cathedral Choir can attend the weekly rehearsals which are held on Wednesday evenings, at 7:45 to approximately 8:30 pm.
	Jeannie Sovak, Handbell Ringers Ragene Sovak-”Jeannie” is the director of Handbells and has been involved in playing or directing handbells for over twenty years. She is also the part-time music coordinator, and sings with the Good News Band and in the Cathedral choir. There are currently two handbell choirs at First Lutheran, the Celebration Ringers and the Campana Ringers. If you would like to learn the joy of ringing handbells, contact the church office. It helps if you can read music a bit.
	Jylann Hanson, Contemporary Ensemble Jylann Hanson grew up within the arms of First Lutheran Church; as a child she attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, participated in the children's choirs and she was confirmed here. She married Clint in the same church that continues to embrace her today and when their children were younger she taught Sunday School here. Her family's musical upbringing was encouraged by her parents and music continues to be an important part of her everyday life. At FLC Jylann is active in the Celebration Ringers hand bell group and is the leader for the Good News Band. On occasion, she performs with the Mouse River Players Community Theatre. She is employed with the Learning and Development Training department at ING Financial Services in Minot.