Clergy
Rev. Dr. James (Jim) Keck
Senior Minister
Jim, born in Des Moines, Iowa, started heading west for undergraduate study at the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduate study in Berkeley. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Andover Newton Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1990. In 1993, after serving churches in Berkeley and Corona Del Mar, California, he became the Sr. Minister of the West Concord Union Church, in Massachusetts. In 1999 he became the Sr. Minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific School of Religion; as president of the Peninsula Clergy Network which links 400 clergy with other area civic leaders; and as a board member of the Mission Hospice of San Mateo County. He has also served as a guest lecturer at Tufts University, Andover Newton Theological School, American Baptist School and Pacific School of Religion, as well as a keynote speaker for numerous denominational events. Jim is married to Karen Taylor and they have two young children. When Jim is not at church he loves to play golf, basketball, handball, tennis, or just about any sport.
Rev. Nancy Erickson
Associate Minister
The Rev. Nancy J. Erickson has spent much of her adult life in the human services and advocacy fields. She has a Master’s degree from the University of NE and is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. She graduated from Yale Divinity School in1989 and since then her ministries have included working the jail, a homeless shelter and an alcohol and drug treatment center. She joined the First-Plymouth staff in June of 2004 where her primary responsibilities are with adult education and pastoral counseling.
Rev. Barbara Smisek
Associate Minister
Barbara, a native of Weeping Water, Nebraska, joined First-Plymouth in 2005. A graduate of the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Barb was a banker for over 20 years, serving the last three as president of Home State Bank in Louisville, Nebraska. In 1996 Barbara became a licensed UCC minister and served her hometown church, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ as the associate minister for five years. In May of 2007 Barbara graduated from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City with a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies degree. Barbara’s primary responsibilities at First-Plymouth are pastoral care, Stephen Ministry, Diaconate and the Christian Board of Outreach. Barb is married to Todd, a John Deere sales manager for Stutheit Implement in Syracuse. Barb and Todd have three daughters and a son-in-law: Emily and Ben Graham, Sarah, and Meggan. Barbara enjoys time with her family, dancing, theater and playing the piano.
Dr. George J. Wolcott
Minister of Visitation
George a retiring physician (neurologist, pediatric-neurologist), is a graduate of the Education for Lay Ministry program sponsored by the Nebraska Conference, UCC. He has completed a three-year course of study that has prepared him to become a UCC licensed minister qualified to perform religious ceremonies and administer the sacraments. George has been a long time member of First-Plymouth, has served on the Diaconate Board, and as an usher. He is married to the Rev. Kathryn Campbell.
Rev. Kathryn Campbell
Minister of Spiritual Direction
The Rev. Kathryn Campbell received her Master of Divinity from Eden Seminary. After serving churches in Missouri, she first joined the staff of First-Plymouth in 1992 and served as Associate Minister until retirement in 2005. She re-joined the staff in 2008 as Minister of Spiritual Direction. She is a Program Associate with the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland. She has three children and one grandchild. She is often found near lakes and trails, playing with her camera, taking a flying lesson, or ballroom dancing with her husband, George Wolcott. She says, "The ways of the Holy One continue to surprise me and often delight me and sometimes make me laugh out loud."
The Rev. Dr. Otis E. Young, Senior Minister Emeritus
(April 12, 1931 - December 10, 2009)
The Rev. Dr. Otis Young served First-Plymouth Church as Senior Minister from 1972 until his retirement in September of 2006. He's served on the national UCC staff and had pastorates in Connecticut, Chicago and St. Louis. He was a graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri and Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut in 1957.
Children, Family and Youth
KKathie Johnson,
Director of Children and Family Ministry,
Chapel Choir Director, and Carillonneur
Kathie became Director of Children & Family Ministry in 2005. She has been involved with First-Plymouth in various capacities since 1968, serving as a Church School teacher and as Church School Teacher Coordinator, directing the handbell choir, teaching percussion, and directing the puppet ministry. Along with her current responsibilities as Director of Children & Family Ministry, Kathie directs the Chapel Choir (K-2nd graders) and is Carillonneur. She has a BA in Church Music and Education from Jamestown College and has taught music in the Lincoln Public Schools. Kathie enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Deb Comstock
Director of Church Childcare
Deb Comstock began teaching Church School in 1983….later helping organize Vacation Church School and Advent & Lenten Workshops. In 2001 she started working in the nursery on Sundays, leading into a part-time position as assistant to the Director of Children & Family Ministries in 2007. Deb is married to Jim and they have 3 married sons and 3 granddaughters. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, relaxing in Colorado and quilting.
Youth Leaders
Youth Leader Mitchell Connelly
Mitchell Connelly was raised in Grand Island Nebraska and came to Lincoln in August of 2004 to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has BA in Sociology and Psychology. Mitchell worked at a Enhanced Treatment Group Home for adolescent boys as a group therapy facilitator and served as a role model for at risk youth. Mitchell also worked at the "F" street community center where he facilitated physical education activities for youth and elementary students. Mitchell also draws from personal experiences with his own youth group and hopes to present the youth of First-Plymouth with the same sense of community and fellowship that he received. He is excited about the wonderful opportunities that are available at First-Plymouth and is looking forward to working with the youth and their families to create a rich youth ministries experience.
Program Development
Tammy Alvis, Media Director and Director
for New Program Development and Singles Ministry
Tammy Alvis started at First-Plymouth in February 1987 after working in commercial radio and television stations in Miami, Florida and Lincoln, Nebraska. At First-Plymouth she is the Media Director overseeing the radio/television/web page ministries and communications. Serving as Associate for New Program Development she develops specialized ministries such as the singles ministry, discussion groups and adult education classes. She also produces special events featuring national speakers. She graduated from Doane College with a degree in Corporate Communication. Tammy has been very active in the Lincoln community having served in leadership positions on the Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation-Historic Haymarket, the Downtown Lincoln Association and on the Community Development Task Force which administers the Federal Block Grant funds. In 2002 she was selected to represent Nebraska & Iowa for a Rotary International Group Study Exchange Program in Queensland, Australia. Tammy has also been an Adjunct Instructor of Television Production at Doane College.
Addie Vortherms
Administrator Coordinator of New Programs and Weddings
Addie Vortherms joined the staff of First-Plymouth Church in May 2005 as the Administrative Coordinator of New Programs and Weddings. Addie is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where she earned a BA in Contemporary Media & Journalism (Emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising), with a Minor in Music. At USD, she was involved with numerous organizations including Public Relations Student Society of America American Advertising Federation, South Dakota Advertising Federation, and Alpha Phi. In the summer of 2003, she served as an intern at the LIED Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. She resides in Lincoln with her husband James.
Music Department
Tom Trenney
Minister of Music
Tom Trenney comes to First-Plymouth following seven seasons as Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Michigan. While in Michigan, Tom led five choirs and served as founding artistic director of Many Voices...One Song, a community-wide music outreach organization not unlike Abendmusik. He holds degrees in Choral Conducting and Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music, having studied with Anne Wilson, Todd Wilson, William Weinert, and David Higgs.
Tom has won national competitions in organ performance, becoming the first organist to win first prize and audience prize in the American Guild of Organists' National Competition in Organ Improvisation. Known for innovative performances and inspiring workshops, Tom is in frequent demand as a concert organist and church music clinician across America. He has performed for regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Tom is represented by Karen McFarlane Artists Management, www.concertorganists.com. His CD recordings are available on the Pro Organo and Raven labels.
Tom and his partner, Brent, are grateful to begin their life together in Lincoln.
Jeremy Bankson
Associate Minister of Music
Jeremy joined the staff of First Plymouth Congregational Church in August of 2007 as Associate for Music, and then served as Interim Minister of Music from July of 2008 – August 2009. As the Associate Minister of Music, he is now responsible for overseeing the First-Plymouth Chorale, Youth Orchestra, and Matin Singers. He also conducts the church’s resident professional brass ensemble, the Plymouth Brass. Jeremy also collaboratively works with the Plymouth Choir/Abendmusik Chorus and administers the Abendmusik: Lincoln Fine Arts Series. Together with Tom Trenney he shares in playing for various services and concerts.
Jeremy is a native Nebraskan who received his BM from UNL in 1997 and is currently working on a Masters in Choral Conducting. He was the Director of Music/Organist at St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice, Nebraska for three years before moving to be the Associate Director of Music at Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1999.
Active as a composer/arranger, he has led workshops, clinics and hymn festivals for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, American Guild of Organists, Leadership Program for Musicians, Augsburg Fortress and various other churches around the country. His compositions can be found in the catalogs of MorningStar Music Publishers, Augsburg Fortress Press and Concordia Publishing House.
Ruth Diedrichsen
Handbell Choir Director
Ruth Diedrichsen began working with handbells as a ringer in 1975. She became director of handbells at First-Plymouth in 1982. She has served on the Nebraska handbell committee and Area VIII board. She has taught handbell related classes at state, area, and national handbell events. She has attended numerous national events and traveled to Europe twice with concert choirs. She is an accomplished solo ringer. She is a laboratory supervisor in the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska.
Rebecca Shane
Rebecca Shane joined the First-Plymouth Music Staff in December 2009. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Vocal Performance. While at the university she studied voice in the studio of Donna Harler-Smith and performed extensively with the UN-L opera department. She has performed with the Omaha Symphony and the Lincoln Symphony in works including Mozart's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Thompson's Nativity According to Saint Luke. Other oratorio credits include Mozart's Coronation Mass, Bach's Magnificat, and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and passes on her love of music to her voice students in her studio. She and her husband have been happily married for 15 years and have been blessed with three beautiful and vivacious children. Rebecca designs the bulletins for worship services, sings with the Plymouth Choir, and assists with administration of First-Plymouth's music ministry and Abendmusik: Lincoln
Church Operation
Louise Deaton, Administrative Assistant
Church Calendar, Financial Records
Louise joined the staff at First-Plymouth in May of 2000. Her chief responsibilities include maintaining the financial records, handling wedding and other facility use reservations, and acting as assistant to the senior minister. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Peru State College, and an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Lincoln School of Commerce. Her previous employment was as Business Coordinator for a construction company for seven years. Three years as Assistant Director for a recreation center gave her additional experience in finance and taught her that your job is something you should enjoy.
Connie Merchant, Administrator, Baptisms, The Herald Newsletter
Connie Merchant joined the staff of First-Plymouth in October, 2007. Her responsibilities include scheduling baptisms, editing The Herald newsletter, and assisting the Sr. & Associate Ministers. Originally from Lincoln, she came to First-Plymouth from the banking sector and has worked with various non-profit organizations. Connie has a B.S. Degree from Wayne State College. She has two adult married children and one grandchild. Her hobbies include family activities, knitting, and reading.
Building & Grounds Maintenance
Gary Schuerman
Head Building Manager
Gary began his career at First-Plymouth in 1978. He graduated in 1973 from UNL with a degree in Sociology. That same year, he married Cindy and they have two daughters. Gary is a lifelong Lincoln resident, loves to cook, and enjoys his granddaughter, Skylar.
Jeramie Buchanan
Building Manager
Jeramie is a native to Lincoln, Nebraska and started at First-Plymouth Church in 2009. He graduated from Lincoln High in 1994 and is the proud father of his beautiful daughter. Some of his fondest memories are of the fun times and trips that he had with the First-Plymouth youth group. Jeramie has developed a wide range of skills and interests ranging from auto repair, finish carpentry, computers, culinary science, forestry and many more. He is currently sharpening his arborist skills by taking an on-line leadership class.
Adam Witte
Associate Building Manager, Building and Grounds
Bio coming soon.
Early Education
Nancy Rosenow
Director of Early Education Programs
Nancy has been Director of the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation (which runs the First-Plymouth Early Education Programs) for 18 years. Nancy has developed a number of community-wide initiatives: a Multicultural Education Outreach Program; a Scholarship Fund that provides more than $80,000 in tuition assistance to low-income families each year; and an annual Community Concert Series and Children’s Festival. She also works in collaboration with area Universities & Colleges to provide off-campus teacher and student training experiences. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in early childhood & elementary education and has completed graduate work to become an Endorsed High/Scope trainer for the Nebraska Department of Education. She has served as a Primary Program Facilitator and consultant for the Nebraska Department of Education, Lincoln Public Schools and for programs throughout Nebraska and Iowa. Currently she serves as Nebraska’s state president for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She also works with the Nebraska Early Childhood Coalition, is a member of the Nebraska Department of Education’s Early Childhood Policy Study Committee, and serves as facilitator of the Community Services Initiative Early Childhood and Youth Coalition.
Sue Erdkamp
Operations Director
Sue serves as Operations Director for Dimensions Educational Research Foundation (which runs the First-Plymouth Early Education Programs). She is in her 26th year and oversees daily operations, including staff scheduling, and registration and scheduling for families participating in the Early Education Programs. Sue is certified in Family Education through Creighton University, and is also a certified Stephen Minister.
Linda Maack
Financial Director
Linda is in her 23rd year, and serves as Financial Director for the Dimensions Foundation (and First-Plymouth Early Education Programs). She has a degree in education from Midland College, as well as experience in banking. She oversees all aspects of the program’s financial operations, and also serves as a certified Dimensions Foundation Trainer.
Michelle Zimmer
Infant/Toddler and Special Programs Director
Michelle oversees registration and scheduling for the Infant/Toddler portion of the Early Education Programs, and also works with Special Projects, including planning programming (infant through grade five) for the Summer Discovery Days sessions. She is in her 14th year with the program, and has a degree in early childhood and elementary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Michelle also works with aspects of development of Dimensions Foundation research-based resource materials.
