The Rev. Curt Anderson was called to First Congregational Church as our Full-time Minister in August, 2000. He began his ministry with this congregation in November, 2000 and was installed on April 29, 2001.

Curt was ordained on Reformation Day, October 31, 1971, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He served churches in Iowa, Flint, Michigan, Janesville, Wisconsin, and Auburn, California before coming to Madison this fall. Among many different activities during those years, Curt was the chair of the Interfaith Alliance in Flint from 1978 - 1980. He was a Vice President and Founding Member of Rock County Habitat for Humanity. Curt served as chair of the Southwest Wisconsin Church and Ministry Committee from 1986 - 1990 and as chair of the Northern California UCC Conference Ecumenical Concerns Committee from 1999 - 2000. He was the Wisconsin UCC representative to the United Reformed Church of England and Wales during Lent, 1989.

Rev. Anderson was raised in Fresno, California, attended and graduated from Fresno State College in 1967 with a B.A. in English. He attended seminary in Berkeley at Pacific School of religion and graduated in 1971 with an M.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.Div. In 2001, Curt earned a Ph. D. in Theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson, Indiana.

Curt and his wife, Joan, a librarian in Middleton schools, have been married 32 years and live in Middleton. They have two grown sons and one grandchild. Curt is an amateur photographer. He likes to hike in the mountains, to read and to barbecue outside all year long, even in the middle of winter. Joan and Curt enjoy drama and music.

Send e-mail to canderson@firstcongmadison.org.

The Rev. Diana Shaw is our Part-time Minister. Diana is a long-time friend of many in the congregation dating back to the years when she and her family were members of the church and when she served for several years as Coordinator of Lay Ministries. She is a graduate of Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri and of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, where she was awarded B.S.E. degree in 1966. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary in 1986. Diana served as pastor of the First Congregational UCC, Baraboo, Wisconsin from 1986 to 1996 and Interim Pastor at the Memorial UCC of Fitchburg, Wisconsin from April 1996 to April 1997. She also served as Interim Association Co-Minister for the Southwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference for five months in 1996. Diana was ordained on September 7, 1986 at First Congregational UCC, Madison, and holds standing in the Southwest Association.

Diana and her husband, Ron, a medical doctor at the Central Wisconsin center for the Developmentally Disabled, live in Madison. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

Send e-mail to dshaw@firstcongmadison.org.

Donald J. De Bruin is our Director of Music Ministries. Previously Don was the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church, Freehold, New Jersey, where he directed five age-graded vocal choirs and four handbell choirs. He held similar positions in churches in California, Colorado, New Jersey and New York. He is a past winner of the Arthur Poister National Organ Playing Competition sponsored by the Syracuse, New York chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Don DeBruin had his first professional, paid job as an organist at the age of nine, playing Christmas carols for civic functions in his hometown of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. At the age of sixteen he began the study of classical organ literature; his teachers have included Wayne Cohn, Will O. headlee, Don A. Vollstedt, and the late Claire Coci. Don received a double Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Organ Performance from Syracuse University, and a Master's degree in Organ Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has done additional graduate work at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. In addition, Don has a master's degree in architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Don's e-mail address is ddebruin@firstcongmadison.org.

Jeffrey S. Rabe serves First Congregational UCC as Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth. Previously Jeff was the Director of Youth Ministries at St. Peter's UCC in Kiel, Wisconsin for eleven years. During his tenure at St. Peter's, Jeff served on the Northeast Association's Christian Education Committee, led youth leader workshops and confirmation retreats, was a member of the Arts Committee of the Wisconsin Conference, was a General Synod delegate and has directed MADD Camps (music, art, dance and drama) for junior and senior high youth at United Church Camps.

A Lakeland College graduate, Jeff received his B.A. in Broadfield Social Studies/History. His interests lie in music, theatre, children's theatre, reading and gardening. An amateur tuba player, Jeff played in the Kiel Municipal Band and the Sheboygan Heritage Band. A self-proclaimed character actor, Jeff has performed with several community theatre companies, his most memorable roles being Ben Franklin in 1776 and Teddy Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace.

Jeff's e-mail address is jrabe@firstcongmadison.org.

Suzanne Tremelling joined the staff in 2003 as Secretary/Administrator. She comes to us with prior experience as a church secretary in Freeport, Illinois. She and her husband recently moved back to Wisconsin. They have six children and thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Suzanne grew up in northeastern Iowa where she was a member of Zion Evangelical and Reformed UCC.

Suzanne's e-mail address is stremelling@firstcongmadison.org.
Holly Brassington joined the staff as Bookkeeper and is now regularly in the office on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:15 to 2:00. She has done accountIng work for non-profits for 18 years and also does the accounting work for a small computer company from her home.

Holly grew up in Seattle, coming to Madison in 1973. She and her husband have a son who attends West High. She has worked with Boy Scout Troop 2 which meets in our church. She loves to read, hike, sail and garden.

Holly's e-mail address is hbrassington@firstcongmadison.org.

Ann I. Munkres joined the staff as Parish Nurse on October 1, 2003. She is a native of Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm near Bloomer until she graduated from high school. After living in several locations Ann returned to WI and moved to Madison in 1973. She received her bachelor of science in nursing in 1975 and began her long career at University Hospital as a staff-nurse, mainly working with cancer patients. She received her MS in nursing in 1990 and worked in nursing staff development. From 1994 until the present, Ann has worked as an information specialist for the Cancer Information Service. Five years ago Ann attended the Parish Nurse Institute at Marquette University. As a part on the advanced course she did an internship at Unity Church of Madison, and has served as a volunteer Parish Nurse there for the past four years.

Ann is married to Kenneth Munkres, a retired professor of biochemistry and genetics. Ann has three children, two stepsons and six grandchildren. Ann is an avid gardener and reader of mysteries. She also loves to bike, cook gourmet meals, sing in the choir, and put puzzles together.

Ann's e-mail address is amunkres@firstcongmadison.org.

Vern Mueller started care for the church property on October 6, 2003 as the Building Manager. Vern was born and raised on a farm in Fond de Lac county. He entered the Navy in 1959 and was stationed on board a destroyer for four years. At previous employers, Vern worked in property management, building maintenance and steam plant operation. He is kept busy maintaining our beautiful, seventy year old building.

Vern and his wife Pat have been married 43 years and have 2 children, Melanie and Stephanie and two grandchildren.

Vern's e-mail address is vmueller@firstcongmadison.org.