Senior Pastor, Rev. Christina Grace Kukuk
Rev. Kukuk came to First Church in July 2007 excited about sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ with a congregation that spans the generations. Prior to arriving in Elyria, Rev. Kukuk served as the Associate Minister at First Congregational Church of Minnesota, United Church of Christ, in Minneapolis. Her ministry there included, among other responsibilities, leading the congregation’s annual service-learning trip to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, and participating in a pastoral residency program funded through Lilly Endowment Inc. A former journalist, she has published a sermon and essays in two ministry-related magazines. Rev. Kukuk resides in Elyria with her fabulous spouse, Adam, (a professional musician and adventurous cook, without whom she would be doomed to a menu of little more than cold tofu and plain yogurt), and 2 children.
Contact Christina Grace Kukuk
Tracy Rue, Church School Coordinator
Tracy joined the First Church staff in August 2008 with a desire to contribute to the faith life and spiritual growth of church members. She was born and raised in Elyria and, with her husband Randy, has a blended family of five children ages 14 to 27 and two grandchildren.
Bette Lou Higgins, Administrative Assistant
You may know Bette Lou from her frequent work in local theater – particularly Eden Valley Enterprises. She also has worked as a computer skills instructor, and she administered the box office and computer departments for the former Cleveland Opera for 30 years.
Jerry Murphy, Interim Visitation Minister
Rev. Patrick Nicolino- Youth and Family Minister
Cheryl McConnell- Business Manager
Sheryl Schmidt – Advisor to Board of Christian Outreach
Sheryl Schmidt was confirmed in First Congregational Church. She retired from Standard Oil/BP where she was Manager of the Analytical Science Service Group at the Research and Development Department. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a BS in science and from Iowa State University with an MS in Inorganic Chemistry. She has been active on the Outreach Board for many years.
Jamila Slepko- nursery attendant
Jamila is a registered nurse and midwife in her native Philippines, where she also helped staff children’s performance art workshops for a media company. She will be providing consistent and loving care for the babies and toddlers in our nursery during worship and special events.