Our Staff
Senior Pastor
Rebecca Henry Rebecca joined First UMC in 2017. She and her husband, Joe, enjoy spending time with their two school age children. Prior to coming to First UMC, Rebecca served at New Life United Methodist Church in Seymour and Shared Covenant Ministries in the communities of Horicon, Juneau, and Lowell. Rebecca worked as a youth minister in Montague, Michigan before entering seminary. Rebecca graduated with a BA in Peace and Global Studies from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, as well as an MDiv and MA in Spiritual Formation and Evangelism from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Rebecca enjoys the time she is able to spend with her family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but when that is not possible she enjoys reading, watching movies, playing games, and walking. 
Organist
Joy Veldboom Joy has been our primary musician since 2005. Joy and her husband Brian have a grown daughter and three grandchildren. When not creating music, Joy works on the executive team of one of our local credit unions. 
Choral Director
Micah Sommersmith Micah joined FUMC's staff in July 2023 as our choral director. Micah grew up in Ohio, was educated at Earlham College in Indiana, and has spent the last twelve years in music ministry to United Methodist congregations in Wisconsin and Illinois. Micah is also a singer, songwriter, and accordion player, and he performs with groups like NEWVoices and the acoustic trio, Mother Tree. Outside of music, Micah enjoys creating and solving crossword puzzles and spending time outdoors. He lives in Neenah with his wife, Clairellyn, and their three young children. |
Christian Education Director
Katherine Langacker Katherine joined FUMC’s staff in 2021. She lives in Neenah with her husband, Curt, and their daughter, Amelia. Before coming to First Church, Katherine worked in childcare and education for 10 years. Katherine enjoys time with friends and family, board games, interior design, travel, and reading with her daughter. 
Administrative Assistant
Amy Suprise Amy joined the FUMC staff in 2015. Amy is a Neenah native with a background in accounting and retail sales. Amy enjoys the outdoors, cooking, kickbox fitness, and spending time with family, especially with her husband and two daughters. 
Director of Handbell Choir
Carolyn Tietje Carolyn leads our Chapel Ringers adult handbell choir. Carolyn took on leadership of Chapel Ringers in 2016 and brings over 20 years of music experience to First Church. Carolyn enjoys her retirement and is a voracious reader. 
Custodian
John Quella John joined the First Church Staff in 2013 as our custodian. A native of the Fox Cities, he very much enjoys riding his motorcycle in the summer along with spending time with his extended family. |
Our Nursery Staff
Alyssa Schafer grew up here at First Church. She and her husband, Rocky, have four children. Alyssa works in the nursing field in the area.
Susan Benecke and her family found FUMC when they moved to Neenah a few years ago. As a teacher at a day care center, she's a natural in the nursery and enjoys bringing her two girls to participate in church activities, especially music, a talent Susan shares with them!
Tara Colby (not pictured) also grew up as a part of First Church. She and her husband, Aaron, have two children, a boy and a girl. Tara came on as part of our nursery staff after many years of being a friendly volunteer working with the children.
Lynne Hart (not pictured) grew up in the church. She now enjoys her three grown up children and two grandchildren. Lynne loves spending time with children such that she has been a nanny for 10 years with a family and spends her days during the school year working with 3 and 4K children. In her spare time, Lynne enjoys time with animals and riding horses.
Susan Benecke and her family found FUMC when they moved to Neenah a few years ago. As a teacher at a day care center, she's a natural in the nursery and enjoys bringing her two girls to participate in church activities, especially music, a talent Susan shares with them!
Tara Colby (not pictured) also grew up as a part of First Church. She and her husband, Aaron, have two children, a boy and a girl. Tara came on as part of our nursery staff after many years of being a friendly volunteer working with the children.
Lynne Hart (not pictured) grew up in the church. She now enjoys her three grown up children and two grandchildren. Lynne loves spending time with children such that she has been a nanny for 10 years with a family and spends her days during the school year working with 3 and 4K children. In her spare time, Lynne enjoys time with animals and riding horses.