Rev. Jenny Cannon
Lead Pastor
Areas of responsibility:
Worship, Leadership,Teaching, Vision, Culture
Jenny was born and raised in South Georgia (though she doesn’t sound like it) and served two congregations in Maryland before making the leap to the Midwest. She is a graduate of Emory University and Candler School of Theology and married to Kirkland Reynolds whose office is now right next door. They are the parents of Molly and Nolan and enjoy Friday night pizza and watching Marvel movies together. In addition to pastoring and parenting, Jenny loves long walks, good fiction, and late night nachos. She was appointed to serve Christ UMC in 2021 and is delighted to get to know the CUMC community and explore the wonders of Minnesota.
PastorJenny (at) cumethodist.com
“The day of my spiritual awakening was the day I saw and knew I saw all things in God and God in all things.”
Rev. Kirkland Reynolds
Executive Pastor
Areas of responsibility:
Strategy, Execution, Leadership Board, Day-to-day Supervision, Development, & Coaching of Staff
Kirkland once appeared in a New York Times story about people who attend seminary without plans to become a pastor. Plans can change in wonderful ways, especially when God is in the mix. Kirkland was appointed to Christ UMC in 2021 and has served in pastoral ministry since 2009. Kirkland is married to Jenny Cannon and they are the parents of Molly and Nolan. In addition to office neighboring, family pizza nights and watching Marvel movies, they also watch Star Wars and play spirited card games. Kirkland enjoys cooking, listening to the Beatles, riding his new bicycle, and tending to the family’s composting worms. Before moving to Minnesota, Kirkland lived in several east coast states: he was born in North Carolina, grew up in Florida, graduated from Emory University and the Candler School of Theology in Georgia, and served congregations in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.
Pastorkirkland (at) cumethodist.com
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Dr. Peggy Johnson
Minister for Congregational Care
peggy (at) cumethodist.com
“…and you, too, have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”
REv. Amanda LArsen
Director of Children & Youth Ministry
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Christ UMC. I am passionate about helping people connect faith with their daily lives. Some people would call this "practical divinity." My ministry takes place at the disc golf course, over board games and at the school pick-up line. In addition to my work at CUMC, I am currently a stay at home mom to Katarina (15) and Shaun and a crossing guard at Folwell Elementary. I also do consulting work with churches on strategic vision casting and specific goal setting. I dream of a church where each person contributes to a world that looks more like the coming Kingdom of God.
I have served in the Minnesota Annual Conference since 2006 and completed my M. Div and MATS (A Master's of Arts in Theological Studies) at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. I was ordained as an Elder a decade ago!
Pastoramanda (at) cumethodist.com
“Nothing in the world is the way it oughta be. It’s harsh…and cruel…but that’s why there’s us…champions. It doesn’t matter where we come from, what we’ve done, or suffered. Or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world were as it should be, to show it what it can be. You’re not a part of that yet. I hope you will be.”
Rev. Steven Martin
Communications
Rev. Steven D. Martin has served United Methodist Churches as pastor for twenty years and is a graduate of Candler School of Theology. He is the founder of the Lakelands Institute, an organization that provides top-rate communications services to local churches. He brings his expertise in theology, the intersection of faith and politics, and media production to congregations to help them tell their stories and reach out to this broken world.
He has produced several films for public television, including “Theologians Under Hitler,” “God With US: Baptism and the Jews in the Third Reich,” and “Elisabeth of Berlin,” the story of an unknown Christian resister during the Nazi era. Steven has served as the Director of Communications and Development for the National Council of Churches in Washington, DC.
In 2007 Rev. Martin was honored at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum for his work with “Theologians Under Hitler.” Steven also worked with the Obama Administration on an important policy and social media campaign, “Know Your Neighbor,” aimed at reducing religious-based bigotry in the US.
He lives in Maryland with his wife, Meg. His four children are all remarkable human beings that he is lucky to know, let alone hear them call him “dad.”
steve (at) cumethodist.com
Jody Peterson
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
I have been a member of the CUMC community since 2004. I grew up in Rochester Minnesota and moved to Madison Wisconsin to attend the University. I got my teaching degree and taught kindergarten in Madison for seven years. I moved back to Rochester in 1998, after the birth of my daughter, to be closer to family. I am currently a Reading/Math teacher and Family Event Planner at Riverside central Elementary. I have two wonderful adult children and have been involved with the children’s ministry at CUMC for over ten years. The families and children continue to inspire and bring me joy every week.
jody (at) cumethodist.com
“Behind every child who believes in themselves is an adult who believed in them first”
Rev. Beth Joyner
Adult Choir Director
I’m one of the night chaplains at the Mayo Clinic where I am privileged to minister to folks from all over the world. In my previous life in North Carolina, I served a church outside of Asheville as the Minister of Music, Youth and Senior Adults while enjoying the beautiful mountains and surrounding area full of wildlife and waterfalls. Life in Minnesota is enhanced by the close proximity of the Mississippi River with all its birds and ducks which I enjoy watching, especially while canoeing. I am delighted to be able to serve the congregation at CUMC and look forward to the many creative musical endeavors together.
Beth (at) cumethodist.com
Oliver Books
Arise Band Director
Oliver joined the CUMC team in 2015 as a member of the 11 o’clock worship band. He lives here in Rochester with his dog, Riza and Alexander Louise Armstrong III the tortoise. When he’s not working, Oliver spends his time, hanging out with his pets, playing music, podcasting, watching too much youtube, and wandering around.
oliver (at) cumethodist.com
Paul Kingsbury
Handbell Director
Paul is the director of the Rochester Area Handbells group, an auditioned group of area ringers. He is a self-described bell nerd and excited to be in ministry at CUMC.
Paul (at) cumethodist.com
Karla Sukov
Children’s Choir Director
Alex ortberg
A/V Technician
Monte Guenzler
Building Manager
Monte (at) cumethodist.com
“Work hard and be nice to people. ”
Julie Plunkett
AUXILIARY Custodian
As a member of congregation and then staff, Julie has been with CUMC since she was born. She was born and raised in Rochester and received her Bachelor's of Science in Education from Minnesota Bible College. Julie is the Nursery Coordinator and very active in helping the other staff wherever necessary and also volunteers with CUMC's mission trips. In her downtime, she loves to do embroidary and rughook. Julie also enjoys watching a good movie or listening to music. She finds inspiration in the love of her family and in those she works with and learns from.
email (at) cumethodist.com
“A narrow vision is divisive, a broad vision expansive. But a divine vision is all-inclusive.”
thrive childcare and family resource center
Tanya Goretzki
Executive Director of THRIVE! Childcare Facility
As a member of the CUMC congregation and someone who grew up in this church, I can feel the excitement growing as we build this program from the ground up. My grandfather (Ray Hanson) and my father (Dick Hanson) both worked at CUMC. For just over 40 years combined, they oversaw this beautiful building. I remember each of them sharing many stories of renovations, building projects and the excitement of something new. I’m certain if they were both here today, they would have great advice for me as I embark on this new adventure!
Early childhood education has always been a part of my professional career. From teaching preschool, serving as a center director, managing an AmeriCorps program to teaching early childhood providers, I have been blessed with many years in the early childhood field. I feel as though my career has come full circle and brought me back to a hands-on role serving children and families. I am excited to support those who need us the most by providing a solid early childhood experience.
tanyag (AT) thrivefrc.org