Leadership Board

Brad Duncanson

I’ve been married to my wife, Susan, for forty-nine years. We do virtually everything together.

We have two adult sons and seven grandchildren. I grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from UW-Stout, with a BS degree in Manufacturing Engineering. I am currently retired after working forty-four years in food manufacturing. I enjoy gardening, watching movies, reading, working out, and building wood projects. I am excited to be able to serve the CUMC congregation and look forward to the spiritual growth it will bring.

Kathryn Gardner

Teacher for 31 years (21 at Rochester Century High School)

Education- University of Minnesota BS, University of St. Thomas MEd, Pace University, MA History (anticipated graduation August, 2021

Former Peace Corps Volunteers, Solomon Islands

Mom to Martin, age 18

Member of CUMC since March 2017. TOF Volunteer, Earthkeepers, MSJ

Rebecca Harrington

I moved to Rochester in 2017 with my husband Jon and son Lex.  We have been attending Christ United Methodist Church for the last five years and love how welcoming and joyous the church community is.  My background is in interdisciplinary learning, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Systems and Engineering – Human Factors.  I am currently an at-home parent with a strong interest in building and strengthening communities.  I have previously volunteered to assist with the nursery, Sunday School, and the Christmas Pageant.  I joined the Leadership Board in February 2023.

Ray Hansen

It is my blessing to serve my CUMC church family as a member of the Leadership Board. Mary and I were married at CUMC in 1984 by Rev. Bob Scoggin. We moved from the Chicago area to Rochester in 1999 after the birth of our daughter, Kristen. We joined CUMC shortly afterwards. Our son Jacob joined our family in 2003. I have enjoyed being an usher, trustee, member of various vocal groups, Mary and I have done Sunday School for various ages, our family has done ASP, Jacob and I did a mission trip to South Dakota. I provided pro bono legal services to CUMC for over 20 years. I have helped with lock-ins with junior high and field trips with senior high groups. I was treasurer and adult leader for Boy Scout Troop 21 where Jacob became an Eagle Scout. Kristen served as an Isaiah intern at CUMC.

Both Jacob and Kristen have attended Annual Conference as youth representatives. Mary currently serves on the Memorials Committee. I currently serve on the CUMC Foundation Board as Vice President. I previously served on the Annual Conference Foundation Board of Directors. I practiced law for 30 years, serving as a Partner at O’Brien & Wolf, LLP, for 20 years, with a focus on areas including Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Personal Injury, and general civil practice. I am currently a Conciliation Court Referee in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. I am currently an Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer for Merchants Bank. Our family has grown up with CUMC, and I am excited to be a part of CUMC’s growth into a new season.

Katie Imming

I’ve been a lifelong Methodist and joined Christ Church soon after moving to Rochester, where I was part of the chancel choir back then.  As our daughters grew up, I became involved in Sunday School, confirmation, and youth groups, and I joined the high school bell choir when our youngest was in her final years of high school.  I have been a part of the adult bell choir for a long time now. I’ve also been on numerous committees through the years. I joined the Leadership Board when it was formed after the MCCI transformation, and then rejoined when Pastors Jenny and Kirkland moved here. I serve as the SPRC chair, part of the Leadership Board.  I have worked at IBM since moving to Rochester, and my husband, Monte, is a high school math teacher, currently in Pine Island. We have two daughters – Erin and Haley – and they are both nurses.

Nick Miller

My family and I moved to Rochester in 2021 and joined Christ UMC shortly after our arrival.  We were immediately drawn to the welcoming people and the adapted outdoor children’s programming at CU Wednesdays, where my daughter, Lucia, my wife, Brittni, and I got to know the excellent CUMC staff and other families as we all figured out how to restart being together in person.  We are originally from Louisiana, but we made our way to Rochester by way of Iowa City, IA, and Portland, OR, for my wife’s medical education and training. We are now happy to be in a place that we hope to call home for many years to come.   We love to get around town by bike year-round, and you’ll likely find us at church with helmets in hand.

Seth Nfonoyim-Hara

My family and I have been attending Christ UMC since we arrived in Rochester in 2015. The fellowship, pastoral team, and commitment to social justice led us to make Christ UMC our church home. I am honored to serve on the Leadership Board and help this church to continue to be a powerful force for good in this city. I am a Senior Engineer and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, I serve as a STEM mentor at the Rochester Boys and Girls Club and a production team member of the Day of the Dead Poets Slam. 

Nicole Pearson

Brian Webb

I moved to Rochester in July 2018 with my wife, Millie, and we joined CUMC shortly after.  We have three adult children – two live in the Twin Cities and the third is in Madison, WI.  I’m originally from Michigan, while Millie is from St. Paul.  I was raised in the Presbyterian Church and joined First United Methodist in Madison, WI, when we moved there in 2001.  At CUMC, I am active in the choir and with the youth through ASP.  I work in IT, providing support for Medical Informatics applications for Fujifilm Medical Systems.

Angela White

I have been a lifelong member of Christ Church, having been baptized, participated in youth activities, completed confirmation, and participated in the Appalachia Service Project all four years of high school. My husband, Matt, and I renewed our activity with the church when we started our family. Since then, I have participated in the children’s ministry team and other volunteer opportunities. I feel blessed to serve on the Leadership Board, continuing the incredible legacy of Christ United Church and helping to grow the church’s young family ministry. I am a Conservation Technician with Olmsted County Soil and Water, and I live just outside Rochester with my husband, Matt, and our two daughters, Elizabeth and Kayla. 

Lead Pastor

Rev. Jenny Cannon

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.

“The day of my spiritual awakening was the day I saw and knew I saw all things in God and God in all things.”

Mechthild of Magdeburg

Executive Pastor

Rev. Kirkland Reynolds

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.