Staff

Choir Director

Ashley Giberson-Asplund

Digital Engagement Coordinator & Arise Band Director

Oliver Books

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.

Assistant A/V Tech

Kyle Dijoseph

Executive Director of THRIVE! Childcare Facility

Tanya Goretzki

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.

Minister for Congregational Care

Dr. Peggy Johnson

After leaving a decades-long career in higher education, I traded the campus classrooms for the sacred spaces of Christ United Methodist Church, where I have served as Minister of Congregational Care since 2024. My great fortune was to step into a congregation that was open-hearted and generous of spirit! I am deeply committed to walking alongside our church community through all of life’s stages and transitions–celebrating joyous moments, offering a steady presence and listening ear during life’s challenges and struggles, and sharing meaningful human connection that leads people to thrive. My mission is simple: to make sure the people in our congregation feel deeply valued, heard, and loved.

Building Manager

Franklin Durgin-Hanson

Handbell Director

Paul Kingsbury

Paul is the director of the Rochester Area Handbells group, an auditioned group of area ringers. He is a self-described bell nerd and is excited to be in ministry at CUMC.

Communications

Rev. Steven D. Martin

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. 

A/V Technician

Alex Ortberg

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Jody Peterson

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.

Auxiliary Custodian

Julie Plunkett

As a member of the congregation and then staff, Julie has been with CUMC since she was born. She was born and raised in Rochester and received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Minnesota Bible College. Julie is the Nursery Coordinator and is very active in helping the other staff wherever necessary, and also volunteers with CUMC’s mission trips. In her downtime, she loves to do embroidery and rug hook. 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. 

Director of Music Ministries

Ralph Schornack

Director of Music

Director of Operations

Matt White

Faith in Action Coordinator

Sherry White

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.

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

Youth Ministry Director

Eric Vanderheiden

I was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, grew up in Colorado, and then moved to Minnesota in 1996. So, I have been here longer than anywhere else, making me a Minnesota transplant. I have been around church and faithful people all my life. However, I did not grow up in the Methodist Church itself.  In college, I thought I wanted to be a youth pastor, so I got my Bachelor’s in Ministry from Crossroads College (formerly Minnesota Bible College) right here in Rochester, MN.  Then I promptly ran away from that calling for 17 years, choosing to work for a local Destination Medical Center, thinking that wasn’t really for me after all.

But I could put it off no longer (ha ha), and have come to serve the youth and families at Christ UMC.  I am looking forward to the adventure and fun. I am passionate about helping young people find a real and vibrant faith that helps them answer the questions some places are too afraid to let their kids ask, and equips them to live a loving, compassionate life, helping those around them.

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” – Monseigneur Bienvenu, Les Miserables