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| James D. Herron, Senior Minister
Jim began his tenure as Senior Minister at First in March of 2006. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, he has pastored churches in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. A graduate of Wichita State University and Central Seminary of Kansas City (where he was the 1991 recipient of the Harvey E. Dana Writing Award), Jim completed his doctoral work in American Studies (Ph.D.) at the University of Kansas. Jim is a person of broad interests who, prior to a return to parish ministry in 2001, chaired a university department--but only after offering instruction in as many as ten different academic departments: Psychology/Sociology (Kansas State), Sociology/History/Religion (Kansas Wesleyan University), Psychology/Religion/Anthropology/Statistics/Communication Studies/Creative Writing (Ottawa University), Eastern Religion (St. Mary College of Leavenworth) and American Studies (the University of Kansas). He is married to Dr. Amber Herron, a local veterinarian. Together they have two children. You can reach Jim at: jim@firstchurchbillings.org.
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Kimberly Woeste, Associate Pastor/Christian Education & Mission
Kim grew up on a farm in Iowa and then studied and worked in the Chicago area for nearly a decade before being persuaded to move to Montana by her pastor-husband, Dennis Cox. An ordained United Methodist minister, now 15 years in Billings, Kim served the Roberts and Park City United Methodist Churches before becoming Campus Pastor at MSU-Billings almost seven years ago. She continues her work at the college while also serving First Congregational part-time as Associate Pastor/Minister of Christian Education & Mission. Kim’s email is: rev_kim@firstchurchbillings.org.
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Teresa Kennedy, Pastoral Care Associate/Older Adult Ministries
Teresa Kennedy is the Associate in Pastoral Care and program director for Older Adult Ministry. Teresa holds certification in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling, is a Certified Grief Counselor from the American Academy of Grief Counseling, and is a Board certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Teresa has a BS in Psychology and a MS in Mental Health Rehabilitation and Counseling. She is also a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader. She is available for Pastoral Counseling and has recently completed the necessary coursework in the Commissioned Lay Pastor program at Dubuque Seminary and Montana Association of Churches. You can email Teresa at teresa@firstchurchbillings.org.
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Kim Harris, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
My name is Kimmie Harris and I grew up in the MNWC as a member of Billings Pilgrim Congregational UCC where I was an active member of their youth group attending camps and youth retreats. Growing up in the church and camp, I had wonderful youth leaders and mentors who helped shape me into the person I am today. I also spent a year and a half in Southern Africa as a missionary where I spent a great deal of time with youth and outdoor ministries. While discerning my call I have come to realize that youth and young adult ministry is definitely my passion. I’ve been working with the youth and young adults of the conference and at Camp Mimanagish for over 15 years and am very excited to have the opportunity to work with youth and young adults on the local church level. You can email me at kimmie@firstchurchbillings.org.
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Laura (Stickney) Blodgett, Choral Director, Chancel Choir
A native Montanan, Laura grew up in Miles City. She attended Rocky Mountain College, where she majored in Geology (Rock-A-My-Soul!!...). After working several years in the oil and gas industry here in Billings, Laura moved to Princeton, New Jersey, to pursue her true love–music. She attended Westminster Choir College, and earned her MM in Choral Conducting. Upon moving back to Billings, Laura directed the Chancel Choir for 5 ½ years, then returned to the position from 2003 to present. In addition to the church choir, she also teaches freshman girls’ chorus at West High. Laura lives with her husband John, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and their black lab, Hank.
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Barbara Dobesh, Pastoral Church Musician, Organ & Piano
Barbara writes: “Piano studies began for me at a very early age, and before I was even in my teen years, I was playing for church opening exercises, solos for ‘Mr. & Mrs. Club’ and women’s circle events. In high school, as the pianist for Sunday School and the children’s choir, I was offered the opportunity to begin organ studies at Hastings College Music Conservatory. The church would pay for my lessons. In return, I would play for a new Sunday early morning family worship service. I was 15 years old—and, after a couple of months of initial, intensive training in hymn playing, I began a new thing for me that would become a life-long passion: accompanying the music of corporate worship. Here began my deep appreciation of the power of hymns in worship. All my organ studies pursued since that beginning have been for the purpose of becoming a more effective pastoral musician, and this privilege and calling has been a never-ending source of joy in my life. I have worked with many fine teachers in the fifty years since beginning organ study. Work toward a degree in music began in 1957, and was completed in 1979. Serving with the incredibly talented and committed staff of First Church is a privilege and a joy for me. Soli Deo Gloria!”
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Steve Plaggemeyer, Assistant Church Musician, Organ & Piano
Steve Plaggemeyer, a Montana native, grew up in Livingston. He started piano lessons in the second grade, and by sixth grade was playing regularly in church. After graduating high school, he moved to Missoula where he was introduced to the theatre organ at the Wilma Theatre. After some theatre organ studies with Andy Crow of Olympia, WA, he moved to Billings to be the staff organist at Pizza and Pipes. Steve started attending First Church in 1988 and soon after became substitute organist. He specializes in gospel style piano and organ.
And the hand on Steve’s shoulder? It’s God’s.
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Jo Lokken, Children’s Choral Director, Melody Choir
Jo Lokken, as can be seen from her life, loves working with children. She has her Bachelors in both Special Education and Elementary Education—as well as a Masters degree in dealing with emotionally disturbed children. This passion for working with kids began as a child when Jo started babysitting at nine years old. Her second passion is music, this also beginning in childhood. She grew up in a Presbyterian church, attending Sunday School and singing in the choir. She and her husband, Jeff, moved to Montana in 1984 where they adopted four kids from other countries. All their children love music and sing as well as play multiple musical instruments. One daughter, for instance, while only 13, already plays eight instruments, and is scouting out a tutor for a ninth! Factor in the many interests, pets, and musical tastes of the other children, and you can understand why the Lokken household is a lively one.
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Susan Ogden, R.N., Parish Nurse/Whole Life Ministries
Susan is a registered nurse and, after "retiring" from medical-surgical nursing, attended the Parish Nurse/Health Minister training course at Carroll College. This training was sponsored by First Congregational Church. Ever since, she has functioned as our own Coordinator of Whole Life Ministries, a valued part of First Church's congregational care ministry. Susan's family includes two sons, Nick and Chris, her husband, Chuck, a local attorney, and two dogs.
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Jan Duffey, Accounting/Bookkeeping
My name is Jan Bowman Duffy and I have attended First Church since I was a young child. The church has been my home away from home. I was baptized, confirmed, and married at First; raised my two sons here, and am now enjoying my new grandson, all within the walls of this church. In high school I enjoyed doing bookkeeping and have done some form of business ever since. So when the part time bookkeeping job came open I knew I would enjoy serving the church in a different capacity. So If I can help you with making a donation or preparing a financial report, feel free to contact me at jan@firstchurchbillings.org.
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Breanna Magness, Senior Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Breanna is a 2010 graduate of Montana State University--Billings. A Big Timber native, she has only recently joined our staff where she currently serves on a temporary basis.
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