Ben is from Wisconsin but is very happy calling Colorado and its beautiful landscape (and better weather!) home now. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology and Religion from Ripon College and his Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Ben’s wife Caitlin is a lead collaborator at the Fred Tjardes School of Innovation in Greeley. Ben, Caitlin, and their son Emmett love calling Greeley home!

Born in Venezuela and raised between Virginia and Spain, Tamara found her way to ministry following a path which included spiritual formation as a Kripalu yoga instructor, holistic cook, folk musician, and massage therapist. She has a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College in MA, and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in NYC, where her focus was Voices from the Margins. Ordained in 2013, Tamara served congregations and emergent spiritual communities in Connecticut and Maine, before being called to Colorado amidst the Covid pandemic. She is trained as an Intentional Interim Minister, helping to guide communities through identity formation and transition. She is also a passionate Enneagram educator (2w3). In recent years Tamara hosted a Queer Spirit radio show and podcast, and participated in an Eco-Preachers Cohort to explore the intersection of religion and the climate crisis. Tamara imagines and works to build spiritual communities where people are welcome in all of their messy, passionate, embodied suffering and hopefulness. She believes that church can be a place where justice is held up not only as the right thing to do, but as a path to encountering God. When Tamara is not working, she can be found baking (or engaging in power struggles) with her spunky kiddo or listening to fantastical podcasts with her partner.

Laura is a Greeley native who has called First Cong home all of her adult life. In addition to her work at the church, Laura is a death doula, end-of-life educator, and conscious dying coach. Laura enjoys a good dad joke, learning to weave, and a terrible book (really - the worse, the better). She loves life alongside her fiancée, Emily, their cats, Cassius and Nebula; their corgi, Toasted Marshmallow; and their guinea pigs, Bangers & Mash.

Along with overseeing FCC’s music program, Nicholas directs FCC’s Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. Nicholas is a Northern Colorado-based conductor specializing in orchestral music, choral, and operatic music. He has worked with ensembles around the US and Canada including Opera Fort Collins, Loveland Opera Theatre, and the Greeley Philharmonic. Nicholas also served as the Music Director for Hartland Opera Theatre in Joplin, MO. and the Halifax Summer Opera Festival in Nova Scotia for many years. In addition, he has taught music at Crowder College, Laramie County Community College, Missouri Southern State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and works regularly as an operatic voice coach. Nicholas’ compositions and arrangements are performed around the country by orchestras, choirs, and university groups. Nicholas and his partner Eli love to read, eat good food, go on adventures, and sing at the piano. ​

Tammi is a Michigan native who has called Greeley home for over a decade. She graduated from Calvin University with a double major in Psychology and Spanish and followed that with an M.Div. from Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI. Tammi deeply believes that children are already on a spiritual journey and that the grown ups’ job is to make spaces for kids to meet God in ways that make sense to them. Children’s prayer practices and play languages have allowed Tammi to meet God in new ways. Her favorite prayer practice is blowing bubbles. Tammi is married to Phil, who does all manner of web and video things and is also the home cook. Together, they love hanging out with their two elementary-aged kids. When the kids aren’t keeping her busy, she loves reading, doodling, and attempting to keep plants alive outside.

Brooklyn grew up in northern Colorado in evangelical Christian spaces. She has her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Media Communications from Colorado State University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral and Spiritual Care from the Iliff School of Theology. In seminary, she encountered the Spirit leading her to the United Church of Christ, where she is on the path to ordination. Brooklyn has professional experience administering worship, youth, and children’s ministry. She is passionate about transformative spirituality and community-based Christian formation. She loves empowering students and families to lead lives rooted in emotional health and wholeness, modeled after the way of Jesus. She lives in Windsor with her husband Mike (who has also served in youth leadership at FCC and continues to volunteer!) and their two dogs, Teddy and Diego. They enjoy live music, good food, good coffee, and traveling to new places.

Tyler lives with his family in Loveland. In his free time, Tyler enjoys cycling and creating exceptional woodworking projects.