
Meet Our Staff
We'd love to connect with you! You may find the contact information for all of our staff here.

Minister, Head of Staff
Rev. Ben Konecny
he/him
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!

Minister, Head of Programs
Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern
she/hers
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.

Church Administrator
Laura Gurney
she/hers
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.

Director of Music
Nicholas Gilmore
he/him
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.

Children's Minister
Tammi Van Drunen
she/hers
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.

Communications, Youth
& Young Adult Minister
Brooklyn McBride
she/hers
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.

Facilities Manager
Tyler Rossman
he/him
Tyler lives with his family in Loveland. In his free time, Tyler enjoys cycling and creating exceptional woodworking projects.
Music Staff

Organist
Katie Hughes
she/hers
Katie is from Boulder, Colorado, and has always loved spending time in the mountains hiking and skiing. She spent time in Greeley for her undergraduate degree and Cincinnati for her Master's. She loves to travel and has had the opportunity to visit several countries in Europe! She is a staff pianist at UNC and the organist at FCC. In Katie's words: "I love the open and affirming community at FCC. I took a break from church in 2022 and couldn't see myself returning to organized religion anytime soon. The way that FCC has opened its arms to people of all faiths and identities made me certain I would be safe there and feel comfortable. I'm also very inspired by the outreach and volunteer opportunities FCC provides. It is so wonderful to truly align with the values of Christianity without shame or ridicule for not being a perfect child of God. I love the congregation and staff here!"

Pianist, Jubilation Choir Director
Shona Royle-Grimes
she/hers
Shona holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and piano performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Shona has been teaching in Northeastern Colorado since 1997. She taught K-12 music, choir and band in Merino, Colorado for three years after her graduation from college. Shona has been teaching general music and keyboard classes at Union Colony Children’s Music Academy for 21 years and maintains a large private piano studio in Greeley, working with students of all ages. Shona also currently serves as the accompanist for the 8:00 am chapel service at First Congregational Church. She is a proud mom of two amazing sons, one a senior in college and one a senior in high school.

Director of Rainbow Choir
Kathy Azari
she/hers
Kathy Azari studied Oboe at UNC and received her BME in 1989. She was the Band Director at Brentwood Middle school for 31 years until her retirement in 2021. She has also taught early childhood music through Union Colony Children’s Music Academy since 1999 and continues to love singing, dancing, moving, and playing with these students every week… She was the Greeley/Evans District 6 Teacher of the year in 2013 and that same year was awarded the director of a Program of Excellence by the National Band Association. She was awarded the Outstanding Woman of Weld County distinction in 2007 for her contributions to music education in Weld County. Currently, she teaches woodwind lessons through Music & Arts in Ft. Collins. In addition to music, she works as a Recognition Specialist at Award Alliance in Greeley. She and her family have been members of First Congregational Church in Greeley since 1995.

Principal Choral Chair
Eli Schamane
she/they
There has never been a time when Eli has not been involved in music in some capacity. She began her career in worship and music at the age of 13 as a singer and a pianist and her musical experience ranges from bluegrass to musical theatre. She's most comfortable singing in a classical capacity, but let's be honest, who doesn't love a little Disney thrown in once in a while? She is an active pianist, and you will find her offerings to be improvisational and in no way representative of the music she's pretending to read while playing. While you will never catch her reciting the Lord's Prayer, Eli does hold tightly to the belief and practice of spiritual manifestation and loving energy with a heavy dash of ritual. She finds she is most able to express her adoration of those she loves through her artistic expression and enjoys dabbling in a wide medium of creation. When not at FCC, Eli and her partner Nicholas enjoy spending time in the mountains, at the theatre, playing games with friends, and, yes, at the piano writing music. Eli loves food, is addicted to coffee, and can be bribed with a good sour beer.

Choral Scholar
Ryan Ostlund
he/him
Ryan is originally from Westminster, Colorado. He is a student at UNC majoring in Vocal Performance and Music Business. Aside from singing, he loves painting and crafting dioramas, and he loves board games. He feels immensely welcomed at First Congregational Church and he is excited to sing with you!
Childcare Staff

Nursery Care
Jacque Kilber
she/hers
Bio coming soon!

Nursery Care
Piper Schulte
she/hers
Piper is graduating from University High School. She has lived in Greeley her whole life. She plays the flute and piccolo and is part of the marching band. She loves spending time with family and friends. She has been going to FCC since she was in second grade. The thing that she likes about it most is the congregation's ability to stay strong and optimistic in the face of adversities.

Nursery Care
Zenith Maupin
she/hers
Zenith Rhoda Maupin works as one of the teachers for the Nursery Team at First Congregational Church. She started working at the nursery in 2019. Zenith is happy and grateful to be able to work with the children. They are so welcoming and very beautiful people that help her feel at home. Zenith is happily married to Shannon Maupin with six boys. They love to go camping, and fishing. Cooking is their favorite thing to do together. They love to explore different cultures and embrace diversity. If you haven’t met Zenith yet, drop by and say “hi” at the nursery.

Wednesday Night Live Childcare
Kai Davison
they/them
Kai moved from their hometown, Bethlehem, PA, to Greeley in August 2023 to attend UNC for my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kai has a BA in Music and Psychology from Lehigh University. Kai found FCC through acting in The Laramie Project in the spring of 2024, and has stayed ever since! At FCC, Kai is a member of the chancel and bell choirs, a member-at-large on the church cabinet, and a Wednesday Night Live Childcare leader. Outside of school, work, and church, you can find Kai singing in the Greeley Chorale, working out at the Family Funplex, hiking, or seeking out their new favorite coffee spot.
