Reverend Luke Stevens-Royer
Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer began serving as Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church in August of 2017. Rev. Luke leads Sunday morning worship services, works closely with church leadership and staff, facilitates opportunities for adult religious growth and learning, provides pastoral care, and represents our congregation in the community and denominational activities.
Prior to serving First Church, Rev. Luke served as Associate Minister at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. He also served as Coordinator of Youth and Campus Ministries at Unity Church – Unitarian in St. Paul and as Intern Minister at First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. He grew up in North Mankato in southern Minnesota and is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Luke lives in Rochester with his wife, Jenna (an elementary educator) and their children, Louisa and Clara, and their family dog.
Email: revluke@uurochmn.org
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Amy Nelson, Director of Faith Development
As Director of Faith Development, Amy oversees the curriculum and programming for children and youth, trains the adult volunteers who are the heart of our programs and creates an environment in which our children and youth are encouraged to question and explore.
Amy earned her Bachelor of Education degrees in Elementary School and Middle School Education at the University of North Dakota. She taught 8th Grade Math for 5 years prior to becoming a full-time wife and mother in 2005. Since having children, Amy has become a “full-time volunteer”, actively involved with PTA at both the local and state levels. Most recently, she worked as a project coordinator with SELCO. Her experience with Chalice Camp and Faith Development here at First Unitarian Universalist gives her a great foundation for this position.
Email: dre@uurochmn.org
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Erika Fetterman, Office Administrator
As Office Administrator, Erika manages the day-to-day office operations of the church, manages communications, calendars, and coordinates building use.
Erika and her family moved to Rochester in 2015 from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In Arizona, she taught second grade and owned a small business with her husband. Most recently, Erika has been employed as an administrative assistant. Erika completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She and her husband, Mark, live in Rochester.
Email: office@uurochmn.org
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Connie Schuelka, Congregational Administrator & Musician Emerita
As Congregational Administrator, Connie manages our member records and finances. Connie has been on staff since 1993 and has a Bachelors degree in music from Iowa State University. She retired as Music Director in 2020 at which time she was named Musician Emerita of the church.
Email: administration@uurochmn.org
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Austin Ferguson, Co-Director of Music
Austin was named the fourth Carillonneur of the Mayo Clinic in February 2017. He has been a featured carillon recitalist around the country and is an active member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, where he is Co-Editor of “Carillon News,” the Guild’s newsletter, and sits on the Legal and Membership Roster committees. Recognized as a skillful composer and arranger, his music can be heard performed around the world.
In addition to his work at Mayo, Austin works as a piano and voice teacher at the Rochester Academy of Music. Prior to accepting the position of Co-Director of Music at First UU Church, he served as Organist of historic Vasa Lutheran Church in Welch, Minnesota.
Email: musicdirector@uurochmn.org
Joe Mish, Co-Director of Music
Joe directs both the adult and children’s choirs and is responsible for the selection of music.
Joe graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh in 1986 and earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas in 2006. Currently, Joe teaches music in Pine Island, leads several orchestras and jazz groups at the middle and high school levels, and coaches the Music Listening teams. He also plays double bass in the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and is active as a composer and arranger of music.
Email: music@uurochmn.org
Melissa Eggler, Coordinator of Congregational Life
Melissa assists the minister, staff, and committees in providing care for members and assists in the engagement of visitors, friends, and members in the programs and activities of the church. In her role as Coordinator of Congregational Life, Melissa welcomes visitors and members, assisting them in establishing deeper connections, and supporting all who make First UU their spiritual home.
Melissa and her husband, Eric, and their two children Ethan and Aidan have been members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church since 2009, she has been involved in many committees and groups at the church. She is a local artist who uses recycled and vintage materials in her work, and loves organizing events, parties, and retreats.
Email: congregationlife@uurochmn.org
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Derik Robertson, Youth Program Coordinator
As the Youth Program Coordinator, Derik works with youth (ages 13-18) and adult advisors to provide a youth program that focuses on group ministry, service, and activities.
Derik has 9 years teaching experience in which he taught at every level from 7th grade to upper-level university courses. Among the subjects he taught are English, humanities, ethics, philosophy of religion, study skills, and public speaking. He received his Ph.D. in English and Pedagogy at Idaho State University in 2014. As a recent transplant from the mountains to the prairie, Derik seeks to enrich the lives of the youth through meaningful conversations, activities, and relationships.
Email: youthprogram@uurochmn.org
Darin Podulke-Smith, Property Steward
Darin is a stained glass artist, yoga instructor, and banjo player. He performs with Rochester’s first improv comedy troupe The Squirrel Association. He loves to garden. He is a new member to the First UU church, though he’s been attending with his family for about five years. He says, “I’m really excited about the opportunity to serve the Rochester UU church. The church building is an important concrete expression of our mission and practice of social justice.”
Email: custodian@uurochmn.org
Chantelle Feddersen, Nursery Childcare
Chantelle has worked in the nursery and provided non-Sunday childcare as a youth helper since she was twelve years old. Occasionally, she has assisted in the RE classrooms. She has volunteered at our UU Chalice Camps for the past five years, and Chantelle also volunteers at a Girl Scout camp, as well as volunteering with an adaptive Girl Scout troop.
Email: childcare@uurochmn.org
If you notice something that needs fixing around the building, let our Office Administrator know.