Our Pastor – Rev Karin Kilpatric
Pastor Karin has had an “ecumenical” history, which seems to fit well with the diversity of faith traditions, which come together in the United Church of Christ.
She grew up in the Presbyterian church in her home state of Missouri; graduated from Drury University, a Christian Church (DOC) related Liberal Arts College; graduated with her Master of Divinity Degree from a Methodist seminary, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); and has served in ministry at First United Church of Arvada UCC since 1999. Karin also has a Master of Arts Degree in Speech Communications from Webster University.
Prior to parish ministry, she worked as a hospital chaplain, campus minister, youth minister, and college speech instructor. She is married to Dr. Steven Bennett, a professor at Regis University. Their home is in Boulder, Colorado. They have two grown daughters, both Regis graduates.
Other Church Staff
Kathy Hine–Church Administrator
Kathy has been a member of First United since 2015. She and her husband, Jason moved to Colorado in 2014 from Southern California. Kathy was born in Washington State, but grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a missionary kid. She studied Biology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. She has worked in the “admin” world for over 20 years serving as and Admin Assistant at Mission Aviation Fellowship and a Customer Service Rep at the Redlands Police Department among other positions. She sings in the choir, pulls out her flute every once in a while, loves to organize and to relax with a good book. Her husband works at Esri in Broomfield. They have two kids and one goofy dog, Spackle.
Patty Painter-Wakefield–Worship & Media Coordinator
Patty (she/her/hers) has been a member of First United since moving to Colorado with her family in 2013. In her life before Colorado, she worked in public radio in various capacities. In her work at First United, she has also served in a variety of capacities. Currently, she and a team of volunteers run the technology that brings Sunday morning services to a wider world on Zoom. In an unofficial capacity, she has written numerous pieces of music for use in worship, and enjoys leading the congregation in singing when she has the opportunity.
Sue Wedaa–Music Director
Sue has been immersed in music since the age of seven. She played the flute and alto saxophone in high school and community college and has toured Europe with two different groups. She has also studied voice at Cal State Long Beach, California, and Vocal Performance at SUNY at Buffalo, New York, focusing on 20th century vocal repertoire.Sue has sung and performed with various area groups, including the Broomfield Symphony Chorus and Jubilate! Sacred Singers, and privately teaches flute and vocal performance. She has been pursuing her passion for music at First United since 2001.
Wendy Covert–Organist/Pianist
Sue Miller–Worship & Wonder Coordinator
Brianna Pierce–Childcare Attendant in the Nursery
