Staff - Chadron United Methodist Church

Meet the Chadron United Methodist Church Staff

Seth L. Leypoldt

Pastor

    Seth Landon Leypoldt received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1995 and his Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in 2000. He was ordained a Deacon in 2000 (the day of his daughter Cora's birth) and was ordained an Elder in 2002.
    Seth is a third-generation pastor. His grandfather, Woodrow, served Nebraska Methodist Churches at Oakland West Side, Ravenna, Saint Paul, Crawford, Whitney, Papillion, Albion, and Loretto. He died from cancer in 1969. Seth's father, Chuck, is retired from the United Methodist ministry. He served churches in Palmyra, Cheney, Davenport, Carleton, Ceresco, Ithaca, Hebron, Belvidere, Douglas, Burr, Eustis, Farnam, Plattsmouth, Geneva, and then as the Treasurer and Business Administrator of the Nebraska Annual Conference.
    Seth currently serves on the Site Board for Camp Norwesca (chair), Northwest Community Action Partnership, and is an elected delegate to the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in 2008.
    Seth's family includes his wife Sarah Bernhardt and children Emma, Cora, and Olivia. Sarah is currently a Graduate Assistant at Chadron State College and will graduate soon with her Masters in Counseling. Before arriving in Chadron, Seth served as the Associate Pastor in Aurora and Bradshaw and as a student pastor in Clatonia and Swanton.
    Seth says that being a PK - preacher's kid - he always thought about the ministry as an option. However, it was the acceptance of the church and the experience of God found in camping ministry that confirmed his calling into ordained ministry. Seth enjoys his hobby of genealogy and has a passion for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.

Janice Cressy

Secretary

Janice moved to Chadron in 1970 when her husband Chuck, was hired to teach at Chadron State College. They have two children: a daughter, Tiara Gaswick, who is now a business teacher in Hay Springs and a son Trent, who is a sales representative with Titelist in Clive, Iowa, where he lives with his wife Laura. The Cressy's have 4 grandchildren Kaylee and Aaron Gaswick and Georgia and Amelia Cressy.

Janice has been secretary of the Chadron United Methodist Church since 1975 when she was hired by The Rev. Charles Richardson and has worked with a number of pastors during that time including: The Rev. John J.T. Kim, The Rev. Eugene Beye, The Rev. David Patterson, The Rev. Kaleuati "Kelo" Kaleuati, The Rev. David McCreary and The Rev. Seth Leypoldt plus Associate Pastors: The Rev. Margaret D. Goad and The Rev. Janet Baernstein.

Janice and Chuck have taught Sunday School for many years and have enjoyed watching the young children grow up as members of the Chadron United Methodist Church and then bring their children to Sunday School.

Shawn Hartman

Organist

This page is under construction. Please come back soon and read about Shawn's ministry.

Norm Martin

Vocal Choir Director

This page is under construction. Please come back soon and read about Norm's ministry.

Jane Druecker

Belltone Bells Choir Director

Jane Druecker has been in the adult Belltone Belles choir since its beginning. In high school she wanted to be an Instrumental Music Teacher but experience as an Aide in the Physical Therapy Department at the Scottsbluff Hospital led her to pursue a career in physical therapy. She has been a physical therapist at the Chadron Community Hospital for 40 years, working primarily in Home Health. Her musical experience in high school and at Nebraska Wesleyan University led her to learn handbell ringing and then become the director.

Gloria Graves

Nursery Care Attendant

This page is under construction. Please come back soon and read about Gloria's ministry.

Valerie Rahrs

Custodian

My name is Valerie Rahrs, but many call me Val. I am a senior at Chadron State College, studying Social Work. I came here in the Fall of 2006 as a transfer student. I found this church through visiting family and friends. Over the 1 1/2 years that I've been here, I have discovered that this Church is part of my family.

Lisa Tiensvold

Scribbles Pre School Director

This page is under construction. Please come back soon and read about Lisa's ministry.

Rebecca Fernau

Summer Custodian

This page is under construction. Come back later and learn more about Rebecca.