Pastor Erin Erickson (she, her, hers), Senior Pastor
Pastor Erin Erickson is a Rapid City native. She loves the Black Hills and she and her husband, Noah, have a large, blended family including children ranging from 1 yr. to 21 yrs. old. Erin is passionate about her connection with Spirit, and continues to explore the value and beauty in BE-ing a life-long-learner. She is grateful for much (!!!), least of which is the UCC denomination and our shared belief that “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!”
Erin has an MDiv degree from United Theological Seminary (in the Twin Cities), and currently holds the ecclesial status of Member In Discernment (MID) on her path towards ordination in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. First Congregational UCC has officially extended a call of Designated Term Pastor to Erin, and she has accepted!
CONTACT email: pastorerin@rcfirstucc.com
Mary Haan (she/they), Education Coordinator
Mary is grateful to be serving as the new Christian Education Coordinator at RC First UCC! Mary strongly believes in empowering people of all ages to use their Spirit-given gifts through collaboration to serve the community. Mary and Lucas have been together since 2010 and they are consistently being educated by the two compassionate and clever young children that they share. Their family can often be found hiking or biking all over beautiful Paha Sapa. Mary is open to calls, messages, ideas, and coffee connections at any time and can be reached at 605-389-1629.
Alan Glover, Choir Director
Alan earned a Bachelor of Music and education degree from Morningside College Conservatory of music and attended Northern and Black Hills State Universities. Alan’s teaching experience includes voice, piano, band/orchestra and choral music ministry since 1967.
Denise Webster, Accountant
Denise Webster is managing partner and COO of Ketel Thorstensen LLP of Rapid City where she specializes in estates, gifts and trusts. She brings a wealth of accounting experience to our staff along with her dedication to the congregation where she serves on board and committees and sings in the choir.
Audrey Fenner, Organist
Audrey Fenner has served as organist and pianist at churches of many denominations in the United States and Canada. Audrey first played the pipe organ as a teenager at her home church in Canada. She holds a Master of Library Science degree, and Bachelors degrees in both Music and Education. Earlier in her career, Audrey held professional positions at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and at Library and Archives Canada (Canada’s national library). Audrey and her husband John, who is a French horn player, often play as a musical duo.
Patti Arneson, Administrative Colleague
Patti joined our church staff the summer of 2021. She is a long time member of this congregation, sings in the choir and has served on many different departments and boards. Patti was a preschool/elementary special education teacher for 10 years, and owned preschool centers for 22 years prior to her job at the church. She has 2 grown children and 7 grandchildren.
Becky Fleming, Licensed Minister
Pastor Becky is a child of this congregation. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in this very sanctuary. She is a licensed minister and is entrusted with doing the visits of the members in the hospital, assisted livings, nursing homes, and homes as requested. Her contract is for ten hours a month of visits. She also leads Grandcamp at Placerville, will assist with baptisms, funerals, weddings, and church services as requested. Her full time job is as an Adult Protection Worker for the State of South Dakota. She is married to Jim, has 5 bonus kids and a plethora of grandchildren. When she is not working, she is often found in the great outdoors connecting with God in the realness of the beauty of the days.
