Meet Our Pastors
and Staff
Senior Pastor
Amelia Richardson Dress
Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress is the Senior Pastor at UCC Longmont, where she previously served as Minister for Community Faith Formation. As a pastor, she considers it a deep privilege to walk alongside people on their faith journeys. Amelia is particularly interested in spiritual development throughout life stages, intergenerational ministry and doing progressive Christian theology with adults and children.
Prior to coming to UCC Longmont, Amelia focused on interim and renewal ministry, and spent five years as a bi-vocational pastor working in Human Services supporting early education teachers. As an interim/renewal pastor, she’s worked with congregations in the United Church of Christ as well as other denominations.
She’s also the author of two books, "The Hopeful Family: Raising Resilient Children in Uncertain Times", and a picture book, "This Is the Mystery of Easter,” which was based on a children’s sermon given here at UCC Longmont. She’s spoken and led retreats around the country on the topics of hope, theology in intergenerational settings, and congregational discernment.
Amelia enjoys long walks, gardening, live performances of all kinds, and spending time with her husband and daughter. They live with their three cats, who are a constant source of joy and mischief.
If you would like to contact Rev. Amelia please click here.
adress@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
Minister of Community Faith Formation
Whitney Janzen-Pankratz
Rev. Whitney Janzen-Pankratz (she/her) is the Minister of Community Faith Formation at UCC Longmont. As she finished her MDiv with a Concentration in Social Transformation with United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Whitney has felt a strong sense of call to co-creating community, and collaborating on our shared journey to “be church.” Cultivating and facilitating spaces for us to show up in our authentic wholeness, and allow the Spirit to move in creative and transformative ways is her deep delight.
Whitney came to professional ministry as a second career. As the Wellness Program Coordinator for the Weld County Area Agency on Aging, Whitney developed community organizing skills in building volunteer teams, facilitating groups, and connecting partners and lay leaders in collaboration. Prior to that Whitney worked as a Social Services Director at a Long Term Care facility for 5 years. She has also enjoyed connecting with others as a Camp Counselor, Tutor, Case Manager, Personal Care Provider, and After School Group Leader. In all of these roles, Whitney has considered it a great honor and privilege to journey with others.
In her free time Whitney enjoys spending time cooking, hiking, backpacking, and camping with her partner, and sons.
If you would like to contact Rev. Whitney please click here
wjanzenpankratz@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
Youth Director
Rob Cronin
Rob was born and raised in Minnesota and grew up loving the outdoors and all the adventures to be found there. He and his wife, Maaike, lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area until May 2020 when they moved to Longmont to follow a shared dream of living in Colorado. They have three children.
Rob enjoys time outdoors and adventuring; primarily through mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding and snowboarding…though he'll try just about anything once!
If you would like to contact Rob Cronin, please click here.
Music Director
Lauren Black
Having grown up in a musical household in Rockville, Maryland, Lauren began her musical career studying classical piano and voice. She has a degree in vocal performance from the University of Denver. Lauren has sung with the Colorado Ballet’s Dracula (2022) and Nutcracker (2019-2023); as well as with Boulder’s Ars Nova (2021). She is currently a vocal instructor at the Denver Music Institute and the Music Director for the First Congregational Church of Longmont.
Building Administrator
Mike Sutton
Mike Sutton is a creative enthusiast with a passion for photography, music, and cinema. When he’s not capturing life’s moments through his lens, Mike loves seeing live bands, playing guitar, and thrifting.
He is happily married to his wife, Mari, who shares his love for adventure and creativity.
building@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
Office Administrator
admin@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
Pianist
Abby Jones
Abby is a Colorado native who attended CU Boulder for her undergrad in piano. She enjoys fostering musicianship and lifelong learning through teaching piano at her home in Broomfield. When she isn't playing or teaching, you can find her sewing, knitting, gardening, and practicing jiu jitsu. Abby is very happy to be part of this accepting community.
Sunday Site Supervisor
Erin Duggan
If you come in person on Sunday mornings, one of the first faces you'll see is Erin's. She's often greeting folks at the door, and is happy to help you get settled.
