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.
Pianist
Robert Hjelmstad
Robert Hjelmstad is an accredited keyboardist, holding a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, a Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia, and a Doctorate from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Outside of his musical pursuits, Robert is an avid reader, a fitness enthusiast, and a dedicated creator of dad jokes, much to the delight of his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Gabriel and Isabella.
Office Administrator
Jennifer Mueller
Jen Mueller is a California native turned Colorado transplant, having made the move in 2014. She's been happily married to her husband Christian for 16 years and share a son, Zealand, who's 14 years old and a avid baseball player. When she's not cheering on her son at his games, Jen enjoys belting out her favorite tunes at karaoke nights with friends and spending quality time with loved ones. With a passion for travel and exploration, Jen is always looking forward to the next adventure on the horizon.
admin@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
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, thrifting. A true denim connoisseur, he appreciates the finer details in fashion.
Mike grew up in South Padre Island, Texas, where he developed a love for surfing. He is happily married to his wife, Mari, who shares his love for adventure and creativity. They moved to Longmont, Colorado, ten years ago and have since made it their home. Mike has built a career in property management and loves working at United Church of Christ, Longmont.
building@ucclongmont.org | 303-776-4940
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.
