Staff

Reverend Dr. Michelle Carlson

I grew up in several parts of Virginia as a pastor’s kid. I am the oldest of two daughters. Women just started to be ordained in 1970 in the Lutheran Church, so I did not really see women as pastors growing up. I pursued a degree in English, Linguistics and Speech with a certificate in secondary education. I taught high school English for two years in Baltimore, MD, and one year in Hagerstown, MD. After discerning that I would rather teach people about Jesus than Shakespeare, I moved to Gettysburg for my Master of Divinity. My internship was in a town of 35 people in northern North Dakota. I fell in love with the Midwest and ended up completing the requirements for my degree at Wartburg Theological Seminary. I had a wonderful mentor who encouraged me to get my PhD in Religious Education. I went on to Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University for my PhD in Congregational Studies with an Emphasis in Religious Education. I served my first call at Mt. Zion Haugh’s Lutheran Church in Keymar, MD, for nine years. During that time, I was also an adjunct professor at Lancaster Seminary, Wesley Seminary and Gettysburg Seminary. I was the Director of Lifelong Learning and Certificate programs at Gettysburg for a time.

I am a certified Healthy Congregations Facilitator. I enjoy combining my ethnographic studies and listening skills with family systems theory. I like to read and play Scrabble with my mom. Someday my craft room will get finished at home, and I will be able to get back to doing some artistic endeavors. I also enjoy domestic and international travel. I always have our backgammon board with us when my husband and I travel to play while waiting for our food in a restaurant or in the evenings with a glass of wine. We enjoy living in Kearney with our nine-year-old Maltese/Bichon mix, Natasha.

Reverend Dr. Rick Carlson

I grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, as the youngest of four children. After joining the Covenant Players, a Christian drama company, and serving as a counselor at a Lutheran Bible camp, I felt called to be a Lutheran pastor. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and then went on to Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Once I finished my studies for my Master of Divinity, I went straight to Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, for my PhD in Biblical Studies. My first call was in the ALC at a three-point parish in Roseau, MN. My second call was to the staff at Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, MN. In 1990, I took a call to the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg where I had many hats including Professor of New Testament, Director of Internship, Candidacy Coordinator, and Director of Theological Studies. I served in that call for 27 years.

I have three children, two live in Virginia and the other in Oregon. I enjoy playing Fantasy Football in our church league and a league in Las Cruces, NM. I love international travel, especially to the Middle East, Italy and Greece. My wife, Michelle, and I were married in a historical home with 13 people present on the Gettysburg Seminary campus in June of 2004.

Kandy Bacon

Administrative Assistant

I began working as an Administrative Assistant at First Lutheran Church in February of 2017. A partial list of my duties includes answering the phone and door, assisting all guests/members, tracking attendance, and coordinating volunteers. Tracking shut-in visitations and pastoral care or congregational visits, overseeing the Odds & Ends payments, Preschool administrative duties, coordinating and creating bulletins, and creating the weekly newsletter and weekly communion schedules. I have been married for 23 years. My husband, Scott, is an insurance agent for AAA. We have two children, Scottie, age 21, and Ben, age 17, and two fur babies, a Cocker Spaniel named Milo and a Pekingese, named Carebear.

Kathy Benne

Director of Communications and Events

I grew up in the small town of Platte Center, NE. My husband, Jon, and I met while attending Kearney State College and have lived in Kearney since. We have three children, three grandchildren, and three grand dogs. Previously I worked at UNK for twelve years as an Office Associate and Career Event organizer. Prior to that I was an Event Coordinator at the Kearney Ramada Inn. I’m excited to join the First Lutheran Church team to utilize my talents in a way that serves others. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, planting flowers, camping, and doing crafts.

Logan Ellis

Director of Engagement: Youth, Congregation and Community

I grew up in Beaver City Nebraska. I was baptized Lutheran but was connected to the local Presbyterian Church. I attended Hastings College for my undergraduate studies and met my wonderful wife Erin in the band. I traveled to Iowa to complete my seminary studies at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and taught as a graduate assistant at the University.
My first call was at the First Presbyterian church of Axtell. While there, I started an After School Program, improved a Summer Lunch Program, and created a Youth Sanctuary within the basement for kids of the community.
I have two amazing and active kids. Taelyn is a young firecracker ready to take on the world, and Wilson is trying to keep up with her. They are treasures and are full of personality.
My wife Erin is the K-12 music teacher of Axtell, so many nights you can find me at pep band or tuning a drum. When we have spare time, we love to play board games, cook, and find new adventures to do as a family. I am also an on-call chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital. As the Director of Engagement, I look forward to connecting with you!

Jen Puls

Database Assistant

I have been a member at First Lutheran Church since February 1997, along with my two sons, Nathan and Christian. I have taught Sunday School and Wednesday night youth activities, which is now called FROG. I have served on Church Council, Endowment Committee, and Feeding the Flock on Wednesday nights during the school year. I work part-time at First Lutheran Church on the Church Database called CCIS. Typically, I do behind the scenes assistance and try to help with organizing events such as the pictorial directory. I send out reminders to various individuals, families, and groups for different events. It is a joy to help out the church however I am needed.

Natalie Radcliffe

Music Coordinator

I have been on staff with First Lutheran since 2012 and a member of the church since 2004. Prior to coming to First Lutheran I spent 20 years as an Air Force wife, teaching elementary and K-12 music. I then worked at the Kearney Housing Agency managing low-income housing.

I enjoy sharing my passion for music in a variety of ways. I have a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California. I play flute, alto flute and piccolo in the UNK Flute Choir, piccolo in the Kearney Symphony Orchestra, flute in the annual Messiah Orchestra and also perform as a soloist locally and nationally.

Additionally, as the director of the Chancel Bell Choir at First Lutheran, I have been involved with handbells since 1980. I have two sons and two grandsons.

Sarah Schweitzer

Volunteer Ministry Coordinator

I am from a small town near Kearney, so I have been in the area all my life. My husband, Derek, and I met while attending college at UNK and were married at First Lutheran in 2009. I have a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies with a minor in Social Work and have always enjoyed working with people. I have served as a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School coordinator, organized VBS registration, served with Feeding the Flock and have taught Confirmation small group classes. We have two children and a silly mini-labradoodle named Bruce. We enjoy spending time outside and following the kids’ various activities to keep us busy!

Stacy Seim

Bookkeeper

I have been a member of First Lutheran Church since 2000. I’m married to Ben and we have two daughters, Kyleigh and Danielle. Over the years I’ve been involved in many different areas of the church including Christian Education as a FROG teacher for 10 years, and as a confirmation small group leader for a 6-year stretch. I’m filling the bookkeeper position in a part-time capacity while also maintaining my role with Education Quest where I have worked for 26 years.

Amanda Lewis

Lead Pre-K Teacher

I love my job!  I graduated from Wayne State College, taught one year in a two-room country schoolhouse near Valentine, Nebraska. I then moved to Kearney and taught kindergarten at Emerson Elementary. After that, I was a stay-at-home mom of three little children and finished my online Master’s Degree in Reading at UNK in 2016. Shortly after that, I started teaching here at First Lutheran Preschool. I taught 5 years in the 3-4 year classroom at First Lutheran Church Preschool and now I am beginning a new adventure in the Pre-K room as the lead teacher.  

I love movies, playing volleyball, dancing, music, flowers, Husker football, and reading!

My favorite quote is, “Character is how you behave when no one is looking.”  I am blessed to work and be around many people with good character.

Sonya Vetick

Assistant Pre-K Teacher

I grew up in Grand Island and attended Hastings Community College. I received my Associate’s Degree in Dental Assisting. I married my husband, Michael, in 1988 and have lived in Kearney ever since. We have two wonderful daughters, two sons-in-law and one granddaughter. 

When our daughters were growing up I decided to become a daycare provider. I operated “Sonya’s Day Care” for 22 years. I enjoy being around children and love the energy they bring. I’m very excited to be the Pre-K assistant teacher working with Mrs. Amanda Lewis. 

My hobbies are going to water aerobics, watching Husker football, cruising in our convertible, walking and reading.