Pastor John Lund (john@uccmissoula.org) has a passion for diverse communities grounded in God’s creation and deep love through spirit and truth and working together for a world where all have enough for vital, meaningful and dignified life.
Reverend Gail Greener (gail@uccmissoula.org) is thrilled to be a part of the UCC staff as a member and leader of the Pastoral Care team. Rev. Gail is an ordained minister in the UCC and has worked as a chaplain for multiple health care systems, both in Montana and Illinois for over 25 years. With her husband, John, she has been in Missoula now for 14 years and enjoys rafting, hiking and spending time with friends and family. As a quilter, Rev. Gail understands the importance of individual pieces coming together to create a colorful and stronger whole and believes the UCC enhances not only the fabric of our community but everyone who calls this church their spiritual home. She also believes that a sense of belonging comes through connections with each other and looks forward to working with the Care Core committee and Pastor John to support everyone who calls this church their home.
Pastor Janice Springer, Minister of Spiritual Formation, is on-site at UCC Missoula in the summers where she organizes popular small groups and shares her passion for words in her sermons.
Church Administrator Austin Fleer (uccadmin@uccmissoula.org) is an Idaho native and has lived in Montana for about ten years. A sports fan, he attended UM, is married to an attorney, and has an active 2-year old child.
Brad Herron (brad@uccmissoula.org) joined the UCC staff as the new Community Outreach and Small Groups Coordinator in April 2024. Brad was raised in Texas and has been in Missoula for nearly 30 years with wife Terri and two sons.
Bill Kautz (bill@uccmissoula.org) joined as the Music Coordinator at UCC of Missoula in September 2018 and is thoroughly enjoying his work with such a progressive and collaborative community.
Dr. Christopher Hahn, Director of Chancel Choir, is professor of piano and pedagogy, and Chair of the Keyboard Division at the University of Montana where he has been on faculty since 2004. With his wife Valerie Young, Dr. Hahn operates and teaches at the PLAY Piano Academy in Missoula.
Alice Williams has been organist at UCC for over forty years, providing organ, piano and harp music for church services and accompaniment for choir rehearsals and special concerts.
Jeff Stickney is a Piano Technician by trade. He can be seen once a month sitting on the organ bench, as well as occasionally playing the trumpet or running the sound system. He and his wife Peggy have been members of the church since 1990, and Jeff has been a life-long member of the UCC denomination.
Megan Thornton (megan@uccmissoula.org), Director of Children and Family Ministry, realized her calling was working with children after serving as a Jesuit volunteer and Americorps Vista, and she shifted course to train as a Montessori teacher. Megan is a mother to 3 littles. As Children’s Minister, she is thrilled to be working with kids and families of the UCC community, exploring our faith lineage together in a way that is nourishing and relevant for these times.
Ashley Ostheimer (ashley@uccmissoula.org) joined UCC Missoula as the Director of Youth Ministry as of August, 2024. Ashley was born and raised in the Bitterroot and lives in Missoula with her husband, Clint, and their four children. After leaving a high-demand religion in 2020, Ashley’s birthday wish in 2023 was to find an open and affirming faith community with core beliefs grounded in social justice, spirit, and Christ-like love. Ashley has a Master’s in Public Health and is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Lactation Counselor. Her passion is early childhood and family support systems, and she is thrilled to work alongside UCC’s youth in service, fun, and learning.