STAFF

PASTOR MIKE SAFFORD-KENNEDY
- INTERIM MINISTER
Pastor Mike is the Interim Pastor at First Congregational Church of Ripon.
I am looking forward to joining with you in our time of change, learning, and discovering Interim Ministry. I am eager to meet all of you, hear your stories and your love for our church.
I come to you after serving churches in Columbus, NE, Greenwood, WI,
Chilton, WI, and New Holstein, WI. More than that, I bring with me all
the experiences of a life lived with twists and turns, joy and sadness.
I am coming to travel with you in our next adventure.
Pastor Mike is available for pastoral care, weddings and funerals.

JEANNE WILLIAMS
- DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Jeanne Williams is retired from the Educational Studies Department at Ripon College. During her career at Ripon College, she taught courses in literacy development and the history of American education. She also supervised student teachers in the Ripon and other area districts. She is currently the Education Director at the First Congregational Church of Ripon.

KURT DIETRICH
- CHOIR DIRECTOR
Kurt Dietrich retired as Professor of Music and Barbara Baldwin De Frees Professor of Performing Arts at Ripon College at the end of the 2018-19 school year, where he taught since 1980. Kurt graduated from Lawrence University. He received his master’s degree from Northwestern University. He earned his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
At Ripon College, Professor Dietrich directed the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Jazz Ensemble, taught brass instruments and a variety of courses. He was trombonist with Matrix, with which he recorded for RCA, Warner Brothers, Pablo and Summit Records. He continues to do freelance playing, in both jazz and classical groups. Kurt is a published music author and reviewer.
