CONTACT US
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
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RIPON, WI
STAFF
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REV. AMANDA EDWARDS
- DESIGNATED INTERIM PASTOR
Rev. Amanda Edwards, M.Div., is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Her professional background includes education, administration, faith formation, and camp and retreat ministry. As a trained spiritual director, Amanda is passionate about serving and caring with people in all twists and turns off their faith and life journeys. She stands in wonder at the capacity of worship and liturgy to weave community and reveal God's love as Scripture speaks across time and contexts. She is passionate about trauma-informed leadership, the intersection of creative arts and spirituality, and cultivating resilience and vision with communities in transition. Amanda shares life with her wife, their five children, three dogs, and bearded dragon. In addition to serving as Designated Interim Pastor, Amanda works at Ripon College.
KATIE DEL PONTE
- DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Katie Del Ponte strives to create a welcoming environment where children feel encouraged to ask questions, build meaningful relationships, and discover how the Bible can guide and support them in their everyday lives. One of Katie's greatest joys is sharing the love of Christ with children, inspired by the faith-filled childhood she was blessed to experience. Katie resides in Ripon with her husband, Nate, their two children, Kameron and MaKenzie, and two fur babies, Bo and Daisy. Her family stays busy with sports and in their free-time they enjoy corss-country road trips visiting family and friends. As her kids like to say, "If Mom is sitting down, she's probably driving or sleeping!" In the fall of 2026, Katie begins her first full-time teaching job at Read Elementary in Oshkosh as a fourth grade teacher.
TINA SOLBERG
- COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Tina Solberg stepped into her role at First Congregational Church of Ripon in early 2026. She has enjoyed being a part of the life of the church for over a decade. Since 2019, Tina has also worked as the Donor Relations Manager for the Green Lake Association. Outside of work she enjoys life on a small farm in Neshkoro alongside her chef and farmer husband, Dan, four active kids, Sarah Joy, Seiler, Sam and Seine, plus many animals. Earlier in her career she served families as a licensed midwife and had the great blessing of delivering her four children safely at home with midwives.
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.
