LEAD PASTOR

Hi, I’m Rev. Brad Laurvick.

I love serving the people of Fort Collins with First United Methodist Church. Everything I do centers on living the teachings of Jesus (love, acceptance, justice, and hope) in ways that invite relationships to grow. As a preacher, I strive to help people find points of personal connection with stories from our scriptures— I believe the Bible is for everyone, not just those who quote it at people. My passion for reclaiming our scriptures drives my work for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, environmental sustainability, and food/housing justice; these are biblical values and places I encounter God.

I love helping people find meaning in their everyday lives and creating space for big questions. As a sociologist of religion and a practical theologian in a postmodern world, I strive to faithfully confront the realities of life without discounting people’s experiences. I don’t need you to believe exactly what I do— I do want to make a difference in the world with you, as we discover God’s love.

When I am not working, I enjoy biking with my family, volunteering at my kids’ schools (I’m a crossing guard!), and enjoying our daily Wordle and favorite shows with Meghan, my wife. I also serve on the steering committee for Leadership Fort Collins.

Outside of professional ministry, I have been a park ranger, a college health educator, an Apple employee, an elected official, a yoga studio cleaner, and a puppeteer/social media influencer.

BS Religious Studies, CU Boulder
Masters of Divinity, Iliff School of Theology

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PASTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

First Church welcomes Rev. Jamielee Demske. Rev. Jamielee most recently served as the pastor of Laurel UMC in Laurel, Montana and as the Congregational Resource Minister for the Montana East District. As the CRM, Rev. Jamielee supported more than 50 churches in her district in organizational leadership, resourcing and vision. Prior to serving in Montana, Rev. Jamielee was the Associate Pastor at Washington Park UMC in Denver.

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DIRECTOR OF PARENT’S DAY OUT

Catherine is excited to be teaching the church she grew up in. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education but most of her experience is in early childhood. She loves to snuggle, explore, learn, and grow with the littles! Catherine loves to go to musicals, play board games with her family and spoil their dog, Scout.

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DIRECTOR OF PARENT’S DAY OUT

Lea was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has lived in Loveland, Colorado for 7 years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and has worked with children in a preschool setting for 9 years. In her spare time, Lea loves to cook, garden, paint, visit the ocean, and spend time with her two little boys and husband, Aaron, and all of her extended family that live in the area.

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DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES

Brayden grew up in North Texas and graduated from Plano Senior Highschool where he enjoyed playing soccer and being in the drumline. While attending Southwestern University he explored his call to ministry working as a youth intern at FUMC Rockwall, and a children's camp director at FUMC Dallas over the summers while putting together worship services for students on campus at SU. After graduating from Southwestern University, Brayden attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU where he received his Master of Divinity and worked as an associate youth minister at Grace Avenue UMC in Frisco, Texas. He is passionate about youth ministry and feels called to walk alongside youth and their families as they claim their faith as their own. In his free time Brayden enjoys playing video games, spending time with his dog Luna, and he can't wait to take advantage of living closer to ski areas so that he can snowboard to his heart's content.

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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

Victoria graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies in 2018. For the last five years, Victoria has worked with youth and young adults as a Youth Ministry intern, Summer Camp Counselor, tutor, Summer SUCCEED counselor (for youth in foster care program), Colorado Youth for Change AmeriCorps member, Paraprofessional at Rocky Mountain High School, and Kindred Director. Victoria’s passion and call to ministry is to youth and young adults. Victoria attended, served as liturgist and assisted with AV at our Modern Worship Service. She is a pastor’s kid who hopes to be a professor in religious studies in the future. Victoria is married to Brandon Burkett. They are very creative people; Victoria draws and paints while Brandon does woodworking. Victoria is also a runner and avid reader. They have a beloved dog, Mabel.

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KIDS’ CLOSET COORDINATOR

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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND ARTS

I’m Nathan Payant, and I have the immense joy of serving as Director of Music and Arts at First United Methodist Church. I love creating spaces where people can connect, find meaning, and experience beauty through music––whether it’s leading the Sanctuary Choir, Handbell Choir, Church Orchestra, encouraging our youth to explore musical passions, or hearing the congregation’s voices fill the room during a favorite hymn. For me, helping people build community and express their faith through the arts is truly at the heart of what I do.

Outside of church, I teach at Colorado State University, where I direct the Concert Choir and teach conducting, as well as courses in music education and music therapy. I also direct Fort Collins community choir, Laudamus Chamber Chorale, and sing with Colorado Bach Ensemble, both of which keep me learning and inspired.

When I’m not making music, I’m usually spending time with my wife, Natalie, and our three daughters–Faythe, Ava, and Lilian. I also love coffee and traveling! I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love every day: make music, build connections, and share in something bigger than ourselves.

BME Choral Music Education, Northern State University – Aberdeen, SD
MM Choral Conducting, Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO
DMA Choral Conducting, University of Colorado – Boulder, CO

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ORGANIST/ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Joel Bacon is the Stewart and Sheron Golden Chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies and the Fr. Don Willette Chair of Catholic Studies at Colorado State University.

As a concert organist, his recent performances have focused on music by W. A. Mozart, Herman Berlinski, and Petr Eben, as well as works for organ and orchestra. His teaching and research are centered on topics related to Catholicism and the creative arts, especially Gregorian chant.

He has performed throughout Europe and North America, and his performances have been broadcast on Austrian Radio and Public Radio International. He has played with numerous orchestras and chamber groups, including the Borromeo String Quartet and the Canadian Brass.

He directs and teaches an annual summer course for young organists (CSU Organ Week) and has directed many Pipe Organ Encounters of the American Guild of Organists. He has taught at the Oundle International Festival (Cambridge, UK), at organ courses of the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, and at numerous other courses in the US and Canada.

He earned a Ph.D. in historical musicology through a joint degree program of Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts and the University of Vienna, with a dissertation on the use of the organ in orchestral music. In his work as a musicologist, he has lectured widely on topics related to the organ and liturgical music. Most recently, he has researched the composer Herman Berlisnki (1910–2001), whose organ concerto, “The Tetragrammaton,” he performed in a world premiere in Munich in 2019.

From 2008 to 2020 he conducted the St. John XXIII Schola Cantorum, a choir specializing in Gregorian chant. He is currently organist and artist in residence here, at First United Methodist Church, Fort Collins.

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ORGAN EMERITUS

Karen Stoody served as organist at First Church from 2003 until her retirement in 2021 at which time she was named Organist Emeritus in recognition of her many years of dedication and service. Karen's standard of excellence in the magnificent music she contributed to worship at First United Methodist Church will live on in perpetuity.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DIRECTOR

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CHILDREN'S CHOIR PIANIST

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