Interim Pastor Rev. Jim Iliff
Rev. Jim Iliff is a native Wisconsinite, having been born and raised in Black River Falls. He received his bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from UW-Eau Claire in 1977 and a master’s degree in music history from UW-Madison in 1980. In 1989, he began attending Eden Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1992. He pastored St. Peter’s UCC, South Bend, IN for nine years and Middleton Community UCC, Middleton, WI for nineteen. He retired from full-time ministry in 2020. During his retirement, he has served as part-time interim minister of several congregations in southern Wisconsin. He has been married to Stephanie for 45 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren. They currently live on the southwest side of Madison. In addition to interim ministry, Jim loves reading non-fiction, genealogy, hiking, camping, and traveling.
Gretchen Dresen is our Director of Music because, in reality, she coordinates the overall music program of the congregation well beyond directing the choir–and she does a fantastic job!–which shows in the amazing vitality and variety of music that happens, well beyond the usual scope of a church our size. Gretchen has a real passion for music and performance. She has sung with a number of ensembles, large and small. Gretchen and her husband Bill have been members of the church for 30+ years and are faithful leaders in the church.
Larry Stout
Larry Stout is our primary organist/accompanist. Larry is an incredible keyboard artist and is in charge of music for Circus World. Larry travels a great deal with touring circuses during the autumn-spring period, often coming in on a Sunday morning straight from a travel engagement to play for worship. It is not unusual to find him at local events playing almost any type of music you can imagine. Larry joined First Congregational in 2006 and we are blessed by his presence.
In addition, member Jean Powell, an accomplished clarinetist, often arranges for instrumental ensembles and soloists to enhance our worship from her many connections to the music community in and around the area.
First Congregational UCC is governed as a whole by the congregation but annually elects officers and board and committee members in January. The Cabinet is comprised of six persons who are elected as officers of the congregation and a representative from each of the standing boards and committees. The pastor is an ex officio member of the Cabinet and all boards, committees, and subcommittees with voice, but no vote.