Meet the First UCC Team!

Rev Jennifer Seaich (she/her)- Pastor:

Pastor Jennifer is thrilled to be ministering the lovely people in Sauk City. Her ministerial passions include social justice, spiritual formation, interfaith collaboration, and nurturing community. She believes that everyone has spiritual needs and longings and that in a time of deep uncertainty and upheaval, gathering to sing, pray, talk, listen, breathe, and break bread together are sacred acts. Christianity was never about certainty and having all the answers, but about relationship with a God who gave reason and wants us to use it; a God opposed to empires, cruel politics, and economics that harm the most vulnerable; a God found in and through creation. Pastor Jennifer loves exploring what a deeper, wiser, and more compassionate Christian faith might look like, in contemplation and action, and she is deeply suspicious of any theology in which God or God’s people are jerks.

Pastor Jennifer has a Masters in Divinity from Yale Divinity School, a Masters Degree in Counseling from Idaho State University and a Bachelors in English- creative writing and literature- and in Religious Studies from the University of Montana.

In her personal time, Pastor Jen loves reading, writing, cooking, and baking (she gives out a lot of sourdough), walking, traveling, and being with standard poodle Fergus. She is married to Brett and Oma to Lila, William, Alaina, Lilly, and Michael.

Dennis Kahn- Music Director:

Dennis Kahn has served as Music Director and organist/pianist at First Church since 2003 and has directed various choirs since 1994. A native of Sauk City, he was baptized and confirmed here and loves being on staff at First Church. As a retired music educator, he brings over 70 years of musical experiences and training to share with this congregation. Denny, as many at First Church know him, serves at the organ and/or piano for most every service and also directs a wonderful group of volunteer singers who make up First Choir. He is assisted by a former middle school chorus member singer and First Choir accompanist, Kristy Statz. Believing that music can be an avocation or vocation, he invites any and all to share their love of music for the greater glory of God in our worship setting.

Margaret McFarlane- Sunday School Superintendent, 1994-2021, 2023-2026

I grew up in Monona, Wisconsin. I was one of five (two sisters and two brothers). I attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison and graduated with a degree in elementary education. I taught third grade for seven years at Cottage Grove Elementary School. I married my husband, Tom, in August of 1986 (a blind date set up by his sister, my dental hygienist). In August of 1988, we were blessed with a daughter, Amanda. Our family grew with the addition of our son-in-law in 2016 and grandson in 2025! I enjoy reading, cooking, traveling, and being with my family and our dogs! I began my career as Sunday School Superintendent here at First U.C.C. in 1994. My work is not just a position I fill, but my calling here at church. God keeps calling and I keep answering; Here I Am, Lord. Children are a gift….and therefore it is a privilege to serve in children’s ministry. My heart overflows with 30 years of memories of the many students that I had the honor to lead to discipleship and share God’s love! 💕

Kristy Statz-ChoirAccompanist:

Kristy is a lifelong member of Sauk City UCC.

She played piano solos and duets for the UCC Music festivals until becoming the Choir Accompanist in fall of 1981.

Kristy has served as Members in Ministry Coordinator, Men of A-Chord accompanist, Junior Choir Director and Music Director/pianist for the UCC Contemporary Worship Service. As a free-lance musician, she has played and sung for many funerals, weddings and backed up Denny as organist/pianist for services. She has performed with her singing groups Perfect Harmony and Chapter3 and with her band, After 6 at many concerts at UCC and surrounding churches and venues. Her music arrangements and music can be heard on 5 CD’s that she enjoyed recording.

In “real life” Kristy works as a Quality Analyst for Quartz Insurance and loves cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with husband, Steve and their kids Kiana (Brogan), Ross, Sarah (Brad), Bradley and Schnau-Tzu, Daisy Mae.