University Park UMC Staff Page

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Reach the Staff by phone (303-722-5736), fax (303-722-2533), or e-mail at upark@universityparkumc.org, or use the email links for each name as indicated.

Rev. Paul Kottke pkottke@universityparkumc.org

Senior Pastor

...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...And the second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.—Matthew 22:36-40

Paul is a 1981 graduate of The Iliff School of Theology and was ordained Elder in 1982. His passion is to find ways in which a vital congregation can build relationships within the surrounding community and the world.  He believes that the gospel of Jesus Christ invites us in this 21st Century to overcome the divisions which religion so often inflicts on God's children.
 

"I am particularly interested in how, as committed Christians, we might be in ministry with persons of other faiths as brothers and sisters within God's incredible grace."

 
Rev. Debby Lawrence dlawrence@universityparkumc.org

Congregational
Care Pastor

Whatsoever you do to the least of these, that you do unto me.—Matthew 25:40

Debby joined the staff of UPark in 1998 as Christian Education Director. She was consecrated a Diaconal Minister in 1999 and ordained Deacon in 2002. In January 2001 she became our full-time Congregational Care Pastor. Previous to working at UPark, she was a Stephen Minister and Leader, and Sunday School teacher at St. Andrew UMC.
Duane Buys
dbuys@universityparkumc.org

Director of Christian
Education

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.—Jeremiah 29:11

Duane has lived in Denver for over 30 years and previously taught at Denver Christian Schools. He began work with UPark in 2001 and enjoys working with children of all ages. He sponsors the Youth Mission trip every other year, which was to San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church in 2005.
Patrick Lewis

patrick.lewis@comcast.net

Student Pastor

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31

As our Student Pastor, Patrick works with the young adult groups and coordinates the Contemporary Praise Service. He is currently a student at Iliff School of Theology, working on his Master of Divinity and Social Justice Degree.

Patrick is from Wyoming where he spent over eight years as a broadcast weather anchor on television. He and his wife Kim have adopted three sibling brothers who keep them busy!

JoAnn Gudvangen-Brown
joann@universityparkumc.org

Director of Music/Organist

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.—Psalm 66:1-2

JoAnn joined the staff as organist in July 1989 and became Director of Music in 2004. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Denver with degrees in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting. She is an active musician, teacher, and performer.
Janet Vanden Bosch
noelle968@msn.com

Director of the UPark Choristers,
the Children's Choir

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend to heaven, thou are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, thou are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall lead me and thy right hand shall hold me. — Psalm 139:7-10

Janet has been a member of the UPark Chancel Choir since 1986. In 2008, she began directing the
UPark Choristers for children ages four to twelve.  She is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and the University of Denver with degrees in Piano Performance and Music Composition.  n addition, she is certified in Orff-Schulwerk, an international discipline for teaching music to children.

With more than thirty years of teaching experience, Janet continues to compose music and participate in various ensembles.

“The gift of music is especially rewarding to share with youngsters in the church community.”

Ryan Canaday
wesley@du.edu

Wesley Foundation Campus Minister
 

. . . I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly . . . — John 10:10
Ryan is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Justice & Peace Studies at The Iliff School of Theology. He and his wife Tami live in Lakewood and enjoy the mountains, good movies, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Ryan will work with students at D.U. and will strive to increase participation in the Wesley Foundation activities for the coming year.
Carol Feickert
cfeickert@universityparkumc.org

Administrative Assistant

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! — Psalm 8:1

This former Spanish/History teacher moved to Denver in 1996 and has 20 years of experience in the consulting industry and working in publications. She enjoys working with page layouts and producing the weekly bulletins.
Dr. Louis Bloede Pastor Emeritus
Anne Hunter Assistant Organist
Angela Hudgens Wedding Coordinator

Scott Shaffer
scootervanilla@yahoo.com
Resident caretaker


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