Donald J. De Bruin
is our Director of Music Ministries. Previously Don was the Director of Music
at the First Presbyterian Church,
Freehold, New Jersey, where he directed five age-graded vocal choirs and four
handbell choirs. He held similar positions in churches in California,
Colorado, New Jersey and New York. He is a past winner of the Arthur Poister
National Organ Playing Competition sponsored by the Syracuse, New York chapter
of the American Guild of Organists.
Don DeBruin had his first professional, paid job as an organist at the age of
nine, playing Christmas carols for civic functions in his hometown of Fair
Lawn, New Jersey. At the age of sixteen he began the study of classical organ
literature; his teachers have included Wayne Cohn, Will O. headlee, Don A.
Vollstedt, and the late Claire Coci. Don received a double Bachelor's
degree in Music Education and Organ Performance from Syracuse University, and a
Master's degree in Organ Performance from the University of Colorado at
Boulder. He has done additional graduate work at Westminster Choir College of
Rider University. In addition, Don has a master's degree in architecture from
the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Don's e-mail address is
ddebruin@firstcongmadison.org.
Jeffrey S. Rabe
serves First Congregational UCC as
Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth. Previously Jeff was the Director of Youth Ministries at St. Peter's UCC in Kiel, Wisconsin for eleven years. During his tenure at St. Peter's, Jeff served on the Northeast Association's Christian Education Committee, led youth leader workshops and confirmation retreats, was a member of the Arts Committee of the Wisconsin Conference, was a General Synod delegate and has directed MADD Camps (music, art, dance and drama) for junior and senior high youth at United Church Camps.
A Lakeland College graduate, Jeff received his B.A. in Broadfield Social Studies/History. His interests lie in music, theatre, children's theatre, reading and gardening. An amateur tuba player, Jeff played in the Kiel Municipal Band and the Sheboygan Heritage Band. A self-proclaimed character actor, Jeff has performed with several community theatre companies, his most memorable roles being Ben Franklin in 1776 and Teddy Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace.
Jeff's e-mail address is jrabe@firstcongmadison.org.
Vern Mueller started care for the church property on October 6, 2003 as the Building Manager. Vern was born and raised on a farm in Fond du Lac county. He entered the Navy in 1959 and was stationed on board a destroyer for four years. At previous employers, Vern worked in property management, building maintenance and steam plant operation. He is kept busy maintaining our beautiful, seventy year old building.
Vern has two children,
Melanie and Stephanie and two grandchildren.
Vern's e-mail address is vmueller@firstcongmadison.org.
Cindae Dignan joined the staff as Bookkeeper
in September 2006. Cindae’s hours are Monday, Wednesday,
and Thursday, 8am to 1pm.
Cindae's e-mail
address is cdignan@firstcongmadison.org.
 Ann M McIntosh is the Church Secretary here at First Congregational UCC. Ann’s previous church positions include serving as the administrative assistant at Concordia United Methodist Church in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Ann recently graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a degree in Music Education in December 2007 and she works part time as a choir teacher within the Madison School District.
Ann’s interests include singing, organizing, running, and spending time with her Schnauzer, Emmie.
Ann's e-mail address is amcintosh@firstcongmadison.org
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