The Youth Group has reached the midpoint of the program year and celebrates the successful merging of our two groups from Falcon Heights and New Life churches into one! With the guidance of a wonderful leadership team, we have met twice a month (first and third Sundays) to share a meal, build community, and foster spiritual exploration among the youth in grades 7-12.

Some highlights from this fall’s activities were State Fair parking, leaf raking for church members, and a robust Christmas party with our traditional Secret Santa gift exchange. In addition, with funding from the Outreach Team, we assembled Blessing Bags for distribution to the homeless and made a monetary donation to the food shelf at the Roseville Area School District. We look forward to an exciting 2026 with more food, fun, and service opportunities, including a summer mission trip, possibly to Alaska!

Our table has room for more; new participants are always welcome.

Julie Harrington has been hired as our new Sunday nursery attendant. Julie has over 30 years of experience in early child care at A Child’s View in St. Paul and The Learning Garden in Maplewood. She is one of those people whose calling is caring for children, especially the very youngest. She’s held positions such as lead infant teacher and has managed assistant teachers in these licensed child care centers.

Julie is current in infant and child first aid and CPR. In addition to annual background checks as a child care teacher, she’s passed our staff-required background check through MinistrySafe. She is semi-retired, but works three mornings a week at a child care center, and just can’t get enough of caring for, teaching and loving young children!

Dr. Josh Neuenschwander has been selected as the new music director at Falcon Heights Church. He’ll succeed Adam Miller, who has led our music ministry for the past three and a half years.

Josh has served in music ministry for more than two decades, most recently as director of music at First United Methodist and Wesley Center of Iowa City, Iowa, where he directed the Chancel Choir and Jubilation Ringers handbell choir and provided piano and substitute organ music for services and special events.

He also was recently appointed as the new director of bands, director of the St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra, and assistant professor of music education and instrumental music at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Josh is in the process of moving his family from Iowa to the Twin Cities, and the plan is to introduce him in person to the congregations of Falcon Heights and New Life churches in August.

A native of southeast Michigan, Josh earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in wind band conducting from the University of Iowa. His teaching, conducting, and music ministry experience spans public schools, colleges, and churches in both those states, Illinois, and now Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Outside of work, Josh is an avid private pilot, a huge sports fan, and a hockey and band dad. He enjoys traveling, camping, and hiking with his wife, Heather, a professional flutist and fellow music teacher, and sons Alex and Zachary. Josh says he and his family are thrilled to be moving to the Twin Cities, and look forward to getting to know everyone at Falcon Heights Church.

Falcon Heights Church is seeking a part-time nursery attendant to provide care for infants and young children during Sunday worship services.

Download the position description. For more information, or to apply, please contact Rev. Rick King at [email protected].

Nursery Coordinator Job Description

Falcon Heights Church, United Church of Christ
Falcon Heights, Minnesota

Employed by: Hired by the Executive Board
Reports to: Lead Pastor
Works with: The congregation and the Children’s Ministry Lead in the ministry and mission of Falcon Heights Church, United Church of Christ (FHCUCC)
Status: Part-time position (1½ hours per week year-round; other hours by agreement for special events)

Job Summary

The Nursery Coordinator works collaboratively with the Children’s Ministry Lead, our church families and the Lead Pastor to provide quality during the Sunday morning worship service. The Nursery Coordinator advances the current FHCUCC mission and priorities by caring for and nurturing young children in a manner that strengthens an inclusive, intergenerational community modeling progressive Christianity.

Essential Functions

• Effectively manages a group of infants and young children, fostering a positive group dynamic and redirecting children as needed.
• Oversees any youth volunteers working with the children.
• Tracks supplies and materials needed in the nursery.
• Interacts with adults in a welcoming manner, establishing special needs of each child.
• Keeps records of attendance.

Qualifications

• Experience working in education, child development or human services.
• Has a passion for young children and ability to communicate well with both children and parents/guardians.
• Completion of a multi-state criminal background check.

Core Competencies Required

• Ethics and Values: Honors the core values and beliefs of FHCUCC; consistently behaves in a manner that aligns with the values and beliefs in stressful and non-stressful situations.
• Integrity and Trust: Is seen as trustworthy by others; practices direct, honest and transparent communication; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; responds to situations with constancy and reliability.
• Creativity and Innovation: Generates new ideas and fresh approaches; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work.
• Compassion and Care: Exudes a natural sense of care for the well-being of others; responds with empathy; demonstrates expressions of care that are appropriate and have appropriate boundaries.