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Reverend Julie Eklund, Pastor
Rev. Julie Eklund started as First Congregational's pastor on November 19, 2024. She holds a B.A. in English from Aurora University in Aurora, IL and a MDiv from Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. She was ordained at Spring Creek United Church of Christ in Rockford, Illinois in 2017, and began serving her first congregation Redeemer United Church of Christ in Sussex, Wisconsin. Pastor Julie is affectionately known as the "Purple Pastor" for her distinctive hair and love of purple. She is married to her partner, Dustin, and they have two sons Austin and Aydin. As a family they love football, music and movies. Please stop by Pastor Julie's Community Office Hours every Friday from 11-1 at Elsewhere Market and Coffee House, 531 N. Main St.
Rev. Julie Eklund started as First Congregational's pastor on November 19, 2024. She holds a B.A. in English from Aurora University in Aurora, IL and a MDiv from Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. She was ordained at Spring Creek United Church of Christ in Rockford, Illinois in 2017, and began serving her first congregation Redeemer United Church of Christ in Sussex, Wisconsin. Pastor Julie is affectionately known as the "Purple Pastor" for her distinctive hair and love of purple. She is married to her partner, Dustin, and they have two sons Austin and Aydin. As a family they love football, music and movies. Please stop by Pastor Julie's Community Office Hours every Friday from 11-1 at Elsewhere Market and Coffee House, 531 N. Main St.
Jean Bord-Pire is the Building Manager/ Custodian at First Congregational Church. He started at FCC in October of 2015 as the custodian. and In October of 2021 he beame the Building Manager. Jean has been a member of FCC since 2016. He met Doug Bord-Pire in 2005 and they married in 2015. Doug has a daughter Susie Robinson married to Josh and they have a son Alex, Jean and Doug's one and only grandson. Doug's mom Jennie lives above them in their house in Oshkosh along with their little four legged girl Daisy!
Olivia Grable joined FCC in November 2025 as the Office Administrator. Olivia is from Racine, Wisconsin, and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2008 with a degree in education and a minor in mathematics. Most of her professional experience has been in office administration, including serving as the office administrator at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Neenah. She is the proud parent of two wonderful teens who keep her life full of joy and adventure. In her free time, she enjoys movies, hiking, art, theater, biking, board games, and writing.
Bridget Duffy-Ulrich is the half-time organist and Chancel Choir director at First Congregational Church. She primarily serves as the Director of Choirs of Oshkosh North High School where she teaches curricular choirs, musical theatre, music technology, a cappella clubs, the Madrigal Singers, and directs the annual musical. She serves as Co-Music Department Chair for the Oshkosh Area School District. Duffy-Ulrich has her master's degree in music education from the University of Michigan and Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Duffy-Ulrich and her family are proud members of FCC of Oshkosh.
Liz Kaprelian is the Interim Coordinator of Youth Faith Formation at First Congregational Church. Liz has been a member of First Congregational Church for 40+ years having been invited by her future mother-in-law to sing in the choir. She grew up in Neenah and has a degree in Government from Lawrence University. After graduating, she realized her true calling was to teach. She received her certification in elementary education, and later a masters degree in the same area, from UW-Oshkosh. She and her husband, Jim, were married at FCC and raised their three children in this church family. They are the proud grandparents of two amazing boys, Archer and Elliot. In addition to "Grandma time", Liz loves to travel, golf, read, knit, and sew.
Chris Valadez is a Nursery Care Provider at FCC. Chris recently moved to Oshkosh from Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2025 and has been working Monday to Saturday as a Level 3 behavioral therapist for children living with autism since moving out here. Back home, Chris started out as a caregiver for adult males living with disabilities, both physical and mental, but knew that his heart lay in working with children of all capabilities. Living in Arizona, Chris would spend his free time building memories with his seven godchildren and going on adventures with his two Australian cattle dogs. He wanted to move out of Arizona to be able to experience more of the country that he lives in and to broaden his career choices. Chris plans to make Oshkosh his new permanent home and is excited to be a part of the nursery care team here at FCC!
Spencer Hadel is the Media Coordinator at First Congregational Church. Spencer has been part of this church since he was baptized as an infant. He began working at FCC at about age16, around the time he was confirmed as a member. He now serves as Media Coordinator and works to expand access to worship both in the sanctuary and online.
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