our church staff

The United Church of Los Alamos is blessed with a wonderful staff!

  • David elton, senior pastor

    David has served The United Church as Senior Pastor since 2011.  He and his family - wife Lori and daughter Katherine - enjoy living in Northern New Mexico.  David grew up in Dallas, Texas and is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who has served churches in Venice, Florida and College Station, Texas since 1998.  He enjoys working in a multi-denominational congregation with such an incredible history and commitment to the greater community and world.  His hobbies include photography, mountain biking, swimming, listening to KTAOS and playing classical guitar.  "I love serving with the people of this congregation who are from so many different places, with so many different interests and with such energy and commitment!"

    david@unitedchurchla.org


  • Keith lewis, pastor for congregation and youth

    Keith Lewis came to us in 2005 from Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was the Associate Minister and Director of Youth Ministries at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Previously, he held similar positions in Midland and San Marcos, Texas.  Keith is a Commissioned Pastor through the Southwest Region of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is a Marine Corps veteran (Gulf War) and the proud Father of Madison.  When he is not at the church or involved in family activities, Keith enjoys reading, travel, rugby, and writing.

    gohorns_99@yahoo.com

  • LAURA LOVING, Director of Children's Ministries

    Laura is a UCC minister and has served as a pastor, educator, curriculum writer, retreat leader, author, and English teacher throughout her career. She lives in Santa Fe with her spouse, Bill Humphreys, who serves the Presbyterian churches in Chimayo and Truchas. They both work in the Santa Fe public schools as tutors in the AVID program for first generation college bound students. Laura and Bill have three grown children and two grandchildren. Laura will be in the office on Tuesdays and Sundays as well as working from home throughout the week.

    DCM@unitedchurchla.org

  • Kara Windler, Director of Christian education

    Kara first heard about The United Church during her undergraduate years at Colorado College from her good friend, Susie Bjork.  It wasn’t until she graduated from Eden Theological Seminary and served a church in St. Louis that she moved to Los Alamos and was able to visit this church.  We keep Kara very busy!  She has been part of the Monday morning Women’s Book Study and the Friday Morning Bible Study.  Through the Friday gatherings she met Pat Slentz and began to “pinch hit” for her at the hospital as the LAMC volunteer Chaplain.  Also through Pat, she became aware of Los Alamos Visiting Nurses and began working for them as a Hospice Chaplain. 

     

            Kara was involved in and eventually became a coordinator of the LA Ministerial Alliance that meets monthly.  She was part of the county’s chaplain core in providing pastoral care to the Police Department, Fire Department, and community during times of crises.  Kara has also served as the associate for liturgy and pulpit supply at White Rock Presbyterian Church. 

     

    DCE@unitedchurchla.org

  • suzanne johnson, director of music ministries

    Suzanne Johnson has served at The United Church longer than any other staff member, having begun her work here in 1967.  She came to us as a young church music graduate from Ohio.  Her love of sacred music competes with her admiration of pop music and jazz (she is an avid Sting concert-goer).  Suzanne’s husband, J.D., is a theoretical physicist, retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

  • Tjett gerdom, office administrator & Director of communication

    Tjett's professional background is in Marketing and Customer Service.  A mildly professional musician, he sings and plays his trumpet all over New Mexico.

    ucoffice@unitedchurchla.org


  • ann cooke, treasurer

    Ann Cooke has been a member of the church since 1990, and joined the staff in July, 2012.  Ann has a BS from University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Mathematics and Chemistry) and a PhD from the University of Arizona in Inorganic Chemistry.  She also takes care of a husband and two daughters, while being active in several ongoing volunteer organizations dealing with environmental/urban issues of fire and forest health.  She has most recently been involved with her husband in establishing a FIRST Technical Challenge competitive robotics team for Mid - Senior High School students.

    uctreas@comcast.net


  • julie Walker, nursery coordinator

    Julie moved to Los Alamos in 2018 with her family. She is a homeschooling mother of 2, loving wife, and United States Navy Veteran. She went to college for financial management and accounting. Her hobbies include cooking, crocheting, and cross-stitching.


  • cesar ojeda, custodian

    My name is Cesar Ojeda.  I am the custodian and maintenance employee of the Church.  I started working here in October, 2005, after working for the Methodist Church for 17 years.  As a contractor I do the snow removal on the parking lots.  I also take care of disabled people at my home.  And as a hobby the whole family enjoys playing music.