Staff
Rev. Jeff Vanden Heuvel, Pastor jeffvandenheuvel@gmail.com
I was born in Neenah, Wisconsin, the second of five chidren. I graduated from St. Lawrence High School, the Catholic University of America and did my graduate studies at the Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven in Belgium. I was ordained in 1986 and have served as a parish associate pastor and university chaplain until coming to Messiah in 2001. I am married to Melissa and we have three beautiful children. I so enjoy being pastor here at Messiah and sharing ministry with our wonderful staff. I have found the staff and parishioners at Messiah to be people of great warmth and hospitality. They have challenged me to deepen my commitment to live like Jesus.
Beverly Schedel, Parish Secretary ourchurch@messiahchurch.com
I started working at Messiah on April 1st, 2000 - April Fools Day! I grew up on the East side of Madison and graduated from East High School. I married Arlow Schedel at St. John Lutheran Church on East Washington Ave. and have been involved in church work throughout my career. I worked for Christ Lutheran Church in Stoughton for over fifteen years and became a member of Messiah Church in 2004. Arlow and I have two daughters, Erica and Carrie and each has given us a beautiful grandson! We try to spend as much time as possible with them. What a gift they are! I enjoy quilting, knitting and hardanger - and I try other crafts. Going out for Friday fish dinners is especially enjoyable…NO cooking! I like working at Messiah Church because there is such a variety of work to do. I enjoy meeting parishioners and getting to know their stories.
Clyde Nyhus, Coordintor of Music and Worship suhyn1@yahoo.com
I came to Messiah Church as Choir Director in 1994 and joined formally in 1995. I am married to June and the father of two grown sons. Prior to coming to Messiah I served as the Sunday School Superintendent at Monona Lutheran Church, and here at Messiah I’ve served in various ways from music to lawn mowing. I enjoy being on staff and serving this congregation. I have been able to grow in both my faith and in my position as music director. The people of Messiah Church have been great to work with, both staff and volunteers. I love being able to share the message of the love of the Lord through music.
Bobbie Rogers, Director of Preschool rlbohte@hotmail.com
Originally from Wausau, Wisconsin, I attended UW Stout where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. After graduation I moved to Chicago where I worked in many different areas of childcare. A few years later I married my husband Kevin and we moved to Madison where I was fortunate enough to be chosen as Director and teacher at Messiah Church Preschool. It has been my privilege to be surrounded by a supportive staff at Messiah and wonderful families who bring their children to our program.
Kathy Stickney, 3 year old Pre-K Teacher KSTICK222@aol.com
I moved here with my husband and three children from the Chicago area in 2001. I have my degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching 3 to 5 year olds for the past 17 years. I have written a curriculum used in preschools for the past ten years. I love to attend conventions and workshops for early childhood, and I enjoy updating the art, literacy and music plans each year. I feel that teaching this age group is a vocation and ministry that is extremely rewarding.
Tim Coulthart, Parish Treasurer tcoulthart@yahoo.com
My family and I became members of Messiah Lutheran Church in 1992 and I assumed the duties of Treasurer and Accountant in 2006. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1985 and I have worked as an auditor with the State of Wiconsin’s Legislative Audit Bureau since graduation. My wife Madonna and I are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters - Chelsea and Haley. I enjoy golf, volleyball and coaching girls’ softball…and of course serving you as your treasurer!
Teresa Palumbo, Coordinator of Confirmtion and Youth palumbo@Waisman.Wisc.Edu
A Madison native, Messiah has been my home for as long as I can remember (to infinity and beyond!) I attended Madison East High School (Go Purgolders!) and then headed to UW-Madison for college. I graduated with a quadruple major of politcal science, history, international studies and Italian. While in college I attended the Lutheran Campus Center (an amazing ministry that was my home away from home; check it out at www.lccmadison.com). After college I worked for two years at the ELCA churchwide offices in Chicago as a Lutheran Student Movement national staff person, www.lsm-usa.org. Currently I work for the UW’s Waisman Center in university relations (check out their amazing research, training and outreach at www.waisman.wisc.edu). My younger sister Heather lives in Madison but the rest of our family lives in Italy (or South Dakota!). I love working with the youth of Messiah and it is a privilege to be a companion and friend to them on their faith journey. Mission trips and confirmation retreats are my particularly favorite youth events, but most importantly, I adore just hanging out with the youth…day or night!
Dick Verhagen, Janitorial Services verhagen@charter.net
I was born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin (famous for Kaukauna Club Cheese), the sixth or seventh of seven children (yes, I have a twin brother). I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a degree in Sociology, which a specialization in Correctional Administration. After 30+ years in management with the Department of Corrections, I retired in April of 2007. I met Karen coaching softball and we were married in 1984. In January of 1989 we were blessed with a 4 and a half month old baby boy from Korea who we named Michael. We have been attending Messiah since 1986 and became members a few years later. I have been a member of the Building Study Committee and look forward to handling janitorial services and the church having the look of pride.
Melissa Vanden Heuvel, Keyboard melissamarievan@gmail.com
