Meet Our Staff

Meet our Staff

A unique culture and style of congregational leadership has set us apart from the very beginning.


Our dedicated pastors and staff members are a key part of our leadership structure and work in conjunction with our Executive Council and various church boards. Ministers are called by the congregation, as spiritual leaders, to preach and serve in a pastoral role.

David Elton

Senior Pastor

David has served The United Church as Senior Pastor since 2011. He and his family love all that Northern New Mexico has to offer. David and Lori have a daughter, Katherine, who attends Indiana University, Bloomington. David grew up in Dallas, Texas and is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, having 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 and road cycling,  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. Their commitment to Christ’s teachings and mission is a daily inspiration!”

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.

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.

Kara Windler

Online Education Teacher

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.


Kara served as the Director of Christian Education at The United Church. She and her family currently live in St. Louis, Missouri.

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.

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.

Cesar Ojeda

Custodian

Cesar is the custodian and maintenance employee of the Church. He started working here in October, 2005, after serving churches for 17 years. As a contractor, he also does the snow removal on parking lots. Cesar also takes care of disabled people at his home. As a hobby, his whole family enjoys playing music.

The Executive Council plays a large role in the leadership of the church and works in conjunction with the staff of The United Church.

Share by: