Michele graduated from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver in 1999 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained an Elder in the Mountain Sky Conference in 2002. She is a graduate of the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness and has been a Spiritual Director for numerous area retreats. When she reads the scriptures she's always asking, "What does this mean for us today?" because she is passionate that the Biblical stories of old have real meaning in our lives right now. Rev. Michele believes worship should be inspiring and should leave us feeling ready to face the week ahead. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience God in a holy and refreshing way. Rev. Michele is coming to St. Luke's after serving Applewood Valley UMC since 2006. Rev. Michele married Steve Kaminsky on October 15, 2016 and has two adult children and two adult stepchildren. She has traveled to the Holy Land three times and loves walking and reading. Rev. Michele said, "I am so grateful God has called me to such a wonderful church. I had a good feeling as soon as I walked in the building, and then I met the Staff Parish Relations Team and attended one of 'The Music Man' performances, and was embraced by such genuine and loving people. St. Luke's is a blessing, and I am honored to do God's work with you. I look forward to meeting everyone in July, and to being God's love in the world with you."
Michele can be reached at 303-791-0659 x105 or by email
Liza Stoltz Hanson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A life-long United Methodist, she studied Religion and Urban Studies at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and received an MA in Religious Studies at the University of Denver. Rev. Liza holds an M.Div degree from the Iliff School of Theology.
At St. Luke's since 2020, Rev. Liza focuses on congregational care. She loves making connections with people and watching folks live into the things that make them come alive. She finds spiritual connections in nature, poetry, and prayer.
Rev. Liza and her husband Denton have been married since 2007 and are raising their two young daughters to love pancakes, hikes in the mountains, and Broadway musicals.
Liza can be reached at 303-791-0659 x107 or by email
Sallie joined the leadership team at St. Luke's in 2009 and has served the community in many roles. Currently, she is the Minister for Healing and Wellbeing and directs the Center for Spiritual Engagement. Dr. Sallie offers counseling, spiritual direction, and consultation guiding people toward growth and healing through experiences that foster wellbeing of mind, body, heart and spirt. She is passionate about transformative learning and is involved in teaching and research on narrative reflection and purpose. In addition to her ministry at St. Luke's, Sallie serves on dissertation faculty in the Interdisciplinary Leadership Doctoral Program at Creighton University.
Prior to joining St. Luke's, Sallie was a Senior Consultant with Trustee Leadership Development and Ki ThoughtBridge. She co-founded Leadership Innovations Group, worked in faculty and management positions in the Pacific Northwest at Willamette University, Washington State University, and Lewis and Clark College, and directed educational initiatives for Girls Count, an organization focused on enhancing young women's educational achievement.
Dr. Sallie earned her PhD in Professional Studies in Education with an emphasis in Psychology from Capella University. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Human Development and Higher Education from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Care/Counseling from Iliff School of Theology. In 2012, Sallie was ordained in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Sallie enjoys traveling, hiking, singing, reading and being in the beauty of nature. She especially loves being with her husband Thomas and their family. Rachel, Jake and baby Ellie live in Honduras, Sarah and Keah live in Golden, and Rebecca lives in San Francisco.
Sallie can be reached at 303-791-0659 x132 or by email
Sharon became a member of St. Luke's in 1998, and joined the staff as Director of Children's Ministry in 2009. She has a passion for children's education and has been serving the children of St. Luke's for over 25 years. Her other passion is the creative arts and she has a BFA in graphic design/advertising and was a VP at a Denver ad agency before coming here. She has been doing communications work for St. Luke's since 1998, is editor of our church newsletter, The Chronicle, and helps with church communications and marketing as our Creative Director. She is a Stephen Minister, CSE team member, Certified Yoga Teacher and lover of animals (especially her dog and 4 cats) and nature and plant-based nutrition. She is mom to 2 adult sons, Evan and Alex, who grew up participating in Little School, Children's, Youth and Music & Arts Ministries at St. Luke's, and wife to Bob, an IT professional and St. Luke's volunteer. A life-long Methodist, she was raised in Oklahoma where, at church, her mom was the organist and dad was a lay leader. Her goal for Children's Ministry is to help create and sustain a wonderfully vibrant and welcoming environment for children at St. Luke's to grow closer to God and experience Jesus' message of love, compassion and service.
Sharon can be reached at 303-791-0659 x127 or by email
Samantha currently serves as the Director of Community & Early Childhood Ministry and joined the St. Luke's staff in 2002 in our Nursery. Sam appreciates the opportunity to serve the community in meaningful ways and finds inspiration in our community and the generosity of people who serve others. Sam feels privileged to work with St. Luke's amazing staff, a team that shares the love for our community.
Sam's values are rooted as a life long Methodist from a large family in Iowa. She studied health care administration at Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sam's 30 years of personal and professional experience coupled with her genuine love of children and connecting with people has allowed her to develop her passion for the care and tutelage of others.
She and her partner, Tom, love spending time in small mountain towns, Colorado sporting events and with their 4 adult children and their families.
Samantha can be reached at 303-791-0659 x140 or by email
Josey is originally from rural Indiana and grew up United Methodist. She attended Johnson University in Knoxville TN and earned a B.S. in Bible & Theology, Youth Ministry, and History. She graduated and married her husband Nate in 2019. After graduation, she worked as a daycare director and nanny while volunteering with a local middle school ministry. In 2021, she became the Director of Student & Family Ministries at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Cincinnati OH and served in that capacity for 2 years. She has experienced a strong calling to and passion for the work of youth ministry. She is so excited to join St. Luke's in creating a loving, vibrant faith community for its youth. She is also finishing up her M.A. in Youth Ministry with the Center for Youth Ministry Training and Austin Theological Presbyterian Seminary and intends to pursue ordination as a deacon. In her spare time, she likes to try out different craft projects, garden, read, and play board games or video games. She is almost always in the middle of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. She has two dogs, Bruno and Padfoot, along with her husband form her little family.
Josey can be reached at 303-791-6569 x128 or by email
Anna grew up at St. Luke's and was an active part of SLY, and has eagerly and generously volunteered with SLY all summer.
Anna can be reached at 303-791-0659 x129 or by email
Kelly Amadeo has been the director of St. Luke's Little School for five years. She and her amazing staff have been rated by Colorado Shines and are proudly one of the highest-rated preschools in Highlands Ranch. Kelly has been in the field of education for twenty years. She has taught all ages, as well as taught graduate school classes in the department of education for eight years. Before being the director of the preschool, Kelly was a teacher at Little School, and her own children attended Little School, as well. Kelly has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, a master's degree in Elementary Education, and she is currently working on a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. In her free time, Kelly teaches ballet to children two-years-old through eighteen. She loves to travel, ski, hike, try new things, read, and spend time with her family and dog.
Kelly can be reached at 303-791-1982 or by email
James Ramsey has served as Director of Music and Arts at St. Luke's UMC since 1999. Additionally, James is the Executive Director for the Performing Arts Academy currently based out of St. Luke's. Previous engagements include college instruction positions at the University of Colorado, University of Denver, and Whitman College in Washington. Additionally, Ramsey has also served as Artistic Director for the Wesley Choral Festival and Assistant Conductor of the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus.
James earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Literature and Performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder, a Master of Music degree in Conducting at the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Education at Middle Tennessee State University. Mentors and teachers include Raphael Bundage, Joan Conlon, Vance George, Donald Neuen, Alfred Mann, and Samuel Adler. Ramsey has served as the American Choral Directors Association's Repertoire and Standards Chair for Community Choirs for both Colorado and the Southwest Region. James resides in Littleton with his wife, Leigh, and their sons, Jack and Luke.
James can be reached at 303-791-0659 x123 or by email
Kenrick Mervine has earned reviews such as "a delight for both the layman and the connoisseur," and "an organist of stature, one whose personality encompasses superb musicianship and technique in equal measure."
With degrees in Organ Performance with Distinction from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, Ken received an Organ Talent Scholarship, and honors from the American Guild of Organists, West Chester State University, and the Music Teachers National Alliance. He has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC, served on the faculty of Seton Hall University, performed with numerous symphony orchestras, and was privileged to serve as an organist for Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day. In addition to his responsibilities at St. Luke's UMC, he appears regularly playing the harpsichord, celesta, keyboard/synthesizer and organ for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Organist of Temple Emanuel, Denver.
Ken and his wife Barbara, also a musician, have presented hundreds of concerts and workshops throughout the country, and have been featured on American and Canadian Public Radio and "Pipedreams." They serve at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial, CO. In addition to serving as Music, Organ, and Liturgical Consultants they are Allen Artists. They also focus on teaching and training future musicians for concert and liturgy. Most recently, the Mervines filled in (with three hours notice) for the "First Lady of the Organ:" Diane Bish at the Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, when she was too ill to appear. They have been featured guest artists on the Hour of Power at the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove California.
Kenrick can be reached at 303-791-0659 x133 or by email
Kay joined the staff in February, 2004 as Assistant Music Director. She and her husband, Ed, have been active members at St. Luke's since 1987. Together they have four children. Kay received her music degree from the University of Iowa and began teaching instrumental music in Douglas County in 1984. Along with a passion for music, she enjoys hiking, camping and skiing...all things Colorado!
Kay directs the Youth and Adult Handbells, Junior Prayz and Tone Chimes.
Kay can be reached at 303-791-0659 x136 or by email
Chris Rigolini is a music educator originally from Florida. He graduated from Florida Southern College in 2012 with his Bachelo's Degree in Music Education. Chris began his teaching career that same year at Jefferson High School in Tampa, FL. His responsibilities included teaching band, orchestra, ESE music, music appreciation, color guard, percussion, and guitar classes during the school day as well as directing the JHS Marching Dragons and JHS Jazz Ensemble after school. While in Tampa, he was in high demand as a clinician and councilor at many local schools and universities. In 2016 Chris began his Master's Degree in Wind Band Conducting at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. His professional affiliations include the Colorado Bandmasters Association, Colorado Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, FBA, FOA, FMEA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Chris resides in Denver, CO with his wife Kelly and is an active teacher and clinician in the area.
Chris can be reached at 303-791-0659 x146 or by email
Angela has been a member of St. Luke's since 2004. She is an elementary music teacher in the Cherry Creek School district. Angela received her Bachelor of Music Education from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She earned her Masters of Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. Angela's school choir has performed at the CMEA Clinic and Conference and they have sung the National Anthem at every professional sports venue in the Denver Metro Area. Angela teaches at the Performing Arts Academy in the summer, and she has also performed in several Wesley Players shows. Angela has 3 kids and enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, baking, and running.
Angela can be reached at 303-791-0659 x141 or by email
Barry Curtis (Mr. Barry) is a St. Luke's member since 1991. After graduating from Ft. Lewis college with a degree in Geology, he entered flight school and graduated with his Commercial Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor and Multi Engine ratings. He enjoyed working as a flight instructor in Cheyenne, WY before moving to Denver in 1990. Barry is married to his beautiful wife, Amy (a teacher at Little School), and has two awesome children, Kyle and Hannah. He loves outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing, biking, flying and is currently working on building a 2-person airplane. Barry was our facilities guy several years ago and likes the challenges this job requires, "doing my best to make things work with what's available."
Barry can be reached at 303-791-0659 x139 or by email
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Cassy can be reached at 303-791-0659 x110 or by email
Melissa Graham joined the St. Luke's staff in March 2024 as the Director of Finance. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She and her husband, Doug, have lived in Colorado for over 30 years, having run their own preschool/daycare business together for more than 23 years. They have two adult children, Lauren and Ryan. They gained another son, Ethan, in June of 2023 when Lauren was married. Melissa and Doug love to vacation together, especially in Mexico. She also enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, paddle boarding, cooking and helping their daughter with her horse boarding business in Wellington, CO. Melissa is excited to be a part of the St. Luke's team!
Melissa can be reached at 303-791-0659 x124 or by email
Jessica Shelton joined the staff in January of 2020 as the Finance Assistant. She processes payroll, payables, and donations for St. Luke's. She has lived in Colorado for six years with her husband of 21 years, and her two daughters ages 13 and 14. She is originally from Chicago, but has lived all over the country in the last 20 years. "Colorado has been my favorite place to live thus far, and we plan to stay. I have enjoyed meeting new people here at St. Luke's and being able to help whenever possible. I especially love the various music programs and being able to hear them while in my office."
Jessica can be reached at 303-791-0659 x116 or by email