Our Pastor
Wendy Ochs
(406) 690-2481
Pastor Wendy was born and raised on a farm in southwest Minnesota. Following her graduation from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, she spent two years as a US-2 Young Adult Missionary in Billings, MT. She moved back to MN to marry her high school sweetheart and continued her work with at-risk families. In 2009 God clearly called Wendy and family back to Montana, where she became the Executive Director for Family Support Network, a non-profit in Billings. In 2014, God continued to open doors with an opportunity to follow her call to ministry. Wendy has taken seminary classes from both Garrett-Evangelical in Evanston, IL and St. Paul's in Kansas City. She was the pastor at Evangelical UMC in Billings for seven years and moved to Bigfork to serve CUMC in July, 2021. Wendy and husband Chris have four sons: James, who attends college and plays football at Montana Western, Abe who is in high school, Alex who attends middle school, and preschooler Otis. As a family, they love football, fishing, going to the lake, staying active, and playing cribbage. Wendy loves the good people Community UMC and sharing the good news and great love of Jesus with the people of Bigfork!
Social Media Opportunities for Growth and Prayer
Join Pastor Wendy on Facebook Live each Thursday at 12:15 p.m. for a short time of prayer and reflection. https://www.facebook.com/Bigfork-United-Methodist_church_1684511091793499/?ref=pages_you_manage
Office Manager
Office Manager
Dana Whitney is our office manager and the helpful, friendly face who can answer all your questions! Dana has two children - a senior in high school and a middle schooler. When not at church, you'll find her at supporting her kids in their many activities or helping around the community. Dana can be reached at (406)837-4547 or by emailing bigforkcumc@gmail.com
Music Director
Jordan Neiman
Dr. Jordan Neiman is an active teacher and performer in Kalispell. A graduate of Flathead High School, he received his Bachelor of Music at UNC School of the Arts, Master of Music and Graduate performance Diploma at the Boston Conservatory, and Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music, with a cognate in pedagogy.
At the Boston Conservatory, he was the winner of the H. Wilfred Churchill Piano Competition in 2013 and attended Pianofest in the Hamptons in 2014. Jordan has played concerts and recitals around the South, the Pacific Northwest, New England, New York, Canada, and Switzerland. A former professor at Northern Kentucky University, Jordan keeps busy teaching, performing, and collaborating.
Bell Choir Director
Ruth Guldner
Ruth Guldner has been directing the handbell choir at CUMC since 2018, when the first piece played was "Holy, Holy, Holy," and the name Kings Ringers was adopted.
Ruth, a retired RN of 36 years, has been involved in music her whole life, leading and accompanying numerous choral and instrumental groups, including a 12 member handbell choir in Pennsylvania before coming to Montana.
Under her leadership, the King's Ringers rehearse weekly and provide special music monthly here at CUMC. The group has also performed at our local nursing home. The handbell choir continues to make amazing progress, not only ringing for the Lord, but bonding as a close-knit group, sharing joys, tears, prayer, and lots of laughter!
