The Team
Hello!
We bring a wide-range of experiences and backgrounds that all come together to create a dynamic team ready to respond to the emerging needs of our Christian community in the ever-changing world. We work as a team, combining our calls and gifts to serve Leamington and make Jesus known.
Craig Frere
Interim Pastor
Craig brings 30 years of experience to his role as Interim Pastor at LUMC. He is passionate about helping people – both inside and outside of the church – to become growing followers of Jesus. Craig lives in the Niagara Region with his wife, Kim, where they are currently working at a new church plant called Mosaic Niagara. He is pleased to serve the LUMC family and will typically be in Leamington three days per week in this role.
On the days that he is in Niagara, Craig is also a school bus driver. He enjoys golfing and hunting (not at the same time) as well as vegetable and fruit gardening. He also enjoys coffee and would love to have you join him for a conversation over a cup.
Marlene Schmidtgall
Our LUMC Office Administrator.
Marlene is the friendly voice on the phone when you call the church. She enjoys singing and volunteers as a worship leader, on occasion. Marlene has many creative skills; all useful in the tasks she faces. Her skills are visible in the bulletin that she constructs weekly and in how she designs new ways to communicate with the congregation.
Samuel Dyck
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Samuel serves as the Youth Ministry Coordinator at LUMC. He is passionate about fostering a fun and welcoming environment where young people can grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, serve their community, and learn about what the church is all about.
Samuel lives in Leamington with his wife, Olivia. In addition to his role in youth ministry, he is also involved in Sunday School and music ministry at LUMC.
Samuel is always eager to connect with the youth and their families, and he invites you to join him for a conversation or participate in the various activities and events organized for LUMC Youth and their friends.
Esther Dyck
Our Church Custodian.
Born and raised in Mexico, Esther has been in Canada for nearly 30 years now. She loves the Leamington area and has enjoyed raising her three children here with her husband, David. Presently, her children are all married, living in various Ontario locations.
Church has always been a part of her life. Esther grew up on a farm and was nurtured in a Mennonite church. In young adulthood she was baptized and married in Mexico. Esther and her family have attended LUMC for many years. In 2020, she took on the task of LUMC custodian.
Family is important to Esther. She has one younger brother (Manitoba) and one younger sister (Mexico). If you ask her about her favourite past times she will list - reading, crocheting and baking, but her smile grows largest when she talks about taking care of her grandchildren. They warm her heart thoroughly.
Esther is pleased to be on the staff at LUMC.
Valerie Kauffman
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Valerie has enjoyed being part of the LUMC community with her family since moving to Leamington a couple of years ago from the USA. She and her husband Ryan have three sons in high school or university. As the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Valerie enjoys getting to connect with the children and families of LUMC through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Features and other church activities. She appreciates the team of volunteers who spend time with the children, as well as the wider LUMC community which supports this important ministry.
In her free time, Valerie enjoys various creative projects, from crochet (especially tomatoes) to painting (the big tomato), along with occasional writing opportunities. She has fun supporting the work of MCC by volunteering at cash at Thrift on Mill one half day a week, even though she had to learn to make change with loonies and twoonies.
