Laura McLeod is delighted to be serving Brookfield Congregational Church (BCC) since November 2016. Rev. Laura is a 1989 graduate of the Andover Newton Theological School. She has had the privilege of serving as an ordained minister in United Church of Christ churches in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Wisconsin. She’s been a member of the American Pastoral Counseling Association and has worked as a counselor and church pastor. Rev. Laura was drawn to BCC because of its focus on mission and desire to remain vital. Rev. Laura is originally from the Chicago area and remains a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. She and her husband Scott, who is also an ordained minister, live in Elkhorn. They have two children – Ruth, who is a professor of Neuroscience at Holy Cross College, and Henry, who works locally. Outside of work, Rev. Laura enjoys theatre, dance, and crafting.

Graduate R.N. - Hazleton State General Hospital, Pennsylvania State University B.S. Health Arts – College of St. Francis – Joliet, Illinois 25 year career of critical care nursing; with specialty in cardiac and neurosurgery. Marilyn has enjoyed a six year, part time position at BCC. She has been an active member since 1988. She loves her position on staff and has come to grow in her faith and love of the community of this church. As Pastoral Assistant for Congregational Life, Marilyn wear two hats. The first is the parish nurse role. Visiting our “at home’ members and making sure they are safe and cared for in their environments. She tries to foster relationships of church members, by supporting their health care decisions and helping them navigate through the various health care systems. She offers a BP ministry once a month. Marilyn assists Rev. Laura with pastoral care and support her in all ways in the work of the church. She provides educational opportunities about health through forums and a monthly article for the Plumbline called, ‘Vital Signs.’ The second hat is the Fellowship piece. Marilyn is the staff liaison for the Congregational Life team; assisting with all activities involving food, from various receptions to Sunday fellowship. She developed and supports the “Hearts to Hands” ministry ~ meeting twice a month and spearheading hand work projects from prayer shawls to embroidered pillow cases. Marilyn serves on the ‘Liturgical Arts” team, helping to fashion meaningful and interesting worship enhancing experiences. She supports the UW Christian ministries Lunch Bunch program. In her personal life, Marilyn enjoys golfing, cooking, reading, gardening, walking, dancing, and learning new things. She especially likes spending time with family, dear friends, and her son Frank, his wife Sarah, and their two children.

Justin Kamp leads the BCC Choir and Handbell Choir. Justin graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Music Education in Instrumental and General Music in 2013. He is currently the Middle School Band Teacher in the Whitewater Unified School District. Justin also plays the bassoon and saxophone. He has performed with the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra, Oshkosh Symphony, Janesville Choral Union, Elkhorn Southernlakes Masterpiece Choral, and Pit Orchestras at UW-Whitewater and several local school districts. Justin and his wife, Kayla and two children, Carson and Sophie live in East Troy with their Australian Cattle Dog, Foster.

James Grzadzinski is a professional organist, pianist, choral conductor, and composer residing in the greater Milwaukee area and serving as the Co-Director of Music: Organist at Brookfield Congregational Church in addition to working as a full-time human resources professional in the private sector. More recently, he served as the Director of Music and Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, playing the historic Noehren and Nichols and Simpson pipe organs for many Cathedral parish and Archdiocesan liturgies while conducting the Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Women’s Choir, and the newly formed Cathedral Spanish Choir. James oversaw the Wednesday Concert Series as well as the Fine Arts Commission as well, including collaborations with universities and professional music organizations throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Notably, Grzadzinski planned and executed the November 2022 performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem alongside Chant Claire, an acclaimed Milwaukee area chamber choir. James’ recent previous assignment prior to moving to southeastern Wisconsin was as Principal Organist at Holy Cross Parish (Diocese of Joliet) and Saint William Parish (Archdiocese of Chicago). He has also served as the Director of Music at the Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus in the Diocese of Joliet for three years. Additionally ministerial assignments have included Head Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Alberto Rojas in the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as Director of Music at Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills. He is active as a recitalist, speaker, and lecturer in the Midwest having performed on noteworthy recital series such as the Advent Organ Series at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, the Holy Name Heights Organ Series in Madison, the AGO Summer Organ Series in Green Bay, and has performed with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Xavier University Chorale and Chamber Singers as well. James’ organ piece Orationem cum jubilo is published by Paraclete Press, while his Lenten introit You Are Merciful to All, O Lord, Advent Introit, and In te Domine speravi are published by Oregon Catholic Press. James remains committed to excellence in sacred music within the traditions of congregational singing, organ playing, and choral singing as well as to serving the people of God through beautiful, prayerful liturgical celebrations within multicultural contexts. James values membership in the Conference for Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians (with whom James has served as Regional Representative for USCCB Region 7) and the American Guild of Organists as collaborative organizations. James resides in the greater Milwaukee area with his wife, Rachel, and their two greyhounds, Twizzler and Petunia. He is an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers. James enjoys fine dining, traveling to Door County with family, and working out.

Gary Kovach and Connie Sandell joined Brookfield Congregational Church (BCC) in 2016 and soon became active members. Serving on several BCC committees, Gary found a natural fit on the Resource Management Committee, which is tasked with managing the church’s buildings and grounds. Gary’s extensive knowledge and 43-year experience as a craftsman in the furniture restoration business provide a firm foundation for his position as Property Manager. He enjoys his role at BCC, considering it a great way to work, play, and participate in the life of the church.