MCLC Staff

Jenny Kerley

jkerley@mountcarmelchurch.org

Jenny was hired in April ’92 as the administrative secretary. Even though she isn’t an “official” member of Mount Carmel, she considers herself one—not only because of her involvement in virtually every ministry, but because of the many church members who have become personal friends over the years. Her special areas of interest at Mount Carmel are assisting with women’s ministry events and graphic arts projects. Jenny’s continuing education classes focus on administrative skills, technology, spirituality, and grief/loss.

Jenny is married to John, a senior software engineer; they have two grown sons: Kyle and Daniel, and a beautiful German shepherd, Reilly. Jenny is a part-time student at MATC. She is also a certified hospice volunteer, past board member of the Greater Milwaukee Synod Communications Advisory Team, past board member of the Marquette University Parents Association, and served as coordinator of labyrinth ministry at Calvary Presbyterian, Milwaukee. In her spare time she enjoys writing; reading; visiting art museums, libraries and book stores; and antiquing.

Mala Johnson

Financial and Assistant Office Administrator

mjohnson@mountcarmelchurch.org

Mala was hired in 1996 to help out in the office. When the previous bookkeeper retired in 1998, she took over this responsibility. Mala also teaches aerobic exercise for The Fitness Firm. She is a volunteer with GRRoW (Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin). She is married to Randy Johnson (not the highly paid baseball player). They have three grown children, Krista, Marissa and Sam and two Golden Retrievers, Kali and Gracie. Mala and her family have been members of Mount Carmel since 1986.

Diane Roznowski

droznowski@mountcarmelchurch.org

Diane has served as the Special Ministry Coordinator since 2002. She has been a member of Mount Carmel Lutheran Church since 1984 and has been active in its ministries by serving on or chairing various boards and committees over the years. She has a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UW-LaCrosse, and graduated from the Greater Milwaukee Synod Diakonia program in May of 2008. She served as Mount Carmel’s’ Children's Choir director from 1991-2001. She is married to Jeff, and is a mom of three grown children, Lauren, Matt, and Emily.

Kathy Czarniak

kczarniak@mountcarmelchurch.org

Kathy was hired in April 2009 as the Life Transitions Ministry Coordinator. Her professional background includes being a registered nurse and parish nurse, but she has spent most of her time sharing her gifts by developing the Bereavement Care Ministry at Mount Carmel and facilitating our support group ”Journeying Through Grief.”

She developed the bereavement program for the hospice at Luther Manor which opened in 2008 and also serves on the Board of Directors.

Kathy lives in Menomonee Falls with her husband Jeff, who is a pharmacist. They have a son: Matt (21) and daughter Jess (21) both attending college. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, cooking, yoga and spending time at their lake home in the north woods.

To create spiritual, educational and social opportunities for senor congregational members and to inspire hope and caring as they adapt to life cycle transistions.

The above is the mission statement for this ministry that focuses on mature members of Mount Carmel. Ministry to this group will be organized into four areas – (1) Spiritual Growth, (2) Service, (3) Fellowship, and (4) Evangelism. Programs will reflect these and include:

• Providing Bible study and classes on spirituality in later life.
• Creating opportunities to share their faith journey/life story.
• Identifying volunteer positions within the church in which they can serve.
• Developing intergenerational opportunities in already existing programs.
• Offering a day during the week (second Thursday of the month) for social gathering, education/entertainment and the sharing of a meal.
• Planning social gatherings with fellow members outside of the church.
• Creating a Health and Wellness Committee to support members both physically and emotionally.

Dani Ovanin

dovanin@mountcarmelchurch.org

Dani has been a member of Mount Carmel since 2001. Before being called to serve as youth ministry coordinator at Mount Carmel she was an advisor for the high school youth league. Dani has previously worked for the Wauwatosa School district as a playground supervisor, clerical and special education substitute and most recently as a lunch hostess.

Dani is married to Jim a registered nurse and has two grown sons Zach and Dylan.

Vicki Andrew

Coordinator of Christian Education

vandrew@mountcarmelchurch.org

My family and I have been active members of Mount Carmel Lutheran church since 1992. After joining, I became and stayed involved with different ministries here through teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, chairing the Board of Christian Education, singing in the choir and coordinating the greeter schedule. In my present position, as coordinator of Christian Education, I am responsible for recruiting staff for Sunday school and Vacation Bible school and for supporting them throughout the year. I also work with the Board of Christian Education as we plan and organize the many special educational and fellowship opportunities that we offer during the year.

My greatest Blessing is my family: my husband, Mike, my almost grown daughters, Erin and Megan and my young son, Sergei. (Opps, I don’t want to forget my new cockapoo puppy, Oliver). Mount Carmel has provided my daughters with a strong Christian foundation and will continue to do the same for my son as he enters confirmation this fall.

I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with 2 business degrees in the 1980’s.

Paul Kasten

Paul Kasten has been organist and director of the Handbell Choir at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church since September, 2001. Prior to that he was Director of Music at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church of Greendale for twenty years. Paul has been organist/accompanist at Congregation Shalom in Fox Point for eighteen years, and is also a traveling music instructor for the Milwaukee Public Schools, where he teaches over two hundred piano students. His organ teachers include Roberta Bitgood and Charles Ore.

Paul is a former Dean and Treasurer of the Milwaukee Chapter AGO. In 1988 he co-chaired the Chapter's acclaimed English Romantic Organ Music Festival, co-sponsored with UW-Milwaukee. Between 1986 and 1991 Paul co-chaired the Miller Organ Concert Series at Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Since 1995, he has been a board member and Vice President of the Chicago Lyric Opera's LightHouse (Southeast Wisconsin) Chapter. National Music Publishers publish his handbell music. He has also served on the board of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association. Paul shares his home with James Burmeister, two dachshunds, two parrots and a rabbit.

Paul can be contacted at (414)771-6586 or through the Church Office.

Darlene Siebert

Darlene Siebert, director of the Praise Team Middle School Choir, has been a member of Mount Carmel Lutheran Church since she was two, when her parents joined the church in 1962. Darlene has sung in the choirs at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church since she was five years old, so it was natural that she would become part of the Music Ministry at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church.

Darlene earned her B.A. in Music and Communication at Mount Mary College in 1991. During that time, she conducted the Middle School Choir at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church while studying for her music degree.

After the birth of her twins in 1994, she took a break from directing, but returned to it when her sons were old enough to be part of the choir. Now Chris and Max, both 12, sing with the Praise Team. Darlene enjoys working closely with middle school-aged children. She feels they really are a great group of kids.

Darlene, her husband Steve, sons Chris and Max, and all of her family, including her parents Joan and Erb Behr and her sister Diane Brower, and boys Fred and Paul, worship at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church. It is a place they all call home.

Wendy Traeger

Wendy Traeger, Director of Adult Choirs, has been a longtime member of Mount Carmel Lutheran Church. She began her tenure as the Director of Adult Choirs in 2005. Wendy teaches at Wauwatosa East and Longfellow Middle Schools in Wauwatosa. She was the Director of Music and Choirs at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and Sussex Hamilton High School. Along with directing the choirs at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, Wendy is the director of the Adult Volunteer Choir at Congregation Shalom in Fox Point.

She has been dedicated to performing and teaching for over 25 years. Church music has always held a special place in her life. Continuing to sing and conducting the choirs at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church keep her actively involved in music and worship, providing quality service music for the congregation at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church.

Wendy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance in 1984 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership-Principal Licensure from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Wendy is married to Paul and they have two children, Steven and Maria.