About PLUC

PLUC
1400 E. Houghton
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-5224

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Portage Lake United Church - Biographies

Reverend Victoria L Bethel: Pastor

Rev. Vicky Bethel has been pastor at Portage Lake United Church since August 2002. She previously served churches in southern Indiana and in Norman, Oklahoma. An ordained Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Minister of Word and Sacrament, Rev. Bethel received her Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1998.

She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University with a major in Psychology and a Master of Science degree from Southern Methodist University in Audiology.

Born in Montana, she has lived in twelve states and overseas, but now considers herself a Yooper. She enjoys reading, theater, music (both listening and playing the flute) and dancing.

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Janet Dalquist: Organist

Meet Janet Dalquist, our church organist. Jan had 10 years of piano and 2 years of organ training during her high school years. At Macalester College she minored in music/organ performance with Professor Harriet Allen of the McPhail School of Music as her teacher. 40 years of marriage, graduate school, family, and professional academic librarianship followed, during which she occasionally substituted as organist at various churches.

Jan became Portage Lake United Church's organist in 1989. A major interest is in hymnody, the singing of psalms and hymns, about which she has written articles for our newsletter since 1996. She has attended workshops led by organists such as John Ferguson and Anita Werling at St. Olaf and the Pine Mountain Music Festival. She is co-coordinator of the Organists of Keweenaw and holds memberships in the AGO, PAM, ACLM, OHS, and the Hymn Society.

In her spare time Jan enjoys reading, bicycling, gardening, and cross-country skiing.

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Maggie Kieckhafer: Pianist

I have been playing the piano since before my feet could reach the pedals. A classically trained pianist, I began taking lessons when I was 5 from a wonderful teacher in Lincoln, Nebraska.

I continued lessons after moving to Houghton when I was 14, spending most of my time working on recital repertoire but also doing a fair share of accompanying. I was offered a job with Portage Lake United Church during my sophomore year of high school and stayed with them until I left for college.

I spent two years at a conservatory majoring in Vocal Performance, though I kept up with piano lessons for two trimesters and spent much time accompanying.

In 2006 I transferred to Northern Michigan University where I studied English with an emphasis on writing.

Deciding to take some time off from college, I moved back to Houghton in May of 2007 and was re-hired by Portage Lake United Church. My goal is to one day earn my degree in English Education with a minor in writing, thanks and due entirely to the influence of a marvelous writing professor at NMU.

When available, I assist in the instruction of the tango and swing dancing for a Michigan Technological University dance club. I also indulge in Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft.

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Ole Kristensen: Minister of Music

Ole Kristensen joined the PLUC in 1997 as its Minister of Music. In that capacity, he oversees the music program and also serves as choir director.

He has been a musician almost all his life, starting organ and piano lessons at age 6 in his native Denmark. While pursuing B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communication, he minored in both history and voice at California State University. Mr. Kristensen has also attended numerous music/conducting workshops at St. Olaf College, MN. In addition to his responsibilities at PLUC, he is Director of the Keweenaw Ecumenical Choir, photographer, instructor, and provides member support for Pasty.net.

Prior to his arrival in the U.P., Mr. Kristensen was Assistant Professor of Communication at Southern University, TN, and Human Resources V.P. in hospitals in Illinois and Michigan.

His interests include vocal productions, photography, graphic and web design and computers (see www.kristensen.us). A vegetarian, he is committed to human and animal rights causes. The Kristensen family cares for three dogs and two bearded dragons in their home in Trap Rock Valley.

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