Education (Children, Youth, Adults)

Barb Grauberger

Director of Children and Family Ministries

Barb has been involved with First Church since 1994, first as an active member and currently working with children and families at First Church as the Director of Children and Family Ministry as well as the Assistant Director of Parent’s Day Out. Over the years Barb has worked as the Nursery Coordinator, Vacation Bible School Director, and Sunday School Teacher. She is passionate about this church and the people in it. She has many years of experience working with children from newborns to teens.

Barb has a degree in Merchandising and Design from Colorado State University. She has been married to her husband Brian for 29 years. Together, Barb and Brian have four children, who keep her very busy on her off time.

Laurie Elliott

Childcare Coordinator

Laurie and her family joined FUMC in 2007, and she feels fortunate to have become a part of the many the different children’s programs shortly thereafter. She began as a childcare provider in the church nursery, then joined the Parent’s Day Out Staff, and in 2009, began teaching for FUMC Co-Op Preschool. She will start her 11th year with that program this fall. She considers being a part of helping the young children of FUMC start their faith journey an incredible gift.

She was a business major in college and is happy to be able to put those skills to use. Laurie’s other interests include playing golf, reading, and spending time with her family. She is married and blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

Ali Gessler

Preschool Director

Ali has been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in our Preschool for 11 years, so she knows the program well! She is respected and loved by Staff and Parents alike, and most especially by the children in her care. Ali holds a degree from CSU in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, and has many years of experience in a variety of educational settings

Gail Farnum

Parent's Day Out Director

Although she hesitates to admit it, Gail Farnum has been working in the child care field for almost 40 years. Gail was born in Fargo, North Dakota and received her degree in Child Development there at North Dakota State University. Shortly after joining First United Methodist Church, she began working in the church nursery. She later became a teacher for the Parent's Day Out program at First Church, and in 1995, became its director. She was the Vacation Bible School music director, and also director of child care for the annual Methodist conference for many years. Gail and Bob were blessed with two daughters, Chelsey and Rachel. Besides young children, Gail’s passions include playing guitar and singing. She is proud to be caretaker of the wonderful ministry of Parent's Day Out.

Victoria Burkett

Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Victoria graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies in 2018. For the last five years, Victoria has worked with youth and young adults as a Youth Ministry intern, Summer Camp Counselor, tutor, Summer SUCCEED counselor (for youth in foster care program), Colorado Youth for Change AmeriCorps member, Paraprofessional at Rocky Mountain High School, and Kindred Director. Victoria’s passion and call to ministry is to youth and young adults. Victoria attended, served as liturgist and assisted with AV at our Modern Worship Service. She is a pastor’s kid who hopes to be a professor in religious studies in the future. Victoria is married to Brandon Burkett. They are very creative people; Victoria draws and paints while Brandon does woodworking. Victoria is also a runner and avid reader. They have a beloved dog, Mabel.