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 The Rev. Dr. Verne E. Arens
Senior Pastor
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The Rev. Dr. Verne Arens has served as Senior Pastor of Little River UCC since 1988. Prior to this calling, he served UCC churches in New Jersey, Michigan, and Kansas. Throughout his career, Verne has been involved with a number of community and civic activities as well as religious and ecumenical activities, beyond the local church.
Professionally, Verne most enjoys preaching engaging sermons that challenge people to think and act, empowering the congregation to embody faithful discipleship in both church and society, while exploring new ways to affirm and celebrate the diversity of all God’s people.
A native of Philadelphia, Verne is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Theological School at Drew University. He also holds a Certificate in Pastoral Studies from the Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute in New York City.
Rev. Arens and his wife, Julie, have a daughter, a son, a grandson and a granddaughter.
The Rev. Susan A. Henderson
Interim Pastor for Congregational Life
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The Rev. Susan A. Henderson joined the Little River staff in August 2010 to serve the church in an interim capacity. Most recently she served as Interim Senior Pastor for Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Prior to this position, Susan was an Interim Conference Minister for the Vermont and New Hampshire Conferences, provided leadership in outdoor ministry and served several congregations in southern New Hampshire. Over many years, Susan has served on many boards and committees of the United Church of Christ. During the mid-nineties she was Director and Associate Professor of Springfield College School of Human Services, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Rev. Henderson is a native of Illinois. She earned an undergraduate degree from Springfield College School of Human Services and a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts. Susan enjoys working with people as they engage life and grow in faith.
She loves people of all ages, however children are a particular favorite. Susan is described as a seeker of truth and a change agent. As an Interim Minister, she offers guidance and support to congregations as they prepare for the future.
She most enjoys quilting, walking, audio books, friendship, and quality time with family. Susan and her husband, Ken, enjoy spending time with their son and daughter who live close by.
 The Rev. Amanda M. Hopkins
Pastor for Youth Ministry
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Amanda M. Hopkins joined the pastoral staff of Little River UCC in September 2009 as the part-time Pastor for Youth Ministry. Previously she worked with youth programs in both UCC and Presbyterian churches and in summer outdoor programs. During seminary Amanda also gained experience in hospital chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, and social justice advocacy.
Amanda’s passion for youth ministry is enhanced by her energy, her international experience, and her academic background. Although Amanda’s roots are in the UCC in Strasburg, Ohio, she has studied in the United Kingdom, and for about two years she lived and taught in China. Amanda is an honors graduate of both Ohio Northern University and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Amanda is newly married. She and her husband David live in Falls Church.
Music Staff
 Craig Stapert
Organist and Sanctuary Choir Director
Born and raised in the midwest, Craig attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, earning a BA in Classical languages and a minor in music. He then completed an MA in Classics at the University of Texas at Austin. Upon returning to Grand Rapids, Michigan, he served as organist and choir director of St. Matthew Lutheran Church (LC-MS) and First United Methodist Church in Hastings, Michigan. During that time Craig chaired the Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In 1997 he moved to Washington to work in the Public Affairs Office at Washington National Cathedral, editing publications (including the flagship quarterly Cathedral Age) and eventually assuming responsibility for electronic communications. For two years Craig served as interim minister of music at First Baptist Church in the City of Washington, D.C., directing the adult choir and an intergenerational handbell ensemble. Since the fall of 2000, he has been organist and, more recently, organist-choir director at Little River. He and his wife, Natalie, have a daughter, Annelise.
 Nancy Huddleston
Contemporary and Youth Choir Director
Nancy Huddleston feels lucky to be part of the music ministry at Little River UCC, where she directs the youth (6-12 grades) and contemporary choirs. Her lifelong music experience includes church choral directing, singing in choral and a capella groups, piano accompanying, and directing/performing in musicals. Nancy holds a Master of Music Education from Catholic University and a chemistry degree from Kenyon College. She enjoys searching out repertoire that is both fun to sing and wonderful to hear. In her other life, Nancy is the Communications Director for the National Academy of Sciences environmental division. Nancy and her husband, Bill, are members of Little River UCC, with their three children.
 Kenyon Erickson
Children’s Choir Director
Kenyon Erickson was raised in a Congregational church in upstate NY, singing and playing instruments in services throughout high school. Kenyon has sung in various choral groups in the DC area and since 1986 has directed an award-winning men's group, the Tone Rangers. In 1994, he and his wife, Betsy, joined Little River UCC, in part to raise their three children in the musical traditions of the UCC. As a member of the music staff, Kenyon strives to teach the fundamentals of music within the traditions of this church. He received his bachelor degree in choral education from the University of Utah and a masters from Cornell University, but has spent his career specializing in Information Technology, currently as a contractor for the National Cancer Institute.
Administrative Staff
Jane Johnson
Office Administrator
Darlene Lane
Christian Education Administor
Karen Wolfberg
Assistant Secretary
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