Our Staff
Pastoral Team
Rev. Dr. Jane Florence
Senior Pastor
Reverend Dr. Florence came to Saint Paul United Methodist Church in July 2018 as the first female senior pastor to lead our historic congregation. She brings 20 years of pastoral leadership in both large urban and small rural congregations. Her passion for advancing progressive theology and commitment to social justice announces a message of God’s love for all people and reminds us of our challenge to be the hands and feet that work for dignity, inclusion and justice for all.
Jane moved here from Omaha First UMC where she served for 11 years. She holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary.
Before her call to ministry, she taught high school English and served as a school principal in Corpus Christi, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University-San Antonio and two Master of Science degrees from Texas A & M – Corpus Christi.
She enjoys kayaking, traveling, playing the Irish bodhram drum, and watching the seasons change in Nebraska.
Jed Linder
Associate Pastor
Jed Linder was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and then worked in the film and television industry in Hollywood, CA. After a career in entertainment of over ten years, Jed was called into the ministry and he obtained his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He then served the church in Hollywood ministering to a diverse, urban congregation.
Recently, Jed graduated from Duke Divinity School with an advanced Masters degree in Theology, and has since moved back home to Lincoln, Nebraska. His areas of emphasis include Biblical studies, Christian ethics, and preaching.
Ed Ostlund
Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry and Youth Pastor
Ed Ostlund was born in Omaha and raised in Papillion, Nebraska, where he attended St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for most of his life. He was very involved at the church, volunteering with youth group, mission trips and teaching confirmation. His plan was always to become a pastor, but when the religious studies program at UNO was discontinued, he made a radical change of direction and pursued a career in culinary arts. He worked as a chef for the next several years.
After meeting his wife, Ed felt the call to return to the church. As he began the process of becoming a pastor within the UMC, he also began working as the Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator at Waverly First United Methodist Church. We welcome Ed to Saint Paul United Methodist Church in 2023 as our new Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry. Ed also serves as the Regional Youth Coordinator for the Great Plains Conference and on the Board of Directors for Justice In Action, an interfaith non-profit fighting injustices in our community.
Ministry + Office Team
Church Council
Chair
Barbara Jacobson
Secretary
Cathron O’Connor
Treasurer
Gary Pohlmann
Annual Conf Rep
Brady Tolle
Mary Starr
Gayle Starr
Lay Leader
Marilyn Moore
SP Foundation
Steve McKelvey
Mercy and Justice
Larry Dulgosh
SPRC Rep
Shawn Haggadone
Finance Rep
Charlene Dunbar
UMW Rep
Carol Knolle-Faulkner
Family Ministry
Jennifer Clark
Property & Building
Alan Ebner
Trustees
Ex – Oficio
Dave Wilcox
2025
Jim Cook
Kathryn Borman
2026
Bob Snider
Jon Fritz
Tammy Ward
2027
Pam Edwards
Corey Brubaker
Lay Leadership
2025
Addie Lancaster
Mary Fagler
2026
Judi Cook
2027
Kathryn Borman
Finance
Lay Leader
Marilyn Moore
Treasurers
Gary Pohlman
Ron Jester
2025
Dee Griffin
Bruce Chapman
Charlene Dunbar (Chair)
2026
John Farrand
John Gale
2027
Diane Bartels
Wendy Horacek
Peggy Shorney
SPRC
Annual Conf. Reps
Brady Tolle
Gayle Starr
2025
Alan Cerveny
Shawn Haggadone (Chair)
Ann Snider
2026
Chris Stone
Joan Griffin
Don Byrnes
2027
Lanny Nissen
Tammy Ward
Carol Knolle-Faulkner
Saint Paul Foundation
Dave Wilcox
Nate Weiting
Ron Jester
2025
Josh Egley
Mary Danley
Bee Loomis
Beth Ann Brooks
Steve McKelvey
2026
Reed Olson
Lynne Fritz
Bill Fagler
2027
Bruce Chapman
Larry Dlugosh
Steve Dunbar
Wendy Horacek
