LENORE GEISTHARDT is the Capital Campaign Coordinator for the Foundation. With a background in teaching Middle School and High School business and marketing classes, Lenore is capable of working with any church committee! Since 2004, Lenore has helped Wisconsin United Methodist churches raise over $4 and a half million dollars with successful, positive, faith centered capital campaigns. Lenore also assists in Stewardship Education through the Foundation. Be sure to visit the Stewardship Resource room at the Foundation. Lenore is a life-long United Methodist (a PK, in fact) with a love for the church and a commitment to helping churches grow. She is married to Rev. Mark Geisthardt, appointed to Appleton: Emmanuel UMC. Her passion is handbells, and she is struggling to learn to play the harp. |  |
REV. JEAN EHNERT NICHOLAS is the Vice President of Programs and Resources of the Foundation, having been appointed to that position in 2001. She served for twenty years in parish ministry in the Wisconsin Conference. During her years of parish ministry, Rev. Nicholas enjoyed working in areas of stewardship and lay ministry, youth ministry and Christian education.
As Vice President of Programs and Resources, Rev. Nicholas responds to requests from local churches to interpret the Investment Services of the Foundation and provides educational and marketing material to the churches and members of the Wisconsin Annual Conference. In addition, Jean leads Charitable Gift Seminars for local churches, assists several churches each year with annual stewardship programs, and provides consultation and programming ideas to finance, stewardship, and memorial committees. She also assists congregations in leading capital campaigns.
She and her husband, the Rev. Jeffrey L. Nicholas reside in Beaver Dam, where Jean is active in the Trinity UMC chancel choir. Their family includes four adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and 4 grandbabies!
REV. WILLIAM F. (BILL) HELWIG is President of the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, having been appointed to that position in 1992. He served for twenty years in parish ministry in the Wisconsin Conference. During his years of parish ministry, Rev. Helwig enjoyed working in areas of stewardship and lay ministry. As President, Rev. Helwig works in administration of the Foundation’s many service programs for the United Methodist Church in Wisconsin. In addition, he leads Charitable Gift Seminars for local churches, assists several churches each year with annual stewardship programs, provides consultation and programming ideas to finance, stewardship, and memorial committees, as well as information on Foundation investment options for churches. He also works on an individual basis with United Methodists and clergy seeking to establish charitable gifts for their churches or for other United Methodist ministries.
Rev. Helwig is deeply committed to the future of the United Methodist Church in Wisconsin and enjoys assisting congregations as they prepare for the future. He and his wife, Annette, reside in the Portage area and are active in the Pardeeville United Methodist Church.