Cass Opal (She/her) is a Nebraska native, born and raised. She’s a writer, artist, photographer, and all-around creative human who joined the FUMC team in Spring of 2022. Being very close to her grandparents, who were Methodist clergy, meant she spent a great deal of her life in various churches across the state, and it taught her one deep truth: we must have love and compassion for ALL.

Her passion for social justice and empathy for humanity led her and her camera to the streets, where she documented the unrest of the last ten years as an independent volunteer photojournalist. Besides her 20 years of photography experience, she also brings to the position over 25+ years of combined experience in client services, customer service, web design, leadership, writing, music, and the arts.

Cass is a certified Candidate for Ordination in the United Methodist Church and is currently a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while finishing her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus in Communication and Religious Studies. She plans to head to seminary in 2028 as she continues discerning her call to ministry. Her faith, creativity, and passion for justice come together in the work she does both inside and outside the church. She co-leads Wild Worship, an interfaith nature-based spiritual community alongside a pastor from Second Unitarian Church (2U), creating opportunities for people to connect with spirituality, creation, and one another in the wild. She also leads the Care Collective, a quarterly art class that brings people together through creativity, community, and the healing power of making things with their hands.

Not only is she an activist, but laughter and music are deeply important parts of her personality. You can find her singing in both the church choir and with River City Mixed Chorus, or just randomly parodying songs in the halls of the church and her home.

Recently married at Colorado National Monument in 2021, she and her husband had their children perform the ceremony. Between them, they have six children, with two being married and mothers to four precious grandbabies. Hers is a home to several letters of the LGBTQ+ community and a few neurodivergent brains thrown in to keep things exciting. A fiercely protective Mamma Bear to not only her children but all in the LGBTQ+ community, she has been standing against hatred for the better part of 30 years now.

When she says, “All are Welcome,” she means ALL!

If you stop by and visit, make sure you introduce yourself!! She’ll be very excited to meet you and welcome you to her favorite place in Omaha.

Random Fact: If you see stains on her clothes, it’s likely paint or some other art project. One day she’ll learn to wear gloves and specific painting clothes, but that day is not today.