2015 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Biographical Information for Election Nominees. Synod Council Members

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1 2015 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Biographical Information for Election Nominees Synod Council Members Conference 2: Lay Person Millie Reierson Congregation: Zion, Thief River Falls Education: BS Business Finance Occupation: Retired US Army Service in Congregation: President Parish Planning Council Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council Service in Community: Color Guard American Legion Conference 3: Lay Person Jeanne Rains Congregation: Kingo, Fosston Education: BA Occupation: Retired Service in Congregation: Coordinator Prime Time Prayer Partners; WELCA Board; Steering Committee local Food Shelf Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council; team member Bridge Builders Service in Community: Hospice spiritual counselor for Essentia Health Care; substitute instructor East Polk County D.A.C. Conference 4: Lay Person Myrtle Smetak Congregation: New Salem, Turtle River Education: High School and some college Occupation: Retired Service in Congregation: Church council; former congregation president; chairperson Outreach Committee; former Sunday School superintendent Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council; voting member several NW MN Synod Assemblies Service in Community: Bemidji Food Shelf; Befriender and Family Council member Nielson Place Nursing Home Conference 4: Clergy Pr. Robert Kelly Congregation: Peoples Church, Bemidji Education: MDiv, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council

2 Conference 6: Clergy Pr. Matthew Peterson Congregation: Trinity, Moorhead Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Service in Congregation: Pastor of Education Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Southwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Planning Team; 2011 and 2013 Churchwide Assembly voting member Conference 8: Clergy Pr. Zinta Sundby Congregation: Sverdrup, Underwood Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Occupation: Retired Pastor Service in Congregation: Music & Worship; stewardship; choir Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council Service in Community: Underwood Study Club (raises funds for post high school education for women) Conference 9: Lay Person Joyce Anderson Congregation: Faith, Staples Education: Certificate of Ministry, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN Occupation: Retired Service in Congregation: Former Director of Youth & Family/Christian Education, Faith, Staples; church council; Sunday School teacher; Stephen Minister leader Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: NW MN Synod Youth Gatherings Service in Community: Area CARE Board; Women s Chorus; Wadena Area Band; Side By Side Mentoring Program Conference 10: Lay Person Natalie Hanson Congregation: United, Elbow Lake Education: Bachelor of Science Mass Communication; AD and PR Occupation: Ministry speaker; stay-at-home mother; volunteer Service in Congregation: President Board of Education; church council; Spiritual Life and Growth Committee; Sunday School, Vacation Bible School; ROCK (after school program K-6 th ); Christmas and Palm Sunday Programs; confirmation mentor; music for worship Service in Community: MOPS at United Lutheran; organized IF a county-wide women s gathering; PTO member; organized local benefits

3 Conference 10: Clergy Pr. Jean Ohman Congregation: United, Elbow Lake Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, new to the synod January 2014 At Large: Lay Male Gerald Peterson Congregation: Augustana, Fergus Falls Education: BS Pharmacy Occupation: Synodically Authorized Minister Service in Congregation: Former congregation president; church committees; synodically authorized minister Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Chairperson Synod School for Lay Ministry; Churchwide Assembly voting member; Synod Council Service in Community: Habitat for Humanity; Fergus Falls Classic Car Club At Large: Lay Male Kenneth Greiner Congregation: United, Elbow Lake Education: BS, DVM Occupation: Veterinarian Service in Congregation: Former deacon; former church council president; men s group Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Malaria Campaign; World Hunger Service in Community: American Veterinary Medical Association; Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association; bank director; Seeds for Mission At Large: Young Adult Jon Dahl Congregation: Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead Education: Battle Lake High School; Concordia College, Moorhead Occupation: Director of Worship Arts, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead Service in Congregation: Worship leadership; Ministry Technology; Online Communications, Youth Ministry Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Worship leadership at Youth Gatherings and various synod events; Pathways Bible Camp Counselor and Assistant Program Director Service in Community: FM Area Homeless Shelters; Food Banks; Eventide with youth; Service Learning representative for NW MN Synod along with Churches United staff developing a service learning plan for youth groups

4 Synod Vice-President: Lay Person Allen Westby Congregation: Central, Pelican Rapids Education: High school; two year vocational school degree Occupation: Youth Director/Pastoral Assistant Service in Congregation: Men s Group; Men s Bible Study; choir Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Vice-President; Synod Council; Synod Assembly Planning Committee; Mission Interpreter Training; Luther Crest Campaign Service in Community: Pelican Rapids Special Olympics Committee Synod Consultation Committee: Clergy Pr. Timothy Megorden Congregation: Calvary, Grand Forks Education: BA Concordia College, Moorhead; MDiv, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul; MA University of Wisconsin Stout Occupation: Campus Pastor, Concordia College, Moorhead Service in Congregation: Call Committee; Youth Ministry Board; State Coordinating Committee for Campus Ministry Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council; Synod Candidacy Committee; Writing team for Windows of Faith (a young adult catechetical program) Service in Community: Co-leader Men s Group; Community Violence Intervention Center; University of North Dakota Wellness Committee 2016 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Conference 1: Lay Female Sandra Johnson Congregation: First, Baudette Education: Associate Degree/Business Occupation: Office assistant City of Baudette Service in Congregation: former parish treasurer; quilting for Lutheran World Relief Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: NW MN Synod Assembly voting member Service in Community: Lake of the Woods Food Shelf; Lake of the Woods County Fair Association Conference 2: Clergy Pr. Katherine Johnson Congregation: New Beginnings Parish, Alvarado Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Service in Congregation: Pastoral leadership; visitation Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Hunger Ride participant; engaging in conversations regarding shared ministries and resources in rural congregations

5 Conference 2: Lay Male Alan Buhl Congregation: Redeemer, Thief River Falls Education: BS Occupation: Retired teacher Service in Congregation: Former church council member; church choir; Worship and Music Committee Service in Community: Education Foundation Board; Gulf Club Board; volunteer basketball coach Conference 3: Lay Female Darcey Larsen Congregation: Concordia, Fertile Education: BS Food & Nutrition: Dietetics, North Dakota State University, Fargo Occupation: Registered dietitian RiverView Clinic, Crookston Service in Congregation: Sunday School teacher; WELCA; communion assistant Service in Community: Feed My Starving Children; Meals on Wheels; Food Shelf volunteer Conference 4: Lay Female Keila McCracken Congregation: New Salem, Turtle River Education: Environmental Anthropologist Occupation: Local government/county Service in Congregation: Active member of congregation including church choir Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Former Region 3 representative Churchwide Lutheran Youth Organization Board; former youth liaison between ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Board; Synod Council Service in Community: Founder Northern Minnesota Fibershed; advocate for the homeless population Conference 5: Clergy Pr. Ruth Popkin Congregation: Salem, Hitterdal Education: BS History, Valparaiso University; MDiv, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg Service in Congregation: Salem Lutheran quilters Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Conference 5 pastors group Service in Community: Silent Auction Coordinator REACH Hunger Breakfast; Hawley Ministerium

6 Conference 5: Lay Male Daniel Stauffer Congregation: Zion, Twin Valley Education: Master of Theological Studies, diaconal minister Occupation: Synodically Authorized Minister serving as a parish interim Service in Congregation: church choir Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Moorhead Conference participant Service in Community: Churches United for the Homeless Conference 6: Clergy Pr. Simon Fensom Congregation: Trinity, Moorhead Education: MDiv, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Former Conference Dean Service in Community: Habitat for Humanity Board; LINK Board Conference 6: Lay Female Nancy Hillier-Fensom Congregation: Trinity, Moorhead Education: BA Occupation: West Central Community Action Service in Congregation: Sunday School teacher; confirmation mentor Service in Community: School volunteer; Heat Share Community advocate Conference 7: Lay Male Jeff Skogmo Congregation: Augustana, Detroit Lakes Education: BS Occupation: Retired; self employed Service in Congregation: Augustana church council president; Lakes Area Ministry Partners board member Service in Community: Former member Education Minnesota; teacher 35 years Conference 8: Clergy Pr. Dale Pepelnjak Congregation: Zion Evangelical, Pelican Rapids Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary Service in Congregation: Pastor; intern supervisor Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Chairperson Synod Candidacy Committee; former committee member Synod Assembly Planning and School for Lay Ministry Service in Community: Local ministerial and conference groups; volunteer local food pantry

7 Conference 8: Lay Male Alan Sundby Congregation: Sverdrup, Underwood Education: Two year trade school Occupation: Case IH salesman; farmer Service in Congregation: Church Council; Property & Management Committee; Service Group Service in Community: Lions Conference 9: Lay Female Heidi Mattson Congregation: Our Saviour s, Sebeka Education: Massage Therapy, Sister Rosalind Gefre School of Massage Occupation: Daycare Provider Service in Congregation: Sunday School and confirmation teacher; youth leader Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: 2015 NW MN Synod Assembly voting member Service in Community: 4H leader; Cub Scout leader; Civic & Commerce member Conference 10: Clergy Pr. Kathryn Rothman Congregation: Shalom, Alexandria Education: BA Concordia College, Moorhead; diploma Diakonia; MDiv, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul Occupation: Interim Pastor Service in Congregation: Interim pastor Northwestern Minnesota and Southwestern Minnesota Synods; musician; teacher; circle member Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Former Conference Dean; Synod Discipline Committee Service in Community: Charity knitter; Habitat for Humanity; spinning demonstrations at County Fair and area schools Conference 10: Lay Male David Holtz Congregation: First, Alexandria Education: BA Management & Music, Luther College; MA Christian Education, Luther Seminary Occupation: Executive Director Luther Crest Bible Camp Service in Congregation: Mentor; teacher; preacher Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Assembly Planning Committee; Lutheran Men in Mission; Lutheran Outdoor Ministries; WELCA Service in Community: Teacher; advocate and mentor for youth

8 At Large: Clergy Pr. Alemayehu (Ale) Tulu Congregation: Zion, Thief River Falls Education: MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Candidacy Committee; Eastern North Dakota Synod Council Service in Community: Lions Club At Large: Clergy Pr. Francis (Frank) Johnson Congregation: Grace, Hallock Education: BA Religion, Augustana, Sioux Falls, SD; MDiv, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Service in Congregation: Solo pastor Grace and Red River, Hallock Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Hunger Table; Core Planning Group and Ambassador for The Hunger Ride Service in Community: Hallock Curling Club; organizer for Kittson County Community Service Day 2015 At Large: Lay Female Katie DeMarais Congregation: Gary, Gary Education: BA Religion and Certification in Youth Ministry, Concordia College, Moorhead Occupation: Homemaker Service in Congregation: Sunday School coordinator and teacher; church council president; church vice-president Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Assembly Planning Committee; former Co-chair Council of Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents; Churchwide Lutheran Youth Organization Board Service in Community: Gary Community Club member At Large: Lay Female Caroline Larson Congregation: First, Bemidji Education: Youth Ministry degree Bethel University; studied biology/pre-veterinary University of MN; registered EMT Occupation: Director of Youth & Families, First, Bemidji Service in Congregation: Labyrinth Guild; coordinator volunteer opportunities for church youth within the church and Bemidji community Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit Service in Community: Coordinator Coat of Many Colors; volunteer Evergreen Family Services; Beltrami Humane Society Education Committee

9 At Large: Lay Female Gothe Jensvold Congregation: Trinity, Detroit Lakes Education: Masters Degree in Education, University of Manchester (UK) Occupation: Retired Service in Congregation: Christian Outreach Committee; Sunday School teacher; Trinity Quilters Service in Synod/Conference/Churchwide: Synod Council; WELCA Triennial Conference Delegate Service in Community: Food Pantry volunteer; volunteer at The Refuge in Detroit Lakes; White Earth Day Care volunteer

10 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Ballot May 16-17, 2015 Conference Representatives on Synod Council These persons have been nominated by their conferences; synod assembly elects all members of the synod council. Conference 2 [vote for one lay person] Millie Reierson Conference 3 [vote for one lay person] Jeanne Rains Conference 4 [vote for one lay person] Myrtle Smetak Pr. Robert Kelly Conference 6 Pr. Matthew Peterson Conference 10 [vote for one lay person] Natalie Hanson Pr. Jean Ohman Synod Council At-Large Positions [vote for two lay males] Kenneth Greiner Gerald Peterson [vote for one young adult] Jon Dahl Synod Vice-President [vote for one lay person] Allen Westby Synod Consultation Committee Pr. Timothy Megorden Conference 8 Pr. Zinta Sundby Conference 9 [vote for one lay person] Joyce Anderson

11 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Ballot May 16-17, Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Conference 1 [vote for one lay female] Sandra Johnson Conference 2 Pr. Katherine Johnson [vote for one lay male] Alan Buhl Conference 3 [vote for one lay female] Darcey Larsen Conference 4 [vote for one lay female] Keila McCracken Conference 5 Pr. Ruth Popkin [vote for one lay male] Daniel Stauffer Conference 6 Pr. Simon Fensom [vote for one lay female] Nancy Hillier-Fensom Conference 7 [vote for one lay male] Jeff Skogmo Conference 8 Pr. Dale Pepelnjak [vote for one lay male] Alan Sundby Conference 9 [vote for one lay female] Heidi Mattson Conference 10 Pr. Kathryn Rothman [vote for one lay male] David Holtz At Large Clergy [vote for two clergy] Pr. Ale Tulu Pr. Frank Johnson At Large Lay Female [vote for three lay females] Katie DeMarais Caroline Larson Gothe Jensvold

12 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Ballot May 16-17, Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Alternate Voting Members who have been nominated by their conferences. Joyce Nelson, Conference 1 Pr. Catherine Rhodes, Conference 2 Denny Minks, Conference 2 Jeanne Rains, Conference 3 Donna Yliniemi, Conference 4 Pr. Allen Brooks, Conference 5 Alexander Popkin, Conference 5 Pr. Gary Mikkelson, Conference 6 Dorothy Suomala, Conference 6 Chris Heyer, Conference 7 Pr. Alison Haugerud, Conference 8 Sue Ellwanger, Conference 9 Pr. David Hanssen, Conference 10 John Loken, Conference 10

NOMINATIONS TO SERVE THE EAST CENTRAL SYNOD OF WISCONSIN Submitted by the 2017 Nominating Committee

NOMINATIONS TO SERVE THE EAST CENTRAL SYNOD OF WISCONSIN Submitted by the 2017 Nominating Committee KERRY FEHRMAN, Wausau SYNOD COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Position 1 - Vote for One Four Year Term Lay member