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says, "I lived next door to my grandparents while growing up in Decorah, Iowa. My grandfather was a Norwegian immigrant, so proud of the fact that early on he had driven the buggy for Pastor Koran. I can remember my grandmother scurrying throughout the house if the 'pastor' was coming to visit. And after I was ordained, I was no longer the grandson in that house, I was the 'pastor.' From those beginnings, I learned that the title 'pastor' was one of the most important names one could bear. To be a 'pastor' was to be honored and respected. It has never been any different for me. When I was first considering the nomination as bishop, my question was, 'Can I still be a pastor?' There are many ways to define the responsibilities of a bishop. I prefer to speak of the bishop as 'pastor' to the synod. I consider that to be the greatest responsibility and privilege."
View Bishop Usgaard's Biographical Information. |
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Synod
Minister: was farm-raised near Bejou, Minn. Her role has
a special focus on rural congregations. She and her husband Keith are
parents to Paige and to Keith's sons Matthew and Michael. On certain
mornings she can be found at the ice arena attempting to figure skate and
evenings, when she is free, with her nose in a book. |
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Synod Minister:
was born in Blooming Prairie, Minn. - home of the
"Blossoms." He worked in insurance for 22 years, and is thrilled
to be using the gifts God gave him in this new position. When not working,
he plays golf and reads.
"People want to know how much you
care, before they care how much you know."
-- Unknown
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Executive Assistant:
Here is
wearing a couple of
her synod
hats…whether it be questions about your constitution, how to send your
monetary gifts, or the bishop's schedule, she is happy to be of service to
you. She has been blessed to work in the synod office since 1990 and as the
Bishop's Executive Assistant since 2001. She and her husband Paul are parents
of two grown sons and are members of
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in
Rochester. She is also proud to say she is a life-long Packer fan! |
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Communications
Director:
joined
the synod staff in 2006. She
spends her days maintaining the synod website, editing the monthly
newsletter River
Crossings, sending news from the synod far and wide via the
weekly E-News, working with
congregation communicators, and on and
on. If she's not sitting at the
computer, Katie is probably in the saddle on one of her three horses. |
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Call Process
Administrative Assistant:
came to the
synod office in January 2002. She started as the Synod Statistician and
eventually assisted with First Call Theological
Education (FCTE) and the accounting. In 2007 she changed roles to take on
Candidacy and Call Process, with a little bit of the accounting left in
there for variety! She has three grown children - Matthew, Carlena, and Chelsey. She also has a
granddaughter, Matthew's daughter Lila Clarissa. When not at the office, she serves as the official "Camera Mom" at her children's dairy
shows (among the many other things that keep her busy!).
"My wish for
all is...Make Today a Great Day! Grow in Faith, Hope, and Love..." |
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Administrative Assistant:
joined the synod staff in February 2009, she is still very green! Kari has been the Office Manager at People of Hope, ELCA (where she and her family are members) and is now ready to tackle the Administrative Assistant position here at the synod. Kari has three daughters - Britt, a college senior in Winona; Steff, a sophomore at Kansas University in Lawrence; and Kali, a freshman at Mayo High School. She is a Rochester native and lives here with her husband, Ken, daughter/s, and three cats. In her spare time loves gardening, nature, and volunteering. She feels it is an honor and a blessing to be able to serve the synod and our loving and gracious God in this role at the Synod. Stop in and say hi, and offer any assistance you wish, as she learns the ropes in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod office!
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
--
Jeremiah 29:11 |
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Global Mission/Companion
Synods Coordinator:
works nine hours a week as the Global Mission/Companion Synods Coordinator. She began her time at the synod office working with the Lay School of Theology in 2002 and added the Global Mission/Companion Synods part of her
job in 2003. She is
a birder and also enjoys bike riding, walking, being outside, reading,
traveling, and being with family. She is also a closet sequined dress fan,
though she doesn't have any!
For I
am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, or powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
-- Romans 8:38-39 |
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Mission Developer:
is learning to balance his role as synod Mission Developer with his call as mission pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Eyota, Minn. His task is to oversee new mission starts and ethnic ministries within the synod (does that make him his own supervisor?). Pete and his wife Shannon live in Eyota with their son Ben. If you can’t find Pete, he and Ben are probably on a lake with fishing poles in hand.
(Pete does not work out of the synod office.) |
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