Pastors

Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner

Senior Pastor
651-457-3373
pastorjason@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana:

I lead the staff and leadership of the congregation in discerning God’s mission for our congregation. I preach and lead worship. I visit with kids, families, those who are sick and those who are grieving. I spend as much time with people as possible.

My favorite Bible verse:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23

When I’m not at Augustana, you can find me:

Downhill skiing in the winter, golfing or camping in the summer, traveling, playing cards with my wife and two kids, reading a good book, or checking out a new brewery.

One more thing I’d like you to know:

I love to hear people’s stories and see where their lives connect to God. My mission as a pastor is to help people connect to God and others in ways that transform lives and communities.

Deacon Stephanie Anderson

Deacon of Discipleship & Community Mission
651-457-3373
deaconstephanie@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana:

I lead the staff and programs associated with faith formation and discipleship as well as community mission.

My favorite Bible verse:

My favorite verse is Micah 6:8 because it grounds me in the basics of my faith: “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” However, my favorite story from scripture is the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus accompanies the

disciples on a walk, listening to their suffering and only revealing himself to them afterward. How many ways is Christ revealed to us in the unexpected each and every day, in our own mundane moments?

When I’m not at Augustana, you can find me:

At the cabin in Ely, Minnesota! We try to get up to lake as much as we can, for the joy and restoration that comes with the north woods.

One more thing I’d like you to know:

Breakfast is my favorite food group!

Staff

Kathy Andrews

Co-Director of Music
651-457-3373
kathlandrews@aol.com

What I actually do at Augustana: I work closely with the pastors and the Director of Music/Organist to plan meaningful worship and give leadership to the overall music program. I’m responsible for the vocal music in the traditional worship services and personally direct the Senior Choir, Agape Choir and Cherub Choir.

My favorite Bible verse is: For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, And his faithfulness to all generations. PSALM 100:5

We are reminded to come into God’s presence with singing and to serve Him with gladness.  And the fifth verse, which is my favorite, assures us of His everlasting love.

When I’m not at Augustana, you can find me: babysitting our grandchildren, reading, spending time with friends and family, and attending concerts and plays.

One more thing I’d like you to know: Jim and I love to travel.  One of our favorite places to go is to the Aspen Music Festival each summer.  Spending time in the mountains and listening to beautiful music is the perfect getaway.

Joann Arneberg

Faith Community Nurse
651-457-3373
jarneberg@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana:

My role is to value, care for and nurture Augustana’s members throughout their lifespan by promoting emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Practically, this means I partner with the pastoral staff and many volunteers to administer a wide variety of programs that care for and support Augustana’s congregation.

Favorite Bible verse:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. EPHESIANS 3: 20-21

When I’m not at Augustana you may find me:

I love to learn new ways to improve health through cooking and eating better, keeping up with changing research, and exercise. In the warmer months, I love to take long walks and hikes, kayak, canoe, and bike (my husband and I have a tandem bicycle that we love to ride on the many trails in the Cities). In the colder months, I like to cross-country ski and snowshoe, especially on the North Shore.

The other thing I want you to know:

My husband and I and our 4 children have been blessed to have lived internationally, 8 years in rural Tanzania and 5 years in urban China. We have served as missionaries, reaching out to people with practical solutions to everyday problems, while sharing our hope in Jesus. I loved living

Steve Bechtold

Custodial Staff
651-457-3373

Stacy Bratvold

Business Administrator
651-457-3373
sbratvold@augustana.com

Carie Closmore

Facilities Manager
651-457-3373
cclosmore@augustana.com

John Closmore

Custodial Staff
651-457-3373

Stacy Eichman-Cardwell

Director of Adult Ministry
651-457-3373
secardwell@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana: Education has always been my passion. I work hard at providing adults a variety of educational opportunities in various settings. I also coordinate lay led small group programs. Make sure you check out all the opportunities in the Sunday Connection Card, the monthly newsletter and the weekly Augustana Connect email.

My favorite Bible verse: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.     ISAIAH 40:31

When I’m not at Augustana you can find me: mucking out the barn, grooming our horse, swimming, working in one of the gardens, biking, spinning our llama and goats fiber, training our Golden Retriever, hiking, learning pottery, cooking, lifting weights, spending time with friends and family, and learning something new!

One more thing I’d like you to know:

My husband Todd and I feel extremely blessed to  have had the opportunity to parent our adopted child Brianna (Brie) from infancy to adulthood. Our “open adoption” experience has been awesome and we continue to cherish this parenting journey.

Kay Ericson

Bookkeeper & Secretary
651-457-3373
kericson@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana: 

I help make sure people get paid by processing check requests as well as prepare the weekly bulletin and connection card.

My favorite Bible verse:

Psalm 23 has always reverberated with me since I first read it as a child. It brings me peace, hope and fulfillment every time that I recite it.

When I’m not at Augustana you can find me:

In the winter enjoying reading mysteries; in the summer gardening at our daughter’s house in Wisconsin.

One more thing I’d like you to know:

Our five grandchildren keep my husband Dave and me busy all year around with school activities and occasional child care duties.

Cathy Hendrikson

Community & Congregational Life Minister
651-457-3373
chendrikson@augustana.com

What I do at Augustana:  I have responsibility for all programing for children (birth-6th grade), including nursery, Kids’ Kingdom (Sunday School), and summer camps. I also work closely with our community mission partners and coordinate the new Community Meals program every Thursday evening.

My favorite bible verses are:

Trust in him at all times, people: pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.     PSALM 62:8

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   PHILIPPIANS 4:13

When I’m not at Augustana you can find me: in my back yard reading a book, lounging in the pool, or just relaxing (which doesn’t happen very often). I also spend time quite a bit of time at Luther College, spending time with my daughter and watching my son play baseball.

One more thing I want you to know about me is: The land that the church is built on was my grandparent’s farm.

Andy Jacob

Organist/Co-Director of Music
651-457-3373
ajacob@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana:

Organist, direct the handbell choir, accompany the vocal choirs, help plan worship, and coordinate Augustana’s concert series

Favorite Bible verse:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. COLOSSIANS 3:16

When I’m not at Augustana, you will find me:

Trying a new recipe in the kitchen, planting in our garden, going for a hike, volunteering at the Minnesota Streetcar Museum

One more thing I’d like you to know

My wife is a pastor. Conversations at the dinner table can get real interesting between a pastor and an organist!

Tim Keuhl

Celebration Band Leader
651-457-3373
tkeuhl@augustana.com 

Carla Pfeifer

Communications Coordinator
651-457-3373
cpfeifer@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana: Coordinate Augustana’s communications, both internally (website, newsletter, social media) and externally (newspapers and other local media outlets.) I also write and design the annual stewardship and global mission materials and other congregational brochures.

Favorite Bible verse: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. JERAMIAH 29:11

When I’m not at Augustana you can find me:

In the kitchen planning menus and cooking, walking our dog, Rexi, playing the piano, or spending time with my husband and our three boys.

One more thing I’d like you to know:

I love sports! My two favorite teams are the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Go Big Red) and the Los Angeles Lakers!!

Barb Rolfes

Administrative Secretary & Volunteer Coordinator
651-457-3373
brolfes@augustana.com

What I do: I am the first face you see when you walk in to Augustana, so I direct a bit of traffic, compile and format the bulletin information, answer or direct phone inquiries, help all staff with their administrative needs.

Favorite Bible verse: Be still and know that I AM.  PSALM 46:10

When I’m not at Augustana you can find me: Reading, wrangling grandchildren, feeding the birds, gardening

One more thing I’d like you to know: I love the thought of the communion of saints; think of all those who have breathed the air you breathe.

Kelsey Raatz

Custodian
651-457-3373

Deaconess Claire Schoepp

Children & Family Minister
651-457-3373
cschoepp@augustana.com

Lowell Steenberg

Custodial Staff
651-457-3373

Nathan Thompson

Digital Media Specialist
651-457-3373
nthompson@augustana.com

Deb Van

Financial Secretary
651-457-3373
dvan@augustana.com

What I actually do at Augustana: As part of the office support staff, I am responsible for the accounting of contributions made to the Church. I work with the volunteers who count the Sunday offering and I maintain the contribution records for all members. I administer the automatic withdrawal program and am the contact person for on-line giving and offering envelopes.

Favorite Bible verse: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.    HEBREWS 11:1

When I’m not at Augustana, you can find me:

Either at home or at the lake!

One more thing I’d like you to know: I am “grandma” to two very special granddaughters, Averie and Isla!

Hilary Wagner

Worship Secretary
651-457-3373
hwagner@augustana.com

Kim Zemple

Chorister Choir Director
651-457-3373
kimzemple@yahoo.com

What I actually do at Augustana: I work with Augustana’s Awesome Kids! I direct the Chorister Choir (grades 4 thru 6), helping students create beautiful music and learning how to sing well. I also get to dance with them and work on their acting skills in our cantata as well as summer music camp. I love my job!

Favorite bible verse: The Lord’s Prayer, MATTHEW 6: 9-13.

When I’m not at Augustana you will find me: reading with my kids, playing at parks, working in the garden, cooking or at the piano…. all things family, really, as our daughter Pearl and son Archer are, as we like to say, a handful.

One more thing I would like you to know: I had the top free throw shooting percentage on my high school basketball team.