MEET OUR STAFF
Senior Pastor
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Pastor Barnett - Ron is St.
Olaf's Senior Pastor. Pastor Barnett directs the staff and
also provides direction for the congregation along with the
elected lay leadership. Among
his duties, Pastor Barnett serves as pastoral advisor to the
Board of Stewardship, Board of Outreach, and the St. Olaf
Foundation.
E-Mail:
rbarnett@stolafchurch.org
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Associate Pastor
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Pastor Koppel - Kristi is St.
Olaf's Associate Pastor. She works closely with Pastor
Barnett and the staff to serve the pastoral needs of the
congregation and community. Among her duties are serving as
pastoral advisor to the Board of Life and Growth,
encouraging spiritual growth through education and
fellowship.
E-Mail:
kkoppel@stolafchurch.org
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Business Administrator
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Eric Buntrock
- Eric's
responsibilities relate to all Business and Financial
matters of the church. He is to manage the work of the
support staff, perform general administrative functions
including proper financial accounting of all funds, payroll,
and benefits of the church.
E-Mail:
ebuntrock@stolafchurch.org
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Building Supervisor
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Rich Belknap - full-time
custodian who is responsible for the general upkeep,
maintenance, and cleaning of the church property.
E-Mail:
rbelknap@stolafchurch.org
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Music Ministry
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Neal Erickson - Neal
plans the worship and music that reflect centuries of
tradition as well the emerging styles of today. He is the
director of the St. Olaf Church Choir, plays organ and
keyboard for Sunday morning worship, and accompanies the
youth vocal choirs. He is the staff advisor for the Worship
and Music Board.
E-Mail:
nerickso@stolafchurch.org
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Senior Adult Ministry
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Todd Portinga
-Todd Portinga is
Director of Senior Adult Ministry at St Olaf Lutheran
church. Prior to coming to Austin, Todd worked as an
executive director for a non profit senior volunteer program
in Cannon Falls known as the Shepherd’s Center. ” Todd
believes passionately in the “resourcefulness” of older
adults, “Older adults are a tremendous resource of faith for
the church and the community, they are incredibly gifted,
talented and experienced. We need to listen deeply to their
wisdom, and value their creative insights.” Todd is rostered
and commissioned in the ELCA as an Associate in Ministry.
E-Mail:
tportinga@stolafchurch.org
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Shared Ministry
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Pam Apold -Pam's
job is to help new and current members of the congregation
discover the gifts, talents, and abilities they were given
by God and to enable them to share those gifts in the
ministries of this congregation and the community. She works
closely with the Shared Ministry Committee, Decorating
Committee, and the Board of Stewardship. She also acts as
office support.
E-Mail:
papold@stolafchurch.org |
Wedding Cordinator
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Doris Forland
- Doris takes all the wedding
information from the wedding party and makes sure the church
is available for the desired wedding date. She then conveys
all information to the pastors and the church office. She is
involved with all weddings and can answer questions about
pictures, dressing rooms, flowers, etc. She handles the
wedding rehearsal and is present the day of the wedding for
questions and assistance. Sharon Olson is the Assistant
Wedding Coordinator.
E-Mail:
solc@stolafchurch.org
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Director of Children's Ministry
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Jann Schroeder-is the Director of St. Olaf’s
Children’s Ministry program for children from birth through
5th grade. Children’s ministry includes not
only educational opportunities for the children but also
fellowship opportunities for children (and occasionally
their families) offered throughout the year.
E-Mail:
jschroed@stolafchurch.org
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Director of Youth Ministry
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Elise Chesley-
As Director of Youth Ministry, Elise
oversees the programming for the middle and high school
students at St. Olaf. With the help of the youth ministry
team, she plans events and trips for the students including
summer mission trips, ski trips, and going to lots of
concerts! She also helps coordinate the regular youth
programming such as Recharge and Middle School Ministry
(confirmation).
E-Mail:
echesley@stolafchurch.org |
Wee Learning Center Director
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Jenny Smith- Jennifer is
the Wee Learning Center Director. More information about Wee
Learning Center can be found on the Preschool page.
E-Mail:
jennys@stolafchurch.org
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Wee Learning Center Teacher
Administrative Assistant
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Samantha Vaith-
Samantha oversees and produces
many communications in various media, to include the
bulletin, St. Olaf News, congregational letters, and website
updates. She also provides direct support to the business
operations of St. Olaf.
E-Mail:
svaith@stolafchurch.org |
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