I was born and raised in southern Indiana, and was unchurched until I began attending a Southern Baptist congregation in high school. I was baptized there on April Fool's Day when I was 14, but stopped attending within a year. (I had too many questions for them!)
I didn't become active in church again until college (Indiana University), when I began attending a local Lutheran church with about half of my dorm floor--and fell in love with Church. I eventually also began working with the campus ministry, and was connected to both faith communities throughout college. Toward the end of my junior year my campus pastor convinced me to consider seminary. (At the time, I was unconvinced but decided to check it out anyway. The rest is history.)
I attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Hyde Park, and graduated with my M.Div in 1986. I was ordained in 1987, and since then I have served five congregations. I served three as associate pastor: Ebenezer Lutheran in Chicago, Trinity Lutheran in Evanston, and Edison Park Lutheran on the northwest side of Chicago. I then was called at senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran in Wheaton, where I served for almost 17 years. In September 2015 I was delighted to begin my ministry here at Grace.
I serve on the board of directors for Lutheran Services in America as well as the board of directors for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. I also write for two devotionals--Christ in Our Home and The Word in Season, and for Sundays and Seasons, a worship and sermon preparation resource.
In our spare time, my husband Marty and I enjoy biking, hiking, and listening to live music. We hang out at a lot of trad (traditional) Irish music sessions, where you might find Marty with his guitar (he's an amazing finger-style player) and me with a bodhrán (drum).
I didn't become active in church again until college (Indiana University), when I began attending a local Lutheran church with about half of my dorm floor--and fell in love with Church. I eventually also began working with the campus ministry, and was connected to both faith communities throughout college. Toward the end of my junior year my campus pastor convinced me to consider seminary. (At the time, I was unconvinced but decided to check it out anyway. The rest is history.)
I attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Hyde Park, and graduated with my M.Div in 1986. I was ordained in 1987, and since then I have served five congregations. I served three as associate pastor: Ebenezer Lutheran in Chicago, Trinity Lutheran in Evanston, and Edison Park Lutheran on the northwest side of Chicago. I then was called at senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran in Wheaton, where I served for almost 17 years. In September 2015 I was delighted to begin my ministry here at Grace.
I serve on the board of directors for Lutheran Services in America as well as the board of directors for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. I also write for two devotionals--Christ in Our Home and The Word in Season, and for Sundays and Seasons, a worship and sermon preparation resource.
In our spare time, my husband Marty and I enjoy biking, hiking, and listening to live music. We hang out at a lot of trad (traditional) Irish music sessions, where you might find Marty with his guitar (he's an amazing finger-style player) and me with a bodhrán (drum).