Dear Friends,
I am delighted to announce that Jen Galley will be joining the St. Philip the Deacon team as our first Director of Adult Education. In this role, Jen will be responsible for curating and overseeing in-person and online learning opportunities for adults that build faith and deepen community. She will begin her ministry with us on Sept. 8.
Jen comes to St. Philip the Deacon with rich teaching experience in both church and college settings, and holds degrees and certificates in ministry and spiritual direction from Luther Seminary, Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and North Central University. Look for more information later this summer about new learning opportunities for the fall.
I am also delighted to announce that JoBeth Ranfranz will join our team as Director of the SPD Ringers. With more than 25 years of experience leading handbell choirs, JoBeth has served as a regular substitute director for us, so is already well-known to our handbell choir. We are glad to have her continue to build on and expand the work of this ensemble.
In addition to these staff additions, I am pleased to announce some changes to roles and responsibilities for existing staff, as follows:
Kathy Hagedorn will now be focusing her energy on programming for our Pre-K children, including oversight of our Childcare Center.
Norah Long, who worked with our Sunday School children approximately once a month last year, will expand her presence in K-4 Sunday School to multiple weekends a month. She and Pastor Makayla Dahleen are already at work to refresh the curriculum for this important ministry.
Charlie Olson, who joined us last year as our Middle School intern, has accepted our offer to lead our Middle School and Confirmation Ministries.
Renee Putnam has moved into a role focused on Service and Engagement, where she will help plan and oversee opportunities for members to give back and build community.
Please join me in celebrating all of these new additions and changes, and keep all of these individuals in your prayers as we prepare for an exciting fall!
Grace and Peace,
Tim Westermeyer
Senior Pastor