Pastor   Meagan McLaughlin. Reverend Meagan McLaughlin (she/her/hers) grew up in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, and from the beginning enjoyed participating in faith life at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Pastor Meagan attended St. Olaf College, where she was introduced to the ELCA and became an “honorary Lutheran” as she studied education, English, psychology, and religion.

 

After teaching toddlers, working as a technical writer/instructional designer, and nine years of supporting outreach, justice, and caring ministries in the Christian Life Department at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, Pastor

Meagan recognized a call to ministry and to the ELCA, and began to follow the sometimes convoluted and winding path to Ordination, with candidacy in the Minneapolis Synod. She studied at Luther Seminary and United Theological Seminary and graduated with her MDiv in December of 2015.

 

Pastor Meagan provided pulpit supply and led forums and workshops for many congregations, and served as a Synodically Authorized Minister (SAM) at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN, from October 2018-October 2019, while eagerly awaiting First Call. She has been a very active member of Proclaim, a ministry of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, an organization connected with the ELCA that supports, encourages, and advocates for LGBTQIA+ seminarians and clergy in the ELCA.

 

Pastor Meagan was called to serve as Pastor at Christ in December of 2019 and was joyfully Ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on January 18th, 2020. Meagan, her wife, Karen, and their three cats live in St Louis. When she is not preaching, providing pastoral care, serving on (yet another) committee, or walking at the Zoo or Botanical Gardens, you can probably find Meagan cuddling with her cats and binge-watching One Day at a Time on Netflix.

 

 

 

 

Diane Drollinger, Music and Choir Director.

Diane is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and holds a degree in vocal music performance. She has conducted various choral ensembles over the past 25 years, has been a recitalist and professional vocalist, and has taught voice privately. Diane has an extensive background in musical theater and served as the Music Director for many community productions when she lived in Ohio. She also has experience working with young voices. A member of Christ Lutheran, Diane directs both the Christ Choir and the Handbell Choir and is on the Worship Committee.

 

 

Mark Ruff, Organist. 

Mark comes to us from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Portland, where he was music director, organist, and choir director.  He was previously the organist at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Providence, RI; Park Place Congregational Church in Pawtucket, RI; and Amherst Lutheran Church in Amherst, NY.  He was the organist and accompanist in various Portland recitals.  He has also played for recitals in Bruhl, Germany; and Buffalo and Fredonia, NY.  He studied piano and organ at Lutheran Summer Music, SUNY College at Fredonia, NY, and the University of Buffalo.  He has recently returned from Germany where he was on an extended sabbatical from his professorship at St. Louis University.  Besides his teaching schedule at SLU, Mark has also taught classes for the Lutheran School of Theology-St. Louis.  A member of Christ Lutheran, Mark plays our Schlicker organ  .            

 

Tammy Pryor, Bookkeeper. 

Tammy is the part-time bookkeeper at Christ Lutheran and is also employed by MetroCoalition of the ELCA/LST as a bookkeeper.  Tammy is a member of Bethel Lutheran ELCA in University City.  She is ready to answer questions about your contributions or donations.  

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