I presently reside: in Rancho Bernardo, CA

Originally from: St. Paul, MN

Education/Background: Luther College, Decorah, IA, - B.A.
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN - MDiv

E-mail Pastor Erin

Ministry Background:

Sunday School Teacher
Sunday School Music Leader
Camp Counselor
Youth Director in the inner-city of Minneapolis, MN
Youth and Family Education Director, rural, MN
Pastor for Outreach, St. Paul, MN
Mission developer, Rancho Bernardo, CA

My Family: I have been married to Tim since May 2004, all of our immediate family lives within 25 miles of each other in St. Paul, MN.  Between the two of us we have two living grandparents, 4 parents, 4 brothers (including in-laws) 4 sisters (including in-laws) and 4 nieces and 4 nephews.  I guess 4 is a good number for us!

Personal Story:
My great-grandfather was a missionary pastor from Germany.  He traveled to the United States to start new churches for German immigrants in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  A few of the many things he instilled in the lives of his family were the importance of hospitality, friendship, faith, and music. 

My mother’s parents were born in Germany.  They both came to the United States at a young age.  While my grandpa taught me to fish and enjoy the quiet of a calm lake, my grandma taught me to clean fish, play cards, and generally try not to take life too seriously (a lesson that I still am trying to learn better).

I grew up in Minnesota as the youngest of 2 children.  My sister is 2 years older.  We lived in the suburbs of St. Paul, MN, but our neighbor owned many acres of land and had a farm in the middle of the city.  In addition to which, I had 3 uncles who were farmers in rural Minnesota.  I think I grew up in the best of both worlds.

The love of travel was also instilled in me at an early age.  Our family often took road trips across the US.  I have had the opportunity to much of the United States as well as Europe, Tanzania, Canada, Mexico.  I have also been fortunate to be able to live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Germany, and now California,

I continue to be fascinated with how we are shaped by the presence of the community in which we live, but also by the connections we have throughout history.  As the African Proverb goes - it takes a village to raise a child - I believe that it takes a global village to raise our awareness of ourselves, our community and the boundless presence of God in our midst.

I started working at CELC: January 1, 2007

My role at CELC:

Outreach - where are the places that the community of Christ Lutheran Church and the community of Pacific Beach intersect?  And where do we see God’s action around us?

Most fulfilling part of my job:

I get to be a part of being a force for change in the world - to help in the gathering of people that we might together continue to make this community a better place.