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  BETHEL STAFF         

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Rev. Brenda Froisland
Pastor (she/her)

I am a wife, aunt, godmother, sister, daughter, friend, cousin, honorary mom, and child of God who is blessed to be the pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church.  I live in a tiny house with my wife, Mary, and our two large cats.  When I am not pastoring I enjoy fishing, cooking with friends, spending time with family, traveling, supporting the Minnesota Orchestra, and spoiling my honorary grandchildren.  I earned my MDiv from Luther Seminary in 2005, was ordained at Bethel in 2012, and serve on Reference and Council of the Minneapolis Area Synod.

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Email: pastor@bethel-mpls.org

Phone: (612) 724-3693

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After-hours on-call Pastoral Care: 612-399-6106

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Regan K. Saunders
Operations Manager (she/her)

Regan is a life-long member of Bethel. She started working for Bethel as our Office Manager in May of 2023. Prior to working at Bethel, Regan ran her own Handmade Decorative Pillow business--regan's brain. Her pillows were featured on the show Gossip Girl, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, in the lobby of the Google Headquarters, in John Waters' home, at the Walker Art Center Store and sold at the American Craft Council show in Saint Paul. Regan is also a Competition Dance Instructor and Choreographer. Her choreography has won numerous awards and has placed First Overall at regional competitions. Regan is honored to be able to use her variety of talents in her position at Bethel. 

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Email: bethel@bethel-mpls.org

Phone: (612) 724-3693

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Susan Johnson
Visitation Pastor (she/her)

Susan Johnson is the Bethel Visitation Minister at Bethel Lutheran Church, ELCA. She grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a BA in Literature. Susan went on to work in the non-profit industry for many years. She began to feel a call and left work to attend Luther Seminary in St. Paul, graduating in 2023 with a Master of Divinity. Susan lives with her husband, Jerry Johnson, in their small Minneapolis home just a few blocks from Bethel. They have two cats, and when they have free time, they enjoy music, camping, hiking, and biking.

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Email: visitation@bethel-mpls.org

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Bernie Asher
Music Director (he/him)

Bernie plans worship music and directs the Bethel Choir and Handbell Choir. He earned a Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He has led church music at congregations in the Twin Cities and Wisconsin, as well as a two week turn as Guest Musician at Holden Village in the Cascade Mountains. 

 

Bernie embraces Martin Luther's principle that, "next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise," and believes, with St. Augustine, that "whoever sings, prays twice." He enjoys many different types of music, and embraces the expression of worship of different cultures in our country and the world.

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Bernie lives in south Minneapolis with his wife, and he enjoys making music and sharing Dad jokes with her and his two adult children. 

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email: music2023@bethel-mpls.org 

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Anne Phillips
Musician (she/her)

Anne has been a church musician since she began playing for services in middle school. She studied liturgical music and theology at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University and has been playing for churches in the twin cities since then. Anne loves to travel to hike in the mountains, run long distances, and relax on her stand up paddleboard.  

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Ellie Erb
Grant Manager (she/her)

Hello! My name is Ellie Erb, and I am excited to introduce myself as Bethel Lutheran’s new Grant Manager. 

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I’m brand new to the area, having just moved to Minneapolis at the beginning of April. I grew up in Wisconsin, though, so even though I’m aware of the neighborly rivalry between our two states, I am also very familiar with the cultural norms of the Upper Midwest such as waving each other through at intersections, baking delicious casseroles, taking forever to say goodbye, and spending a summer afternoon out on the pontoon boat. I hope that you will accept me as one of your own—It’s great to be here. 

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I will be in the Bethel office most frequently on Tuesday mornings—don’t hesitate to stop in and say hi! I would love to chat about community events and hear your ideas about present and future Bethel projects. I’m also happy to talk about gardening, a good book, your favorite swimming spot, and must-sees for a new Minnesota resident. Looking forward to meeting you all!

 

​Email: grantmanager@bethel-mpls.org

Phone: (612) 724-3693

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Margaret Borg
Office Manager (she/her)

I'm blessed to be Mom to three kids, happy to be mother-in-law to their spouses, and thrilled to be Grandma to three girls!  I grew up in SD, lived in Eden Prairie for more than 30 years, and now love life in S Mpls, just five minutes from Bethel.  My time is spent with my partner Carl Warren, family, cooking, working in the yard and garden, chasing rabbits out of the garden, reading, knitting, and organizing the stories and photos of family history.

 

Previous to working in the U of MN Libraries with rare books and manuscripts, I worked with non-profits.  I've also enjoyed working in elections at the county and city level, including early and absentee voting.

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Margaret will be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

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Email: office@bethel-mpls.org

Phone: (612) 724-3693

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Kristian Ask (he/him)

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Bill Shy (he/him)

OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF


 
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Michael Hauge (he/him)

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Katie Simons (she/her)

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Jester Lewis (they/them)

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Josh Weber (he/him)

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Franklin Wohnoutka (he/him)

Finance Coordinator:

Teresa O'Brien

  assttreas@bethel-mpls.org

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Board of Administrators:

  boa@bethel-mpls.org

Sarah Berke, President

Laurie Hauge, Vice President

Doug Psick, Treasurer

Stephanie Johnson, Secretary

Jayson Spence, At-Large

______________, At-Large


Mission Council:

  missioncouncil@bethel-mpls.org

Susan Johnson, Chair

Andrea Allie

Candice Hickenbotham

Barb Wandberg

Anna Wohnoutka

Olivia Wohnoutka

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Visitation Committee:

Sharon Rodi, Coordinator

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Children, Youth & Family Committee:

Currently inactive

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Stewardship Committee:

Jerry Johnson, Chair

Kristin Cleary

Karen Tennis

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Personnel Committee:

Laurie Hauge, Chair

Jeff Alberts

Marilyn Newborg

Don Olson

Barb Saunders
 

Endowment Committee:

Chair TBD

Ann Allison

Paige Best

Pat Gramentz

Jim Lair

Doug Psick

Sarah Psick

 

Building and Grounds Committee:

Kristian Ask

Susan Johnson

Anna Olsen

Gene Rodi
 

Feasibility Study Team

  feasibility@bethel-mpls.org

Jim Lair, Chair

Ann Allison

Laurie Hauge

Don Olson

Gene Rodi

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