Bringing Good News Summer Guest Preaching Series
This summer, Gloria Dei will welcome preachers from a variety of contexts to share a word from God with us. The grant that supports Pastor Bradley’s sabbatical journey also brings us a collection of pastors to share holy wisdom centered in the lectionary and informed by their diverse journeys. Like the angels, prophets, disciples and apostles sent in Luke and Acts, these guest preachers are also “bringing good news.” We invite you to come, hear what God is saying to the people.
We thank God for each of you and your willingness to share God’s word with Gloria Dei this summer.
May 22, Pastor Jodi Hogue. Jodi was raised by North Dakota potato growers. Incidentally, she likes watching things grow. Jodi started Humble Walk in a coffee shop during her last year of seminary and has been running to catch up with where this community leads her ever since. She spends a good deal of time drinking coffee and observing life in the West End–where she lives with her husband and two offspring. Her friends would describe her as a good eater.
June 12, Pastor Michael L. Burk. He served as bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from 2008 through 2020. Prior to his election as bishop, he was the ELCA Executive for Worship and Liturgical Resources after serving congregations in his native state of Iowa. Upon retirement, Michael and his wife, Diane, relocated to this area to be near their three adult children and their families, all of whom are members here at Gloria Dei. Michael and Diane joined Gloria Dei in November 2020.
June 19, Pastor Kelly Chatman. Founder and executive director of the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota and serves as Advisor to the Bishop for Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In March 2020, Pastor Kelly became the first director for the new nonprofit CLNE, which works to “disrupt racism” and intentionally focus on organizational culture, climate, policies and practices. Instead of “fixing” people, CLNE endeavors to meet people exactly where they are. CLNE mobilizes congregations and leaders as powerful neighborhood-based agents for positive social change. Prior to launching CLNE, Pastor Kelly served as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis and Executive Director of Redeemer Center. Kelly has also served as college dean for equity and inclusion, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Director for Youth Ministries, and teacher, coach, and chaplain at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon. He has also served on boards for Aeon Affordable Housing, Cookie Cart, Harrison Neighborhood Association, Leadership Foundation, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, Ministry Collaborative, and Youthprise. Awards include, Portland Public School Volunteer of the Year, City of Portland Mayor’s Citizen of the Year, Tom Hunstad Award, Wheatridge Foundation.
July 10, Doctor Kelly Sherman-Conroy. Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy’s Lakota name is Mato Waste Winyan (Good Bear Woman). Dr. Sherman-Conroy is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and recently earned her Ph. D. from Luther Seminary. As a Native American Theologian, she walks with people of all cultures, exploring the intersections of identity, personal narratives, faith, and healing through an Indigenous lens. Dr. Sherman-Conroy is the first Native American Woman Ph.D. in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
July 24, Pastor Saul Stensvaag. Saul and Mary Kay served as missionaries in Japan for 15 years, where Saul was solo pastor of a thriving Japanese congregation in Sapporo, and where their three children were born. After returning to the USA in 1992, Saul served seven years at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina, and then for 16 years as senior pastor at First Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls, MN. After serving a couple of interim calls, he retired and they moved to Inver Grove Heights in August, 2020. Saul loves fishing, reading, biking on the many wonderful trails here in the Twin Cities, running 5K races, and walking and traveling with Mary Kay.
July 31, Pastor Ann Bergstrom. If you attended Gloria Dei between 1999 and 2005 you may recognize the preacher for Sunday, July 31. Ann Bergstrom served as Visitation Pastor and occasional preacher. She spent most of her formal ministry as a Chaplain in senior living communities and care centers. Ann is an Illinois farm girl who wouldn’t trade her growing-up years on the family farm for anything. She and her wife Gay are Gloria Dei members and live in Highland Park. Ann’s newest adventure is taking fingerpicking-style ukulele lessons.
August 14 Pastor Angela Khabeb. The Rev. Angela T. Khabeb is a pastor on staff at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis. Pastor Angela completed her undergrad at Carthage College in Kenosha and graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Angela and her husband, Benhi, have been married for 19 years and they have three wonderful children Konami, Khenna and Khonni. In their spare time, this vibrant family enjoys world music, creative writing, bike riding, unicorns, mermaids and glitter.