ECLC Staff & Leadership

MELISSA BERGSTROM

MUSIC LEADER & CHOIR DIRECTOR

What is your favorite book of the Bible?

“The Psalms remind me of the range of emotions that people have experienced throughout human history - rage, joy, doubt, fear, hope, grief, and love. Worship allows us to bring any (or all!) of those feelings and the wide range of hymnody we utilize - with the poets and composers from throughout the ages and around the world.”

Melissa serves as the organist and choir director at ECLC helping members make a joyful noise. She chairs the music department at a local Community College and enjoys a robust free-lance life as performer, composer, and writer. Mostly, though, Melissa is a wife to Sam and mother to three beautiful, wonderful, so good, very rad boys around whom her world revolves.

ANNE GUSTAFSON

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

KAYA HOUGEN

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILY MINISTRY

Can you share a little about your background?

I grew up in Decorah, IA and moved to Chicago for college to study youth ministry. Between working at Bible camp, an internship, and full-time youth ministry, I have lots of experience connecting with students and exploring faith with kids of all ages. When I’m not at work, I love being outside, going to concerts, reading, drinking coffee, my two cats, and spending time with my family! I am so excited to be a part of the ECLC! 

DAMON KALAR

TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

Damon Kalar serves as Technology Manager at Edina Community Lutheran Church, supporting worship technology, livestreaming, communications, and technology systems across the church. He enjoys using technology to help people connect, worship, and engage with the ministry of ECLC.

Outside of church, Damon enjoys music, humor, the outdoors (within reason), and spending time with his three daughters.

LAUREN MORSE-WENDT

DEACON: MISSION & MINISTRY DEVELOPER

What is your favorite Church holy day?

“They're all holy, but I get so excited for Reformation Sunday. We are always reforming as people of faith and it's inspiring to recognize that...plus, who doesn't love belting out the traditional Martin Luther hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God?”

Lauren is a Deacon called by ECLC to engage our congregation in ministry in the world through justice, service, and advocacy. Originally from suburban Detroit, and a graduate of St. Olaf College and Luther Seminary, Lauren's passion is transformational relationship through outreach. When she isn't engaging in advocacy with the congregation, she is at home with her wife advocating for their children to eat their vegetables.

GRETCHEN RODE

PASTOR

Pastor Gretchen believes that God loves everyone and calls us to share that love with our neighbors and the world.  She knows that God walks with us wherever we go and continues to knit us together through faith. 

JEFF SARTAIN

PASTOR

What book, other than the Bible, has had an impact on your faith?

“Many years ago I read, “Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras,” by Diana Eck. It introduced me to a way of understanding God that transcends any one religious tradition.”

Growing up in the small Canadian border town of Littlefork, Minnesota Jeff learned the gift of story-telling, which he brings to his preaching. He loves learning about the ways God works in people’s lives. Jeff has served small churches in rural areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and he also served several years at a large inner city congregation in Minneapolis. Brief forays in professional fundraising and in social work round out his experience. A life-long learner, he continues to explore interests from learning to teach yoga and meditation to taking up the accordion, which is his latest project. Jeff and his husband, Mark, have two grown children, three-grandchildren, and a cabin in the woods of Wisconsin where they love taking their dog for an overnight get-away.

Meeting with Staff: Our staff work various schedules which include include meetings off-site, evening meetings, and weekends. In general, most staff are available during building hours: M-Th from 9AM to 3PM and Friday from 9AM - Noon. If you need to meet outside these hours, please email the staff person you would like to meet with directly. 

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