My name is Pastor Craig Ellingboe. I am the Senior Pastor of this congregation and have been serving here at St. Peter’s since 1991. I am married to my wife, Mary Ann, and we have three children. We have really been enjoying life with this congregation. St. Peter’s has an excellent staff that is among the best in our country for vision and ministry in action. But, we cannot do it without you. It is my prayer that you would join us as we invite God’s blessings to be among us. I look forward to meeting you!

God’s peace to you! I am originally from the Chicago area, and previously served a church in Wisconsin before coming to Northfield in 2008. I love being at St. Peter’s. God is doing amazing things here.

I am married to Kelly, and have two amazing children, Zoe and Isaiah. I enjoy baseball, swimming, playing with kids, and reading. Hope you can come share in God’s love here at St. Peter’s.

We are Dan and Dottie Scharber, Maintenance Coordinators for St. Peter’s. Dan does most of the maintenance part, and I suppose I do the coordinating. All in all, we both work together on the tasks requested. Dan grew up in the Osseo area and I grew up on a farm located near the Hanover/Rogers/Corcoran area. We will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this year (August 16th, 2010).

I, Dottie, in addition to the above, have the wonderful opportunity to work at St. Peter’s as the Business Administrator. My responsibilities include Human Resources/Personnel, Finances, Administration, Facilities, Public Relations and the Supervision of all lay staff members. My position is involved, in some way, in all areas of the church. When I’m not in my Business Administrator role you will see me serving St. Peter’s in other ways. My biggest joy at St. Peter’s is when I am privileged with participating in worship. I try to know the faces of St. Peter’s so I encourage you to introduce yourself to me if I haven’t done so already. A favorite Bible verse/s of mine come from Romans 5:3-5: And not only that, but we boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us…….(NRSV)

Special interests of ours include: our dog, Windsor, spending time with family and friends, our camper parked in a beautiful campground near Harmony, Minnesota, and a variety of other things.

My name is Bernadette Johnson.  I grew up in Princeton, MN, and attended Bemidji State University.  My husband, Greg, and I have 4 boys, and we enjoy camping, going to the cabin, working outside in our garden, or anything that allows us to be together.  We have been members of St. Peter’s since 2002.  I joined the staff in February, 2008, as the church secretary.  I feel truly blessed to be working with so many wonderful people both on the staff, and in the congregation.

Hello!  My name is Donna Paulsen.  I have served St. Peter’s at various times, over many years, in both vocal and keyboard.  I have appreciated the support of my ministry that I have received from the St. Peter’s family.  Presently, as Co-Coordinator of Music, along with Peter Schleif, we work to develop the total music program at St. Peter’s.  My main responsibility in this area is to work with the pastors to plan the traditional service - choosing hymns and liturgies, and setting up the order for Sunday worship.   As organist, I serve in that capacity for worship services, funerals, weddings and all events that involve keyboard.  My husband, Burt Paulsen, and I have 3 children – Naomi, David and Steve.  We have 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild - the delight of our lives. Come and make the joyful musical noise to the Lord!

My name is Peter Schleif and I am the Adult Choir Director and Cornerstone Band leader. I've directed school, church and community choirs in Colorado, North Dakota and Minnesota. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where I studied with René Clausen and a Master of Arts degree from St. Mary's University. I am also the director of choirs at Kenyon-Wanamingo Middle School and High School. My favorite job, however, is father to Isaac and Ian, and husband to Lori.

The place I call home is a cabin in Northern Minnesota.  Four generations of Thompson’s have spent very important growing-up years at this location.  This is still the place we find we can re-create.

My wife, Jutta (who grew up in Germany), and I have three children, and four 4-legged children.  We lived in Northfield since 1990.

At St. Peter’s, I staff the Turning Point Counseling Center, which is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9am-5pm.  Please feel free to call or leave a message at 507-645-8252 ext.13.  This is a secure line.  I will get back to you as soon as I can.  I also facilitate the Emotions Anonymous group, which meets every Monday (except those that follow a holiday), from 7-8pm, at St. Peter’s.  I am also the chaplain to the community hospital and the hospice program.

St. Peter’s has always impressed me as a faithful, dynamic, and friendly congregation.  They find great joy in reaching both inward and outward, so as to be a blessing to people who need their love and support.

My personal theology is probably best defined by John 3:16-17.  “My Lord, Jesus Christ, has called me into a loving relationship with God, my heavenly Father, and empowered me, through His Holy Spirit, to be in a loving relationship with those around me.  Through the cross and the empty tomb, I have been freed for life and for all eternity.”

At this point in my life, I think I would define my hobbies as anything that moves me from being a “Human Doing” and directs me in the way that enables me to become a “Human Being”.