Chapel Staff
Contents: Introduction - Chaplain Brian Johnson - Chaplain Rachel Larson - Kathy Matz - Kari Lipke - Margaret Derner - David Fienen - Patricia Kazarow - Sacristans - Head Ushers - Student Employees
Introduction
Chaplains Brian and Rachel work together as a team sharing leading in Christ Chapel and offering pastoral care to the community. If you have specific questions about worship, please feel free to contact Chaplain Brian. If you have a pastoral care concern, please feel free to contact Chaplain Rachel. Along with Kari and Kathy and the music staff, the Chapel Staff seeks to provide for the spiritual care of the community and administer the Chapel programs.
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Chaplain Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson has served as a chaplain at Gustavus since 1996 and is artistic director for Christmas in Christ Chapel. A 1980 graduate of Gustavus, Brian completed his M.Div at Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul. Called to congregations in the Minneapolis area and as a campus pastor at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Brian has also worked in adolescent mental health at United Hospital, as a youth director, and as a hospital chaplain. Brian has also served as a teacher in the People's Republic of China and helped to set up exchange programs in El Salvador and Sweden. At the present time, Brian lectures at Luther Seminary in the area of liturgy, is a writer for Sundays and Seasons published by Augsburg Fortress, and he and Professor Carolyn O'Grady recently received a Louisville grant to work on a book entitled, "The Spirit of Service".
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Chaplain Rachel Larson
There's a bumper sticker found on cars in Texas that says, I wasn't born here, but I got here as soon as I could. This is an answer to another bumper sticker that displays the Texas state flag next to the words, Native Texan. Chaplain Rachel wasn't born into the Gustavus family nor did she receive a degree here, but she got here as soon as she could. She arrived August 15, 2001 to join the ministry team of Christ Chapel. And most days she feels like a "native Gustie". Her work here involves worship leadership and preaching; pastoral care with students, faculty, and staff; advising student religious groups; and collaborating with the Music Department to plan worship experiences for the Gustavus community. Rachel cooperates with many and various parts of the Student Affairs Division, such as the Community Service Center, the Center for Vocational Reflection, the Counseling Center, Student Activities, and Residential Life to enrich the community of Gustavus. Rachel also provides a public presence for college events that involve alumni, parents, and friends of the college.
Rachel is a Lutheran pastor in the ELCA. She graduated from Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1986 and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1980. Before attending seminary Rachel was a Registered Nurse for two years at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. As a pastor, Rachel has served Hosanna Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania; Hospice San Antonio in Kerrville, Texas; and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Marble Falls, Texas. In all of those settings she cooperated with colleagues of other faith traditions on joint worship and social justice projects.
Rachel is interested in the tradition of spiritual guidance, the labyrinth as tool for prayer and meditation, feminist biblical study, choral performance, gardening, hiking, and knitting. Rachel's husband, Don Holmstrom (who is a native Texan) serves as pastor of First Lutheran Church in St. Peter and is also a fiction writer. Her daughter, Susanna, is an active child who enjoys the outdoors, gymnastics, piano, and writing stories.
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Kathy Matz, Administrative Assistant
As Administrative Assistant in the Chaplains' Office, Kathy is the first person you're likely to see or talk with when you call or visit. In addition to welcoming all who visit the Chaplains' Office with her hospitable charm and authentic care for others, Kathy keeps the Chapel schedule, tracks the office budget as well as the budgets for several student groups, creates worship bulletins, and supervises the student employees. Much of her time, however, is taken up with projects, many and various, that fall under the contract line "other duties as assigned!" Kathy truly holds the workings of the Chaplains" Office together.
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Kari Lipke, Pastoral Associate
Kari works in the Chaplains' Office and the Community Service Center at Gustavus. The split position grew out of a desire to link the two offices in a meaningful way, so that the strengths of each could inform the work of the other. Kari is responsible for a variety of programs and services within the Chaplains' Office, such as advising student service groups, and coordinating such events as reflective retreats for student leaders, training sessions for Chapel Volunteers, and weekly Taizé services. Kari is a 1998 graduate of Gustavus, and also serves as a Head Resident in Rundstrom Hall with her dog Stella.
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Margaret Derner, Sexton
Since 1985, as Christ Chapel Sexton, Margaret has overseen most Chapel events, from weddings to baptisms, from synod assemblies to special college events, from daily to Sunday Chapel, from fine arts programs to Baccalaureate services, and much more. Margaret meticulously keeps the Chapel in order and ready for the use of students, faculty and staff, alumni and guests, all of whom she welcomes with her warm smile and a personal greeting. It would be impossible to list everything Margaret does, but here are a few examples: She lights the altar candles and tests the sound system before each service, and tidies the sanctuary again afterwards, including walking each pew and straightening hymnals. She bundles student processional volunteers into their robes and gets them ready to go. She monitors congregations from the balcony steps in case anyone is in need of assistance. She has slipped a glass of water to a coughing speaker, caught the stray frisbee that sailed through an open door during a wedding, and spirited faint choir members away to recover in the Chapel basement. She knows where everything is in the Chapel, and keeps flawless inventory, always replacing candles, Communion elements, and everything else before it runs out. And, of course, Margaret's hospitality and energy are legendary to all who work with her or volunteer in Christ Chapel.
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David Fienen, Organist and Cantor
David Fienen is Organist/Cantor at Christ Chapel. As such, he is the principal organist, coordinates the music program of the Chapel, and conducts three handbell choirs. In addition, he teaches organ, music theory, and church music in the Department of Music, and is a member of the Faculty Senate for 2002-2003. He is also Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
Dr. Fienen has been at Gustavus since 1973. Before that he was Director of Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN, and then Instructor at St. John's College, Winfield, KS. He holds degrees from Indiana University, Concordia Seminary (St. Louis), and the University of Minnesota. As a recitalist, he has performed widely in the US and in Europe, including two performance tours with Gustavus Brass ensembles and the Gustavus Band. He has also performed on recordings of the Gustavus Choir and Gustavus Brass Ensembles. You may view Dr. Fienen's homepage at the following address: http://gustavus.edu/~dfienen/
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Patricia Kazarow, Director of Christ Chapel Choir
Patricia Kazarow, Professor of Music, has been a member of the faculty and Christ Chapel staff of Gustavus since 1984. In addition to conducting the Choir of Christ Chapel and Christ Singers, she teaches the History of Western Music and Music of World Cultures courses as well as the First Term Seminar The Power of Music. Dr. Kazarow hold the D.M.A. and M.M. degrees from The University of Michigan where she studied choral conducting with Lawrence Marsh and organ with Robert Glasgow and Robert Clark. She holds the B.A. degree in music from Loretto Heights College where she studied choral conducting with George Lynn.
In addition to her work at the College, Dr. Kazarow is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Prairie Arts Chorale, a professional mixed ensemble of singers from Southwestern Minnesota. She also regularly serves as a choral clinician and workshop leader for high school and church choirs. A frequent guest lecturer, her special interest is transformational music in cross-cultural contexts. Her interest in global music developed from a Fulbright Travel Seminar to Tanzania and Nigeria and her work with Jean Houston.
Dr. Kazarow's publications include "Text and Context in Hildegard of Bingen's Ordo Virtutum"; "Aus Tiefer Not: Martin Luther's Psalmhymn"; and "Contemporary African Choral Art Music: An Intercultural Perspective." She is currently researching and writing the book, The Power of Music: Ladder for the Soul.
Dr. Kazarow enjoys hiking, traveling, and camping. Her latest project is planning a January Term course to India: Society, Culture, and Development.
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Sacristans
Sacristans are senior students who serve as leaders in the Chapel, primarily by coordinating the Christ Chapel Volunteers who carry the cross and candles in procession, lead the Sunday prayers, and read the lessons each week. Sacristans for the 2002-03 academic year are Joshua Granlund, Alexis Donath, Bethany Nass (fall only) and Anna Pouliot (spring only).
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Head Ushers
Erinn Danielson and Elizabeth Johnsrud, both of whom are juniors at Gustavus, coordinate ushers each week for Sunday services. Ushers are responsible for greeting people as they gather for worship, handing out bulletins, collecting the offering, and assisting with Communion. If you would like to volunteer to be an usher, you may fill out the Chapel Volunteer Form, or contact Elizabeth or Erinn directly.
Back to top
Student Employees
Student employees in the Chaplains' Office are vital to the smooth functioning of the many programs and services associated with the office. Their duties include operating the sound system in the Chapel, and providing office support such as helping to publicize events, assisting with inventory in the office and Chapel, running campus errands, and much more.
Back to top
Introduction
Chaplains Brian and Rachel work together as a team sharing leading in Christ Chapel and offering pastoral care to the community. If you have specific questions about worship, please feel free to contact Chaplain Brian. If you have a pastoral care concern, please feel free to contact Chaplain Rachel. Along with Kari and Kathy and the music staff, the Chapel Staff seeks to provide for the spiritual care of the community and administer the Chapel programs.
Back to top
Chaplain Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson has served as a chaplain at Gustavus since 1996 and is artistic director for Christmas in Christ Chapel. A 1980 graduate of Gustavus, Brian completed his M.Div at Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul. Called to congregations in the Minneapolis area and as a campus pastor at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Brian has also worked in adolescent mental health at United Hospital, as a youth director, and as a hospital chaplain. Brian has also served as a teacher in the People's Republic of China and helped to set up exchange programs in El Salvador and Sweden. At the present time, Brian lectures at Luther Seminary in the area of liturgy, is a writer for Sundays and Seasons published by Augsburg Fortress, and he and Professor Carolyn O'Grady recently received a Louisville grant to work on a book entitled, "The Spirit of Service".
Back to top
Chaplain Rachel LarsonThere's a bumper sticker found on cars in Texas that says, I wasn't born here, but I got here as soon as I could. This is an answer to another bumper sticker that displays the Texas state flag next to the words, Native Texan. Chaplain Rachel wasn't born into the Gustavus family nor did she receive a degree here, but she got here as soon as she could. She arrived August 15, 2001 to join the ministry team of Christ Chapel. And most days she feels like a "native Gustie". Her work here involves worship leadership and preaching; pastoral care with students, faculty, and staff; advising student religious groups; and collaborating with the Music Department to plan worship experiences for the Gustavus community. Rachel cooperates with many and various parts of the Student Affairs Division, such as the Community Service Center, the Center for Vocational Reflection, the Counseling Center, Student Activities, and Residential Life to enrich the community of Gustavus. Rachel also provides a public presence for college events that involve alumni, parents, and friends of the college.
Rachel is a Lutheran pastor in the ELCA. She graduated from Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1986 and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1980. Before attending seminary Rachel was a Registered Nurse for two years at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. As a pastor, Rachel has served Hosanna Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania; Hospice San Antonio in Kerrville, Texas; and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Marble Falls, Texas. In all of those settings she cooperated with colleagues of other faith traditions on joint worship and social justice projects.
Rachel is interested in the tradition of spiritual guidance, the labyrinth as tool for prayer and meditation, feminist biblical study, choral performance, gardening, hiking, and knitting. Rachel's husband, Don Holmstrom (who is a native Texan) serves as pastor of First Lutheran Church in St. Peter and is also a fiction writer. Her daughter, Susanna, is an active child who enjoys the outdoors, gymnastics, piano, and writing stories.
Back to top
Kathy Matz, Administrative Assistant
As Administrative Assistant in the Chaplains' Office, Kathy is the first person you're likely to see or talk with when you call or visit. In addition to welcoming all who visit the Chaplains' Office with her hospitable charm and authentic care for others, Kathy keeps the Chapel schedule, tracks the office budget as well as the budgets for several student groups, creates worship bulletins, and supervises the student employees. Much of her time, however, is taken up with projects, many and various, that fall under the contract line "other duties as assigned!" Kathy truly holds the workings of the Chaplains" Office together.
Back to top
Kari Lipke, Pastoral Associate
Kari works in the Chaplains' Office and the Community Service Center at Gustavus. The split position grew out of a desire to link the two offices in a meaningful way, so that the strengths of each could inform the work of the other. Kari is responsible for a variety of programs and services within the Chaplains' Office, such as advising student service groups, and coordinating such events as reflective retreats for student leaders, training sessions for Chapel Volunteers, and weekly Taizé services. Kari is a 1998 graduate of Gustavus, and also serves as a Head Resident in Rundstrom Hall with her dog Stella.
Back to top
Margaret Derner, Sexton
Since 1985, as Christ Chapel Sexton, Margaret has overseen most Chapel events, from weddings to baptisms, from synod assemblies to special college events, from daily to Sunday Chapel, from fine arts programs to Baccalaureate services, and much more. Margaret meticulously keeps the Chapel in order and ready for the use of students, faculty and staff, alumni and guests, all of whom she welcomes with her warm smile and a personal greeting. It would be impossible to list everything Margaret does, but here are a few examples: She lights the altar candles and tests the sound system before each service, and tidies the sanctuary again afterwards, including walking each pew and straightening hymnals. She bundles student processional volunteers into their robes and gets them ready to go. She monitors congregations from the balcony steps in case anyone is in need of assistance. She has slipped a glass of water to a coughing speaker, caught the stray frisbee that sailed through an open door during a wedding, and spirited faint choir members away to recover in the Chapel basement. She knows where everything is in the Chapel, and keeps flawless inventory, always replacing candles, Communion elements, and everything else before it runs out. And, of course, Margaret's hospitality and energy are legendary to all who work with her or volunteer in Christ Chapel.
Back to top
David Fienen, Organist and Cantor
David Fienen is Organist/Cantor at Christ Chapel. As such, he is the principal organist, coordinates the music program of the Chapel, and conducts three handbell choirs. In addition, he teaches organ, music theory, and church music in the Department of Music, and is a member of the Faculty Senate for 2002-2003. He is also Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
Dr. Fienen has been at Gustavus since 1973. Before that he was Director of Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN, and then Instructor at St. John's College, Winfield, KS. He holds degrees from Indiana University, Concordia Seminary (St. Louis), and the University of Minnesota. As a recitalist, he has performed widely in the US and in Europe, including two performance tours with Gustavus Brass ensembles and the Gustavus Band. He has also performed on recordings of the Gustavus Choir and Gustavus Brass Ensembles. You may view Dr. Fienen's homepage at the following address: http://gustavus.edu/~dfienen/
Back to top
Patricia Kazarow, Director of Christ Chapel Choir
Patricia Kazarow, Professor of Music, has been a member of the faculty and Christ Chapel staff of Gustavus since 1984. In addition to conducting the Choir of Christ Chapel and Christ Singers, she teaches the History of Western Music and Music of World Cultures courses as well as the First Term Seminar The Power of Music. Dr. Kazarow hold the D.M.A. and M.M. degrees from The University of Michigan where she studied choral conducting with Lawrence Marsh and organ with Robert Glasgow and Robert Clark. She holds the B.A. degree in music from Loretto Heights College where she studied choral conducting with George Lynn.
In addition to her work at the College, Dr. Kazarow is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Prairie Arts Chorale, a professional mixed ensemble of singers from Southwestern Minnesota. She also regularly serves as a choral clinician and workshop leader for high school and church choirs. A frequent guest lecturer, her special interest is transformational music in cross-cultural contexts. Her interest in global music developed from a Fulbright Travel Seminar to Tanzania and Nigeria and her work with Jean Houston.
Dr. Kazarow's publications include "Text and Context in Hildegard of Bingen's Ordo Virtutum"; "Aus Tiefer Not: Martin Luther's Psalmhymn"; and "Contemporary African Choral Art Music: An Intercultural Perspective." She is currently researching and writing the book, The Power of Music: Ladder for the Soul.
Dr. Kazarow enjoys hiking, traveling, and camping. Her latest project is planning a January Term course to India: Society, Culture, and Development.
Back to top
Sacristans
Sacristans are senior students who serve as leaders in the Chapel, primarily by coordinating the Christ Chapel Volunteers who carry the cross and candles in procession, lead the Sunday prayers, and read the lessons each week. Sacristans for the 2002-03 academic year are Joshua Granlund, Alexis Donath, Bethany Nass (fall only) and Anna Pouliot (spring only).
Back to top
Head Ushers
Erinn Danielson and Elizabeth Johnsrud, both of whom are juniors at Gustavus, coordinate ushers each week for Sunday services. Ushers are responsible for greeting people as they gather for worship, handing out bulletins, collecting the offering, and assisting with Communion. If you would like to volunteer to be an usher, you may fill out the Chapel Volunteer Form, or contact Elizabeth or Erinn directly.
Back to top
Student Employees
Student employees in the Chaplains' Office are vital to the smooth functioning of the many programs and services associated with the office. Their duties include operating the sound system in the Chapel, and providing office support such as helping to publicize events, assisting with inventory in the office and Chapel, running campus errands, and much more.
Back to top
Did you know?
Singers Neal Hagberg and Leandra Peak both graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College. They were signed by Columbia Artists Management and have been recording on one of the country's preeminent singer-songwriter labels. Their CDs include Old Love, Hearts and Hammers, and Listen to the Angels.
Andy Bryan and Charlie Paukert Advance in Doubles, Bryan, Kauss Knocked Out In Singles
The Gustavus men's tennis doubles team of Andy Bryan and Charlie Paukert won its first round match at the NCAA Championship in Lewiston, Maine on Friday afternoon. Bryan and Paukert defeated David Ashlock and Dustin Phillips of Texas-Tyler 6-2, 6-3 and will now face the third seeded team of Filip Marinkovic and Andrew Thomson of Middlebury on Saturday afternoon in a quarterfinal match.
Women's Golf Finishes Sixth At NCAA Championships, Kosak Finishes Tied For Sixth Individually
The Gustavus women's golf team posted a solid final round score of 316 (+28) to finish sixth at the NCAA Championships out of 20 teams. The 72-hole tournament, was played at Centennial Oaks Golf Course in Waverly, Iowa. The Gusties made up 13 strokes to move up two places and finish one stroke ahead of St. Thomas. Junior Kimbra Kosak (Grand Rapids, Minn.) wrapped up a very strong tournament with a final round score of 75 (+3).
Jenni White Falls In Singles, White And Sierra Krebsbach Fall In Doubles At NCAA Championships
Gustavus Adolphus College women's tennis player Jenni White (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) fell in the first round singles competition, while White and Sierra Krebsbach (So., North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View) also lost their first round doubles win at the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships at Gustavus in St. Peter.
Men's Golf Finishes 19th At NCAA Championships
The Gustavus men's golf team posted a final round team score of 304 to finish in 19th place at the NCAA Championships on Friday at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia. The Gusties' four-day, 72-hole team total of 1245 left them four strokes ahead of Nebraska Wesleyan University (1249). Saint John's University came back from fourth place to win the team title with a four-round score of 1192 to finish three strokes ahead of the University of Redlands.
Nine Gustavus Seniors to Join Teach For America
Nine Gustavus Adolphus College graduating seniors will join the non-profit organization Teach For America this fall. The students will spend the next two years teaching children in low-income communities and become part of an effort to ensure more of the nation's students have access to an excellent education.
