Thank You!
+Bishop Dee Pederson
6/11/2026
Gathering for last weekend’s Synod Assembly, you lived out these powerful words from St. Paul’s letter to the early Christians in Rome. From prayerful worship to lively table conversations, joyful singing and generous sharing, serving one another and extending hospitality, all these fruits of the Spirit were present among Southwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Voting Members.
Because we can’t say “thank you” enough, here are the names of so many wonderful people who made this Assembly possible. Thank you to:
Gustavus Adolphus College for welcoming us, and especially Margi Willmert for her hospitality.
Worship and Celebration Leaders and Assistants:
Organist: Chad Winterfeldt
Pianist: Dcn. Brenda Handel-Johnson, Guitarist/percussion – Steve Kidder
Chaplains and Deans of Christ Chapel: Rev. Ben Hilding and Rev. Alicia Hilding
Processional: Rev. Tom Evenson, Rev. Levi Bollerud, Intern Kit MacKenzie, Rev. Joseph Yoo
Readers: Rev. Joseph Yoo, Synod-Authorized Minister Tim Velde, Rev. Andrew Hermodson-Olson
Reading & poetry: Synod-Authorized Minister Gwen Arneson
Artist: Rev. Kayla Monson and her family
Preacher: Bishop Phyllis Blair Milton
Communion Servers: Rev. Stephanie Christoffels, SAM Ralph Flitter, Synod Council member Calvin Hanson, Rev. David Nissen, Synod Council President Maria Lokensgard, Jill Beverlin, Bishop Phyllis, Rev. Kendall Stelter and Intern Ann Emilie Aardla from Dawson, Synod Council member Austin Peters-Smith, SAM Tim Velde, Rev. Sarah Zender, Rev. Mandy France, treasurer Bob Haines, Rev. Kay Rohloff, Rev. Austin Krohnke, Rev. Troy Pflibsen
Ushers: Pastors and lay leaders from St. Peter churches
Speakers: Jill Beverlin – ELCA, Rev. Joseph Yoo, Bishop Phyllis Blair Milton
Assembly Technology: Chris Kiewel, Matt Dobosenki, Gavin Dobosenski
Assembly staging: Theme design by staff Kristin Bakeberg; Ethiopian cross – Bethlehem Lutheran, St. Cloud
Synod Officers: Vice President—Maria Lokensgaard, Treasurer—Bob Haines, Secretary—Ann Zastrow
Out-going Synod Council Members: Rev. Don McKee, Our Saviors, Montevideo; Rev. Tom Evenson, First, Litchfield
Committees of the Synod Council or Assembly: Management & Mission Support Committee, Policies & Procedures Committee, Servant Leadership Committee, Compensation Guidelines Committee, Nominating Committee, Credentials Committee
Synod Assembly Planning Team: SAM Gwen Arneson, Rev. Paul Bravinder, Rev. Sarah Jones, Kris Kelly, Dcn. Erin Kuehl, Rev. Autin Krohnke, Shane Hagstrom, Rev. Janine Olson, Dcn. Amanda Randall, Rev. Courtney Young
Assembly Manager: Tammy Schacher
Synod Staff: Rev. Seyward Ask, Kristin Bakeberg, Maggie Berggren, Rev. Heather Culuris, D.E.M. Rev. Troy Pflibsen, Tammy Schacher
Assembly Sponsor: ELCA Foundation
Each and every one of these leaders gave the best of their ideas, gifts, time, and energy, and we all say: “We thank our God in every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of ours, making our prayer with joy.” (adapted - Phil. 1:3-4). THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANKS BE TO GOD FOR YOU!
Visit the Synod Assembly webpage for a summary of actions, recordings and photos.