Our Team
Our Pastors
Rev. Sarah Brouwer she/her
Lead Minister | sarahbrouwer@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x 103 | Direct 612.500.9707
Rev. Sarah Brouwer began her ministry with us in January 2021. Sarah is an ordained Presbyterian PC(USA) minister with dual standing in the United Church of Christ. Previous to St. Paul’s UCC, Sarah was the Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Sarah has also served as Associate Pastor for Member Care at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, MO, and as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN (a validated ministry through the Lilly Endowment). A graduate of Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Sarah is the recipient of the A.E. Hanson Prize in Preaching.
During Sarah’s five-and-a-half years at Westminster, she led the communications team, developed a new worshiping community that grew with creativity and an emphasis on the arts, and served on the team that started a spinoff of the popular Westminster Town Hall Forum, called TownTalks. Sarah is passionate about racial and environmental justice, worship and the arts, inclusivity for all, and discerning God’s future for the Church.
Sarah belongs to a peer group of ministers from across the nation who provide collegial and preaching support. She is also married with two young children, enjoys running, and being with family and friends.
Rev. Eli’jah Carroll he/him
Associate Minister | elijah@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x 104 | Direct 612.500.9710
Rev. Eli’jah Carroll comes to us most recently from Mayflower Congregational Church (UCC) in Minneapolis, where he served as the Director of Faith Formation for a robust children, youth and families program. He earned a Master’s Degree of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, and has a degree in Music and English from University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. As church ministry is his second vocation, he has held a wide variety of positions from stage management in regional theatre, opera, and ballet to direction of a church handbell choir, to leading another congregation in the dramatic arts. He currently resides in Minneapolis with his two four-legged children, Bianca and Archie.
Our Staff
Parker Barrette he/him
Organist | parker@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 110 | Direct 612.500.9708
Parker Barrette comes to SPUCC from Lisle, Illinois. He has been involved in church music since he was young, and started filling in at his local church when he was just 10 years old. Parker studied organ at St. Olaf College with Dr. Catherine Rodland, and graduated Magna Cum Laude this past May with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education. He begins student teaching this fall. Parker has worked as a chapel organist at St. Olaf, and has also played at Gol Lutheran Church in Kenyon, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior. In addition to playing the organ, Parker has been a pianist since the age of six, collaborating with choirs and various soloists from the time he was in high school. Outside of music, Parker is a self-confessed huge nerd, and is a fan of How To Train Your Dragon, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Minecraft. If you have any food recommendations in the Twin Cities Metro, please let him know!
Chris Brill he/him
Chef, Wednesday Night Community Dinner
Born and raised in the Northeast, Chris spent 25 years in San Diego before relocating to Minneapolis with his family in 2022. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY he has a wide range of foodservice experience including fine and casual dining, retail food service, catering and culinary instruction. He is currently a Culinary Arts Instructor at Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps in St. Paul and Co-Founder/Owner of Hummingbird Artisan Foods (one of our Artisan Festival vendors) with his wife Christina. Chris enjoys being outdoors exploring the natural beauty of the Twin Cities and is an avid AFoL (Adult Fan of LEGO).
Jennifer Harris she/her
Communications Coordinator | jennifer@spucconsummit.org
Summit Avenue Artisan Festival Manager | saaf@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 101 | Direct 612.500.9711
Jennifer joined our staff in August 2021. She has over 10 years of communications experience - both at local and national non-profits and faith communities. She has more than a decade of fundraising and development experience, as well as project management and office administration. Jennifer loves gardening, art, and most things creative. She lives in South Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, dog and two gerbils. Jennifer is happy to be a part of the St. Paul’s community, working towards justice for all.
Judith Melander she/her
Director of Music | judith@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 109 | Direct 612.500.9712
Judith Melander has worked at St. Paul's UCC since 1997, first as the alto soloist for the Sanctuary Choir and later taking the position of Director of Music in 2001. Judith directs the Sanctuary Choir, sings solos, plays the hammered dulcimer and djembe drum, and generally directs all things musical at St. Paul's UCC. She also leads the Evensong Ensemble, a group consisting of folk harp, hammered dulcimer, cello, viola, and violin.
An active teacher and performer in the Twin Cities, Judith has appeared on stage with the Minnesota Opera and as a featured soloist with both the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra. Judith holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota. When she isn't pursuing musical interests, Judith enjoys spending time outdoors, reading mysteries, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Sam Newman she/her
Chuch Administrator | sam@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 102 | Direct 612.500.9709
Samantha comes to St. Paul’s with over 12 years of experience in financial planning, reporting, and streamlining operational processes. She is passionate about helping teams work more efficiently, providing strategic support to leadership, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. With a strong background in project management, facilities oversight, and office administration, she’s excited to contribute her skills to the vibrant community at SPUCC.
Originally from Rosemount and now living in Crystal, MN, Samantha spends her free time beekeeping, gardening, and making pottery. She’s looking forward to getting to know the community and playing a part in the important work being done here.
Matt Wagner he/him
Building Technician
I have been working in the building maintenance field for 20 plus years. I hold a 1st C boilers license and have my universal refrigeration license. I am always looking for ways to conserve and save money while also making a comfortable work space. In my free time enjoy spending time with my family. We go up to the cabin in Spooner Wi. Enjoy time in the woods and on the lake. I enjoy watching my youngest play hockey and baseball. I also enjoy trying new restaurants with my wife.
*Thank you Katie Koranda (Koranda Lab) for our great staff photos!