Our Team
Our Ministers
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. Neil Ellingson he/him
Associate Minister | neil@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 × 104
Neil Ellingson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who has also served congregations in the Disciples of Christ and American Baptist traditions and as a chaplain at a Catholic university. A Minnesota native, Neil holds a B.A. from Harvard University and a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is passionate about preaching, pastoral care, prayer, music, and creating communities where people can discover a joyful life in Christ. Neil is especially energized by economic and disability justice and by working with others toward a more just and loving world. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, their three children, Hans, Glory, and Moses, and riding bikes, being in the woods, making music, collecting books, and dancing.
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!
Jennifer Harris she/her
Communications Manager, Stewardship & HR | jennifer@spucconsummit.org
Summit Avenue Artisan Festival Manager | saaf@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 101 | Direct 612.500.9711
Jennifer Harris joined our staff in August 2021, bringing over two decades of experience in communications, fundraising, project management, and nonprofit administration. She has served in both local and national nonprofits as well as faith-based communities, with a strong commitment to mission-driven work.
Jennifer is passionate about creativity in all forms - whether through visual storytelling, community engagement, or tending her garden. She lives in South Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and their dog, Mario. She is grateful to be part of the St. Paul’s UCC community, working toward a just and inclusive world for all.
Please send communications submissions to communiucations@spucconsummit.org
Judith Melander she/her
Director of Music | judith@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 109 | Direct 612.500.9712
Judith 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.
Cindy McCreary she/her
Transitional Volunteer Coordinator | cindy@spucconsummit.org
Cindy serves as the Transitional Volunteer Coordinator engaging in several aspects of our community. She recently retired from a career in human resources. Following her retirement, she was certified as an end of life doula and she currently volunteers with a local hospice. Cindy has experience in church communities where she served as part of the lay leadership and taught Sunday School. Cindy and her husband John have three grown children and a daughter in law. They enjoy walking, biking, pickleball and spending time with friends and family.
Libby Shannon she/her
Business Manager | libby@spucconsummit.org
Main 651.224.5809 x. 102
Libby Shannon joined the St Paul's UCC community as the Business Manager in July of 2026. She brings a wealth of knowledge related to church systems, processes and procedures, and quirks. After having served as a college chaplain and associate executive presbyter in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Libby moved to Minnesota to serve as Transitional Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. When that position ended she and her family realized they'd fallen in love with the Twin Cities and Minnesota and decided to stay. She has since enrolled at St. Catherine University and expects to graduate with a Master's in Social Work in May of 2028 with the intention of working in a clinical capacity.
Libby lives in southwest Minneapolis with her spouse Michael, their preschool age daughter, Kit, and a 70 pound, 2 year old bernadoodle named Stormy. As a family they love sports of all kinds; since moving to Minnesota they have gone all in on the Lynx and the Frost. Libby also loves to bake with Kit, uses knitting and cross stitch to calm her nervous system, and reads as often as time allows.
Matt Wagner he/him
Building Technician
I’ve worked in the building maintenance field for over 20 years and hold both a 1st Class C Boiler License and a Universal Refrigeration Certification. I’m passionate about creating efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable work environments, always looking for practical ways to conserve energy and resources.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially at our cabin in Spooner, Wisconsin. Whether we’re out in the woods, on the lake, or cheering on my youngest in hockey and baseball, I value every moment. My wife and I also love exploring new restaurants and finding hidden gems around town.
Our Partners in Ministry
Our Ministry Board
Mike Hotz, Moderator
Angelica Bodnar, Vice Moderator
Debbie Ackerman, Secretary
Marcia Moermond, Treasurer
Mary Joyce, Member-at-large
Kiel Walker, Member-at-large
Marla DeVault, Member-at-large
Tracy Kugler, Member-at-Large
Catharine Reid, Member-at-Large
Rev. Sarah Brouwer, Non-voting Member
Associate Minister, Non-voting Member
Our Committee Chairs
Steve Hunter, Chair Board of Endowments & Investment
Marcia Moermond, Treasurer, Chair, Finance Committee
Jayne Dakay, Financial Recorder
Marcia Moermond, Nominating Chair
Marla DeVault, Chair, Ministry of Belonging & Community
Gus Avenido, Co-Chair, Ministry of Social Justice & Partnerships
Marily Knieriemen, Co-Chair, Ministry of Social Justice and Partnerships
Laura Michelson, Chair, Earthwise-Creation Justice Committee
Robyn Westrem, Chair, Ministry of Spiritual Life
Margaret Jaques-Leslie, Chair, Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
Reid Westrem, Adult Faith Formation Committee
Zach Tubbs, Co-Chair, Building & Grounds Committee
Michael Heiligenberg, Co-Chair, Building & Grounds Committee
Eric Nelson, Personnel Committee
Mike Troy, Chair, Stewardship Committee
Mary Johnson, Chair, Pastoral Relations Committee for Lead Minister
Gus Avenido, Chair, Beyond White Supremacy Task Force
TBD, Pastoral Relations Committee for Associate Minister
TBD, Reinecke/Salstrom Scholarship Selection Committee