Staff

Rev. Jerry Castleman, D. Min.,Pastor

Was installed as Pastor of Christ Lutheran in May 1979. He has served parishes in Southern Indiana and suburban St. Louis. Pastor is a 1970 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and he has a doctorate degree in pastoral care. He is a Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and is a practicing pastoral counselor. Contact by email.

 

JASON POLLINGTON , VICAR

Jason will serve his internship year at Christ Lutheran as our Vicar from August 2009 through August 2010. He is a seminary student from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is originally from Kremlin, Montana and received an Associate of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. Contact by email.

 

Barbara Clements, Coordinator of Lay Ministry

Barbara f ulfills this full time position. She oversees a well rounded church program with people active in a variety of ministries. Barbara also assists the pastor in the management of all affairs of Christ Lutheran’s ministry and supervises and works with the Lay Ministry Associate accomplishing leadership development, assimilation of new members, oversight of small groups, and directing publicity and information. Contact by email.

 

Tammy Mason, Director of Youth and Family Ministry

Tammy comes to Christ Lutheran with 27 years of working with Jr. High and Sr. High Youth. For the past 5 years she has been a Cornerstone Small Group leader. For Three years, she participated in the Youth Ministry Spirituality Project with former Youth Director Jeremy Myers. In June of 2005, Tammy answered God's call on her life and became the Youth Director at CLC. Contact by email.

 

Karen Stingely, Director Of Music and Secretarial Services

Having worked with the music programs at CLC for 19 years, she serves as the organist for all worship services and leads the Adult Choir, the Handbell Choir, the Contemporary Team, festival musicians, and accompanies most vocal and instrumental ensembles. Karen holds B.A. and M.A.L.S. degrees from Valparaiso University, and has also received the Presiding Bishop’s Certificate in Church Music through the LPM program, co-sponsored by the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition, Karen also is the Parish Secretary at CLC, a job she has had for over 22 years. Contact by email.

 

Beth Coburn, Director, Little Lamb Preschool

Beth both teaches and shepherds the children, their families, and the staff of Little Lamb. Beth has served as director of the preschool since 1998. Under Beth’s direction Little Lamb has become a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association and hasreceived accreditation from the ELEA. Also, under her direction Little Lamb has grown from 28 students to 140, and from 2 to 10 teachers. Contact by email.

 

PASTOR DAVID NORLAND, INTERIM DIRECTOR, EDUCATION MINISTRIES

Pastor Norland was ordained in 1993 and served his last regular call in Taucoma, Washington. While temporarily in Indiana, he has served as an interim (in-between) Pastor. He currently serves as our part-time Interim Director of Education Ministries. He works with our Sunday School and Cradle Roll programs and oversees Adult Education and Small Group Ministries. Contact by email or cell phone 707-0370.

 

 

Susan Brown, Associate Music Director

Susan focuses her efforts on music ministry with children and youth at Christ Lutheran. "It's my job to excite the young people in our Christian family to the many possibilities of using music in church as an expression of love and praise for our God. What a Blessing to be part of this ministry." As multi-instrumentalist and songstress, Susan performs on fretted dulcimer, guitar, zither, autoharp, piano, penny whistle, recorder and various rhythm instruments. Brown has been a Grammy Nominee Contender on two compilation projects. She is a Valparaiso University Graduate and has instructed instrumental music and renaissance dance at the high school and college levels. Contact by email.

 

MIKE BIANCO, PROPERTY MANAGER

Mike brings a wealth of experience in building maintenance and housekeeping systems both from a technicaland hands-on standpoint and holds an engineering degree from Purdue.He joined the CLC Staff in May 2010 shortly after we moved into our new sanctuary space. Contact by email.

 

BETH OLEJNICZAK, PARISH NURSE

Beth has served as the CLC volunteer parish nurse since the fall of '07. A parish nurse focuses on the whole person to emphasize wellness, disease prevention and health promotion, including healthy spirituality. Care is based on the belief that health is growth toward well being and emphasizes the interrelationship of body, mind and spirit. Beth has been a registered nurse for more than 20 years with a background in women's health. She graduated from Valparaiso University in '87 (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) & '07 (Master of Science in Nursing). Contact by email.

 

Paula Starek, Administration & communication

Paula has been serving in a part time position since 2004. Recently the title and focus for this position changed to more fully reflect the work being done. She is responsible for the church’s monthly and weekly printed newsletters, a weekly e-newsletter, website maintenance and other publications. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Contact by email.

 

Associate Pastor Skill Priority

 

Little Lamb Preschool Teachers:

• Beth Coburn, Director
• Debbie Bokma
• Jen Gottlieb
• Patty Earhart
• Amy Hussung
• Sue Baughman
• Assistants: Sherry Gronceski, Laure Hetzel, Bonnie Carmichael, Marilyn Fagg