Staff News
I’m pleased to share a new addition to our All Saints staff! Deacon Lydia Svenulski will be starting in mid-May as our new Minister of Engagement. She has five years of experience as a rostered and ordained Minister of Word and Service (Deacon) in the ELCA, and previously served at Word of Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers and St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth.
Deacon Lydia recently completed the additional education and approval process to be ordained as a pastor (Minister of Word and Sacrament) as well, and continues to embrace both the deacon and pastor role. Because she is currently ordained and rostered as a deacon, she will be serving us in that capacity while also filling most of the roles a pastor would, such as preaching, helping to lead worship, presiding at funerals and sharing in visitation (as needed) and providing overall leadership for the congregation. The majority of her responsibilities will be focused on: overseeing our spiritual formation process related to wellness; reaching new individuals and families; helping in the creation of digital content related especially to spiritual formation and wellness; as well as providing in-person experiences to engage our community through retreats, groups and other activities.
She has demonstrated success in building and growing group ministry and volunteer engagement, as well as working with digital media. She has a vision for bringing the online and in-person community together in this new era we’re living in. She is relational in approach and is drawn to spiritual formation, spiritual practices, and has a passion for retreat ministry. The church council voted to hire her for this new 3-year, half-time contract position, which is eligible to be extended or converted to a called position in the future if mutually-agreed upon.
Deacon Lydia recently completed the additional education and approval process to be ordained as a pastor (Minister of Word and Sacrament) as well, and continues to embrace both the deacon and pastor role. Because she is currently ordained and rostered as a deacon, she will be serving us in that capacity while also filling most of the roles a pastor would, such as preaching, helping to lead worship, presiding at funerals and sharing in visitation (as needed) and providing overall leadership for the congregation. The majority of her responsibilities will be focused on: overseeing our spiritual formation process related to wellness; reaching new individuals and families; helping in the creation of digital content related especially to spiritual formation and wellness; as well as providing in-person experiences to engage our community through retreats, groups and other activities.
She has demonstrated success in building and growing group ministry and volunteer engagement, as well as working with digital media. She has a vision for bringing the online and in-person community together in this new era we’re living in. She is relational in approach and is drawn to spiritual formation, spiritual practices, and has a passion for retreat ministry. The church council voted to hire her for this new 3-year, half-time contract position, which is eligible to be extended or converted to a called position in the future if mutually-agreed upon.

Deacon Lydia shares,
“I am excited to start this new adventure in ministry and to see what God inspires in the midst of All Saints and the community. I look forward to meeting you all and being a part of your journeys. When not working, I enjoy reading, going for walks, knitting, and spending time with family and friends, especially my four-month-old daughter Freya. As I experience everything for the first time through my daughter’s eyes, I am reminded each day of just how much there is to learn and experience whether young or old. I hope this perspective will add to the creativity and inspiration I hope to bring to this new role at All Saints.”
Her first Sunday will be May 14 on Mother’s Day. We’ll be honoring mothers and all women who have impacted our lives that day, so feel free to come with family and friends and join us as she shares her first sermon with us. We will have a reception following worship.
Please join me in welcoming Deacon Lydia in the coming weeks!
Pastor Jon
“I am excited to start this new adventure in ministry and to see what God inspires in the midst of All Saints and the community. I look forward to meeting you all and being a part of your journeys. When not working, I enjoy reading, going for walks, knitting, and spending time with family and friends, especially my four-month-old daughter Freya. As I experience everything for the first time through my daughter’s eyes, I am reminded each day of just how much there is to learn and experience whether young or old. I hope this perspective will add to the creativity and inspiration I hope to bring to this new role at All Saints.”
Her first Sunday will be May 14 on Mother’s Day. We’ll be honoring mothers and all women who have impacted our lives that day, so feel free to come with family and friends and join us as she shares her first sermon with us. We will have a reception following worship.
Please join me in welcoming Deacon Lydia in the coming weeks!
Pastor Jon
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April 2023 NewsletterJoin Us for Our Easter EggstravaganzaLearn About Mental Health Connect ResourcesApril Wellness Focus: Intellectual WellnessApril PlaydateInspired Life Series: Beth DooleyRev. Kelly Chatman on April 30Thank You from ICAIntergenerational Serving Event this SaturdayInspired Life Series: Erin SharkeyStaff NewsMen's Breakfast Group ResumesUrban Ventures Spring Clean-Up DayParents Night Out - MayMental Health Connect Stories of Hope Breakfast
May
May 2023 NewsletterWhat is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?May Wellness Focus: Physical WellnessSaints on Bikes Are Rolling Again!Raise Your Game - Kids Connection for MayMay PlaydateWhy is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebrated in May?Help Host Counselors During Day CampRainflower Project#MoreThanEnoughInspired Life Series: Rudi HargesheimerHow does the ELCA support multicultural ministries including those for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans?Final Week to Register for Day CampJoin the All Saints Knitting, Quilting and Crafting GroupSign Up as a Coffee HostWho are Some Notable Asian and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA?Postal Food Drive ResultBike & Ice Cream – Doesn’t Get Better Than That!
June
ICA Volunteer OpportunitiesJune 2023 NewsletterHelp All Saints Garden Come to Life This SummerJune Wellness Focus: Social WellnessGet Outside for Your Mental Health'Come Together' Virtual GatheringsJune Parent and Child PlaydateEnd of Fiscal Year Giving ReminderBubble Dance Party and Ice Cream SocialParents Night Out - July
July
Summer 2023 NewsletterAll Saints GardenUpcoming Study - Civic Life and FaithMHC Fundraiser – Bluegrass Music FestivalSaints on Bikes - Sovereign EstateJuly Wellness Focus: Financial WellnessOvergrown - New Sermon SeriesJuly PlaydateUpcoming Study – Civic Life and FaithSaints on Bikes - Gateway/Brown Creek TrailFree Online Theology Class from St. Olaf CollegeFamily Fun: Forest Bathing♪♫ Join the Music Program ♫♪
August
August Wellness Focus: Emotional WellnessIntergenerational Potluck at the ParkFree DonutsSing with the Open ChoirAugust PlaydateSaints on Bikes - North Cedar Lake TrailWatch Meditation Videos on the All Saints AppServe at All SaintsFun at the Intergenerational PotluckHarmony – Kids Connection for SeptemberRegister for Crossroads ConfirmationJoin the Racial Justice GroupIntergenerational Fall PotluckVolunteer with Kids or Youth
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