Staff

 

  • A graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Chicago Divinity School, Jonathan began his ministry at the Congregational Church of Excelsior (UCC) in July 2021. Since then, the church's worship attendance has tripled and its budget has doubled.

    Jonathan has worked as a newspaper delivery boy, line cook, construction laborer, basketball camp director, business analyst, barista, teacher, day care provider, hospice chaplain, and stay-at-home parent. Some of these roles were filled more capably than others.

    Jonathan enjoys searching for a good and surprising word in sermons, and he likes learning about people. In his spare time, he reads, cooks spicy food, shops at Goodwill, and runs neighborhood loops while the kids play outside. He lives in Hopkins with his wife and three school aged children.

  • Peter J. Durow is a conductor and composer. He guides our church both in song and friendliness. “One of my biggest challenges when conducting is not smiling during certain songs,” Peter explains, with a smile.

    Peter holds a Ph.D in Music Education (Choral Conducting) from Florida State University. Peter and his wife Jodi live in Maple Grove with their two teenage children.

 

  • Raised in Long Lake, MN, Anne Marie is an alumna of Orono Schools. She recently graduated from Drake University with a degree in Elementary education. In her spare time Anne Marie enjoys reading, outdoor adventures, and showering her dogs with love.

  • Andrea is an experienced educator, highly organized, and always cold (in temperature, not disposition). Fortunately, she has the controls for heating and cooling our building! Andrea is at the church most weekday mornings while her kids are at school. As the Director of Operations, Andrea oversees the building, provides administrative support, and serves as a resource to the Staff, Boards, and Committees.