North American Priests
Rev. Michael Brewer serves the congregation in Detroit and its affiliates of Ann Arbor, MI and London, Ontario. He was ordained in 2002.
Rev. Ann Burfeind serves the Vancouver congregation and its affiliates in Seattle and Duncan, BC. She is the director of the Midwest children’s summer camp and coordinator for Midwest youth events and conferences. Ann was ordained in 2012.
Rev. Jonah Evans serves the congregation in Toronto, along with Inken Contreras Koelmel. He also serves its affiliates: Montreal, Ottawa and Durham, Ontario. Jonah is a co-director of the Seminary of the Christian Community in North America, along with Patrick Kennedy. He was ordained in 2008.
Rev. Emma Heirman serves the congregation in Denver, along with Jim Hindes. She was ordained in 2016.
Rev. Lisa Hildreth serves the congregation in Boston. She also serves its affiliates in New Hampshire and Maine. Lisa was ordained in 2015.
Rev. Cynthia Hindes is a retired priest assisting the Devon congregation and other communities on the east coast. She was ordained in 1997.
Rev. Jim Hindes is a retired priest assisting the Denver congregation, along with Emma Heirman. He also serves its New Mexico affiliates. Jim was ordained in 1975.
Rev. Carol Kelly serves the congregation in the greater Washington DC area and its affiliate in North Carolina. She is the director of the East Coast children’s summer camp. Carol was ordained in 2001.
Rev. Patrick Kennedy is a co-director of the Seminary of the Christian Community in North America, along with Jonah Evans. He also serves the congregation in Spring Valley, which he will continue to do until the summer of 2019 when he will move to Toronto to take up the seminary work there. Patrick was ordained in 2006.
Rev. Susan Locey is a retired priest, who will assist the Toronto congregation in the future. She was ordained in 1981.
Rev. Erk Ludwig is a retired priest. He is nonetheless still active in the San Francisco congregation and as a regular visiting teacher at the seminary. Erk was ordained in 1968.
Rev. Liza Marcato serves the congregation in the Taconic-Berkshire area, along with Hugh Thornton. She also serves its affiliate in Burlington, VT. Liza is the coordinator for East Coast youth events and conferences. She was ordained in 2008.
Rev. Sanford Miller serves the Sacramento congregation and its affiliate in Portland, Oregon. He was ordained in 1982.
Rev. Nora Minassian serves the congregation in Devon. She was ordained in 2009.
Rev. Rafal Nowak serves the Los Angeles congregation. He also regularly visits the affiliate in San Diego and is co-director of the West Coast children’s camp, Camp Tamarack. Rafal was ordained in 2015.
Rev. Julia Polter works full-time as a chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She also assists the Boston area congregation as an associated priest. She is a part of the seminary-envisioning group along with Jonah Evans and Patrick Kennedy. Julia was ordained in 1999.
Rev. Peter Skaller is a retired priest, still assisting in the Taconic-Berkshire congregation. He was ordained in 1987.
Rev. Oliver Steinrueck is the outgoing North American co-coordinator, a role known in Germany as the Lenker. He also serves in the Spring Valley congregation and will continue to do so until the summer of 2019 when he will move to Berlin to join the international leadership circle. Oliver was ordained in 1992.
Rev. Hugh Thornton serves the Taconic-Berkshire congregation, along with Liza Marcato. He also serves one of its affiliates in Amherst, MA. Hugh was ordained in 2010.
Rev. Gisela Wielki serves the congregation in New York City. She is retired from her role as seminary director, which she carried for 15 years. Gisela was ordained in 1970.
Rev. Craig Wiggins was recently named the new North American co-ordinator, a role known in Germany as “Lenker,” and he will fully step into that role in the summer of 2019. He serves the Chicago congregation and its affiliates in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He is also the co-director of the West Coast children’s summer camp, Camp Tamarack. Craig was ordained in 1992.
Rev. Inken Contreras Koelmel serves the congregation in Toronto, along with Jonah Evans. She also serves its affiliate in Barrie, Ontario. Inken was ordained in 2002.
Rev. Werner Grimm is retired and living in Vancouver. He was ordained in 1955.
Rev. Franziska Hesse is a retired priest, assisting in the Spring Valley congregation. She was ordained in 2000.
Rev. Hartmut Junge is retired in Pasa Robles, CA. He was ordained in 1973.
Rev. John Pajunk is retired in Phoenix, AZ. He was ordained in 1986.