Pastors
Our new Pastors are Eric and Beth Utto-Galarneau. Pastors Eric and Beth have co-pastored at several churches, most currently, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church of Grays Harbor. Their love for the Gospel and love for their congregation is evident in all they say and do. Worship, music, youth, families, community outreach, prayer, Holden Evening Prayer, good conversation and good food were topics of lively discussion during our interview – making them pastors the committee thought would be good matches for St. Mark. The Utto-Galarneau’s have two children, Grace and Isaiah. They will join St. Mark between July 9 and July 16. We will have more information about them shortly.
Messages that have previously gone to the pastor’s E-mail address from this location should be sent to the St Mark Office E-mail address for the time being. |
 Minister of Music
Kerstin Shaffer – Email
Minister of Music Kerstin Shaffer has been serving St. Mark Lutheran Church since July 2008. Before coming here, she has served Lutheran congregations elsewhere in Washington, California and Minnesota. A graduate of Luther Seminary, in cooperation with St. Olaf College, Kerstin holds a Masters of Sacred Music in choral conducting. Her BA is in vocal performance from Cal State East Bay and she has extensive training in popular and jazz styles as well.
She has taught classroom music in both public and private schools and has shared her gifts in many after-school programs, most recently at Peace Community Center where she and her husband lead a children’s chorus.When she is not serving at St. Mark you may find her teaching, accompanying or coaching private students in piano and voice; she also loves spending time with her family and singing with the Tacoma Symphony Chorus. Kerstin holds membership in the American Choral Directors Association and Association for Lutheran Church Musicians. |
 Visitation Pastor
Pastor Paul Lundborg
Pastor Paul Lundborg was installed and began serving St. Mark Lutheran on May 15, 2011. Pastor Lundborg grew up in Milan, Minnesota, a small town three hours west of the Twin Cities. He graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1965. In 1969, Pastor Lundborg graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has served congregations in Berthold, North Dakota, Brooklyn, New York , Staples, Minnesota, Wenatchee, Washington and Olympia, Washington. He retired in 2006. Pastor has been maried to his wife, Rose Ann, for almost 46 years. They are the parents of two married sons and grandparents of two girls. In his spare time, Pastor enjoys writing, and is “hooked” on family history and genealogy. |
 Office
Office Administrator Pam Buckner, began working in the church office in January 2011. With a career background in auto insurance and most recently as medical assistant in a university health center, Pam brings many years of office and people experience to St. Mark where her desire is to use her many God-given gifts and talents to serve Him.
In Pam’s free time she enjoys various crafting projects, music, road trips home to Montana, and spending time with her husband and children. |
 Organist
Rae Corbin
Rae Corbin began playing for church services in her home town as a child of 12 years of age. She attended Washington State University, majoring in Music, and has taught piano for 55 years.
Rae has been a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church for over 25 years. She began playing the piano for the St. Mark childrens’ choir, “Singing Jubilee” in 1983. Two years later, Rae became our Organist. In addition to playing organ for Worship Services, Rae provides organ and piano accompaniment for the Chancel Choir, Holy Commotion Kids Choir and for special music offerings.
When she is not playing the organ or piano, Rae loves to knit, and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. |
 Nursery Supervisor
Michele Neely
Michele Neely grew up as a member of St. Mark Lutheran church and has been working in the nursery since 2001. She loves working with kids of all ages.
Michele has taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School throughout the years and assists in any other activities that involve our youngest worshippers.
Michele graduated from Lewis and Clark College and did her graduate work at St. Martin’s University. During the week, Michele is a National Board Certified Special Education Teacher, who teaches special education preschool in the Olympia School District. |
 Custodian
Vance Cochran
Vance has been working at St. Mark as Assistant Custodian since 2008. More recently, in February of 2012, Vance has taken the position of Head Custodian. Vance owns his own janitorial business, “Da Cleaner”, where his motto is “Cleaning Thurston County One Building at a Time”. Vance has a degree in Cosmetology and worked 25 years in that industry before opening his janitorial business. In his spare time, Vance says he likes to “eat and work” and spend quiet time with his family. His beloved pet dog, named Morocco Bama, is a big part of that family. We can tell by the excellent work he does around St. Mark that he is well on his way to the goal of a clean Thurston County! |
