Pastors & Staff

Pastors and Staff

Senior Pastor - The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Moessner
pmoessner@saintandrewslutheran.org
Blog: www.pastormess.wordpress.com
   God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself…and giving us the ministry of reconciliation. This great declaration by the Apostle Paul (my namesake) gives us our reason for being a Church. As a pastor in this church, my task is to encourage the people of St. Andrew’s to carry out this ministry in the home, at work, in our community and recreational contacts, wherever daily life leads.
     I attended the University of Nebraska and the University in Munich for my undergraduate study; received my training for pastoral ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary; and, for continuing education, received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
     After serving congregations in Kansas and Oklahoma, our family began our ministry at St. Andrew’s in 1986. Donna, my wife, is a school librarian at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School. Our adult daughters benefited from Saint Andrew’s focus on youth ministry and now are developing their own careers and families, one in Columbia and the other in Minnesota.
     St. Andrew’s offers a spiritual gathering for the many and diverse people who pass through this area. Some are here for just a short time; others remain for many years. We trust St. Andrew’s ministry of reconciliation provides a place of belonging here and inspires continued faith and service throughout life’s journey.

Pastor Paul being recognized for his 35th anniversary of ordination at the Central States Synod meeting, June 3, 2011.

Associate Pastor - The Rev. Julia Will

jwill@salutheran.org   Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:68   All my life I have been blessed to have been surrounded by thoughtful, praying people who asked important questions about their lives, their work and their future. Many of these same life questions are mirrored by people in the Bible and through their stories the living God, in Christ Jesus, is made known. I have witnessed how faith transforms people's lives, and how a community of faith can impact the world around them.
     In 1990 I was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. My seminary education was at the Illiff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, a United Methodist seminary, and Luther Seminary, an ELCA seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. My undergraduate degree was from the University of Colorado.
     As part of my seminary training I served an internship congregation located in the inner city of Denver, and it's ministry focus included work with the homeless, elderly and immigrants. From this experience I gained invaluable insights with regards to the life of faith, and systemic and justice issues.
     Since 1995, I have had the privilege of serving as the associate pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church. Prior to that, I had the honor of serving a congregation in southwest Missouri. I am married to the Rev. Michael Will, a United Methodist minister. We have a very active teenage son, who has a wonderful ecumenical understanding of faith and worship.
     People continue to have deep questions about life, our world and the future. At St. Andrew's we seek to prayerfully listen and share the good news of the living God, in Christ Jesus, who transforms lives, our world and our future. Blog:   http://jwill01.blogspot.com/

Becky Renchler, Youth and Family Minister

I am so excited to start my journey in “official” ministry! Originally from Palatine, IL, I moved to Columbia in 2001 to attend the University of Missouri. I graduated in May 2005 with a Bachelors degree in History and will complete my Masters in Youth Development in Spring 2012 (fingers crossed!!). My secular career has included work in the early childhood and school-age fields, including directing a site for Adventure Club. Currently, I work full time at the Center for Family Policy and Research as a Program Coordinator. My involvement at St Andrews began when Adam and I joined in 2008. My first committee was the Youth and Family Ministry team in 2008, followed by stints as the Council secretary and a voting Council Member.
I have always loved working with children and youth, and I am glad I have found a way to do what I love for God! Be sure to check out our Youth and Family Ministry blog at http://standrewsyouthandfamily.wordpress.com for upcoming events and goings on at St. Andrews!

Parish Administrator - Sheryl Mehrhof
smehrhoff@saintandrewslutheran.org

   Sheryl began working as the Parish Administrator at St. Andrew's in January 2007 following a long career in education. Much of her office experience comes from three years coordinating gifted student programs in the Albany Area School District, Minnesota, and later, five years teaching preschool through 8th graders in a Lutheran school computer lab. She also assisted in her home church office while in high school, spent one year as a secretary in the Graduate Institute of Education at Washington University, St. Louis, and a summer working in a lawyer's office.
   Sheryl graduated from Concordia Teacher College in Seward, Nebraska, with three majors (religion, education, and social sciences) and two minors (primary education and organ performance). She has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and has worked in a wide range of settings and with students from preschool through college level.
   Sheryl and her husband Arthur joined St. Andrew's Lutheran Church when they moved to Columbia in 2003.

Organist - Dr. Barbara Hamel

Dr. Barbara Hamel, Professor of Music, teaches the freshman orientation course, class and applied piano, piano repertoire, piano pedagogy, organ, aural skills, and theory at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. Dr. Hamel has served as an accompanist for the CMU A Cappella Choir, Chorale, and Conservatory Singers, as well as for faculty and guest artist recitals. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at CMU, she serves as organist at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Hamel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Religion from Dana College, a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Missouri—Columbia.

Nancy Robertson, Music Minister

I have been on staff at St. Andrew’s since May 1, 2005. Our music ministry currently offers these musical groups: Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, RESURRECTION praise band, string quartet, brass ensemble, and Youth Instrumental Ensemble. There are also opportunities for cantors and other vocal and instrumental soloists.
My education is from Carson-Newman College (Bachelor of Music in Music Education); University of Tennessee (Master of Music in Horn Performance); and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Church Music). I have served in music ministry in churches in Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, and Missouri. Although an ordained United Methodist Deacon, I have had a “portable” ministry in several denominations – Southern Baptist, Disciples of Christ Christian, United Methodist, American Baptist, and currently ELCA Lutheran.
I have two great passions in life – my faith/spirituality and my music. Martin Luther’s quote says it best for me: I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art that can be placed on a level with music, for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy to the heart. Throughout my life I have found meaning, joy, and power in all kinds of music as a listener, student, performer, teacher, director, and composer. My greatest joy in my career as a church music minister has been to help others in their own experience and expression.