| The
Pastors |
|
Pastor Karla Coen-Tuff
|
I have served together with my husband Peter as co-lead pastors of United Lutheran since the fall of 1999. It is a delightful community. It has been a privilege to serve such a diverse and dedicated congregation. Our staff is a group of gifted people, centered in serving Christ. Before coming to United we served as pastors of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington, ND. My first parish was the Tri-Lutheran Parish of Tolley, ND. I am a graduate of UM-Moorhead in American Studies and Wartburg Theological Seminary of Dubuque, IA.
Our children, Rachel, Matthew, and Sarah, are a daily sign of God’s love and grace for us. We think they’re great fun to have around at least 95 percent of the time!
As a Christian and in my work as a pastor, I am constantly amazed at the power of the Christian community to communicate the presence of Christ. As we gather together beneath the cross and around the gifts of grace, we come to more fully understand ourselves and our purpose in the world as the people of God.
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor Peter has served with his wife Pastor Karla Coen-Tuff as co-lead pastors of United Lutheran Church since 1999. Before coming to Grand Forks, they were the pastors of Trinity Lutheran Church of Carrington, North Dakota for close to nine years. His first parish was in Western North Dakota around the Kenmare community where he served the five congregations of the Greater Kenmare Area Parish.
Pastor Peter is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and Wartburg Theological Seminary of Dubuque, Iowa. While in Seminary, Pastors Peter and Karla were missionaries on the South Pacific Island Nation of Papua New Guinea. Breckenridge and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota are the towns he calls home, having spent most summers growing up “at the lake.”
Coming back to the Red River Valley was like coming home for Pastor Peter, as he no longer had to hide his Norwegian accent and his passion for good homemade lefsa. When he is not at the church, he usually can be found having fun with one or all of his three children |
| Program
Staff |
|
Lynn Liepold - Director of Music Ministries
|
I was introduced to United Lutheran Church in 2005 when I was asked to become the Accompanist for the Cathedral Choir. In early 2007 I was blessed with the honor of becoming the Director of Music Ministries. Before coming to United Lutheran I served as Organist/Choir Director for Mendenhall Presbyterian Church in East Grand Forks. For those who wonder I started piano lessons at 5 years of age and began playing organ for worship in the 9th grade.
I grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota. I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and have a B.S. degree in Home Economics:Textiles and Clothing and a minor in Business Administration, with some music thrown on the side.
My husband, Loren, and I moved to Grand Forks in 1990 when he accepted a position at UND. We have three children: Mark, Bonnie, and Christopher. |
|
|
|
I currently teach choral music at Central High School here in Grand Forks and am happy to be the director of the Cathedral Choir at United.We are always looking for people who love to sing to join us on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. The door is always open.
I grew up in Grand Forks and attended Red River High School. I graduated from NDSU and have returned back home to Grand Forks. My wife, Christine and I have two boys, Alex and Isaac. I am an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and sports fan in general. In the summer months you can find me at a Golf Course.
|
|
|
Ruth Ann Tuseth - Sing & Ring Director
|
Ruth Ann Tuseth is currently serving as the director of the Sing and Ring program here at United Lutheran Church. Mrs. Tuseth has served as an elementary music specialist at Ben Franklin, Lake Agassiz, Lewis and Clark and Winship Elementary schools in Grand Forks and a K-12 Vocal Music specialist at Thompson ND. She has had training in Creating Original Opera for children through the Education at the Met program and had the opportunity to work on several original productions with kids. Mrs. Tuseth is currently the instructor of Methods and Materials for Elementary Music and is supervising teacher candidates at UND. Mrs. Tuseth has been the director of Canto Voce, as a part of the Grand Cities Children's Choir since 2007. She is also a principal accompanist for the Summer Performing Arts program. Mrs. Tuseth served as the chancel choir director and principal organist at First Presbyterian Church for 24 years. Mrs. Tuseth received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa and her Master of Music degree from the University of North Dakota. |
Support
Staff
|
|
|
Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to be a part of the staff at United. If you call or stop by the church office chances are you will speak with me.
I have been a lifelong North Dakotan growing up in the Hope and Kindred area. I attended NDSU where I met my husband Paul while taking music classes. We live in Grand Forks with our two boys, Alex and Isaac and our dog, Capi.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family doing "Top Chef" challenges, attending hockey games and just hanging out. |
|
|
Pat Haugland - Receptionist
|
|
|
|
Karen Syrstad - Uniter Editor and Sunday School Superintendant |
I was born and raised in Grand Forks, baptized, attended Sunday School and was confirmed here at United Lutheran.
I currently work as a legal assistant at the law firm of Zimney Foster P.C.
In approximately 1990, I bagen to teach preschool in the Sunday School program at United and after two years, moved into the position of Superintendent of Children's Education and have been doing that ever since.
I have three older brothers, four nephews (who are members of United) and four nieces. I love working with kids. When people ask how many kids I have, I usually tell them, "oh, around 100" and then I explain that I do not have any kids of my own but I consider the kids that attend Sunday School/Faith Friends my kids. |
|
|
Eric Hagadorn - Head Custodian
|
|
|
|
Stephanie Powers - Custodian
|
|
