I am passionate about calling the church into its mission to care well and reach out with intentional love. The church is a place where we collectively can do far more for each other and the world, so I love finding ways to include, empower, and deploy others through the community of the church.

I am excited to be intentional in fostering ways for connection to take place in the community. What exactly this will look like is something we will co-create together...so please feel free to reach out to me if you have ideas and hope/dreams for what God might be inviting us in the midst of community.

Education

Sara received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Women's Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She then completed a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary (MN). She is currently a doctoral candidate at Loyola University Chicago. Her dissertation is entitled "Dangerous Memories": Sexual Violence and Trauma- Towards a Feminist Political Theological Ethics of Memory.

I will assist Colonial with HR and Administrative functions. I am passionate about working with others, developing relationships and systems and sharing the gifts God has given me.

I have been married to Rev. Dr. Cooper for almost 12 years, we are from Texas and relocated to Minnesota about 5 years ago, for the ministry as my husband is a Pastor in Brooklyn Center. Our families remain in Texas, but we are excited to be here in Minnesota.

I’m passionate about building up communities and developing people & relationships. We need each other! I graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park with a Bachelors in Operations Management. I went to Bethel Seminary for my Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.

I am a 2 on the Enneagram, which means I get uncomfortable with too much alone time. My top 5 StrengthsFinder are Empathy, Includer, Woo, Developer, and Positivity.

Maureen and I have been married for 3 years and we have three kids - Leo (9), Remy (2), and Sloane (our COVID baby) - and a dog named Marlow (3, I think). Maureen is a pre-K teacher for Minneapolis Public Schools. She is extremely thoughtful and creative and has a heart for those in the margins especially our local refugee and immigrant population.

I love riding my bike, playing basketball, frisbee golf, being bad at regular golf, and fantasy baseball. Whether it’s my wife & boys, friends or community, I’m a social butterfly!

Dr. Christian T. Collins Winn is deeply passionate about helping others understand the gospel as it forms them into justice-seeking and mercy-loving people who walk in the world with humility. He completed a PhD in Theological and Religious Studies at Drew University and was Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Bethel University from 2005-2018. He has a decorated academic record, and his research interests include the history of Pietism, ecumenism, theology of Karl Barth, political theology, problematics of race, comparative theology, inter-faith dialogue, historiography of evangelicalism, and the theological significance of the Black Radical Tradition.

I am the manager of the beautiful facility and grounds of Colonial Church. My greatest satisfaction comes from preparing and maintaining this property for all of the amazing things God does here and the people that make it happen.

I am part of the Youth Ministry Team. I focus on the development of our High School and Emerging Adults ministries. I enjoy finding creative ways to build community. I am passionate about creating space for students to experience God’s love through relationships and community.

I am part of the youth ministry team, focusing on middle schoolers. (The coolest people at church!) I aim to create a community that is fun, welcoming and draws us closer to God by discovering who He is and the role we have in His story. I graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Social Work and hold a Youth Ministry Certificate from Youth Leadership. .

I work with kiddos and their families, creating engaging and meaningful experiences for them within our greater church community. I’m passionate about people, their stories and connecting the dots between the beautiful things that make each of us unique! I’m a 9 on the Enneagram and my top five strengths are Adaptability, Connectedness, Positivity, Ideation, and Arranger.

I graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in Storytelling and am originally from Edina, but I spent most of my life growing up overseas in South Korea and Japan with my wonderful sister and two amazing parents who are both educators. Some things that bring me joy: A big, bright sun, making music with friends, creating puppets, taking long bike rides and canoe paddles, zipping around on my 1967 Honda Trail 90 scooter, and fun adventures with friends out in nature.

I help Colonial tell clear and compelling stories. I think we all long to find ourselves in a larger story, so it's fun to craft communication that invites people into the story that God is writing around us.

I help the Colonial community connect using digital means. This could mean using technology to enhance the in-person experience, or connecting with those not on campus. There will always be reasons people can’t come to the building--I want to make sure they still feel connected to this community when that’s the case.

I work to connect people, both with each other and to what's happening around here. Come find me at our Connection Corner! I'd love to meet you and get you, well, connected!

I manage all of the room requests and needs for Colonial programming & meetings, and all outside groups that utilize our beautiful facility.

I help the staff and congregation. My passion is people: who, what, why, where, and how. I love getting to know about people and their journeys.

I am passionate about music, and I love working with the Chorale and the Chamber Singers here at Colonial. I also play clarinet in the Minneapolis Police Band and the Westwood Synod Senior Band.

I’m passionate about serving people and lending a listening ear to those who need it, helping solve problems, and offering hugs (when it’s allowed!).

I’m part time and work with the Missions Resource Team (MRT) to refine how we support our mission partners through ongoing communication, volunteer events, prayer, and allocating mission funds in alignment with our Core Values. I work with church staff on mission related activities and opportunities to engage our church community in missional work. Missions is a long-time passion of mine and I’m grateful to work with our church community in this capacity.

I’ve lived in the Twin Cities all but five years of my life which was in Lincoln, NE, soon after I was married. My husband, Rick, and I have two wonderful sons and daughters-in-law’s, and five darling and adventurous grandchildren (ages 3 - 8). We have lots of fun and laughter with the grandkids, particularly during an occasional overnight visit.

I retired in 2019 from a 33-year career in Human Resources and have more time to be with family and friends, learn about gardening (what works/what doesn’t), play/walk with our energetic two-year-old goldendoodle, watch a good romantic comedy, visit my happy places; the ocean and/or the mountains, and most recently reengage in snow skiing after 35 years.

Hi, I’m Bob! I am passionate about sharing my talents, struggles, and growth to help others who are in need and create a clean, comfortable space for the holy work of our congregation.

No bio at this time.

No bio at this time.

No bio at this time.

I direct the Chorale, our primary worship leading ensemble. Everyone has a voice, and I’m passionate about harnessing our voices, together, to find God in each other and our broader community.

I grew up in Florida, came to Minnesota from New England, and now live in West Saint Paul with my better half, Brittany–a professional soprano and voice instructor–and our two owners, Harley and Momo.

Outside of directing, singing, composing, and advocating for music in my community and the choral field at large, I love life-changing animated films (check out Tomm Moore’s Celtic Triptych!), building things out of wood scraps, and finding local holes-in-the-wall (our latest favorite: Tongue in Cheek in St. Paul)!

No bio at this time.