REV. MARIAH FURNESS TOLLGAARD
Senior Pastor
mftollgaard@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Mariah has been the lead pastor at Hamline since 2014. Before that she served churches in California and Massachusetts. She is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. Mariah received her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota where she majored in Spanish, political science and communications.
Mariah has long experienced church as a special community where we have the opportunity to live in relationship with other human beings-equally called and loved by God.
She is the co-founder of Minnesota Methodists and a Trustee Emerita of Hamline University. Mariah is also a certified leadership coach. Mariah is married to Ryan. They have three daughters: Marisol, Willa and Olympia, and a golden retriever: Hugo.
REV. HEATHER GRANTHAM
Associate Minister of Spiritual Formation
hgrantham@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Heather is Hamline Church’s Associate Minister for Spiritual Formation. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Heather has a Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Music, Religion/Philosophy, and History from a university in Arkansas, a Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and ordained through the Presbyterian Church (USA). Before coming to Hamline Church, Heather served the church in a variety of ways and places: from the United Church of Christ the Philippines to the national offices of the PCUSA in Louisville Kentucky to entrepreneurial ministry in the San Francisco Bay Area. Heather and her partner Sunasir Dutta live in St. Paul with their three rambunctious kids: Shiprah, Shomeer, and Shabhit.
Sharon L. Fields
Associate Minister of Executive Operations
sfields@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Sharon joined the Hamline staff in March 2024 as the Associate Minister of Executive Operations. Originally from Philadelphia, PA she moved to Minnesota in October 1998 to work for Dayton Hudson (now Target Corporation.) Sharon has worked for numerous financial institutions such as Chase Manhattan, Advanta Credit Card, Fleet, Ally/GMC, and for the past 13 years, Wells Fargo.
She holds a Master of Business Administration and is currently working on her Master of Divinity at Luther Seminary with a completion of degree requirements in 2026.
Sharon lives on the Westside of Saint Paul for the past 24 years with her wife, Jenn, grandson RJ and Bronx (the dog). When she has the time, she loves to ride motorcycles, do home improvement projects, and read.
Katie Morris
Director of Student Ministries
kmorris@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/her
Katie has been the Director of Student Ministries working with the children and youth at Hamline Church since August 2021. She is originally from North Carolina, and has enjoyed learning the ways of the Midwest since she and her partner moved to Minneapolis in 2019. Katie has worked with children and youth at churches in North Carolina, Nashville, and Saint Paul, and completed a Master of Divinity at Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2018. In her free time, you can find her practicing guitar, working on knitting/crochet/sewing projects, and spending time with her partner.
DAVID KOZISEK
Director of Music & Worship
dkozisek@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
He/Him
David conducts the chancel, handbell, and children’s choirs, coordinates worship volunteers, and curates and produces the Music and Arts Series here at Hamline Church. He is also on faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College, MacPhail Center for Music, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. A versatile singer, teacher, and conductor, David has a DMA in voice with an emphasis in choral conducting from the University of Minnesota and holds additional degrees from DePauw University, the University of Michigan, and is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy. David believes that anyone can sing and is thrilled with the musical activity and support at Hamline Church. David is married to Brianne Bland and together they have two children (Ben & Julia) and two cats! They are excited that Hamline is their church home.
EILEEN MILLER
Organist
emiller@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Eileen has been a church organist for over 30 years in Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Methodist churches in Richmond, Virginia, Los Angeles, and the Twin Cities. She has been active in the American Guild of Organists, serving on the board of the Los Angeles chapter and in the Twin Cities as a board member and Dean of the Chapter. Eileen joined the staff at Hamline Church as organist in the fall of 2019.
MICAH ERICKSON
Band Leader
merickson@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
He/Him
Growing up as a PK (pastor's kid) in a musical family, music and faith have always been an important part of Micah's life. As the house band leader and member of the choir, Micah enjoys collaborating with other musicians and helping to diversify the musical offerings at Hamline (how cool to have a rock band and pipe organ in the same service!). When not playing music, Micah can often be found throwing frisbees, working on computers, and playing board games.
WALKER BRAULT
Worship Technology Coordinator
wbrault@hamlinechurch.org
BETSEY HODSON
Director of Communications
bhodson@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Betsey Hodson has served Director of Communications at Hamline Church since 2017. She enjoys utilizing her years of communications and design experience to help the variety of ministries here at Hamline. Outside of work you'll find her hanging out with her family (Matt, Max and Ellie), walking Journey the dog, and creating lots of art!
MAUREEN FREBERG
Office Manager
mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Maureen "Mo" joined the church staff in 2019 and serves as the Office Manager. She and her husband, Scott, have been members of Hamline Church since 1999. They have four children, who are their pride and joy: Elias, Thomas, Tess, and Clarise. When not cheering her children on in various events and activities, she can be found working on the family home, walking, or searching for the next great audio book.
GILLIAN MARTIN
Finance Manager
gmartin@hamlinechurch.org
Bio
She/Her
Gillian has helped small nonprofits with their bookkeeping since 2003 and has worked with HCUM off and on since 2013. She enjoys live performance when she gets the chance. Gillian lives in St. Paul with her wife Kate and their four children.
PHAEDRE SANDERS
Wedding Coordinator
weddingcoordinator@hamlinechurch.org
JOEL SCHMOTTER
Custodian