{"id":11,"date":"2016-04-11T00:03:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T00:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8888\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:11:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:11:08","slug":"our-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/about\/our-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Staff & Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\"Mariah\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

REV. MARIAH FURNESS TOLLGAARD<\/h4>\n

Senior Pastor<\/h5>\n

mftollgaard@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nMariah 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.
\nMariah 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.
\nShe 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\"\"\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n\t

TOVE TRELSTAD-LARSEN<\/h4>\n

Director of Student Ministries<\/h5>\n

ttrelstad-larsen@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nTove is a Luther Seminary Masters of Divinity Student, St. Olaf alumnus, seasoned youth ministry worker and the new Director of Student Ministries at Hamline Church United Methodist. She studied Religion and Gender and Sexuality Studies in her undergraduate years, afterwards moving home to work as the Director of Children's and Youth Christian Education at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington. Tove has a passion for religious studies and childcare, and loves to study the nexus where religion and queerness intersect. When she is not pursuing her call to ministry, she is painting, reading, or hiking with friends.\n<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\"Dr\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

DAVID KOZISEK<\/h4>\n

Director of Music & Worship<\/h5>\n

dkozisek@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

He\/Him <\/a>
\nDavid conducts the chancel, handbell, and children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\"Walker\"\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

WALKER BRAULT<\/h4>\n

Worship Technology Coordinator<\/h5>\n

wbrault@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

He\/Him<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Walker has been an integral part of the Hamline Church community since 2016, serving in various roles while pursuing his studies at Hamline University. He started as an intern, then served as Youth Leader, and now works as the Worship Technology Coordinator. Alongside his work at Hamline Church, he also works at the Minnesota Annual Conference.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t\t\"Heather\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

REV. HEATHER GRANTHAM<\/h4>\n

Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation<\/h5>\n

hgrantham@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nHeather is Hamline Church\u2019s Associate Pastor 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t\t\"Isabel\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

ISABEL BIALKA<\/h4>\n

Communications Specialist<\/h5>\n

ibialka@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her<\/p>\n

Isabel joined the Hamline Church team in summer 2024, coming from a graphics internship. She graduated from UW-Stout in 2023 with a major in Graphic Communications, and two minors in Digital Marketing and Spanish. She grew up in Cottage Grove, Minnesota attending The Grove UMC and enjoys drawing, reading and cat sitting her nephews, Moe and Teddy!<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\"\"\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

MICAH ERICKSON<\/h4>\n

Band Leader<\/h5>\n

merickson@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

He\/Him
\nGrowing 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\"\"\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n\t

PHAEDRE SANDERS<\/h4>\n

Wedding Coordinator<\/h5>\n

weddingcoordinator@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t\t\"Sharon\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

Sharon L. Fields<\/h4>\n

Associate Pastor of Executive Operations<\/h5>\n

sfields@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nSharon joined the Hamline staff in March 2024 as the Associate Pastor 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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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.\n<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t\t\"Lynn\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

LYNN MULLIN<\/h4>\n

Office Manager<\/h5>\n

lmullin@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nLynn received her bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota, Morris in English and Theater Arts, followed by a Master of Arts in Theater and Community at Emerson College, which focused on using theater as a catalyst for social change. Since then, she has served in a variety of capacities, including as a theater teaching artist, volunteer coordinator, and activities specialist. For the past three years, her focus shifted to working in refugee resettlement. Now, she is looking forward to supporting the good work and community here at Hamline Church.
\nLynn lives in Robbinsdale with her partner Ben, two children (Elliot and Gabriel), and cat. In her spare time, you will often find her puttering in the yard, doing food experiments in the kitchen, practicing yoga, or (most likely) child-wrangling. She also enjoys occasionally getting on stage, when time allows. She will start the beginning of April.\n<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n
\n\t\t\"Eileen\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n\t

EILEEN MILLER<\/h4>\n

Organist<\/h5>\n

emiller@hamlinechurch.org<\/p>\n

\nBio<\/summary>\n

She\/Her
\nEileen 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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Church Leadership<\/h3>\n

More information about Church Council and Leadership<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n
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Weddings<\/h4>\n

Get married in our beautiful sanctuary! <\/p>\n

<\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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New Here?<\/h4>\n

Welcome! Get to know us here! <\/p>\n

<\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n
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Rent our Space!<\/h4>\n

Rent our space for events & meetings and more! <\/p>\n

<\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Location & Contact<\/h4>\n

Visit us! <\/p>\n

<\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

REV. MARIAH FURNESS TOLLGAARD Senior Pastor mftollgaard@hamlinechurch.org BioShe\/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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13240,"parent":485,"menu_order":24,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/template-full-width.php","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14463,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions\/14463"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}