Congregation
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation, was founded on June 4, 1908 as a mission congregation of First Lutheran Church, the first Lutheran congregation to take root in Minnesota territory. Originally located in a small church building on Victoria and Hague in St. Paul, the church moved to its current location at Snelling and Highland Parkway in 1951. Today our community of faith serves thousands of members, our neighborhood and local and global ministries. We have come this far by grace. Gloria Dei belongs to the Saint Paul Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Our congregation has 2,500 members.
Mission Statement & Guiding Principles
By God’s grace, we are called to be a caring, healing and welcoming community who proclaim and celebrate the love of Jesus Christ, live as God’s servants and seek justice for all people. Click here to view Gloria Dei’s Guiding Principles.
Land Acknowledgment Statement
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church recognizes that its building stands on traditional Dakota land near Bdote Mni Sota, the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, the center of creation for Dakota people and also sacred to Ojibwe. The congregation acknowledges that this land was taken from Indigenous people by exploitation and violence. Given the deep significance of this sacred ground, as well as its painful history, the congregation recognizes its responsibility to use this land, its building and mission for the work of reconciliation and healing with Native people. The congregation repents of this injustice that continues to harm Native communities and pledges to work for justice, peace and the well being of all creation.
Safe Community at Gloria Dei
The Gloria Dei Congregation is committed to preventing sexual misconduct within the church and throughout our communities by rostered ministers, other employees, congregation members, participants, or volunteers, and to responding promptly with justice and compassion when such misconduct occurs.
We have processes in place for those who work with Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults at Gloria Dei. As our church leaders build on that, we implemented a Policy and Process on Reporting and Responding to Sexual Misconduct at Gloria Dei.
Reconciling in Christ
We believe that the gospel is God’s gift to all people, to be shared unconditionally, without regard to age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family configuration or relationship status, socio-economic status, mental health status, or physical or mental abilities. We know that the world is often an unloving place and that the experience of alienation is all too common. To those who have felt excluded here or elsewhere, we extend a particular welcome in Christ’s love. We rejoice that diversity has enriched, nurtured and challenged the life and ministry we share as members of the body of Christ and workers in the kingdom of God.
Congregational Council
Officers
President: Julie Orman
Vice President: Andrew Johnson
Treasurer: Ben Finkelstein
Secretary: Alex Stegeman
Members
Facilities: Alan Howell
Faith Formation: Katie Russell
Shared Ministries: Carol Engel
Stewardship: Sarah Erkkinen
Worship: Janelle Peterson
Human Resources: Sonya Gindorff
At Large: Chris Deimel, Kate Ostrem
Committees
Auditor Committee
Reviews the Council minutes and financial records of the previous year in preparation for the Annual Meeting.
Budget & Finance Committee
Oversees the financial operations of the church.
Communications Committee
Meets with staff, Council, and committees to provide public relations counsel on various issues and activities. Develops strategies and materials which publicize and promote the ministries at Gloria Dei.
Facilities Committee
Oversees the management and development of Gloria Dei’s building and grounds.
Faith Formation Committee
Seeks to encourage lifelong Christian faith formation.
Gifts, Grants & Memorials Committee
Allocates endowment fund earnings and undesignated gifts and bequests. Oversees memorials in keeping with the express wishes of donors or contributors. Encourages matching fund donations to worthy charitable institutions or causes.
Human Resources Committee
Responsible for maintaining a fair and equitable employment environment for all personnel.
Investment Committee
Oversees and manages the investment funds of the church, and establishes and publicizes investment policies and criteria.
Outreach Committee
Strategizes how best to deepen Gloria Dei’s outreach impact on the community and on ourselves. The committee meets monthly to plan awareness-building campaigns and ways to support leaders of the various ministries.
Racial Justice Committee
Develops a strategic plan and coordinates Gloria Dei’s activities in support of racial justice and equality.
Shared Ministries Committe
Provides human resources and support for Gloria Dei ministries; oversees time and talent recruitment activities.
Stewardship Committee
Encourages a spirit of gratitude and generosity in the heart of the congregation and supports the congregation’s vital ministries.
Welcoming Community Committee
Promotes an atmosphere of welcome and hospitality in the congregation and amongst members and visitors.
Worship Committee
Plans, oversees, and coordinates all aspects of worship life at Gloria Dei.