Rev. Jen Nagel
Pastor
jnagel(at)discoversalem(dot)com
Jen has served as Salem’s pastoral leader since July 2003. She combines urban ministry experience, a love for working with congregations in the midst of transformation and change, and a deep care for the people of Salem and the neighborhood. Her work includes the usual pastoral duties (preaching, teaching, worship leadership, pastoral care) as well as walking with Salem in this time of transformation, development and partnership: a challenging balancing act and yet one that gives Jen energy. Jen is trained in intentional interim ministry and transformational ministry. She holds an M.Div. from University of Chicago-Divinity School, completed work at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and Concordia College, Moorhead Minnesota. She’s served at Central Lutheran Church and Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, in Africa, Chicago, Michigan, and outdoor ministry settings. On January 19, 2008, Jen was ordained and installed at Salem.
Laurie Zaepfel
Church Administrator
office(at)discoversalem(dot)com
Laurie Zaepfel is pleased to be joining Salem's staff and is looking forward to getting to know the congregation. She has worn a number of hats since college--catalog librarian, seminary student, and mom. She is also a singer, and is currently a member of the a capella vocal ensemble InVocation. Laurie lives in St. Paul with her husband and two daughters
Jillian Emery
Youth and Young Adult Minister
jemery001(at)luthersem(dot)edu
Jillian grew up in Watertown, Minnesota and has an undergraduate degree in Religion and Social Welfare. She is currently a graduate student at Luther Seminary pursuing a degree in Children, Youth and Family ministry with an emphasis on outdoor ministry and a focus on sustainability for churches and camps.
Tom Pieper
Jazz Music Man
spiritj(at)msn(dot)com
Tom serves Salem as a part-time music coordinator and upright bass player for our non-traditional service. He has worked as a full time free-lance musician for many years and continues to do so. He teaches middle school orchestra at Wayzata Central and East middle schools, and is a faculty member for bass and electric bass at MacPhail Center for Music. He continues to perform in SpiritJazz, a jazz band that he founded with his wife, Karen.
Since Tom is well-connected In the Twin Cities jazz scene, Salem benefits each week as Tom brings in guest musicians. You can look up the upcoming musicians online at www.tcmusic.net
Betsy Keno
Pianist and Organist
betsykeno(at)aol(dot)com
At Salem’s traditional services, Betsy Keno has enjoyed the challenge of maintaining a fresh musical perspective that supports a meaningful and approachable traditional liturgy.
In addition to Salem, Betsy is a teacher of piano, Dalcroze eurythmics (a unique way to experience music fundamentals through active listening) for students of all ages, and piano pedagogy.
Her musical influences include piano study with Margaret Ott at Whitworth University, Spokane, WA, with Beethoven specialist Kenneth Drake at the University of Illinois, and the Dalcroze program developed by Lisa Parker and Anne Farber at Longy School in Cambridge, MA. She is also a faculty member at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music and a free-lance accompanist.
Mark Zahlin
IT Specialist/Assistant Administrator
news(at)discoversalem(dot)com
Mark Zahlin graduated from The Art Institutes International Minnesota (AIM) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interactive Media Design on March 27, 2010. He is currently a freelance developer of websites and other interactive media applications for a variety of clients.