New Council

The New Council

The Church Councils of the three churches each appointed three members to the "New Council" (NC) in November. New Council members were then elected by the membership at special congregational meetings in all three churches on December 10, 2006. The New Council set the vision and direction for the new congregation, coordinated the Call Committee, and prepared the articles, by-laws and constitution of the new congregation for the members to vote on. The New Council also coordinated the selection of a name for the new congregation and helped to plan for the permanent facility. Members of the New Council became the first Church Council of Northeast Community Lutheran Church.

Members of the New Council:

Clockwise from front left: Pastor Key DeFor, Pastor Craig Pederson, Adelheid Koski (holding Elizabeth), Heather Fokken, Vice Chairperson Kathy Munson, Marilyn Peterson, Marko Fields, Secretary Dan Scoggins, Tom Fischer, Chairperson Frank Newman, Pastor Evelyn Dahlke, and Joe Tricola.

Meet the Members of the New Council:

Dan Scoggins – Member of St. Paul’s for nearly four years; currently on Council, served as president for two years, now is treasurer; lives in Holland neighborhood near St. Paul’s and served on board of Holland Neighborhood Improvement Assn. and Northeast Community Dev. Corp.; is a security supervisor for Ameriprise Financial; feels called to the New Council because of mission and vision. .

Frank Newman – Member of Emanuel for over seven years; lives block from Emanuel; served on Pastor Evelyn’s Call Committee; currently on Council and is president of congregation; is a supervisor and trainer at Allianz Life; feels strongly about opportunities for leadership in church and neighborhood..

Marilyn Peterson – Member of Holy Triune for about 11 years; had family ties to Immanuel (one of three congregations that formed HT); lives in New Brighton; currently on HT Council; owned real estate company and had managerial duties; eager to contribute however she can.

Marko Fields – Member of St. Paul’s for over three years; lives three blocks from St. Paul’s; served on faculty committees at Concordia University; was youth director at both large and small Lutheran churches; served on Long Range Planning Team at St. Paul’s that generated idea of consolidation.

Heather Fokken – Member of Emanuel for over two years; lives a few blocks from Emanuel; currently serves on Council; not many leadership “positions,” but is an attorney and works on employment law.

Adelheid Koski – Member of St. Paul’s for 1 years; currently serves on Council; lives about five blocks from St. Paul’s; has done nonprofit work before having two children; has historical family connections to the starters of another church, feels a call to serve in forming this new church.

Tom Fischer – Member of Emanuel on and off for over 50 years; served on Council there; lives near Emanuel; honored to be asked to serve on New Council and didn’t take long to say “yes”.

Kathy Munson – Long-time member of Holy Triune, currently serves on Council and is the Sunday School superintendent; has worked for Project for Pride in Living (PPL) for many years and believes in the new congregation’s commitment to community outreach.

Joe Tricola – Member of Holy Triune, currently serves as Council president; lives in Maplewood; works in transportation services and holds other part-time jobs; wife Jill is HT office secretary.

Pastor Evelyn Dahlke – Has served Emanuel for seven years; lives in Roseville; has been in discernment since last January and feels that she is called to be part of the new church.

Pastor Craig Pederson – Has served St. Paul’s for 4 years; lives nine blocks from St. Paul’s; has also been discerning call and feels called to serve the new church and the Northeast community.