Pastoral Staff:
Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Deborah Lind-Schmitz
Pastor Deb received a Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, Minnesota and a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She also holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in music performance and child psychology. Pastor Deb has spent her 22 years in ministry as head of staff, solo pastor and co-pastor, serving 9 congregations in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. She has served in interim positions for half of her ministry and has just finished serving as the Interim Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, Iowa within the John Knox Presbytery. She holds leadership positions with a couple of national interim ministry organizations. Among her many gifts, Pastor Deb brings with her to Covenant her lengthy experience in interim ministry, her creative use of the arts in congregational life and her recognition of God's power to work in all of us. She has a permanent residence in Apple Valley, Minnesota with her husband Joe. She has several adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Covenant Pastor Emeritus, William T. King
Program & Support Staff:
Interim Children's Celebration Choir Director, Elizabeth Larget
Music Coordinator/Adult Choir Director, Melissa Hinz
As Music Coordinator, Melissa directs the adult choir, plans and prepares two large choral presentations each year, directs a semi-annual church orchestra, schedules special music for weekly worship services and events, coordinates with other Covenant musical groups, and assists in planning congregational music. Melissa began her work with Covenant in August of 2008. Melissa feels blessed to be able to share the joy of music, for music is a gift from God and for God by which we can worship and praise, pray and adore.
Parish Nurse, Mary Ircink
The Parish Nurse in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregants, participates in the ongoing transformation of the faith community into sources of health and healing. The ministry of parish nursing is based on the belief that health is growth towards the well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. Covenant began the parish nurse program in the summer of 2001.
Custodian, Dave Johnson
Dave has maintained the appearance and operations of the church for 14 years now. He enjoys working with church staff and congregation members.
Office Administrator, Mary Kieta
Mary supervises and directs administrative functions of the church office. She has enjoyed assisting church officers and volunteers in co-ministry to our faith community for 23 years.
Communications Coordinator, Molly H. MacVenn
Molly oversees print and web communications to the membership and community and serves as staff liaison to the church's IT support source. Molly has been part of Covenant for a total of 6 years. What she enjoys most about her job is being part of a community who values and respects each individual, regardless of their point of view or where they may be on their own faith journey.
Children's Ministries Coordinator, Donna Monson
Donna coordinates the Sunday School program, summer Vacation Church School, Kaleidoscope Worship Education, puppet ministry, children's outreach and mission, family fellowship events, and children's participation in worship. She has been working at Covenant for 11 years.
Part-time Custodian, Eddie Quinn
Youth Ministries Coordinator, Steve Royalton
Steve works hard to give middle and high school youth a chance to grow in their faith journeys through weekly gatherings, 9th grade confirmation, overnight retreats, local mission work and summer trips. He also directs Exodus, Covenant's contemporary band that leads music in worship periodically during the year. He has been with Covenant 14 years and counting. What he likes most about his job is seeing youth and adults working together and getting turned on to being a part of the community of Christ.
Administrative Assistant/Financial Secretary, Stephen Webster
Stephen has worked closely with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee for 12 years. He produces monthly and annual financial reports, produces quarterly member statements, processes checks to be signed by authorized signers, word-processing of weekly worship bulletin, phone and office reception and back-up to the Office Administrator. Stephen's favorite part of his job is making financial information meaningful for Covenant's members.