FLC STAFF

Pastor Gwen Hermanson
​Pastor Gwen grew up in the New Sweden Township, 13 miles west of Saint Peter where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of being in connection with the land. After graduating from Sibley East High School, she decided to explore and first headed south to Waldorf College in Iowa. From there she continued her education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where she earned her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences. Needing a break from academic rigors, she spent a year volunteering with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Washington, D.C. at Miriam’s Kitchen. While hearing the stories of homeless men and helping them meet their daily needs, she began to discern a call to pastoral ministry. Having been a camp counselor at Sky Ranch in Colorado, she wanted to be out west again and went to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. Gwen graduated from seminary in 2007.
​Her ministry experience includes chaplain residency at Stanford Hospital, chaplain at a retirement community in Cupertino, California, solo pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Los Gatos, California, private spiritual direction practice as well as leading retreats and serving as pulpit supply in the Bay Area. After 19 years of living elsewhere, she returned to Minnesota in the summer of 2017 to reconnect with family and start a new chapter in her journey.
Most recently Pastor Gwen served as interim pastor at First Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota. Gwen’s interests include hiking in Minnesota state parks, biking country roads, reading historical fiction, cooking nutritious and ethnic foods, and sharing quality time with her family members across the state, especially her 16-month-old nephew, Howie. You might see her buying lactose-free yogurt at the St. Peter Food Co-op, drinking tea at River Rock Coffee, or centering at a yoga class at the St. Peter Yoga Studio.

Emily Bruflat
Cantor



​Emily Bruflat received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE and a Master's Degree in Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Emily enjoys playing the organ and piano, directing musical ensembles, and composing music for worship. She has played in bands and Jazz bands as a trombonist, and she sang as a soprano in the National Lutheran Choir for two years. Emily lives in Saint Peter with her husband Nathan and their three pets (one cat and two dogs), and they enjoy cooking, reading, Netflix, and MPR.
Allison Ellingson
​Director of Lifelong Learning



​Mark Roemhildt
​Office Coordinator
​Facilities Coordinator

Karen Smithers
Bookkeeper
Dave Pehrson
Custodian
David Fienen
Volunteer Archivist
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​Allison Ellingson received a B.A. from St. Olaf  College in 2002, a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2007, and in 2015 earned an M.F.A. in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Originally from  Chicago, Ellingson recently moved with her husband Neil Ellingson, pastor of The United Church of   Mapleton, and their two children, Hans and Glory, to         St. Peter to be closer to friends, family and nature.

Mark is a native of St. Peter and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He attended the University of Wisconsin and is proud to have completed a 25-year career as a Naval Officer. He returned to his home town and is thrilled to be a part of the FLC team. He has a master’s degree in Systems Engineering and an MBA. He is married to the former Gabriela Melendez of Dana Pointe California, and they have two daughters; Raina and Rebekah. He enjoys tennis, music, hiking, and spending time with their family dog “Teddy”.
Retired from Gustavus Adolphus College after 38 years on the faculty.  He was Cantor at Christ Chapel, taught organ & music theory, chair of Music Department, Provost and Dean of the College.  He remains active as a pianist, organist harpsichordist and handbell musician.  ​

FLC Office Contact Info

507.934.3060
507.934.3847 Fax
flcstpoffice@gmail.com