You Matter. You Belong. We Care.
A New Focus Gives Meaning and Purpose
Growing up, one of the childhood games we loved to play was hide-andseek. I can still picture myself with friends, rushing off to find the best hiding spot I could—and then waiting in silence for the call: “Ready or not, here I come!” The goal was simple: be the last one found.
Ready or not, it’s time for fall and everything this season brings. On the one hand, many of us welcome the return of routines. The kids are back in school (for some, not soon enough!), and we begin advancing the ball of life again. I get it.
But fall also brings complexity. Vacation feels like a distant memory as responsibilities set back in. With Google calendars, carpool schedules, and daily logistics, parents become part-time Uber drivers. Part of us may even wish we could stay hidden just a little longer.
That’s why I see the value in keeping things simple. Clarity of focus helps us set priorities—not just for life, but for faith. For those of us trying to live out our beliefs day by day, simplicity can be a faithful guide.
The theme of this Fall 2025 issue is: You matter. You belong. We care. This phrase is simple, clear, and powerful. It emerged from rich conversations this past spring and summer. We’ve added it to our mission statement (Living our faith in daily life) as a fresh expression of our identity—grounded in who Jesus is and who God calls us to be in the world. It resonated deeply with the young adults on our team, particularly those in their 20s and 30s. For their generation, it speaks profoundly.
I hope you enjoy the stories in this issue. They offer a glimpse into how St. Andrew is already practicing You matter. You belong. We care. You’ll find stories like these:
• Pastor Jeanne Aamot shares how our growing Care Visitors program is connecting with those unable to attend church in person.
• Annette Olson and Vicki Grant carpool to worship each Sunday.
• Wednesday night meals are drawing people together around food and conversation (and resume Sept. 10!)
• Tim Graf’s music ministry extends beyond our walls into Shakopee High School, where he collaborates with poet Joe Davis.
• Family Camps at Spirit in the Pines offer a restorative break for families needing it most.
Thank you for being part of the St. Andrew community as we focus anew on this powerful affirmation: You matter. You belong. We care. It’s a fresh way to express our shared faith in God’s story of goodness and love in Christ. Everyone matters. Everyone belongs. And we strive to care for all.
Your participation makes a real difference in a world that needs more of this. Thank you for the many ways you live it out.
See you in worship,
Peter Johnson Senior Pastor
September 7–October 12, 2025
9:00 & 10:30 AM
When something is forged, it begins as something raw and unformed. It becomes something useful—shaped by heat, pressure, and purpose. In the same way, we are forged by God, created with intention, accompanied by Jesus’ love and grace, and shaped through life’s experiences. Through discovery and challenges, we are constantly becoming—learning, growing, and finding meaning. And through it all, God is with us, working in surprising ways of grace to reassure, inspire, and impact the world with purpose and humility.
This fall, we will walk with Moses, the leader of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land. Moses faced many challenges as he was forged into the leader that God needed him to be. How many of us are forged in the crucibles of parenting, caring for aging parents, growing in our careers, attempting to balance family and work life? Through the pressure, God reassures and challenges, forms and shapes us into the people that God needs in a world like ours.
Beginning on Rally Day, September 7, join us as we look at practical ways that we can take on the mantle of leadership, walk alongside the leaders of our faith, like Moses, who listened with humility to God’s call.
Join us in person or online at standrewlu.org/live
The sun slowly fell beneath the horizon as I gently rocked the large wooden swing my husband and I sat on beneath towering pines. I stared at the lake as I observed parents urging the last remaining giggling kids out of the lake for the night. It was a fantastic full day of Family Camp and my first Spirit in the Pines visit. The day concluded with meeting new people around a staffled campfire and consuming s’mores. Everyone slept well that night.
We all long for life to slow down and gather around people we love. Spirit of the Pines offers a space for families and friends of all shapes and sizes to spend uninterrupted, sacred time together. What a remarkable gift St. Andrew provides to its members and anyone seeking a retreat.
No one needs to worry about meal preparation, hauling outdoor equipment, or finding things to do, as the camp staff provides everything. Your group is invited to participate as much or as little as you desire.
In the backdrop of faith, I watched kids create in the craft barn, take out
fishing boats with their tackle boxes in hand, paddle in canoes, play kickball, jump off a floating dock, or enter Family Olympics. The best part is that adults could be fully present with their children and grandchildren because they didn’t need to lift a finger to make a single meal or plan a single activity, as a joyfilled camp provided all these things. The power of this weekend is that you can come as you are, do as little or as much as you want, and breathe.
As I wandered the camp and listened to stories, one father of eight children shared with me that Family Camp had been a Father’s Day gift to him five years ago, and they had returned every year since. Spirit in the Pines was the only way they could afford to provide their kids with a lake and cabin experience.
A grandfather, who came with seventeen family members, shared with me that when they ask their grandkids what they want to do each summer, they unanimously agree summer is not summer without family camp at Spirit in the Pines with their parents and grandparents.
Another grandma who had brought her six-year-old grandson for the first time was thankful for the St. Andrew Scholarship she received for the weekend and the camp staff who went out of their way to make them feel like they mattered and belonged.
My favorite part of the weekend was working alongside the college staff and leading worship with them on Sunday morning in the beautiful log chapel. As kids and adults came forward for Holy Communion, the camp saying proved true—we arrived as strangers but left as friends.
As a new grandma, I am already planning my weekend next summer with my grandson, enjoying uninterrupted Grandma and Grandpa time at Spirit in the Pines. I look forward to watching him run through the pines to the beach while he grows in faith and love. We hope you will join us!
Kristin Skare Pastor of Community Engagement
It is my joy and privilege to share about a new ministry that has been going on for a little under a year—the Care Visitor Volunteer ministry. The Care Visitor Volunteers are a group of five people who, monthly, visit seniors from St. Andrew who can no longer regularly get to church. These seniors are still very much a part of the congregation. Many worship online, have friends, pray for pastors and staff, and connect with one another at their senior living communities. But being present in person has become difficult. So, the Care Visitor Volunteers are a bridge to them—helping them stay connected to St. Andrew. Part of the visiting includes reading scripture, sharing Holy Communion, and praying with them. And equally important are the stories and conversations shared between the recipient and the Care Visitor Volunteer. As the Visitation Pastor, I enjoy doing visitation on my own, but I have also “tagged along” with a couple of these volunteers. I cannot express how meaningful it is to see the relationships that have developed. God is present and alive in and through these visits, with both the recipients and the visitors. St. Andrew is indeed sharing the gospel outside the walls of the church.
So, now you get to “hear” a bit from the Care Visitor Volunteers about what their experience has been:
From Carol Webster
How would you describe your purpose as a Care Visitor Volunteer?
I see myself reaching out to church family members to make them feel included when they cannot attend church services and social activities. I believe it is our Christian duty to show love and concern to members who are infirm. We may not provide physical care for our members but through listening and allowing people to review their life memories an emotional bond and trust develops.
What is something that has surprised you along the way?
A surprise I have experienced is that a bond can be developed with an individual who has lost memory and the ability to speak. To quietly sit with a person in memory care, watching the activity of birds through the window or coloring together letters of a scripture verse, felt like the Holy Spirit was present.
From Pat McMullen
What intrigued you about being a Care Visitor Volunteer?
As a retired nurse, I’ve always been drawn to serving people. When the opportunity became available for me to bring communion to people who could no longer come to church, I was delighted. Reading scripture, praying, and giving communion to my care recipients has strengthened my faith. Thank you, St. Andrew, for starting this ministry!
Why do you think visiting people in their homes makes a difference to God?
Throughout the Bible, God talks about serving others with kindness, compassion, and love. One of my favorites is Matthew 25:40, which says, “Whatever good deeds are done to the least of these are done to God.” By meeting people in their homes, we are carrying out God’s word.
From Jeanie Anderson
How did you decide to become a Care Visitor Volunteer?
I became a care visitor because one of the Pastors shared the idea of having volunteer care visitors at St. Andrew and asked if I would be interested in learning more about it. I was excited to become involved after attending an informational meeting/discussion with others!
What skills and/or attitudes have helped you in this ministry? How has this ministry shaped your faith?
I first have to say that “I love people” and try to be sensitive to the needs of others. But most of all, it is about listening, caring, and sharing God’s love with them. When I visit my “friends,” I know that I cannot be perfect in this ministry and that God is right there with me. He gives me the courage and emotional strength to respond to them and their needs and the words to say during conversation and prayer. We enjoy our time when they can share personal cares and stories, listen to scripture, pray, and share communion. When I leave, I pray they know they are loved by me, their pastors and friends at St. Andrew, and our loving God. Also, that they feel at peace and trust God with whatever comes their way.
From Marjeen Skoog
From Kathy Olson
What has helped you feel prepared for this ministry?
I pray before visiting, have devotion or scripture ready to present, be ready with all I need for communion—the elements, words of institution, words of blessing, and staying calm and present at the visit.
How have you experienced God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in this ministry? Again, I pray for guidance to say the right words and for the Holy Spirit to be present with me. When the visit is over, I feel grateful that I have this privilege/opportunity to share the love of Christ.
How would you describe your purpose as a Care Visitor Volunteer?
Going to those who can’t go to church anymore is very rewarding. These faithful members appreciate the visit and receive communion.
How have your visits encouraged your faith?
I have always enjoyed working with seniors. I am now part of the seniors group. Everyone has a story. I love to hear their stories. I learn so much about how God works in all of our lives. The visits give me so much hope.
What a mutual blessing our senior members and these Care Visitor Volunteers are! We are expanding this ministry, so if you know someone who would like a visit, please get in touch with Pastor Jeanne or Pastor Kristin.
Aamot Visitation Pastor
Jeanne
After fifteen years of ministry in Haiti through Seeds of Support Mission, Life for our friends in Haiti becomes more difficult every day. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that by June of this year, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Haiti reached an all-time high of nearly 1.3 million people (total population is about 12 million). That is a 24 percent increase since the beginning of 2025. Gang violence is a daily reality—gangs control ninety percent of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
The United Nations World Food Program estimates that more than half the Haitian population, a record 5.7 million people, will experience acute food insecurity through June. Of this number, just over two million (approximately equal to half the population of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro) are projected to face emergencylevel hunger, meaning they regularly go without food for a significant number of days each month. About 8,400 Haitians (more than four and a half times the population of Langdon, North Dakota) are expected to face catastrophic-level hunger. This means people are experiencing an extreme lack of food, severe acute malnutrition, and risk of starvation.
The needs of the people, our neighbors, a few 700 miles from our coast, are overwhelming. It is tempting to throw up our hands in despair.
Our friend and partner, Kerlange, who has worked with Seeds of Support as a translator and on-the-ground coordinator of our mission in Ste Marc, Haiti, reminds us, “We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone.” She emphasizes how someone in such dire
circumstances finds hope for tomorrow when given food for today.
Recently, Kerlange, her husband Armstrong, and several friends organized a food distribution for a shelter in their hometown of Ste Marc. Four hundred fifty men, women, and children live in a neighborhood church. They fled their homes with what they could carry, wading across a waist-high river as gangs burned their homes and fired at them with military grade rifles. They have nothing left. There is no regular work, and underfunded aid agencies seem to have forgotten them.
Kerlange’s team purchased charcoal, water, and food for the shelter’s kitchen. She said what they could buy would maybe feed the people there for four days. That seems like a drop in the bucket, but
it was four days during which children, mothers, grandmothers, and fathers had something to eat and found hope for the next days.
Kerlange’s faith is strong. She prays for us and reminds us that it is not solely up to us to fix Haiti’s problems. She reminds us that God is in charge. God reminds us again and again that we are to be good neighbors to those in need around us. Don’t be discouraged. Your generous help makes a difference, even if it is just for today.
“Mesi ampi! Bondye beni nou.” Many thanks, and may God bless you.
Janet Jacobson
Seeds of Support Board Member
United Lutheran Church (Langdon, ND)
Friendship, Faith, and a Ride to Church: Vicki and Annette
Many Sunday mornings, neighbors living at Garland Commons in Maple Grove may catch a glimpse of Vicki Grant pulling into the driveway, waiting for Annette Olson as she makes her way to the car for the drive to church in Eden Prairie. It’s a moment that plays out in countless driveways across the country, but behind this particular ride to church is a story of friendship and faith that started 30 years ago, in 1995, with a St. Andrew handbell choir.
Vicki Grant and her family moved to Eden Prairie in 1995 and started attending church at St. Andrew. One of the first things Vicki did was join Bells of Joy, one of our handbell choirs directed by Annette’s husband, David Olson. (I was lucky enough to be part of Bells of Joy for 25+ years and am friends with these incredible women.) Being part of a choir that meets weekly for decades is a special community and fertile ground for deep connections and friendships. During rehearsals, we shared stories
and got to know each other’s families. Annette provided the choir with meltin-your-mouth sugar cookies on the regular. We all did life together—babies were born, kids went off to college, family members died, choir members battled cancer, Annette hosted choir parties and came to hear us play—and we all held each other up. Annette and Vicki continue to hold each other up. Last summer, David fell and could not drive after that, and at the same time, the Olsons moved from Eden Prairie to Maple Grove to be closer to their daughter. Enter—Vicki Grant. A few years ago, after her husband, Doug, died unexpectedly, Vicki moved out of Eden Prairie to be closer to one of her kids and her grandkids. As luck would have it, her new home is just a few minutes from where the Olsons moved. So, when Vicki learned they were neighbors, she offered to take them to church. And when David died in March of this year, the Sunday morning routine was already
in place, and Vicki and Annette continued coming to St. Andrew together.
Their Sunday routine is more than just a ride—it’s part of a shared rhythm of life built on mutual support, love, and thirty years of connection. “I can’t drive anymore,” Annette says, “and when Vicki learned we were moving to Maple Grove, she offered to give us a ride whenever we needed it. That’s just who she is. She has also visited us many times and spent hours talking with David before he died. He really enjoyed her visits.”
Their story reminds us that community isn’t about big events—it’s about showing up, week after week, in a choir or one-on-one in small, ordinary ways— sometimes for coffee or lunch, and sometimes for a ride to church.
Arlene Flancher Children’s Minister
Wednesday nights at St. Andrew Lutheran Church are more than just a midweek break; they’re a highlight of the week. The building hums with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of dishes as friends and neighbors gather around the table for a lively community dinner.
“My husband, Josh, and I always looked forward to Wednesday Night Dinner here at church,” said Hospitality and Volunteer Coordinator Myron Johnson. “I was always so grateful to the staff and volunteers who made it happen. I didn’t know at the time that I would be working alongside all of them. I couldn’t be more honored.”
From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warmth. Smiles greet you at the door, and the aroma of a home-cooked meal drifts through the hall. Families find seats together, newcomers are quickly welcomed, and no one stays a stranger for long.
“I know that people visit church for a thousand different reasons, but I also know they only stay for one: a relationship,” Myron continued. “Wednesday Night Dinner is the perfect opportunity to create new friendships and build on old ones.”
It’s not just about the food, though the food is plentiful and delicious; it’s about what happens around the table. Stories are shared,
friendships are deepened, and people of all ages come to feel like they belong. There’s a spirit here that says, “You matter, you belong, we care.”
“We are so fortunate here at St. Andrew to have amazing pastors, awesome music, great coffee and donuts, and delicious meals, but I think we all stick around because someone has become our friend(s),” said Myron. “Breaking bread together on Wednesdays truly helps to make that a reality.”
And it’s not just the grown-ups who look forward to it. Calvin, one of our preschoolers, can hardly contain his excitement each week. By Tuesday night, he’s already asking, “Is it Wednesday yet?” For him, Wednesday nights mean good food, fun activities, and seeing the friends he’s come to love.
After dinner, the evening continues with opportunities for learning, music, service, and worship. Children race to their activities, youth gather to laugh and learn, and adults connect over thoughtful conversation and study.
Week after week, these gatherings shape a vibrant community of faith rooted in love, nourished by shared meals, and energized by the joy of being together.
Shawna Berg Director of Children, Youth, & Family
You
Matter. You Belong. We Care.
Thank you for all that you share with St. Andrew! So much good news is happening in our community—and so much of it is made possible because of you. As you flip through this newsletter, you will find stories of camp adventures, moving worship experiences, and joyful anticipation for the fall season. It might sound like a new message, but it’s what we have always believed: You matter. You belong. We care.
You matter.
Your financial gifts make ministry happen. Every single one of them. Your gifts matter to all our campers at Spirit in the Pines. Your gifts matter to everyone who attends a celebration of life service when a loved one passes away. Your gifts matter to everyone who joins us in worship to hear God’s grace in prayers, music, and preaching. Your gifts matter—to our faith community, to our mission, and to everyone we serve.
You belong.
Without you, the body of Christ at St. Andrew is incomplete. In a divided and uncertain world, this is a place where you are welcome. You belong to God. You belong to the grace and love of Jesus. And because of that, we belong to each other. As Paul reminds us, the body of Christ needs every toe, every ear lobe, every voice. You belong, and your gifts help to ensure that we all belong and belong to each other.
We care.
In a world that needs good news, healing, and hope, we care. Whether it’s collecting school supplies for Forest Hills Elementary, hosting a mini-music camp for all ages, or supporting the essential work of our local food shelf—PROP—together, we care. Your financial support for St. Andrew and our partners in ministry makes God’s love tangible. We care.
And we are grateful!
At our annual meeting, we challenged ourselves to grow in mission and generosity. And together, we have responded! As of today, we have reached our budget goals through the summer! We cannot say thank you enough. We look forward to continuing our work together in September and beyond!
You matter. You belong. And together, we care. Thank you for your part in the amazing, wonderful, and grace-filled community of St. Andrew.
In Christ,
Meggy Wagner Senior Director of Church Operations
Scott Searl Stewardship & Development
“...Jesus’ message is quite clear: The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these little ones.”
Worship Together
A few months ago, a young boy walked up with his family to receive communion during worship. Together, we have been working to welcome younger children to the table of communion. Through teaching in worship, welcoming at the table, and social media posts and videos, we have been actively inviting all, including the youngest among us, to meet Jesus in, with, and under the bread and wine, as our Lutheran tradition teaches. But on this particular Sunday, this five-year-old had his fists sunk in his pockets, which seemed to indicate that he didn’t want to receive communion. The communion server blessed him, smiling and telling
him of Jesus’ promise to bless and keep him always. As he returned to his seat, the server noticed the little boy stomp his feet and say, “But I didn’t want a blessing!” His mother slowly ushered him back to the seat, seemingly defeated. There can be many barriers for children to fully participate in a worshipping community and embrace a life of faith, barriers of uncertainty or fear, shame or distrust, or the ongoing busyness of parents’ and children’s lives in our community. Yet the Gospel calls out with an alternative invitation from Jesus: “I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.”
At St. Andrew, we have been trying to meet families where we are, amid our busy schedules—the endless dance competitions, hockey tryouts, music lessons, and so much more.
• Wednesday nights have become an oasis in the overwhelm, where a home-cooked meal gathers families alongside music and play for the youngest in our midst, as well as study and community for our middle school confirmation students.
• Wiggle & Worship brings our youngest children the most important stories of our faith through dance and movement, story and song.
• A New Pray-ground will be introduced in the Sanctuary this fall so that kids can move, color, and participate fully in worship just as they are.
Each of these and more, are efforts to nurture the future of faith through our practices as a community now. Church Anew is also renewing its efforts to help congregations like ours imagine worship and wonder through the eyes of our youngest. Through financial investment from Lilly Endowment Inc., we will be building resources and training for church leaders across the country and our staff to innovate faith formation for kids like ours.
The young boy slouched back in his seat, but the communion server wandered all the way to the back row, leaned over, and asked, “Would you like this?” The little boy nodded fiercely. With tears in their eyes, the communion servers offered the presence of Jesus in, with, and under this simple meal. There are many barriers to the table, but Jesus’ message is quite clear: The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these little ones.
As a community, we are learning how to Worship Together
In addition to all the activities listed above, we will introduce Worship Together, a monthly worship service where kids will take the lead, offering music leadership, bringing prayers, sharing memory verses, and more. Our kids see Good News in ways that some grown-ups have forgotten. They will help us wonder, dream, and sing so that this gift of faith is grounded in a beloved community, where all belong and can hear Jesus’ news of life abundant in the language that they understand.
A month or two after that little boy received communion from the back row, Benjamin and his mom, Kari, served communion alongside each other. Instead of me with tears in my eyes offering the body of Christ to Benjamin, he smirked at me as I kneeled to dip the body into the blood of Christ shed for me. I see Jesus more clearly when it is through the eyes of our kids. I hear the Gospel more profoundly when sung with our youth’s energy. Indeed, we are nurturing the future of faith, but we are also inheriting it now.
Join us this fall as you are able. Prioritize worship together as a family. Open the story Bible once a week. Pray around a meal. Send a text with a verse or a sermon to a grandchild. Encourage a coworker with an affirmation. Send a thank-you to your teacher, sanitation worker, nurse, or dental hygienist. It all counts. And it all helps us see the hopes and dreams of our children as the calls for a better way that they really are. Indeed, we can all Worship Together
Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching Church Anew Director
“I see Jesus more clearly when it is through the eyes of our kids. I hear the Gospel more profoundly when sung with our youth’s energy.”
“…Gather
those who have been made invisible/gather those who have been made unheard/gather those who are weak and weary/gather those who are bound and broken…”
– Joe Davis
Poet & Composer: Joe Davis and Tim Graf
Premiere of commissioned piece “Gather” on May 22, 2025. Performed by the combined choirs of Shakopee High School and directed by Mike Kovic.
In the spring of 2024, Mike Kovic approached me with an incredible opportunity that is still bearing fruit. In addition to being a St. Andrew member who is an active participant in our music ministry, Mike is one of the choir directors at Shakopee High School, along with Bridget Beale. After singing some of my compositions here at church, Mike was interested in commissioning me to compose a choir piece for all four of their choirs to perform at their spring concert this past May. To me, a unique aspect of the project was that Mike wanted the students to have input on what the piece would be about. It was an easy “yes” for me as I had never been commissioned to write a piece before, even though I’ve been composing for many years and my degree is in music composition. Most of my time and energy throughout my career has been focused on church music and concert ministry, as my schedule has allowed.
As I received input from the students via a survey with some questions, I noticed that one theme kept popping up again and again: the idea that everyone matters and belongs. We adopt the same theme in our St. Andrew mission statement: You matter. You belong. We care. I then had a chance to meet with the choir students and share some of the poems I had been looking at as a possible text for the piece. The poem that rose to the top of the list for me is one that I felt was a perfect fit for the students’ chosen theme of inclusion. It was a poem by Joe Davis called “Gather.” For those unfamiliar with Joe’s work, Joe is a local artist, activist, author, speaker, and a seminary-trained Lutheran to boot! I had had a marvelous opportunity a few years back to do some creative collaboration with Joe at a Church Anew event, and I had become a big fan of his work. With the poem selected, Mike then invited Joe Davis to meet with the choir students to engage and inspire them. I loved the idea that the students could ask questions of both the composer and the poet!
Although my deadline for the finished piece was in early January 2025, I set my own deadline of completing the work by the end of the summer of 2024 because things get pretty busy here in the fall
(it’s not my first rodeo!). It was an absolute joy to work with Joe’s wonderful poem, and it’s hard for me to imagine a message that is more needed in the world right now:
“…Gather those who have been made invisible/ gather those who have been made unheard/gather those who are weak and weary/gather those who are bound and broken…”
Fast forward to this past spring: I was asked to come to some of the choir rehearsals as the students were learning the piece, since I would accompany the piece in the concert. It was a thrill to hear the piece come alive with human voices after only hearing the music in my head for so many months! It’s difficult to write an article about a piece of music because it’s imminently more satisfying for you to hear it. “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture” is the quote that comes to mind here! That’s why we’re planning for my piece “Gather” to be performed here in worship next spring. We’re hoping to “gather” (forgive the pun) as many students from Shakopee as wish to participate to sing the piece along with our Canticle Choir, and Joe Davis is confirmed to be here as a guest preacher on the same Sunday, which will be February 22, 2026! That’s a thought that warms this old composer’s heart!
Human connection is so essential. That’s one of the reasons why the church matters so much! Jesus taught us that and he lived it as well: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
See you in church!
Tim Graf Director of Worship & Music
You Matter. You Belong. We Care.
Kathi Wieman (Left), Preschool Director, Celebrating 35 Years
Melanie Eggers (Right), Childcare Director, Celebrating 25 Years
A Legacy of Love at St. Andrew Early Learning
At St. Andrew, the heartbeat of our mission is simple yet profound: You Matter. You Belong. We Care. This motto isn’t just a tagline—it’s a lived experience, embodied daily by two extraordinary women who have dedicated a combined 60 years to nurturing, educating, and walking alongside families in our community.
Melanie Eggers, Childcare Director, and Kathi Wieman, Preschool Director, have become pillars of the St. Andrew family. With 25 and 35 years of service, their stories are woven into the fabric of our church’s early learning legacy.
“It is the most challenging but rewarding job you’ll ever do,” Melanie said. “Just trying to find that happy balance between being there for people, but also making sure I’m taking care of myself.”
Melanie began her journey as an infant classroom teacher, fresh from a small town and admittedly nervous to navigate the “big city” of Eden Prairie.
“Being their first teachers and getting them excited about learning and life—it’s the most rewarding thing ever,” Kathi said.
Fresh out of college, Kathi started in the basement classrooms of the old Valley View Road building, juggling four classes after a colleague’s early maternity leave. Both women recall their early days with warmth, laughter, and awe at how quickly time has flown.
“It doesn’t feel like that long,” Melanie said. Kathi agreed, “It’s shocking to think it’s been that many years.”
Both directors knew from a young age that education was their calling. Melanie was the child who rescued discarded textbooks to play teacher at home. The eldest of four, Kathi turned to stuffed animals and neighborhood kids when her siblings tired of playing school.
Their passion has blossomed into leadership roles that impact hundreds of children and families each year. Melanie oversees a full-day, year-round childcare program with six classrooms and over 90 children. Kathi leads the half-day preschool program, offering flexible options for families and serving around 50 children annually.
Over the decades, early learning at St. Andrew has evolved dramatically. Once seemingly separate from church programming, the early learning staff collaborates closely with church leaders, creating a unified, faith-filled environment.
The field itself has grown more professional, shedding outdated perceptions of early childhood education as mere babysitting. Melanie and Kathi have championed this shift, leading efforts to earn Parent Aware’s four-star rating and NAEYC national accreditation, ensuring excellence in curriculum, safety, and family engagement.
Ask either director for a favorite memory, and you’ll hear stories reflecting their work’s heart.
Melanie recalled supporting a deaf infant through her cochlear implant journey, learning cue speech alongside staff to help the child thrive.
“We get to walk with families through the darkest of the dark, and celebrate the brightest of the bright,” Melanie said.
Kathi shared the recent experience of a preschooler diagnosed with leukemia, and the creative ways her classmates have stayed connected through videos and outdoor visits.
These joyful and challenging moments underscore the relational depth of their roles.
The care doesn’t stop with children and families—it extends to staff. Both
directors emphasized the importance of inclusivity, flexibility, and grace in their leadership.
“The staff is the program,” Melanie said. “They’re the kids’ first contact, and they must know I’m here for them as people, not just employees.”
Kathi echoed this sentiment, spending time in classrooms and keeping her door open for support.
“We learn so much from each other,” Kathi said. “We’re in it together.”
From staffing shortages to the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges have tested their resilience. However, they’ve continued to grow and adapt through creativity, empathy, and unwavering commitment.
“We’re doing wonderful work,” Kathi said. “And it’s worth it.”
Perhaps the most touching testament to their impact is the former students who return—now as parents—enrolling their children in the same classrooms they once attended.
“It’s surreal,” Melanie stated. “To think I made that kind of impact on someone’s life.”
At St. Andrew Early Learning, every child, every family, and every staff member is a reminder that You Matter. You Belong. We Care. And thanks to leaders like Melanie and Kathi, that message continues to echo through generations.
Zack Benz Social Media & Communications Manager
meet-cute
/meet kyoot/ noun (in a film or television show) an amusing or charming first encounter between two characters that leads to the development of a romantic relationship between them.
One of the most joyful parts of my call to St. Andrew is walking alongside couples preparing to be married. I get to hear the stories of their lives together, help them craft promises for a life of love together, and invite them to ponder how God has called them together and can be the cornerstone of the family they build. It’s so much fun. In this little feature, we’ll share some of the meet-cutes that flow out of the ministry of St. Andrew, this place that means so much to us and has been the foundation of so many families!
Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching Church Anew Director
Bailey & Megan
Finally Getting Married
Bailey Dodds and Megan Pavelka met while they were toddlers, exploring the Eden Prairie neighborhood where both of their families met. Megan remembers that Bailey was always one of the only boys at her birthday parties and vice versa.
With their preschool teachers, Mrs. Deb Bigley and Mrs. Kathi Wieman, they learned their letters, sang songs, and got to know Jesus. As with any great romantic comedy, the challenge to their friendship came when Megan and her family were going to move away to Nebraska. But not before Bailey popped the question, shyly asking Megan’s mom (at the age of four) if they could get married. In a backyard preschool celebration, Megan and Bailey tied the knot.
Of course, it was many years later when the real meet-cute happened. Baily recalls finding Megan on social media and jokingly asking if the wedding was
still on. A few years later, Megan and Bailey recognized each other from afar in a restaurant in Chicago. They got lunch together a few times, but Megan’s life was moving to Los Angeles soon, so their budding romance had no chance to grow. Yet a few years later (again), Bailey traveled to L.A. for an interview and decided to see if Megan might want to get together. And finally, 24 years later, after their first four-year-old wedding, they were married in Nisswa in July 2025. God works wonders in our lives, connecting us with people who make us who we are. Childhood friendships, beloved teachers, and partners for a lifetime of adventure—all of these are brought together in a faith that is rooted and grounded in love. As a congregation, we are cheering Mr. and Mrs. Dodds on as they (finally) got married. But the truth is, we never really stopped.
Upcoming Adult Opportunities
Band of Brothers
Sept. 3, 6:30 AM
Join fellow Christian men weekly to examine how faith affects daily life and relationships.
Loom Hat Knitting Class
Sept. 3, 12:30 PM
Beginner or advanced knitters are invited to join us monthly for an easy-tolearn hat knitting class.
A More Just World
Sept. 3, 6:30 PM
Meet monthly for fellowship, conversation, and learning as we discuss cultures, race, and equity.
Saturday Morning Men’s
Bible Study
Sept. 6, 9:00 AM
Join other Christian men age 50+ from several churches in the SW Metro for fellowship and learning.
St. Andrew Book Group
Sept. 8, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Gather monthly for lively discussion and fellowship. Our Sept. reading: The Covenant of Water.
Be Still and Know... Yoga & Devotion
Sept. 10, 9:30 AM
Connect mind, body, and breath in our weekly yoga sessions. Each session includes devotion and prayer.
Women of the Word (W.O.W.) PM
Sept. 11, 6:30 PM
Come together with other women as we begin our weekly study of The Quest: An Excursion Toward with God
Monday Evening Men’s Group
Sept.15, 5:30 PM
Bimonthly gathering of men to share experiences and wisdom about life and being a good dad, husband, and Christian.
Women of the Word (W.O.W.) AM
Sept. 17, 9:30 AM
Connect with other women for faith and fellowship as we begin our weekly study of The Way of Wisdom.
Fall Book Study (in person)
Sept. 25, 9:00 AM
Fall Book Study (online)
Sept. 28, 6:30 PM
Be a part of our 6-wk study of Good Soil, a profound meditation on nature, heritage, and belonging by Jeff Chu.
Patio Crawl
Sept. 18, 6:30 PM
Connect with others each month in a friendly and relaxed setting over at pint at a local brewery.
Early Risers Bible Study
Sept. 24, 8:00 AM
Wednesday mornings join us for lively discussion as we dive into the Word of God.
Queer Faith Alliance
Oct. 8, 6:30 PM
Join us monthly as we advocating for affirmation, belonging, and embracing all of God’s children.
For a listing of all events at St. Andrew please visit standrewlu.org/upcoming-events/
13600 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952.937.2776 | standrewlu.org
Rally Sunday!
September 7 | 9:00 & 10:30 AM
Join us in worship at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Rally Sunday when we introduce our sermon series “Forged”. And then join the fun and fellowship with great food and fun activities, a bounce house, and a variety of awesome food trucks. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it.
For more information visit standrewlu.org.
