Update from ReconcilingWorks

Posted on by jimvondracek
Dear Partners in Ministry,

Thank you for your support, gifts, and prayers. You are what makes ReconcilingWorks the vibrant and thriving organization we are. Together we are making a difference in the life of the Lutheran church and God’s beloved community.

ReconcilingWorks is excited to announce in May and June we welcomed the addition of new staff, interns, and board members into this holy ministry. 

Board Chaplain, Rev. Margarette Ouji (she/hers) (they/them) is a pastor at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair, NJ. She pursued her calling to ministry by attending the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. They made history in 2022 by becoming the first Iranian-American pastor ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Outside of their pastoral duties and community work, Margarette enjoys spending time with her spouse and their 2-year-old child. She has various hobbies, including traveling, crocheting, reading queer graphic novels, singing loudly in the car, and embracing her Iranian culture.

Board Member, Allison Johnson (she/her) is the pastor at Journey in Faith Church in Racine, WI. She’s been ordained and with the good folks of Journey in Faith since 2019. Allison serves as a Dean for the South Conference in the Greater Milwaukee Synod and serves on their candidacy committee. She lives in Milwaukee with her wife, Wendy, and their perfect dog, Sage. When not pastoring, Allison enjoys running, rock climbing, hiking with her wife, and taking too many pictures of Sage to share on her Instagram stories.

Admin Assistant, Joy Strunk (she/her). After graduating from the College of Saint Benedict with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education: Communication moved out to eastern Washington State. It was there that she encountered her first Reconciling in Christ congregation at a local Pride event. Their warm, authentic welcome helped Joy reconnect with a faith community she thought was lost to her. With this invitation, Joy seeks to serve her LGBTQIA+ community by advocating for fully inclusive faith communities. Currently, Joy is completing her master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services at Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota where she lives with her wife. When not studying, Joy enjoys reading mystery novels, being outdoors, playing hockey, and exploring new places.

Word and Service Intern, David Horton (he/him). He is a musician, composer, and liturgist, is a native of Southern California. He earned his B.M. in Composition and Keyboard Studies at Pacific Lutheran University and an M.M. in Composition from the University of Oregon. David is working towards his Masters of Divinity at Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a candidate for Word and Service through the ELCA. He serves as Minister of Music and Worship at Trinity Lutheran Church & Schools in Lynnwood, Washington, where he is committed to designing inclusive, dynamic, and multi-sensory worship. David lives in Seattle with his partner Brett where they enjoy the outdoors, CrossFit, and traveling whenever possible.

Summer Interns:

Anna Larson (she/they) is a senior at St. Olaf College, majoring in religion and gender and sexuality studies. Anna is passionate about pursuing the call to love her neighbor through social justice advocacy and action and by helping faith communities on their journey to become inclusive and welcoming of people of all identities. She has a Christian summer camp background and hopes to work to connect queer youth of faith in a fun and empowering way. 

Marissa Benz (she/her) grew up attending an ELCA church in Southern Minnesota, where my love for Jesus and ministry blossomed. She began playing piano for her church in early high school and learned about my love for incorporating music into ministry. Marissa is a sophomore at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, studying Psychology, Sociology, and Spanish. While at college, she does neuroscience research and volunteers at a local elderly care center. She is excited to spend her summer learning, serving, and growing with ReconcilingWorks! 

We also want to share that Ashlei Buhrow, who had been on staff for almost six years, has transitioned from her role with ReconcilingWorks as the Director of Program and Engagement. We wish Ashlei all the best in the next chapter of her life and express our deepest gratitude for her time with ReconcilingWorks and the impact she made.

Together we make a difference. Much joy,  

Aubrey Thonvold(she/her)

Article Image Executive Director