Bill O'Connell
Lead Pastor
Bill began at St Paul in the Fall of 2013. His wife Rebecca is a Marriage and Family Therapist and they have two children: Benjamin, who just graduated college, and Matthew, who just graduated high school, and two fiesty dogs. Bill enjoys working out (okay, maybe "enjoys" is too strong of a word) and tinkering with computers. His deepest prayer is: "Dear Lord, help me to be the person my dogs think I am." You can contact him on his cell phone: 515-257-3024.
Lead Pastor
Bill began at St Paul in the Fall of 2013. His wife Rebecca is a Marriage and Family Therapist and they have two children: Benjamin, who just graduated college, and Matthew, who just graduated high school, and two fiesty dogs. Bill enjoys working out (okay, maybe "enjoys" is too strong of a word) and tinkering with computers. His deepest prayer is: "Dear Lord, help me to be the person my dogs think I am." You can contact him on his cell phone: 515-257-3024.
Rev. Randy Lubbers
Associate Pastor for Families and Faith Formation
I’m excited and very humbled to be part of the servant-hearted leadership team at St. Paul Presbyterian Church. I’m a friend of quaint coffee shops & breakfast cafes everywhere, an avid reader, storyteller, pastor, teacher, retreat leader, music lover, and writer. But most significantly, my true identity is found in belonging to God: “…In life and in death, we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism). My focal ministry interests include the theology and leadership of multigenerational worship; faith formation, as a cradle-to-grave practice in discovering more and more what it means to follow Jesus; and healthy disciplines of prayer & spirituality.
Associate Pastor for Families and Faith Formation
I’m excited and very humbled to be part of the servant-hearted leadership team at St. Paul Presbyterian Church. I’m a friend of quaint coffee shops & breakfast cafes everywhere, an avid reader, storyteller, pastor, teacher, retreat leader, music lover, and writer. But most significantly, my true identity is found in belonging to God: “…In life and in death, we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism). My focal ministry interests include the theology and leadership of multigenerational worship; faith formation, as a cradle-to-grave practice in discovering more and more what it means to follow Jesus; and healthy disciplines of prayer & spirituality.
Jennifer Shide
Director of Music and Worship Arts
St Paul Presbyterian is thrilled that Jennifer Shide is our "Director of Music and Worship Arts." Jennifer is an enthusiastic, gifted, faith-filled and experienced musician. She has a Masters of Music in choral conducting and a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Drake University. She is a private voice instructor and well-known in the Des Moines community. Her biggest volunteer cause is raising money for the DMARC Food Pantry through anything music! Jennifer is married to Tom (he sings in the choir too!) and they have a son, Sidney. Her mom Norma Ramker, and her grandmother Muriel Heller (age 102 and still drives) live directly across the street from her and her family. They too will be seen at worship on a regular basis. Jennifer’s and Tom’s biggest hobby is competing in track and field events such as Senior Olympics and the Iowa Games. Although pizza is their favorite meal, Jennifer insists that they eat about eight servings of raw vegetables a day! Their Yorkie, Rambo is King of the house, but Christ is the center of all. Peace, Hope Love and Joy!
Director of Music and Worship Arts
St Paul Presbyterian is thrilled that Jennifer Shide is our "Director of Music and Worship Arts." Jennifer is an enthusiastic, gifted, faith-filled and experienced musician. She has a Masters of Music in choral conducting and a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Drake University. She is a private voice instructor and well-known in the Des Moines community. Her biggest volunteer cause is raising money for the DMARC Food Pantry through anything music! Jennifer is married to Tom (he sings in the choir too!) and they have a son, Sidney. Her mom Norma Ramker, and her grandmother Muriel Heller (age 102 and still drives) live directly across the street from her and her family. They too will be seen at worship on a regular basis. Jennifer’s and Tom’s biggest hobby is competing in track and field events such as Senior Olympics and the Iowa Games. Although pizza is their favorite meal, Jennifer insists that they eat about eight servings of raw vegetables a day! Their Yorkie, Rambo is King of the house, but Christ is the center of all. Peace, Hope Love and Joy!
Lisa Wagner
Office Coordinator
Joining St Paul as Office Coordinator in the Summer 2023, is Lisa Wagner. Having grown up in Ankeny, Lisa, husband Matt and 3 kids moved back to the area in 2019. Her and Matt spent 10 years living in Storm Lake working at Buena Vista University (where they met in undergrad) and then the following 10 years in Oskaloosa where Lisa tried her hand at being an at home mommy of the then toddler twins. While she "mama-ed" all day, she started a daycare for 4 years and developed a passion for fitness instructing. She has been able to continue her love for theater tech (her old job at BVU) and still freelances for theatres here and there. Lisa loves a good coffee, playing with their dog Penny, driving her kids around to their various events and watching her husband thrive at his place of work! She is excited to be at St Paul helping out in this community, creating, and pondering all the great things that St Paul has to offer! Cheers!
Office Coordinator
Joining St Paul as Office Coordinator in the Summer 2023, is Lisa Wagner. Having grown up in Ankeny, Lisa, husband Matt and 3 kids moved back to the area in 2019. Her and Matt spent 10 years living in Storm Lake working at Buena Vista University (where they met in undergrad) and then the following 10 years in Oskaloosa where Lisa tried her hand at being an at home mommy of the then toddler twins. While she "mama-ed" all day, she started a daycare for 4 years and developed a passion for fitness instructing. She has been able to continue her love for theater tech (her old job at BVU) and still freelances for theatres here and there. Lisa loves a good coffee, playing with their dog Penny, driving her kids around to their various events and watching her husband thrive at his place of work! She is excited to be at St Paul helping out in this community, creating, and pondering all the great things that St Paul has to offer! Cheers!
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Mary Schmelzer
Keyboardist/Accompanist We are delighted to welcome Mary as our new keyboardist as of Spring 2022. Originally from West Union, Iowa, Mary Schmelzer has taught elementary music in Carroll (1988-1990), Manchester (1990-1997), and Alleman (1997-present). She is retiring from teaching as of May 2022. Mary lives in Huxley and is involved with Stephen Ministry through her church in Ames. An avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, she cheers for all of the colleges in our state as well as underdogs throughout the nation. Mary is excited to join the St. Paul Presbyterian staff as keyboardist/accompanist. |
Edo Hasanic
Custodian
Edo has been the custodian and grounds keeper here at St Paul since 2021. Edo is the son of our previous Custodian, Meho, who retired. Edo is married to Sanela and moved to America 5 years ago to be with his family. Edo also works at Dee Zee as a welder. Edo says "St. Paul is my second home - and everyone in it is my family!"
Custodian
Edo has been the custodian and grounds keeper here at St Paul since 2021. Edo is the son of our previous Custodian, Meho, who retired. Edo is married to Sanela and moved to America 5 years ago to be with his family. Edo also works at Dee Zee as a welder. Edo says "St. Paul is my second home - and everyone in it is my family!"
Anne Schoenauer
Fitness Ministry Coordinator
Anne is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with 14 years experience teaching group fitness and motivating others to commit to making fitness a part of a healthy lifestyle. She has taught classes to all levels of abilities from seniors with limited mobility to active working adults trying to keep exercise a part of their busy lives and to children who have too much energy to burn. Anne shares her knowledge in fitness all the while building a community that encourages and motivates each other. In addition to coordinating St Paul's Body and Spirit Fitness Ministry, she also teaches our early morning Amplify class.
Fitness Ministry Coordinator
Anne is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with 14 years experience teaching group fitness and motivating others to commit to making fitness a part of a healthy lifestyle. She has taught classes to all levels of abilities from seniors with limited mobility to active working adults trying to keep exercise a part of their busy lives and to children who have too much energy to burn. Anne shares her knowledge in fitness all the while building a community that encourages and motivates each other. In addition to coordinating St Paul's Body and Spirit Fitness Ministry, she also teaches our early morning Amplify class.
Amanda Jorgensen
Nursery Attendant
Amanda is the Nursery Assistant at St Paul, who helps out with many activities for the children. Amanda is a Des Moines native, who graduated from DMACC with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Arts. She is married with one child, and has been babysitting and taking care of children for much of her life. Says Amanda, "Kids are my passion! I'm excited to meet you and your kids."
Nursery Attendant
Amanda is the Nursery Assistant at St Paul, who helps out with many activities for the children. Amanda is a Des Moines native, who graduated from DMACC with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Arts. She is married with one child, and has been babysitting and taking care of children for much of her life. Says Amanda, "Kids are my passion! I'm excited to meet you and your kids."