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 the Praise Team Director at St Paul. They have two children: Benjamin, who is an aspiring comedian in Chicago, and Matthew, who graduated from Johnston High School and lives in Des Moines, 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."
Lead Pastor
Bill began at St Paul in the Fall of 2013. His wife Rebecca is a Marriage and Family Therapist and the Praise Team Director at St Paul. They have two children: Benjamin, who is an aspiring comedian in Chicago, and Matthew, who graduated from Johnston High School and lives in Des Moines, 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."
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.
Emily Cammon
Director of Music and Worship Arts
I am humbled to be serving as the director for the Bell Choir and Choir at St Paul. Ministry through music has always been a central part of my life, and I am overjoyed to continue serving in this new capacity. I grew up in Marion, and was active in music ministry at my church in Cedar Rapids from the time I was very small through high school and beyond. I graduated from Luther College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and from Drake University in 2023 with a Masters degree in Education. I have been an elementary music teacher for Des Moines Public Schools since 2019. I met my wonderful husband, Isaiah, at Luther where we both worked as resident assistants and sang in choir together. We have been married since July of 2022 and have a wonderful dog named Freya who is the light of our life. Isaiah and I joined St Paul to sing in choir at the beginning of 2023, and have loved getting to know the kindest, most welcoming congregation ever since.
Director of Music and Worship Arts
I am humbled to be serving as the director for the Bell Choir and Choir at St Paul. Ministry through music has always been a central part of my life, and I am overjoyed to continue serving in this new capacity. I grew up in Marion, and was active in music ministry at my church in Cedar Rapids from the time I was very small through high school and beyond. I graduated from Luther College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and from Drake University in 2023 with a Masters degree in Education. I have been an elementary music teacher for Des Moines Public Schools since 2019. I met my wonderful husband, Isaiah, at Luther where we both worked as resident assistants and sang in choir together. We have been married since July of 2022 and have a wonderful dog named Freya who is the light of our life. Isaiah and I joined St Paul to sing in choir at the beginning of 2023, and have loved getting to know the kindest, most welcoming congregation ever since.
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Rebecca O'Connell
Praise Team Director I am thrilled to be the director of the praise team here at St Paul. I've been playing the piano since first grade and have been part of praise teams at churches for over 30 years. I love making music together in a way that invites the congregation in worship and to sing. Talk to me if you are interested in joining us or have any musical requests! |
Lisa Wagner
Office Coordinator & Fitness Ministry 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 & Fitness Ministry 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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Sharon Bruene
Book Keeper Sharon has had extensive professional bookkeeping experience and is a member of St Paul. |
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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!"
Olivia Wagner
Nursery Attendant
Olivia is the Nursery Assistant at St Paul. She is a current student at Johnston High School. She has babysat for many years and has been at her part time job serving coffee for almost a year... and actually we think many of you have seen her on your way into church! Olivia will be happy playing with your kids on Wed. nights during choir and Sunday mornings.
Nursery Attendant
Olivia is the Nursery Assistant at St Paul. She is a current student at Johnston High School. She has babysat for many years and has been at her part time job serving coffee for almost a year... and actually we think many of you have seen her on your way into church! Olivia will be happy playing with your kids on Wed. nights during choir and Sunday mornings.
