Leadership
| Leadership |
Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska is a place where leadership is shared. Our leadership is committed to Shepherd of the Hill being a church in Chaska that makes God's unconditional love for everyone a tangible reality, a place for the heart and the mind created and refreshed by the generous mind of Christ.
Pastor |
Welcome to Shepherd of the Hill. Often I observe the world and scratch my head. Sometimes I get too serious. My dog Maggie transports me to a different world - quieter, more loving, more fun, more alert, more joyful - just like Shepherd of the Hill Church in Chaska. This church is good for my soul. Only you can say whether it would be good for you. I love this church because of its people. They're kind and gentle people - and they expect their minds to be challenged. They understand that the gospel stirs the mind while it awakens the heart. Their hearts are big and their minds are open. I can't promise you that Shepherd of the Hill will be the right place for you. But I can promise you this: you won't find an ounce of meanness here. No one will bite. And you won't get lost. If and when you choose to come to check out whether Shepherd of the Hill feels like home to you, you'll receive a warm welcome. Grace and Peace, Gordon | Pastor Gordon Stewart joined us at Shepherd of the Hill Church in Chaska in March 2006 after 30 years of pastoral and campus ministry experience in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio (Knox Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati), Minnesota (Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis), and eight years as Executive Director of the Legal Rights Center, a Minneapolis non-profit poverty juvenile and criminal defense law firm. Awarded Harvard Divinity School's Charles E. Merrill Fellowship for Excellence in Pastoral Ministry, Gordon's sermons appear in two volumes of Harper Collin's national sermons collections (Vol. 3 pictured above). His voice is heard frequently over the airwaves of Minnesota Public Radio's "All Things Considered" (KNOW 91.1 FM). Written commentaries appear regularly online on MPR, MinnPost.com, The Chaska Herald, Chanhassen Villager and Presbyterian Outlook. Read "What if the oil spill is a symptom of something bigger?" (May 28,2010) or "The American Oligarchy" published April 29, 2010 following the Senate hearing investigating unethical practices by Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street firms. Read A Call for Civility or The Voice of Abel's Blood. Listen to Quiet at 4:00 A.M. or to Black Water and Michael Jackson following a family vacation in the Boundary Waters Through First Tuesday Dialogues and his membership on local boards and committees such as the BEACON Council of School District 112, Pastor Gordon is widely recognized for his community involvement. |
Shepherd of the Hill Church Staff |
Momoh Freeman, Director of Music In our worship we celebrate God's unconditional love with robust congregational singing, led most Sundays by Momoh Freeman, who combines classical, jazz and gospel in ways that often take our breath away. The first sounds you will hear as you enter SHPC for worship are likely to be the joyful sounds from the soul of Momoh Freeman. Born in Liberia, Momoh brought his jazz piano talents to Shepherd of the Hill Church in Chaska in July 2004. Momoh's favorite recording artist is jazz musician Cyrus Chestnut. He has brought to Shepherd of the Hill guest baritone soloists Moses Punni and Johnny Russell, whose solos, like Momoh's playing, send shivers down the spine and lift our hearts in joyful praise. With Momoh Freeman, you can't help but sing. |
Linda Livers, Organist
If the first sounds you hear upon entering worship are the sounds of the organ, they will come from the talented fingers of Linda Livers. Linda leads worship about once a month and has been serving as Organist at Shepherd of the Hill for six years. Like Momoh, Linda brings a vibrant spirit to worship with a wide repertoire of traditional, classical and contemporary sacred music for both organ and piano. Linda and her husband John are long-time residents of Chaska.
Kathy Rasmussen, Administrator & Financial Secretary
The cheerful voice you hear when you call on the phone is Kathy's. To newcomers, her voice is the voice of friendly welcome. Kathy has been the familiar voice and face of Shepherd of the Hill for 25 years. If you need information, want to make an appointment with the pastor, or put something in The Shepherd News, Kathy is the one to call. She's also the one to call in case you hit the lottery and want to remember Shepherd of the Hill!!! Kathy and husband Steve are long-time residents of Chaska.
Shepherd of the Hill Officers |
Shepherd of the Hill's leaders come from Chanhassen, Carver, Cologne, Eden Prairie, Maher, Shakopee, and Waconia, as well as Chaska.
Governing Board
(aka, "The Session" - elected "Ruling Elders" of Shepherd of the Hill Church in Chaska)
Bill Tisel Lynn Niskanen Chuck Lieber Marian Garrison-Marlow Ted Niskanen Marilyn Levine
SHPC Board of Deacons
Jesse Suitton Hollis Schwartz Julie Weise Karin Noren Mary Sutton Bob Giese
Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska - host of First Tuesday Dialogues - is a place for the mind and heart celebrating God's unconditional love for everyone with worship, education, outreach, and community dialogues that re-create the public square and promote the common good. An MPR commentary by Pastor Gordon Stewart frequently airs on Minnesota Public Radio's "All Thing Considered." Jazz-gospel pianist Momoh Freeman and organist Linda Livers lead the music. Our elders and deacons bring with them Roman Catholic, Christian Reformed, Lutheran, Baptist, Moravian and Unitiarian-Universalist traditions that spice our life. SHPC is the only Presbyterian Church in Chaska and Carver County, Minnesota We're a little different...not better, just different...like a different flavor in an ice cream parlor. Taste and see.
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