Meet the Staff
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The Rev. Rick Swenson, PriestThe Reverend Rick Swenson was ordained Priest in the Diocese of Nebraska in 2004. He has served parishes in both Nebraska and, since 2015, in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN), most recently walking with the parishes of St. John’s, Eveleth and Saint Paul’s, Virginia on their journey to formal merger in 2018 as the new parish of Saints John and Paul. He is also an attorney and has practiced law in Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. He attended the University of Nebraska, Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of Minnesota. He obtained his law degree and master’s degree in theology from Creighton University in Omaha. In addition to his parish ministries in Nebraska and Minnesota, Father Swenson has served on the Standing Committee and Trustees in the Diocese of Nebraska, and he is currently serving in ECMN as a member of the Northeast Mission Area Team and on the Council of ECMN. He serves on several committees of Council, including the Joint Finance and Audit Committee (JFAC) which is responsible for developing and monitoring the budget of ECMN.
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The Rev. Deacon Patricia Benson, Deacon
Forty years ago, I came to St. Paul’s for a Search retreat and in the past decade I brought the younger two of my four kids here for Teens Encounter Christ retreat. Now I’m back as your deacon and look forward to getting to know you. I want to learn from you, hear about of St. Paul’s history and your vision of the future, and to walk with you as you follow God into that future. I became an “empty nester” in August of 2020 and decided to downsize and relocate to Duluth. |
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Rita Rosenberger, SecretaryI've been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church since 2005, and I've served as Parish Secretary since August 2018. My husband David Barthel and I have two teenagers named Agnes and Ernie. I enjoy participating in Handbell Choir, Junior League of Duluth, and PEO. I'm also an enthusiastic volunteer for Many Rivers Montessori.
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Christine Melone, BookkeeperMy husband, Deke, and I recently moved to Duluth from Illinois. There I was an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church for 25 years serving as Treasurer, Stewardship chair, and Senior Warden as well as chair-person of the Outreach Committee and a Sunday school teacher. Both of our adult sons have chosen to establish lives in upstate New York and enjoy visiting us here. We love life in northern Minnesota focusing our free time on all forms of skiing -- water, downhill, cross country.
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Kofi, GreeterKofi is a five year old Goldendoodle. He is extraordinarily friendly and relaxed. He is also hypoallergenic. He accompanies Rita to work in the Parish Office everyday, fulfilling his own special ministry of greeting everyone who stops by the church on weekdays.
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