Meet the Staff
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The Rev. Maggie Nancarrow, RectorMaggie was ordained to the priesthood in Minneapolis in June of 2020. She holds a MDiv from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and History from Hamline University. She rounded out her Anglican Studies with three years in the cohort-based formation program with the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Her primary interests are spirituality of the wilderness, growing faith communities as places of social connectedness and transformative love, and making the ancient stories of the Bible accessible today. She served for eight years in ministry with children and youth before becoming the rector of St. Paul’s, and believes in nurturing children for a lifetime of spiritual resilience through faith. She enjoys long hours riding her bike, hiking, climbing, and camping.
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The Very Rev. Rick Swenson, Associate RectorThe Very 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). Until recently he was a bivocational priest practicing law while also serving God's church. 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 Dean of the North, and on the Council of ECMN.
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The Rev. 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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Dr. Thomas Hamilton, Minister of MusicI grew up and received my earliest musical training in Hibbing. My father was a teacher in the Hibbing schools and also worked as the house manager for the beautiful auditorium in the high school, so I was granted special permission to practice the organ after hours. The organ has always fascinated me with its ability to make so many different sounds, to roar sometimes and whisper at others. It is a joy to serve at St. Paul’s and lead you in song and to give voice to that which is otherwise inexpressible.
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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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Sophie Gray Spehar, Faith Formation Coordinator
More information coming soon.
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Bill Stapp, SextonBill comes with a wealth of experience in school administration. He and his wife Sandy are dedicated St. Paul's 8 o'clockers. His role is primarily to coordinate building management and use, from overseeing the cleaning service to the snow removal service to fixing that one dark light bulb that everyone’s forgotten about. He has been a teacher and administrator in Wisconsin and Saudi Arabia. Bill and Sandy are both retired, but continue to work with students, community, and other service-minded tasks.
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Kofi, GreeterKofi is a seven-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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