Introducing our new Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry!

Introducing Leslie Pietila, our new Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry at Grace!

Leslie shares this about herself:

I am overjoyed to join the community at Grace Lutheran as the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry! I recently graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul with a Master's degree in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. I have served in various ministry roles for 20+ years. Most recently, I served as the Director of Children’s Music at Lord of Life Lutheran.

I am passionate about nurturing faith development in children and youth through meaningful relationships, thoughtful programming, and collaboration. I am an active performing musician in the Twin Cities and play flute with several groups. I am also an avid reader, averaging over 200 books each year!

I love volunteering in the school district and spending time with my family camping, skiing, exploring new places, and cheering on my kids in their activities. Along with my husband, J., and our 3 children, I am eager to get to know the families and congregation members here at Grace.

Those of us on the search team were drawn to Leslie because of her unique and varied experiences with kids and youth of different ages, her evident commitment to building relationships and trust, and her warm and approachable spirit. We are so excited to welcome her to Grace!

Leslie will officially begin her work here on June 1. More to come on how we can most fully and joyfully welcome her into our shared ministry!

With gratitude and anticipation,

Pastor Sarah

​**A big thanks to those who served on the search team for this position - they did such hard and faithful work! Please thank them when you get a chance: Heather Olivier, Elizabeth Lee, Jake Froehlich, Izzy Hempler, and Lily Swenson.