STAFF

  • THE REV. DAVID LANGILLE

    Rector

    The Rev. Dave Langille is our Rector, coming back to serve at Messiah in 2020. Before accepting this call, he was Rector of St. Martin’s by-the-Lake in Minnetonka Beach, MN.  Fr. Dave is no stranger to Messiah, having served here first as Lay Associate, then as Priest Associate, from 1999-2011. Dave is married to Diane, a Minneapolis Public Schools teacher. They have two adult sons, Sam and Luc.


    Fr. Dave is a Canadian citizen, having lived in Minnesota since 1994. He is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, and Regent College, Vancouver.  He completed his Anglican year of study at the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, Nova Scotia.


    Email THE REV. D

  • JEFF KIDDER

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Jeff Kidder has led Messiah’s Music Ministry since 1991. He is grateful for his family heritage of music and Christian worship, which provided roots for his own ministry and faith renewal, rekindled when he began attending Messiah in 1989. Jeff's main work is to plan and lead music for Sunday worship and other services, working closely with Paul Johnson (Music Minister, organ/keyboard). Jeff directs the Festival Choir, serves on the Worship Arts Committee and coordinates music and worship for the community, offering resources and supporting activities in a variety of contexts (adults, youth and children, small groups, etc.)

    Jeff also offers music ministry in other contexts in ECMN and in his neighborhood, including Shobi's Table food truck and Recovery Cafe Frogtown.

    Jeff is married to Kristen (who first brought him to Messiah), teaches private guitar students, enjoys performing for special events, spending time with his grown sons and grandchildren, bicycling and other outdoor recreation.


    Email Jeff

  • PAUL JOHNSON

    Director of youth ministries

    music minister

    Paul has been a music minister at Messiah since 2004 and Youth Director since 2018.  Paul's happy place is driving a 15 passenger van full of teenagers on an adventure (really!) and is passionate about seeing youth become lifelong disciples of Jesus. He plays keyboard instruments, leads vocals, and partners with Jeff Kidder in the leadership of Messiah's Music Ministry.  His wife Libby grew up attending Messiah. They have three boys, Gibbie, Ezra, and William. He is also an award-winning fine art photographer and a coffee enthusiast. Paul is a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church and a seminarian at Nashotah House Theological Seminary.



    Email Paul

  • Luke walbert

    CHILDREN'S ministry host

    Luke Walbert is currently serving as our Children's Ministry Host on Sunday mornings.  He can answer any questions you may have about where your child's class is meeting, and connect you with resources about our montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Children's Education program.


    Email Luke

  • Kristen Kidder

    Interim Parish Coordinator

    Kristen has been a member at Messiah for almost 35 years.  She's recently retired, but is happy to take on this interim position to support Messiah during this time of staff transition.  She is gifted with being able to see the big picture while also understanding the details of what it takes to accomplish intended outcomes.  Her faith is fueled by regular times in prayer and scripture, small group participation, and listening for the Holy Spirit's guidance.  


    Email Kristen

  • karen carr

    connections coordinator

    The connections coordinator responds to callers, congregation, and clergy, compiles reports, assists in financial record keeping, and provides support for ministries. Karen and her family came to Messiah in 1999 and she started in her current position at the beginning of 2018. Karen worked in the Registration Office of the Extension School at the University of Minnesota for a number of years before being an assistant to Edith Schaeffer and later homeschooling her children. Karen lives in Saint Paul and loves spending time on the North Shore. She is an avid reader of literature and participates in two book groups.


    Email Karen

  • the rev. judith desharnais

    deacon

    Judy has served as deacon at Messiah since she was ordained and assigned here by Bishop Brian Prior in 2013. She had attended Messiah with her family for more than a decade before that. The ministry of vocational deacons is entirely voluntary. Besides her liturgical role on Sunday mornings Judy carries out a ministry among our Karen parishioners.


    Email Judy

  • the rev. dr. george slanger

    PRIEST IN RESIDENCE

    In May, 2001, George Slanger retired from 30-year career as an English professor and administrator at Minot State University in North Dakota. That same month, he was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in All Saints Episcopal Church in Minot, where he served as a volunteer Assisting Priest until 2011, when he moved to Lakeville. He and his wife Joanne have four grown children. Their daughter, Julie Saxton, and her husband, Paul, are also members at Messiah.


    Email George