LEADERSHIP TEAM
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Clergy
THE REV. KATHERINE LEWIS
Rector
When Katherine was called by the vestry in 2009, she remembers being moved by those she met during the search process—their spiritual groundedness, commitment to service to others, intellectual curiosity, playfulness and joy, and deep humility. Fifteen years later, she can attest to the healthy DNA of St. David’s, a community of people who are curious, compassionate and able to forgive.
As rector, she works to equip members of the congregation to Love God, Love One Another by practicing servant leadership and radical hospitality. One of her favorite things is to help others discern their giftedness and sense of call and purpose, working with groups to identify how complementary gifts can be used, together, in service to others.
Katherine balances drive and hard work with a love of play. “I bike, run, garden, practice yoga, read, plan parties and get togethers, enjoy art and local music, love a good, hoppy beer, and have wonderful friends.”
She has two adult children and lives in Minneapolis. Katherine was born in Alexandria, Virginia and grew up primarily in Charleston, West Virginia. A fan of warm weather, she has learned to embrace winter running and cross-country skiing in Minnesota’s sometimes-frigid temps. Her B.A. is from Denison University in Granville, Ohio and her M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary.
THE REV. LEONARD FREEMAN
Adjunct Clergy
The Rev. Leonard Freeman is both a parishioner and adjunct clergy for St. David’s. A poet, priest and old-movies buff, Len has served in both parish and national ministries during the 50+ years of his ordained life. He was the film critic for the Episcopal church’s national magazines as well as head of communications for both Trinity Church Wall Street in New York and Washington National Cathedral. He retired from St. Martin’s By-The-Lake in Minnetonka Beach.
He is a Fellow of the College of Preachers, has done academic fellowships in economics and communications, and holds awards for his work in both print and television. He and his wife, the Rev. Lindsay Hardin Freeman, live in Long Lake and both write regularly. They are also the Chaplains for retired clergy in the diocese.
Len finds St. David’s to be a caring, faithful, spiritually nurturing, and innovative community for Christian discipleship. As Jimmy Stewart said in the film Harvey: “You may quote me.”
THE REV. LINDSAY HARDIN FREEMAN
Adjunct Clergy
Lindsay has a lifelong relationship with St. David’s: she was baptized here in 1957, confirmed here, and grew up coming to church every Sunday. After receiving a B.S. from Mankato State in Social Work, she was awarded a North American Ministerial Award (Rockefeller), and earned her M.Div and M.A. in Theological Studies from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
She has served parishes in Philadelphia, Boston, and Minnesota, worked for 22 years as the communications consultant for the Episcopal Church Foundation, and was the editor of Vestry Papers for nine years. She has won over 30 awards for journalistic excellence and is the author/editor of eight books. From 2010-2014, she and a research team documented every word in the Bible spoken by women, which resulted in Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, published by Forward Movement.
Lindsay and her husband, the Rev. Len Freeman, live in Long Lake with whomever of their children (five) happen to be visiting (with their various pets and partners). She enjoys filling in at St. David's when needed, and deeply values this wonderful faith community.
THE REV. GUY DRAKE
Deacon Emeritus
Guy is a witness to the visible, active difference that St. David’s has been making in our “neighborhood” for over 50 years. As Deacon Emeritus, his focus is on liturgy, worship, pastoral care, outreach, and community involvement.
He put his B.A. in Leadership and Organizational Management from Concordia University, St. Paul to the test during his 40 years working for Dale Carnegie Training. Guy was ordained as a deacon in 2013. His connection with St. David’s goes back to its formation—his parents were founding members—and he bought a house nearby when he returned to the Twin Cities in 1982.
Guy lives in Minnetonka and has been married for 50 years. He has two children and two grandchildren.
Wardens
Diane Curley
Senior Warden
Growing up in Michigan, a Methodist gal, I headed off in 1976 to the original U of M in Ann Arbor obtaining a BS in Nursing. While there, I met a good Catholic lad, we married, and then church hopped between denominations for years. In 1986, my husband’s employment led us to a new adventure with the other U of M here in Minnesota. Soon after our children ( 3 gifts in total) entered the picture, it was then that we began seriously searching for our church family. Joyously, we found the Episcopal Church in 1987 and have never looked back.
These many years later, I continue to work in the nursing profession, currently involved with the Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI). This is a community wide collaborative led by M Health FV, whose mission is to reduce barriers to vaccinations for all who are facing health disparities in Minnesota. My husband continues to teach at the U of M Carlson School of Management. Needless to say, our three kids have grown up.
I now find myself humbled and honored to serve as St David’s Senior Warden. My hope is to be able to bring to God and one another what gifts and passions I possess, along with all of yours, so that together we may bring St. David’s loving, compassionate, and caring light out into the world.
David Niles
Junior Warden
I've been a member of St. David's since late 2010 when Huldah, Emery, and I represented the holy family in the live nativity when Emery was seven months old. I'm a lifelong Episcopalian - I was baptized and confirmed at Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where I grew up.
Huldah and I met online (eHarmony!) in 2005 and were married at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Paul in 2006. We have one daughter, Emery, who is active in St. David's youth programs.
I have an undergraduate economics degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. I've worked for Avant Energy, an energy consulting and utility management company, for more than 20 years.
At St. David's, I've served on the Vestry in the past year. I'm also active in the vocal and handbell choir. I serve occasionally as a lector and coffee hour host. I participate regularly in our evening compline services. I also served six years on the Endowment committee and actively play in the St. David's bridge group. I have also served as a Diocesan convention delegate for the past four years and am a new addition to the Altar Guild.
In 2023, I completed a six-year term on the Board of Directors of Cantus, a Minnesota-based vocal ensemble. For three of those years I also served as the organization's Treasurer.
I recently joined the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Pops, where I also serve as Treasurer.
My faith is rooted in Christ's message of love.
Staff
SHEA BRENDALEN
Finance, Communication and Ministry Support Manager
Shea describes the people at St. David’s as “wonderful, warm, welcoming, and talented people who volunteer their time, skills, and knowledge to help make St. David’s the best that it can be.” She applies her own talents to provide financial and administrative support to the leadership team at St. David’s, doing the bookkeeping and pledge maintenance, implementing communications initiatives, and assisting with technology to support worship plans.
Early in 2009, Shea was exploring opportunities for part-time work when a friend—whose husband was the church treasurer—told her St. David’s was looking for a bookkeeper. She has been on staff ever since. Shea and her spouse, Carey, live in downtown Hopkins. They have three young-adult children.
A farm-kid at heart, Shea still loves to ride dirt bikes with her sons when invited. She likes to read, travel, play games and spend time with her family. She grew up in Iowa and holds an accounting degree from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
ROGER STRATTON
Minister of Music
Roger joined the St. David’s leadership team in 2021 and works to implement the St. David’s music program vision by planning and leading music that brings all who participate and listen closer to the Divine and one another. He sees himself encouraging the unique musical gifts of everyone in the congregation through congregational singing, choirs, and other ensembles. He has long been drawn to the Episcopal Church, both for its rich liturgical tradition and for its spirit of hospitality and inclusion. He recognizes St. David’s passion for justice and openness to creativity as exactly what he has been looking for.
Roger grew up in Richmond, Indiana, in the Quaker community surrounding Earlham College. He received his B.S in East Asian Studies from Oberlin College and his M.M. in Choral conducting from New England Conservatory and has more than 30 years' experience leading church choirs. His wife Monica works as a librarian and is also a highly accomplished singer and violinist. They live in Maplewood with their two sons, two dogs and two cats.
Roger has always enjoyed taking deep dives into many different musical traditions, from tangos and sambas to Russian choral music, and from plainchant to Gospel. In recent years he’s become obsessed with jazz improvisation, including sacred jazz. He gets great pleasure from creating eclectic concerts, especially with his world music quintet, Ensemble Aventura.
ANNA BELZ-BROCK
Children and Youth Minister
Anna Belz-Brock joined our leadership team as the Children & Youth Minister in the fall of 2021 and leads children and youth programming at St. David’s. Her role includes coordinating volunteers and engaging with young people through Godly Play, Children’s Time, Youth Group, Confirmation, Summer Camp, and more!
Anna attended college at Concordia in Moorhead where she majored in Religion and minored in Interfaith Studies and Social Activism. Anna has been passionate about theology and its direct ties to social justice since she was very young, hearing the call to ministry at summer camp right around her 13th birthday. She cares deeply about young people’s experience in the church, and seeks to join in God’s reconciling spirit by fostering queer and neurodiverse affirming spaces.
She lives in St. Louis Park with her husband, Erik, and their tiny dog, Oliver. She loves gardening, making music, and doing home improvement projects. She is also working towards her Masters of Divinity degree.
Nancy Lilja-Nerheim
Office Administrator
Nancy joined our leadership team in December 2023.
She has worked and volunteered in many churches, many of them Episcopal churches having been raised attending St. Stephen's, and St. Alban's. She has also co-owned a graphic design company, created a season of pop-up markets, served as operations & administrative manager for a medical device research company, and coordinated orthopaedic conferences for HCMC. She is married and she and her spouse have two married adult children, a toddler grandson, and a teenaged step-grandson. Nancy graduated from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) and holds a B.A. degree in English.
When she has a day to play, she loves going for walks (especially at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum), reading, tending her gardens and gnome homes, and trying new recipes.
When Nancy arrives home, she is exuberantly greeted by their dog, Doug (a miniature poodle) and their rescue cat, Kitten!
The Greater Church
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry is Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as Chair of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.
Meet Bishop Curry. Learn more about the Episcopal Church of America.
THE RT. REV. CRAIG LOYA
Bishop of Minnesota
The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya is the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. He was consecrated on June 6, 2020.
Bishop Loya served as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska from 2013-2020. Prior to that, he was the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas from 2009-2013. He received his Master of Divinity from Yale University and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 2002.
Bishop Loya and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Mari and Asa.
Learn more about the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.