Staff

Blair Pogue, Rector
As rector, Blair is the lead pastor of St. Matthew’s. Her passion is for encouraging all people to discover their spiritual gifts and serve God’s purposes in the world. Prior to joining us in fall 2005, Blair served as associate rector of Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, Virginia. She is a graduate of Whitman College and Yale University Divinity School and pursued doctoral studies in American religious history at the College of William and Mary. She can be reached by phone at the church at 651-645-3058 and by e-mail at rector@stmatthewsmn.org. Read more about Blair on our Rector page.

Dwight Zscheile, Associate Priest
Dwight serves St. Matthew’s part-time, focusing on preaching, teaching, leading Bible studies and helping members of the congregation reflect theologically on their lives, vocations and the world. A graduate of Stanford University and Yale University Divinity School, he is a faculty member and a Ph.D. candidate in congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary. Prior to St. Matthew’s, Dwight was executive pastor of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia. You can reach Dwight at dzscheile001@luthersem.edu.

Bob Hardman, Assisting Priest
Bob served for 30 years in active parish ministry, from Connecticut to Minnesota to Oregon, returning to Minnesota in 1989 to serve as department head of pastoral care at Episcopal Homes until he retired in 2000. Since then he has led parishes in Minnesota and Alaska on an interim basis. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1969 and has since received many certificates and licentures, most significantly in the School of Religion, Aging and Spirituality at Luther Seminary in 1998. You can reach Bob at Robrankin3@aol.com.

J Michael Compton, Director of Music Ministries & Manager of Office Ministries
Michael has served St. Matthew’s as music director since All Saints Sunday, 1983. He was trained as a violinist at Boston University under the late Gerald Gelbloom of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and studied organ with Canon Musician Howard Don Small at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Minneapolis. In addition to his work for St. Matthew’s, Michael also performs as a violinist with several Twin Cities ensembles and is alto section leader of the Gregorian Singers. As a composer/arranger he is published by Augsburg-Fortress. In addition to his work as music director, Michael has managed the parish office since March, 1999. Michael may be reached in the office at 651-645-3058 or mcompton@stmatthewsmn.org

Lindsay Thalacker, Director of Youth Ministries
We're excited to have Lindsay as our new youth director!    She is a Master's student at Luther Seminary and comes to us a strong interest in the outdoors and experience in working in Christian camps.  More bio and picture to come.  Contact Lindsay at youthdir@stmatthewsmn.org.

Lis Christenson, Director of Children's Ministries
Lis Christenson has been the director of children's learning at St. Matthew's for the last two years. She is a lifelong member of the church and began teaching Godly Play when her children entered the children's learning program. She is especially interested in the relationship of art and nature to children's growth and development. Lis also recently completed a 2-year certificate for spiritual direction at the Center for Sacred Ground, located at the College of St. Catherine. Her background includes a B.A. in political science at St. Olaf College, ten years with the Minnesota State Planning Agency in education policy and planning, as well as a variety of leadership roles in local schools, preschools, and community organizations. Lis may be reached at 651-646-2969 or lisdc@comcast.net.