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Bishop Laurie Jungling has been continually surprised by God’s plan for her life. Like many people, it was not the plan that she expected.
Jungling was born and raised in Great Falls, MT and baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. “The biggest influence in my faith life at an early age was Sharon Weaver’s choir school,” Jungling said. “It was a big deal back then. We would put on performances, sing regularly and put on plays.”
Although she liked choir school and attended church with her family, Jungling had no thoughts of going into ordained ministry when she left home. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, starting out as a computer science major but quickly switching to social and criminal justice. “I thought I wanted to be a spy,” she said.
After college, Jungling joined the military, hoping to go into military intelligence. She finished basic training and most of OCS before becoming injured. “This was at the time the Berlin Wall fell and they were going to cut back on troops,” Jungling said. The cutbacks provided the opportunity to leave the military so Laurie did, but not with a sense of disappointment. Instead, she was filled with questions. During her stint in the military, Jungling attended a bible study and went to chapel regularly and she’d begun feeling a sense of call to be a pastor. She couldn’t explain the feeling and decided to talk to the chaplain about this perceived sense of call. The chaplain, however, told her she couldn’t become a pastor and when she asked why not, he said it was because she was a woman.
Click here to read Laurie's full bio from the Living Lutheran
Jungling was born and raised in Great Falls, MT and baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. “The biggest influence in my faith life at an early age was Sharon Weaver’s choir school,” Jungling said. “It was a big deal back then. We would put on performances, sing regularly and put on plays.”
Although she liked choir school and attended church with her family, Jungling had no thoughts of going into ordained ministry when she left home. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, starting out as a computer science major but quickly switching to social and criminal justice. “I thought I wanted to be a spy,” she said.
After college, Jungling joined the military, hoping to go into military intelligence. She finished basic training and most of OCS before becoming injured. “This was at the time the Berlin Wall fell and they were going to cut back on troops,” Jungling said. The cutbacks provided the opportunity to leave the military so Laurie did, but not with a sense of disappointment. Instead, she was filled with questions. During her stint in the military, Jungling attended a bible study and went to chapel regularly and she’d begun feeling a sense of call to be a pastor. She couldn’t explain the feeling and decided to talk to the chaplain about this perceived sense of call. The chaplain, however, told her she couldn’t become a pastor and when she asked why not, he said it was because she was a woman.
Click here to read Laurie's full bio from the Living Lutheran
Associate to the Bishop: Reverend Brenda Frelsi
Pastor Brenda grew up in the Midwest, but always wanted to live where there were more outdoor options. Montana has become that place. Brenda's priorities in ministry are to demonstrate kindness and to build positive relationships doing productive ministry which brings her and those she serves joy while we do God's work with our hands.
Brenda’s ordination verse is Galatians 5:22-23 “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” She believes that when we concentrate on the joy, there is more patience and a foundation of love when differences of opinion arise. In this time of creativity and innovation in exploring how we are called to be church together, Brenda brings to the synod office a passion for rural and small town ministry. Her interests include biking, running, skiing, hiking and photography and she hopes to find partners throughout the synod for these activities.
Pastor Brenda grew up in the Midwest, but always wanted to live where there were more outdoor options. Montana has become that place. Brenda's priorities in ministry are to demonstrate kindness and to build positive relationships doing productive ministry which brings her and those she serves joy while we do God's work with our hands.
Brenda’s ordination verse is Galatians 5:22-23 “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” She believes that when we concentrate on the joy, there is more patience and a foundation of love when differences of opinion arise. In this time of creativity and innovation in exploring how we are called to be church together, Brenda brings to the synod office a passion for rural and small town ministry. Her interests include biking, running, skiing, hiking and photography and she hopes to find partners throughout the synod for these activities.
Director of Technology and Communication: Colter McCarty
Colter is a Deacon candidate and lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he also served as the High School Youth Director for 8 years. His position embraces the Synod benchmarks of Support Congregations and Meet the Future Boldly and is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also recently partnered with the the Synod's theological education branch, the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology, helping to produce and develop new digital education opportunities for pastors and lay people alike.
Colter is a Deacon candidate and lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he also served as the High School Youth Director for 8 years. His position embraces the Synod benchmarks of Support Congregations and Meet the Future Boldly and is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also recently partnered with the the Synod's theological education branch, the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology, helping to produce and develop new digital education opportunities for pastors and lay people alike.
Director of the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology (NRIT): Jenny Kunka
Jenny is grateful for the opportunity to serve NRIT for the past 11 years. Jenny lives in Great Falls with her husband, Mike and sons, Jonah and Ethan. NRIT is the continuing education and lifelong learning ministry of the Montana Synod.
Jenny is grateful for the opportunity to serve NRIT for the past 11 years. Jenny lives in Great Falls with her husband, Mike and sons, Jonah and Ethan. NRIT is the continuing education and lifelong learning ministry of the Montana Synod.
Montana Synod Candidacy Coordinator: Pastor Julie Long: candidacy@montanasynod.org