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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 for Evangelical Mission (DEM):
Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger grew up in the Bozeman area, is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and Luther Seminary. She was ordained in 1989. She served Beckville Lutheran, Litchfield and First Lutheran, Cosmos, MN from 1989 – 1993, and Christ Lutheran, Cottonwood, MN from 1993 - 2000. She served with her husband Steve, at American Lutheran, Baker, Peace Lutheran, Plevna and St. Elizabeth’s Lutheran, Ekalaka from 2000 – 2004, and served American Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran in Livingston, and Shields River Lutheran, Wilsall from 2004 – 2017.
She served as Secretary for the Montana Synod from 2007 – 2017 and as liaison to the companion synod, the Cape Orange Diocese in South Africa for several years.
Peggy was called to serve as the Director for Evangelical Mission in 2017. She works with the Congregational Vitality and Stewardship Task Forces and with congregations and leaders across the synod to equip leaders for ministry. She values relationships and works to live out the definition of Congregational Vitality in the ELCA to help congregations be "communities of Jesus where there are life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world." She is certified as an ELCA Level II Coach and has completed training in Community Organization and the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.
Peggy and her husband Steve are parents of young adult sons: Trevor and Ethan. Peggy is a weaver, enjoys her dog, Sheena, live theater, and travel.
Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger grew up in the Bozeman area, is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and Luther Seminary. She was ordained in 1989. She served Beckville Lutheran, Litchfield and First Lutheran, Cosmos, MN from 1989 – 1993, and Christ Lutheran, Cottonwood, MN from 1993 - 2000. She served with her husband Steve, at American Lutheran, Baker, Peace Lutheran, Plevna and St. Elizabeth’s Lutheran, Ekalaka from 2000 – 2004, and served American Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran in Livingston, and Shields River Lutheran, Wilsall from 2004 – 2017.
She served as Secretary for the Montana Synod from 2007 – 2017 and as liaison to the companion synod, the Cape Orange Diocese in South Africa for several years.
Peggy was called to serve as the Director for Evangelical Mission in 2017. She works with the Congregational Vitality and Stewardship Task Forces and with congregations and leaders across the synod to equip leaders for ministry. She values relationships and works to live out the definition of Congregational Vitality in the ELCA to help congregations be "communities of Jesus where there are life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world." She is certified as an ELCA Level II Coach and has completed training in Community Organization and the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.
Peggy and her husband Steve are parents of young adult sons: Trevor and Ethan. Peggy is a weaver, enjoys her dog, Sheena, live theater, and travel.
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.
Office Manager: MJ Jones
I’m Milissa Jones, I go by MJ, and I’m the new OM for the Montana Synod. I’ve worked in hospitality for most of my life, but I recently decided I wanted to be a part of something that made a difference on a broader spectrum.
I have two children, that are both grown with busy lives, and 5 grandchildren that I spend every moment I can with; I think they teach me as much as I teach them, sometimes more.
I’m Milissa Jones, I go by MJ, and I’m the new OM for the Montana Synod. I’ve worked in hospitality for most of my life, but I recently decided I wanted to be a part of something that made a difference on a broader spectrum.
I have two children, that are both grown with busy lives, and 5 grandchildren that I spend every moment I can with; I think they teach me as much as I teach them, sometimes more.
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.
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Montana Synod Candidacy Coordinator: Reverend Tammy Bull
Tammy grew up in the Denver-metro area before moving to Montana in 1985. After working as a veterinary medical assistant, EMT, EMS dispatcher and a human resource manager, she was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry (deacon) in 2001 and went on to become an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in 2013. She currently serves as pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church in Great Falls, MT. Married, with two adult daughters and two toy poodles, Tammy enjoys reading, handcrafts, card- and board- games, and anytime the temperature is above 32°F! |