Andrea Dutcher
Vice President
Hi, my name is Andrea (Werner) Dutcher. I'm 69 years old and retired from Dr. Geoffrey Carter's office, where I worked for 40 years as a dental assistant.
I have been a member of St. Paul all my life, I was baptized here on April 15, 1956, confirmed April 25, 1971, and married Steven Dutcher June 7, 1980. My parents, siblings, grandparents, husband, husbands' parents, his grandparents and our children have all been a part of St. Paul history.
Over the years I have been an active member. I was serving on the church council when we went through the split and I was appointed by Bishop Schleicher to a committee, regarding combining the Michigan synods. My leadership vision is extensive having served on the Outreach, Education, Property committees, Trust and Endowment Fund, and four different Call Committees. In my time at St. Paul, I taught Sunday School, was superintendent of the Sunday School, led Vacation Bible School, and served on Altar Care, and as an Usher.
Currently I serve on the Worship, Personnel, and the Bazaar committees, the Crafters, and the Kitchen Krew. I lead the rummage sale, and co-chair the Harvest Dinner. I'm a Eucharistic Minister, help in the Little Worship Center, and sing in the choir.
Outside of church, Steve and I enjoy lake life, boating, fishing and enjoying nature. I travel to Grand Rapids frequently to see my children and grandchildren. I enjoy reading, crocheting, knitting, baking and getting together with family and friends.
I'm on the Zoning Board of Appeals for Alpena Township, I'm an election official, and a member of The Misery Bay Nature Preserve.
I have been a member of St. Paul all my life, I was baptized here on April 15, 1956, confirmed April 25, 1971, and married Steven Dutcher June 7, 1980. My parents, siblings, grandparents, husband, husbands' parents, his grandparents and our children have all been a part of St. Paul history.
Over the years I have been an active member. I was serving on the church council when we went through the split and I was appointed by Bishop Schleicher to a committee, regarding combining the Michigan synods. My leadership vision is extensive having served on the Outreach, Education, Property committees, Trust and Endowment Fund, and four different Call Committees. In my time at St. Paul, I taught Sunday School, was superintendent of the Sunday School, led Vacation Bible School, and served on Altar Care, and as an Usher.
Currently I serve on the Worship, Personnel, and the Bazaar committees, the Crafters, and the Kitchen Krew. I lead the rummage sale, and co-chair the Harvest Dinner. I'm a Eucharistic Minister, help in the Little Worship Center, and sing in the choir.
Outside of church, Steve and I enjoy lake life, boating, fishing and enjoying nature. I travel to Grand Rapids frequently to see my children and grandchildren. I enjoy reading, crocheting, knitting, baking and getting together with family and friends.
I'm on the Zoning Board of Appeals for Alpena Township, I'm an election official, and a member of The Misery Bay Nature Preserve.
Jessica O’Neil
President
I was born and raised in Alpena which is where I have spent all my life. I am happily married to Jesse O’Neil since 2015 and have a 22-year-old son Nathaniel LeTourneau. I am employed at Garland Lodge and Resort as a Bartender which is something I have always enjoyed and been doing since I was 18. I am employed through Community Mental Health as a Caregiver which I find is an amazing and rewarding job. I also work as the Custodian at the church. I am ambitious and love being busy as you can tell. When I am not working, I love spending time with family and my dogs. I also enjoy sewing and crafting.
I have been a member of St. Paul for my whole life along with my parents and grandparents. This church has always felt like home to me and would love to help others experience that. Growing up in the church I was part of Sunday School, Catechism and Youth Group, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
I am excited to serve on the council and pray that I will lead the church in a way that God has called me.
I have been a member of St. Paul for my whole life along with my parents and grandparents. This church has always felt like home to me and would love to help others experience that. Growing up in the church I was part of Sunday School, Catechism and Youth Group, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
I am excited to serve on the council and pray that I will lead the church in a way that God has called me.
Donna Kensa
Secretary
My journey with St. Paul Church began with my baptism into the church. I was raised on a 200-acre farm in Herron, Michigan with my parents, two brothers and two sisters. I have been married to Robert Kensa for 25 years and we own 9.5 acres with two horses, two dogs and multiple barn cats. We have three children between us, my son Peter and two stepchildren Stacie and Mike Kensa. In addition, there are seven grandchildren which are all awesome.
I started my time with St Paul Church's when I was quite young with the youth group by traveling to the National Youth Convention via train, teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir.
I currently am a member of the Church Council, the Stewardship and Christmas Bazaar Committees. I co-chair the Harvest Dinner and the Celebrating and Sharing Dinner. I love decorating the church for Christmas and hope to do more of this in the future.
In my spare time I love to garden having a large vegetable garden, multiple perennial gardens, and a pond with a brook in my backyard. I volunteer with Hope Shore Alliance at the safe house and do taxes for the AAARP.
I started my time with St Paul Church's when I was quite young with the youth group by traveling to the National Youth Convention via train, teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir.
I currently am a member of the Church Council, the Stewardship and Christmas Bazaar Committees. I co-chair the Harvest Dinner and the Celebrating and Sharing Dinner. I love decorating the church for Christmas and hope to do more of this in the future.
In my spare time I love to garden having a large vegetable garden, multiple perennial gardens, and a pond with a brook in my backyard. I volunteer with Hope Shore Alliance at the safe house and do taxes for the AAARP.
Danielle McDonald
Financial Secretary
In service a few weekends ago we sang a childhood song that took me through flashbacks of growing up in church. We all sang the familiar words "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine" and it resounds with me as the purest image of my faith. I grew up in several churches: Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist... here in Alpena and across Michigan. I also spent years without a church home. But the common thread that I felt through all of those years and experiences is the love and light with which God leads me. From a small age I have always felt called to my faith and to live my faith. I have given Glory to God through song and service; singing in the choir, playing instruments, participating in plays, attending, and then teaching catechism, and so much more.
I have met so many amazing people through my faith, people God has given to me to lead me with their light or for me to share my light with. "Hide it under a bush, OH NO, l'm gonna let it shine!" I struggled for many years with my faith, especially during the years when I didn't attend service or have a church to call home. I felt like I had failed God and hidden my light. Now I'm back at St Paul here in Alpena, what I have always considered to be my "home base" and I'm learning that there are endless ways to live out my faith and to lead others to God. I have learned that the years I spent "away" from church were not wasted, but God had used me in other ways to foster my light and to lead others to the love of Christ through service outside of a church building. My guilt of those "wasted" years is lifting as I learn more deeply that the Church of God is the people and is wherever they gather.
I am excited to walk alongside new and longstanding relationships to share my light and the love of Christ in my community. I am empowered to continue to share my faith with others, especially our upcoming leaders in faith. And I am encouraged by the growing Light here at St Paul of Alpena!
I have met so many amazing people through my faith, people God has given to me to lead me with their light or for me to share my light with. "Hide it under a bush, OH NO, l'm gonna let it shine!" I struggled for many years with my faith, especially during the years when I didn't attend service or have a church to call home. I felt like I had failed God and hidden my light. Now I'm back at St Paul here in Alpena, what I have always considered to be my "home base" and I'm learning that there are endless ways to live out my faith and to lead others to God. I have learned that the years I spent "away" from church were not wasted, but God had used me in other ways to foster my light and to lead others to the love of Christ through service outside of a church building. My guilt of those "wasted" years is lifting as I learn more deeply that the Church of God is the people and is wherever they gather.
I am excited to walk alongside new and longstanding relationships to share my light and the love of Christ in my community. I am empowered to continue to share my faith with others, especially our upcoming leaders in faith. And I am encouraged by the growing Light here at St Paul of Alpena!
Catherine Kieliszewski
I have been a life-long resident of Alpena. I came to St. Paul when my son was 12 years old because I wanted him to be baptized. We then became members and have been for 17 years.
In the past I was on Church Council, Outreach Committee, and helped with Confirmation Class.
It is my pleasure to be back on Church Council and the Worship Committee Liaison.
In the past I was on Church Council, Outreach Committee, and helped with Confirmation Class.
It is my pleasure to be back on Church Council and the Worship Committee Liaison.
Scott Brooks
I was born in September 1955 in Detroit Michigan. I attended Lola Park Lutheran in Redford Township and St Paul’s Lutheran School in Livonia Michigan from kindergarten through the 8th grade. I was married to my wife Jan for 28 years & we have 2 sons, Chris Smetak & Josh Smetak. Jan passed away in 2015 and this was a difficult time in my faith journey, and I remember drawing closer to God throughout this experience. I remarried in 2017 to a wonderful women named Katrina. Now I have 4 more sons, Shelby, Shane, Stephen & Spencer Barnett.
My professional life began when I enlisted in the US Navy in March of 1976. I retired in May 1994 after 18 years of service. I have many stories that influenced my life, and I would love to share them with you. After my time in the military, I found employment with USPS. I served in various roles within this company from February 1996 thru January 2016.
My faith journey was found in each ship, port and person I encountered. I attended Holy Cross Lutheran in Canton, Texas, Immanuel Lutheran in Alpena and now attend St Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena.
As the Vice President of the council, I am working with our Pastor, other leaders, and our congregation to help bring our Lords name to all people. Please speak with me about any concerns you have as we move forward in 2022.
My professional life began when I enlisted in the US Navy in March of 1976. I retired in May 1994 after 18 years of service. I have many stories that influenced my life, and I would love to share them with you. After my time in the military, I found employment with USPS. I served in various roles within this company from February 1996 thru January 2016.
My faith journey was found in each ship, port and person I encountered. I attended Holy Cross Lutheran in Canton, Texas, Immanuel Lutheran in Alpena and now attend St Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena.
As the Vice President of the council, I am working with our Pastor, other leaders, and our congregation to help bring our Lords name to all people. Please speak with me about any concerns you have as we move forward in 2022.
Dawn Yakes
First off, I would like to say thank you for the opportunity to serve you all on church council. Since officially joining the church a couple years ago, I have continued to feel the love and acceptance of our church community and family. I enjoy being a lector, assisting minister, ushering, and helping with the children's church. I am a Steven Minister, and you can find me volunteering whenever my life and time allows. I was born and raised in Ossineke and grew up in a Catholic family and attended church every Sunday with my adoptive grandparents. I always enjoyed going to Catechism and church with Grandma and Grandpa. They were both very influential in my religious upbringing and showed me the love of God and His acceptance. Their love and the love of Jesus was always my guide on how to live my life. I have wonderful memories of growing up with the nuns (Grandpa's cousin was a nun) and hearing about stories of their time at the convent; for many years I wanted to become a nun, to teach others, show them God loves them, and be the reminder and guide so many of us need. However, circumstances changed, and my journeys led me down other paths, yet I always maintained my faith. The best path to date, eleven years ago, led me to meeting my best friend and love of my life, Mike Yakes and our four kids, Landon, Storm, Deven and Wren Marie. When I'm not spending time with Mike, the kids and family, I can be found spending time on our hobby farm. I love to work in the flower gardens, plant vegetables to provide for our family, help raise pigs, watch the chickens, or sit with my goats. After working in the legal field for over twenty years, with a lot of prayer and support, I recently changed careers and now work at Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health. I am following a dream of helping people who want and need help the most while watching them grow and thrive. Everyone has a voice if we just listen. I look forward to serving my church family and would love to meet you if I haven't already. Without all of us continuing to grow in God's love, we don't have a church. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns or to say hello. I pray God continues to work through us to spread His love.
Philip Wickstrom
I grew up in Calumet, MI, which is about 45 minutes south of the tip of Michigan. That’s right I am a Yooper! I met my wife Amy at Northern Michigan University in 2002 and have followed her around ever since. We were married at St. Paul in 2008 and have two wonderful children. Alex is age 10 and Ava is 7, you may have seen them at service. Growing up in the U.P. I fell in love with the outdoors, learning to hunt and fish. I’m also a big sports fan spending my weekends in the fall cheering the University of Michigan and Green Bay Packers football teams and in the winter, I love cheering on the Detroit Red Wings. I also help coach for the Alpena Youth Wrestling Club.
I look forward to serving on the Church Council, meeting as many of you as I can, and answering any questions you may have. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Have a blessed day!
I look forward to serving on the Church Council, meeting as many of you as I can, and answering any questions you may have. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Have a blessed day!
Val Urban
I was born and raised in Alpena, shortly after graduating I moved down south, Alabama then Louisiana. After 5 years I moved back and started taking classes at ACC, I transferred to Ferris State and began my career as an X-ray Technologist.
I worked a year in Cheboygan and 25 years at the Alpena Hospital. I married Don "Skeeter" Urban, we have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren. We will be married 30 years this year and I have been a member since then. Over the years I have been involved in various groups and volunteered for different activities here at St. Paul.
I worked a year in Cheboygan and 25 years at the Alpena Hospital. I married Don "Skeeter" Urban, we have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren. We will be married 30 years this year and I have been a member since then. Over the years I have been involved in various groups and volunteered for different activities here at St. Paul.
Scott Parkham
My name is Scott Joseph Parkham. I was born and raised in the Spruce/Hubbard Lake area, went to elementary school in Hubbard Lake then Ossineke when Hubbard Lake closed. I graduated from Alpena High School in 2013, then earned my Associate's Degree from Alpena Community College in 2015 and my Bachelor's in Business Administration from Northwood University in 2018. grew up going to Hope Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake where I attended Sunday School, went to catechism, and was confirmed. I was and continue to usher and lay read there and have led a number of services when the church was in the call process for a pastor.
I have been coming to St. Paul's since early 2019 and became a member in August of 2023. Here at St. Paul, I am an active assisting minister and lay reader for church services. I am also an active member of the church council and represent the council on the property committee.
In my free time I enjoy scuba diving, hunting, fishing, camping, and spear fishing although I spend most of my time working on growing my businesses.
I have been coming to St. Paul's since early 2019 and became a member in August of 2023. Here at St. Paul, I am an active assisting minister and lay reader for church services. I am also an active member of the church council and represent the council on the property committee.
In my free time I enjoy scuba diving, hunting, fishing, camping, and spear fishing although I spend most of my time working on growing my businesses.