Rev. Shawna Horn, Pastor
651-233-4506 (cell) pastorshawna@faumc.net
Pastor Shawna came to Fairmount Ave UMC in June of 2017. Pastor Shawna is passionate about Jesus and the message of wholeness and peace that Jesus brings into the world. She has served in urban and rural settings in her ministry and is excited to be ministering back in St. Paul. It is her mission in life to grow the Kingdom of God through developing relationships, equipping the body, and preaching the Gospel. Her two favorite things in worship are noisy babies and nodding heads – with the occasional, ‘Amen.’
Pastor Shawna and her husband have four children, in first grade through high school. During this busy season of life, she enjoys simple pleasures like going to the library, taking walks, riding her #mombike, watching movies with her family, and reading. She loves to laugh, and doesn’t take herself too seriously, and would love to connect with you!
Pastor Shawna is a Full Elder in the MN Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She has her MDiv with an emphasis in Community Ministry Leadership from Bethel Seminary and is ordained through Converge. She has been serving full-time in church ministry since 2006.
651-233-4506 (cell) pastorshawna@faumc.net
Pastor Shawna came to Fairmount Ave UMC in June of 2017. Pastor Shawna is passionate about Jesus and the message of wholeness and peace that Jesus brings into the world. She has served in urban and rural settings in her ministry and is excited to be ministering back in St. Paul. It is her mission in life to grow the Kingdom of God through developing relationships, equipping the body, and preaching the Gospel. Her two favorite things in worship are noisy babies and nodding heads – with the occasional, ‘Amen.’
Pastor Shawna and her husband have four children, in first grade through high school. During this busy season of life, she enjoys simple pleasures like going to the library, taking walks, riding her #mombike, watching movies with her family, and reading. She loves to laugh, and doesn’t take herself too seriously, and would love to connect with you!
Pastor Shawna is a Full Elder in the MN Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She has her MDiv with an emphasis in Community Ministry Leadership from Bethel Seminary and is ordained through Converge. She has been serving full-time in church ministry since 2006.
Cindy Radtke, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
763-321-8077 (cell) cindy@faumc.net
Cindy and her family moved to St. Paul in 2015 and began attending Fairmount Ave. UMC soon after. As of July 1, 2023, Cindy is now a part of the staff as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Cindy’s passion for ministry is rooted in her critical, uninterrupted faith formation as a youth and young adult. Multi-age faith work is woven through her story: from successfully teaching professionally and leading projects for ages 3 years to adulthood to co-founding an LGBTQIAP2S+ Community Youth Group in a past church.
Forever the camp counselor, Cindy is excited to bring together her lifelong church volunteerism, BS in Education (University of NE- Lincoln), MS in Education with a Curriculum emphasis (Western CT State University), Nonprofit and Fundraising Certification (University of St. Thomas), arts training, and continuous faith formation. She delights most in lifting up the strengths of all participants, helping them build connections to God, themselves, each other, the wider faith community, and the world. You can find Cindy laughing, learning, listening, drinking unsweetened tea, exploring culture and arts, attending baseball games, and spending time with her husband, adult-daughter, family, friends, and her dog!
763-321-8077 (cell) cindy@faumc.net
Cindy and her family moved to St. Paul in 2015 and began attending Fairmount Ave. UMC soon after. As of July 1, 2023, Cindy is now a part of the staff as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Cindy’s passion for ministry is rooted in her critical, uninterrupted faith formation as a youth and young adult. Multi-age faith work is woven through her story: from successfully teaching professionally and leading projects for ages 3 years to adulthood to co-founding an LGBTQIAP2S+ Community Youth Group in a past church.
Forever the camp counselor, Cindy is excited to bring together her lifelong church volunteerism, BS in Education (University of NE- Lincoln), MS in Education with a Curriculum emphasis (Western CT State University), Nonprofit and Fundraising Certification (University of St. Thomas), arts training, and continuous faith formation. She delights most in lifting up the strengths of all participants, helping them build connections to God, themselves, each other, the wider faith community, and the world. You can find Cindy laughing, learning, listening, drinking unsweetened tea, exploring culture and arts, attending baseball games, and spending time with her husband, adult-daughter, family, friends, and her dog!
Michael Ferguson, Director of Music, Organist, and Adult Choir Director
651-699-1335 (office) music@faumc.net
Mike Ferguson is a church musician, organist, pianist, composer, and teacher. A St. Paul native, Mike grew up in Robbinsdale. After studying music at the University of Minnestoa, he moved back St. Paul, and now lives in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood. He enjoys gardening and riding his bicycle along the river boulevard, as well as reading and cooking. Mike is looking forward to meeting the congregation and working with the singers and ringers and all who make music at Fairmount joyful!
Elizabeth Herge, Administrator and Communications Director
651-699-1335 (office) admin@faumc.net
Elizabeth Herge joined our team in 2021 but is no newcomer to the United Methodist Church. Elizabeth hails from Appleton, Wisconsin (go Pack go) and grew up in the community and tradition at First United Methodist Church of Appleton where she was an active member in programming, fundraisers, vocal and handbell choirs, and volunteering. From her start as the overly enthusiastic girl yelling in the children's choir to sharing her testimony with the congregation in college, she aged to become one of those kids everyone seemed to know. She has participated in 9 mission trips as a youth and young adult, and hopes to bring her love and experience to adult mission trips at Fairmount Avenue UMC. Most recently, Elizabeth spent the last few years at the University of St. Thomas studying international relations, and played the French horn in every ensemble available to her. She also has extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, outreach, and project management, and she looks forward to bringing her skills to this all-encompassing role.
Outside of work Elizabeth plays in the UST Alumni Brass Choir and enjoys attending concerts, both classical and contemporary, pet-sitting around the Twin Cities, and loves to hang out with her "boys" (read: cats) named Dip and Dot.
Ashton Pappas, Director of Children's Ministries
ashton@faumc.net
Ashton Pappas came to Fairmount Avenue UMC in the summer of 2015, after moving from Southern Ohio and beginning her college career at Macalester College; she took on the role of Director of Children’s Ministries upon graduating from Macalester in 2019 with a degree in Educational Studies and a concentration in Youth Development. Fairmount Avenue was the one constant during the ups and downs of her college years, and she eventually got involved with Children’s Ministries in 2018 in the Thank God It’s Wednesday program. Since coming to Fairmount Avenue and getting to know the children and families there, she has seen God’s work in unexpected, challenging, and exciting ways. She is constantly seeking those challenges to grow her own faith and to nurture lifelong faith in the church’s littlest members. Her biggest hope is for Fairmount Avenue to be home for children as it was, and still is, for her.
Mindy Way-Johnson, Director of Heritage Ringers
Mindy Way-Johnson first experienced handbells in Jr. High. “Our new pastor brought a set of handbells with him! Since then, I have been involved as a ringer or director almost continuously. I love the sound of handbells and the music they create. But I love even more the relationships that develop in bell choirs. I have been a church musician most of my life; directing singing and bell choirs and playing piano and organ. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD and a Master of Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I recently retired from a career teaching Elementary Music in the Roseville District. My husband, Terry, is also retired from a career as a guidance counselor at Roseville Area High School. We live in White Bear Lake and have 3 children. Drew and his wife, Danielle, live in St Paul. Sam and his wife, Naomi, live in Minneapolis. Emmalee and her husband, Bryan, live in Seoul, South Korea where she is an Orchestra teacher in an international high school. I feel very fortunate to be working with the bell choirs at FAUMC. I have never encountered a more friendly and supportive congregation.”
Mike Kelly, Director of Technology Ministries
Mike is passionate about Fairmount Avenue UMC and helping to make ministry accessible. He keeps the staff and ministry teams all up and working from wifi to hardware to software.
Muriel S. Olson, BS, RN, Parish Nurse
Muriel received her diploma in nursing from Ancker Hospital School of Nursing, St. Paul and BS in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She completed the Parish Nurse Program provided by Concordia College, Moorhead. Muriel worked at Ancker Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Health One Home Care and lastly for St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health. First, part time providing long hours of care to people in their homes. She then worked on the full time staff providing services for people with disabilities and/or mental illness in their homes. The last 10 years she provided aftercare for chemically dependent women who had been a part of the Mother’s First Project during their pregnancies. Following retirement in 2002 Muriel completed the Parish Nurse training and started the Parish Nurse program at Cleveland Ave. UMC and then at Fairmount Ave. UMC. Muriel’s husband is Roger, they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Through the past 50 years Muriel has also volunteered with Red Cross Disaster Health Services.
651-699-1335 (office) admin@faumc.net
Elizabeth Herge joined our team in 2021 but is no newcomer to the United Methodist Church. Elizabeth hails from Appleton, Wisconsin (go Pack go) and grew up in the community and tradition at First United Methodist Church of Appleton where she was an active member in programming, fundraisers, vocal and handbell choirs, and volunteering. From her start as the overly enthusiastic girl yelling in the children's choir to sharing her testimony with the congregation in college, she aged to become one of those kids everyone seemed to know. She has participated in 9 mission trips as a youth and young adult, and hopes to bring her love and experience to adult mission trips at Fairmount Avenue UMC. Most recently, Elizabeth spent the last few years at the University of St. Thomas studying international relations, and played the French horn in every ensemble available to her. She also has extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, outreach, and project management, and she looks forward to bringing her skills to this all-encompassing role.
Outside of work Elizabeth plays in the UST Alumni Brass Choir and enjoys attending concerts, both classical and contemporary, pet-sitting around the Twin Cities, and loves to hang out with her "boys" (read: cats) named Dip and Dot.
Ashton Pappas, Director of Children's Ministries
ashton@faumc.net
Ashton Pappas came to Fairmount Avenue UMC in the summer of 2015, after moving from Southern Ohio and beginning her college career at Macalester College; she took on the role of Director of Children’s Ministries upon graduating from Macalester in 2019 with a degree in Educational Studies and a concentration in Youth Development. Fairmount Avenue was the one constant during the ups and downs of her college years, and she eventually got involved with Children’s Ministries in 2018 in the Thank God It’s Wednesday program. Since coming to Fairmount Avenue and getting to know the children and families there, she has seen God’s work in unexpected, challenging, and exciting ways. She is constantly seeking those challenges to grow her own faith and to nurture lifelong faith in the church’s littlest members. Her biggest hope is for Fairmount Avenue to be home for children as it was, and still is, for her.
Mindy Way-Johnson, Director of Heritage Ringers
Mindy Way-Johnson first experienced handbells in Jr. High. “Our new pastor brought a set of handbells with him! Since then, I have been involved as a ringer or director almost continuously. I love the sound of handbells and the music they create. But I love even more the relationships that develop in bell choirs. I have been a church musician most of my life; directing singing and bell choirs and playing piano and organ. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD and a Master of Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I recently retired from a career teaching Elementary Music in the Roseville District. My husband, Terry, is also retired from a career as a guidance counselor at Roseville Area High School. We live in White Bear Lake and have 3 children. Drew and his wife, Danielle, live in St Paul. Sam and his wife, Naomi, live in Minneapolis. Emmalee and her husband, Bryan, live in Seoul, South Korea where she is an Orchestra teacher in an international high school. I feel very fortunate to be working with the bell choirs at FAUMC. I have never encountered a more friendly and supportive congregation.”
Mike Kelly, Director of Technology Ministries
Mike is passionate about Fairmount Avenue UMC and helping to make ministry accessible. He keeps the staff and ministry teams all up and working from wifi to hardware to software.
Muriel S. Olson, BS, RN, Parish Nurse
Muriel received her diploma in nursing from Ancker Hospital School of Nursing, St. Paul and BS in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She completed the Parish Nurse Program provided by Concordia College, Moorhead. Muriel worked at Ancker Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Health One Home Care and lastly for St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health. First, part time providing long hours of care to people in their homes. She then worked on the full time staff providing services for people with disabilities and/or mental illness in their homes. The last 10 years she provided aftercare for chemically dependent women who had been a part of the Mother’s First Project during their pregnancies. Following retirement in 2002 Muriel completed the Parish Nurse training and started the Parish Nurse program at Cleveland Ave. UMC and then at Fairmount Ave. UMC. Muriel’s husband is Roger, they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Through the past 50 years Muriel has also volunteered with Red Cross Disaster Health Services.