Pastor M. Susan Peterson was called in 1989 to be our senior pastor; she was installed on March 18, 1990 after serving as associate pastor from 1985 to 1989. Pastor Peterson served as Gloria Dei's Senior Pastor until August 15, 2010. She is the first woman to lead an ELCA congregation of over 1000 members. Associate pastors during her tenure: Revs. John Manz, Art Bowman, Craig Mueller, Harvey Leuning, and Lois Pallmeyer. Visitation pastors: Revs. Lloyd Franke, Ann Bergstrom, Krista Lee and James Tonneson.  Affiliated Pastor: Rev. Patricia Lull.

“By God’s Grace…” are defining words for her ministry.  Pastor Susan led the congregation through growth and transformation, emphasizing God’s unconditional gift of grace in our lives.  Her ministry drew the congregation to a deeper celebration of the gifts of God that come to us through the means of grace.  Baptism was at the heart of her theology and under her leadership the practice of having Holy Communion at every Sunday service began. 

She inspired the congregation’s welcoming and inclusive

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ministry.  She guided us as the congregation developed a Welcoming Statement and as we moved to identify ourselves as a Reconciling in Christ congregation.  Through prayerful consideration, we also approved pastoral decisions to offer blessings for same-sex couples.

Pastor Susan was a leader in inter-faith dialogue and connections with the wider church.  She served in a variety of leadership positions, as Conference Dean for the St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA and as a delegate at churchwide assemblies, as President of the St. Paul Council of Churches, on the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, and on the Board for Gustavus Adolphus College.  Gloria Dei’s role in ecumenical relations and inter-faith dialogue continues to be a model for others, as we frequently host interfaith dialogue gatherings for Twin Cities congregations, and explored Anti-Racism initiatives.  She served as adjunct professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and taught classes at Luther Seminary in St. Paul.  Gloria Dei’s partnership with Luther expanded in her time with us as she extended the seminary internship program and instituted the affiliated pastor relationship. 

Gloria Dei’s outreach ministries and connections with global missions also expanded during Pastor Susan’s ministry with us.  We have partnered with the Jeremiah Program for young single mothers, St. Paul Council of Church’s Project Home Homeless Shelter, Rezek House, Habitat for Humanity, San Lucas Toliman’s Mission and the Lutheran Church in Guatemala. 

Under Pastor Susan’s leadership, opportunities for deeper participation in the life of the congregation expanded into new ministries such as Hot Topics, Small Groups, the integration of children into worship services, and the addition of Sunday evening services. Lay professional staff positions in faith formation and in the parish nursing program were added.  She led Gloria Dei’s 2000 “Grounded in Grace” church renovation and expansion, and guided us as we celebrated our first 100 years of ministry during our centennial year.

Throughout twenty-five years, Pastor Susan led and inspired our congregation as we live “by God’s Grace.” 

We give thanks for her extraordinary leadership and ministry!