Meet Pastor Sara Gross Samuelson
Pastor Sara lives in the Ardenwald neighborhood of Milwaukie in a 100-year-old house with her husband, Josh, dog Copper and their young son. Together they have delusions of grandeur about various DIY house and yard projects that are in various states of dream and reality. Sara has a long history working in outdoor ministry, education and performing arts. Before coming to Gethsemane, she served as the outreach coordinator at Camp Lutherwood Oregon, was a mission developer for a small emerging community in Milwaukie, and served her first call as the Associate Pastor for Faith Formation at West Linn Lutheran Church. Sara has memorized unseemly chunks of dialogue from Aaron Sorkin’s productions, is openly prideful of the Pacific Northwest and its outdoor wonderlands, and has a complicated relationship with her book-buying habits. In her spare time she buys more books than she can read, dances with Classical Ballet Academy on Foster and loves farmers markets, hiking, baking and the beach. Her passions in ministry include justice for women and children and advocating for housing rights for all her neighbors and neighbors to be.
Anna
Anna joined the Gethsemane family in September 2020. She has been a great addition to the Gethsemane staff. Anna has two big dogs and a husband, in that order! Pictured is her juvenile redtail, Nikkei. Their love for animals keeps them busy outdoors, rain or shine!
CHOIR
Gethsemane Lutheran Church does not currently have a choir director.
Our choir director is responsible for both a vocal and a handbell choir.
If you might be interested in this position in the future please consider dropping off your contact information!
Brooke Benfield
Brooke began playing the organ for Gethsemane Lutheran Church in February 1988. Brooke has been instrumental in procuring and building the digital pipe organ, and is a vital part of the music ministry at #GLCPDX!
Dale and Ann Van Horn
Dale and Ann are a mean cleaning team! These two are more than just our janitorial staff; you can find them at almost any event being a part of church life and fellowship. From little messes to big projects, these two keep our church running!