Meet Our Staff

St. Andrew welcomed Pastor Allison Bengfort as Lead Pastor in June 2024. Watch this space for her bio coming soon; meanwhile, feel free to reach out to Pastor Allison at pastorallison@standrewlutheran.com.

St. Andrew is excited to announce that our very own Pr. Colleen Nelson has agreed to serve as our Pastor of Caring Ministries while we discern our staffing needs for this clergy position moving forward. Here are a few words Pr. Colleen would like to share:

Dear members and friends of St. Andrew, I’m excited to join the staff by offering pastoral care during this transition period while the congregation is discerning future staffing needs. I was ordained in 1989 and have served congregations in Illinois, Michigan, and eastern Oregon. In addition to my seminary education in Chicago, I have advanced study in spirituality and have engaged with individuals in spiritual companionship. I look forward to getting to know members of the congregation more deeply and welcome requests for conversations and pastoral visits.

You can contact Pastor Colleen at pastorcolleen@standrewlutheran.com.

Watch this space for his bio coming soon; meanwhile, feel free to reach out to John at jgladen@standrewlutheran.com.

Kacey serves as Church Administrator at St. Andrew, bringing administrative experience from both church and healthcare settings, including work with Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations and OHSU. She has a background in business administration and marketing and values the important role that thoughtful, ethical administration plays in supporting the life and ministry of a church.

Kacey especially values St. Andrew’s commitment to inclusion and its identity as a Reconciling in Christ congregation. She is grateful to be part of a community committed to creating a place of genuine welcome, belonging, and care for all people.

I am delighted to be your new organist! I grew up in Seattle, and began playing the organ during worship in 1975 while I was a college student in Bellingham. I have served as organist and choir director in several different denominations throughout Oregon and Washington over the last 50 years, but especially love the Lutheran Church in which I was baptized and confirmed. I am retired after teaching music for 42 years to students from kindergarten through college level. In addition to teaching and church music, I have been active as a choral singer in several groups in Portland, and have played in orchestras and other ensembles. I love making music together with others, and am excited to serve in ministry at St. Andrew. I am married, with three children and four grandchildren. When I am not making music, I enjoy woodworking, boats, and digging in my garden.

You can contact Karl at kgustafson@standrewlutheran.com.