Barneveld Lutheran Church Staff

Pastor Erich Hartenberger erichh24@hotmail.com

Greetings sisters and brothers of BLC,

My name is Erich Hartenberger and I will be journeying with you as your interim pastor in this time of transition. I look forward to getting to know each of you better in the near future; for now, here is a little more about me and my family.

I spent most of my young life in Albuquerque, NM and attended Baylor University in Waco, TX. After about five years of life experience beyond college I entered seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. I graduated from LSTC in 2011 and was ordained that August. In September of 2011, I was called to serve two rural congregations here in our synod: Zion, near Rock Springs, and St. John in Leland; I have been in ministry with these folks for a wonderful 9+ years.

One day, during a time of silence at one of Zion’s Lenten services, I heard a voice say: “It’s time to go.” I understood this to be God speaking to me; much like Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19:11-13. So for some time now I’ve known that I was supposed “to go”, but I had no idea where I would be going. I am excited that my next call is with you!

Early in my time at seminary I met Deasy (pronounced like the flower: daisy). We dated for some years and were married in Mexico in July of 2010. Deasy is originally from Chiapas, Mexico (the southernmost state, known for amber and coffee). She is currently in her last year of studies at U.W. Madison pursing a degree in early childhood education with an emphasis in ESL (English as a Second Language).

In February of 2014, Deasy and I welcomed our daughter, Ilana (Hebrew for: big tree or oak tree), into our family. Ilana is in 1^st grade this year.

When we have the opportunity, we like to travel for vacation to see family in either Mexico or New Mexico. Often times, family members come to visit us. My brother lives in Washington D.C. and my sister and her family live in Oslo, Norway. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors and especially like pursuing whitetail deer with a recurve bow.

Again, I look forward to meeting you! I am interested in learning your stories as individuals and your collective story as the people who make up the body of Christ at BLC!

Until we meet, God’s blessings to you all and stay healthy and well!

Pr. Erich

Support Staff

Marcia Thompson barneveldlutheran505@gmail.com

Office Manager

I have been a member of BLC for 30+ years, I have worked the church office since November 1992. I live in Barneveld with my husband Ted, and have 3 adult children Leon, Krista and Kyle. I am loving being a grandmother. Along with my office work and helping out on the family farm, one of my passions is helping to make quilts for LWR and baby quilts for Global Health Ministry.

Jenny Milchuck & JoEllen Uptegraw

Custodians

Music Staff

Karen Erickson

Accompanist

Ever since I was a child, I have loved music, as my Mom was a piano teacher and a church organist/pianist. Now as I’m playing the piano, it is pure joy to listen to the people of BLC sing so beautifully and thoughtfully. I think I began playing the piano at BLC during the summer of 2006, and I look forward to many more years of praising the Lord through music.

Linda Seeley

Accompanist

I love to play at BLC! Not only are the people of Barneveld Lutheran kind and compassionate, Pastor Jim and his family are the icing on the cake. In May 2011, I began accompanying at Barneveld Lutheran Church.

I love to play the piano, but will also play the organ and the digital piano for the 9:00a.m. church services. Mark and I reside in Ridgeway, and we recently adopted a four year old gray tabby from the Human Society named “Oodles”. We both love nature and the outdoors enjoying fishing, bowhunting and turkey hunting.

I teach private piano lessons at my studio in Ridgeway, substitute teach at the surrounding school districts, and perform for senior citizens and private venues on occasion.