Pastor Joy McDonald Coltvet
Pastor Joy is the lead pastor at Christ on Capitol Hill. She was ordained in 2001 and has served in several congregations, a campus ministry and a seminary of the ELCA. She was called to this congregation in 2014 and delights to serve in this diverse community where we encounter Christ, the tree of life. She is a graduate of Luther College (BA), the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (M.Div.), and the Catholic Theological Union (D.Min.). When she’s not at church, she enjoys conversation with her children who are in college, high school and elementary school, sharing time with her life partner Ben, or enjoying music and the arts.
Pastoral Intern Carries Stiles
Pastoral Intern Carrie lives in Lindstrom, Minnesota. She lives on her family farm and has re-done the 128 year old family farmhouse. Her kids are sixth generation on the farm. They have horses, chickens, dogs, and bees. Gardening, bees, and a variety of outdoor activities with family are her happy places. Her favorite place to vacation is BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area)!
She first attended Luther Seminary in the 90’s for her masters in Children, Youth and Family Ministry. She has worked in CYF for 28 years in a variety of congregations. It was a great way to work in ministry while raising (and homeschooling) three kids. She met her husband at Luther and he is an ELCA pastor. Last year, she finished her Spiritual Direction Certification at Christos Center of Spiritual Formation and loved the learning. After working in the church for my adult life and with our empty nest looming, God led her to look at the MDivX program at Luther Seminary. She is excited to serve and learn as the pastoral intern at Christ on Capitol Hill while taking classes at Luther Seminary.
Natalia Peterson
In addition to being the Director of Music at Christ on Capitol Hill, Natalia Peterson has an extensive and diverse career in the creative arts and marketing. She is a singer and songwriter, a stage and commercial actress, playwright, fine arts educator, and author. Ms. Peterson has written two full stage productions in Minnesota, and has done work in the art of children’s storytelling around the United States. Ms. Peterson has also enjoyed work as a musical director and conductor throughout Minnesota for many professional, community and scholastic organizations.
When not working, Natalia is a mental health speaker and advocate. She loves to travel, and enjoys spending time in other countries, attempting to communicate in languages she does not know.
Jean Christoffel
Jean Christoffel is the Office and Building Manager here at Christ. She spent most of her career as a Project Manager in Information Technology but felt a draw to non-profit work. In addition to her work at Christ she works with Lutheran Advocacy MN and runs a property management company in the Cathedral Hill area.
She was born and raised in the Saintly City. She loves entertaining her co-workers and Pastor with jokes and keeps an amusing list called, “Things I never thought I’d say or hear in a church.”
Tahnea Brown
Tahnea does Office and Communications here at Christ. Additionally she is the office manager at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and works Front of House team at Penumbra Theatre Company.
A born and raised Minnesotan, Tahnea is a proud midwestern girl who lives with her daughter and mother, is a bookworm and loves to craft and spend time with her family and friends. She’s also a Girl Scout leader and a (very) small business owner. Tahnea has a heart and passion for equity and social justice and can often be found in the community being of service.