Grace Harrison
Faith and Neighboring Organizer
The Synod office is happy to announce that Grace Harrison will be joining our team as the Faith and Neighboring Organizer. Grace may be familiar face to some as she previously served as an environmental organizer on the Synod staff with Lutheran Volunteer Corps. She has also served as a youth minister in Faribault. Grace has an undergraduate degree from Augsburg University and master’s degree in Public Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
About her new role, Grace says, “What excites me about the Faith & Neighboring Practices initiative is the combination of theologically rich and practical tools it gives congregations to authentically engage their local communities for the common good.”
As the Faith & Neighboring Organizer, Grace will convene and facilitate opportunities for shared learning, network with community partners, and coordinate the Synod’s organizing and social justice ministries.
Matthew Tiede
Faith and Neighboring Communicator
Also joining the Faith and Neighboring Team, is Matthew Tiede. Matthew will serve as the Faith and Neighboring Communicator. Prior to accepting this role, Matthew has served multiple Minneapolis Area Synod churches with their communications and video streaming. Matthew has degrees in Digital Marketing and Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and Film Production with an emphasis in Video Editing from Scottsdale Community College.
Matthew says, “I am really excited to begin this new chapter with the Minneapolis Area Synod. I am super thankful and blessed for this opportunity to expand the ELCA’s message and ministries!”
As part of the Synod team, Matthew will coordinate communications strategies for both the Faith & Neighboring Practices and Family Faith Initiatives, including social media, photography, and videography.
About the two new staff members, Nicholas Tangen, Assistant to the Bishop for Faith and Neighboring, adds, “We’re excited for Grace and Matt to join the Faith and Neighboring team to help us expand our work. Grace brings passion, experience, and energy to the organizer role and Matt brings an incredible variety of skills related to photography, videography, and digital marketing that will help tell the stories of these initiatives.”
Grace and Matthew will both start their full-time roles on January 20.