Staff & Leadership

Pastor Michael Wilker

Senior Pastor

(563) 419-4488

Early in my ministry, children and elders taught me something profound: “God loves you. Follow Jesus.”

This blessing and call shaped my life. I grew up on a hog farm in southern Minnesota and attended St. Olaf College before joining the Lutheran Volunteer Corps and discerning my call to pastoral ministry. I attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in California and interned in the South Bronx.

Ordained in 1995, I’ve served bilingual

congregations in California and New York, directed the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, and led Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C.
Early in my ministry, children and elders taught me something profound: “God loves you. Follow Jesus.” 
This blessing and call shaped my life. I grew up on a hog farm in southern Minnesota and attended St. Olaf College before joining the Lutheran Volunteer Corps and discerning my call to pastoral ministry. I attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in California and interned in the South Bronx. Ordained in 1995, I’ve served bilingual congregations in California and New York, directed the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, and led Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C.
In 2022, the Spirit called me to First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Here as senior pastor, I work with creative teams to craft joyful worship, organize service and justice ministries, and steward our gifts to serve our neighbors and care for creation.
Throughout my ministry, I’ve led faith-based community organizing, promoted racial justice, and advocated with LGBTQ+ persons in church and society. 
I love the Bible, enjoy poetry, running marathons, and cooking for family and friends.
I’m grateful God is gathering us together at First Lutheran Church to share the blessing and the call with you, your family, and our neighbors: God loves you. Follow Jesus.

Pastor David Severtson

Associate Pastor

(920) 264-4764

I’m Pastor David! My family and I came to First Lutheran in June 2023, and we felt immediately at home. We love connecting with people our own ages, as well as people of other generations. Some of our family highlights include: leading music in worship, Wednesday evenings with the middle school and high school programs, and seeing our FLC friends around town. As a pastor, my favorite things are visiting with people at their homes or at Impact coffee, leading Grow Faith programs for our youth and adults, and preaching. I’d love to connect with you!

Megan Pitz

Ministry Support Coordinator

I’m Megan Pitz and First Lutheran has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, from being baptized, confirmed, married and having two daughters baptized at FLC. My husband, Brandon, and I were both born and raised in Decorah, although we didn’t meet until college (thank you, Facebook!).  We returned to the Decorah area after Harper was born in 2018 to be closer to family. When the opportunity came to join the FLC staff in 2021, I jumped at the position and in many ways it felt like “coming home.” I love quilting, growing dahlias, taking photos and just being a mom to Harper & Finley.

Mandy Severtson

Children, Youth & Family Ministries Director

I’m Mandy Severtson and I am so excited to be First Lutheran’s Children, Youth & Family Ministries Director. I am married to Pastor David, and together we have 3 daughters. I have been a K-12 music educator for 13 years, and was the Associate Director at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries in Spicer, MN for 5 years. Church has been a constant part of my life for as long as I can remember, but working as a camp counselor in college really made my faith come alive.

I’m looking forward to walking with the youth and families at First as together we explore, ask questions, grow, and share in community. I love being a Lutheran because of the inclusive theology of grace and love!

In my free time, I like to be outside in our yard, read, and spend time with our family. Together we enjoy eating homemade pizza, watching All Creatures Great and Small, and going on family bike rides. We also enjoy the antics of our dog Murphy and our cat Gus.

Lisa Shaw

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

My name is Lisa Shaw and my husband, Dan, son, Tyler, and daughter, Abby, have had the pleasure of living in Decorah and being members of FLC since 2012. As Luther grads, we were called “home” after taking a few years to live and work in the Twin Cities, and I was able to leave the corporate life behind to stay home with my kids. Now back in an office part time, I still have time to attend all the sports, music, and drama events my kids are involved in, spend time in my garden and

on the beautiful Decorah trails, and attend many family gatherings to cheer on the Hawkeyes. This has also led to the opportunity to get involved with some of FLC’s kids and family ministries. It has been a joy to watch my kids and their friends grow their faith through the fun and engaging programs at FLC and through the amazing adults who embrace them (and me!) and show they care time and again. Helping kids learn to trust Jesus and share God’s love with others is a wonderful mission and I am excited to be a part of it!

Mike & Sarah Casterton

Co-Custodians

Mike and Sarah have been caring for our building since June, and their dedication has been evident throughout the summer — from deep cleaning and organizing spaces to keeping everything ready for worship and events. As longtime members of First Lutheran, they bring a love for this congregation, care for guests and participants, and a vested interest in the wellbeing of our building and grounds.

Mark Potvin

Director of Music and Worship Arts

I’m Mark Potvin and I serve the congregation at First Lutheran Church by helping plan and coordinate music for worship and our many volunteer ensembles. My family and I moved to Decorah in 2017 and quickly found a home at FLC. My spouse, Susan, and I lead the choir on Wednesday nights and ring with the bell choir. We also can be found playing piano for worship services, Susan often as a sub and me almost every week for our later “church camp” service.

Our sons, Noah and Simon, are deeply involved in youth activities and regularly help as members of the stream team. Please let me know if you’d like to get involved with music making at FLC – no experience necessary! (Pro tip for coffee hour when you come to visit us: ask if there is any of Brenda’s almond cake laying around. You won’t regret it!)

Sarah Schacherer

Director of Youth Music

First Lutheran has been a large part of my life since 2014.  My husband & I, as well as our two children love being FLC members for many reasons, but mainly because of the welcoming spirit that exudes from the congregation and the ministry!  I will be starting my 17th overall year of teaching in the fall and my 4th consecutive year at John Cline Elementary School here in Decorah as the TK-2nd grade music teacher.  I also enjoy singing with the Decorah Chorale throughout the year.

I am looking forward to all the ways that I can make music with our youth this upcoming year through singing, saying, moving, and playing!  We are always welcoming new members to both the elementary and middle school choirs, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Mike Ellingsen

Saturday & Midweek Piano

(507) 602-0322

Sue and I came to Decorah in August 2019 to be closer to Andrew and Eric. We moved from Blue Earth MN where we lived for 45 years, teaching music in the public school for a combined 73 years before retiring in 2011. I’ve been involved with church music for well over 50 years as a choir member, director, and pianist – and am thankful that I can still be of help at First Lutheran. I sing in the Decorah Chorale (right next to Andrew) and play in the Decorah Municipal Band. I’m starting to dip my toes

into the New Minowa Players – I was involved with the Blue Earth Town & Country Players for 43 years. I also enjoy biking – and am passionate about quilting!

Elise Skellenger

Contributions Secretary

I’m Elise Skellenger and I have been a member at First Lutheran since 2021. I have lived in Decorah since I moved here to go to Luther in 2008. I studied Business at Luther and minored in Communications Studies. My full time job is a realtor at Harman Realty here in Decorah and I also coordinate the Oneota Film Festival. First Lutheran felt so welcoming to me from the very start and I have enjoyed getting involved through church council, do day quilters, prayer shawl knitting, and other women/social groups.

Church Council

Mark Gowdy-Jaehnig, president
Paige Albjerg, vice-president
Greg McGohan, treasurer
Johana Bergan, secretary

Lindy Borske-Hubbard
Kelli Courtney
Richard Gaard
Jim Haemker
Melinda Hanson
Donita Joens
Elliott Johnson
Mark Muggli
Rick Stern
Susanne Unbehaun Twedt
Jarrad Walter

Contact Council