Pastors

Our congregation is currently served by Lead Pastor Kevin Kretzmann Farrar and Associate Pastor Ann Williams.

  • Pastor Kevin has served as the Lead Pastor at St. Matthew’s since February 2024. His responsibilities include worship, preaching, teaching, ministry partnerships, youth and family ministry, church operations, and staff management.

    Prior to being called to St. Matthew’s, he served congregations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, and California.

    Pastor Kevin is a graduate of St. Olaf College, Yale Divinity School, and Luther Seminary. He lives in Wauwatosa with his wife, Pastor Alissa Kretzmann Farrar, daughter, Zoë, and a menagerie of pets.

    In his spare time, Pastor Kevin enjoys traveling, watching movies, gardening, and running.

  • Pastor Ann was installed as Associate Pastor at St. Matthew’s on June 12, 2016. In this part-time position, she is responsible for worship leadership, shared preaching, women’s ministry and visitation.

    Prior to being called to St. Matthew’s, Pastor Ann served a congregation north of Milwaukee from 2009-2013 and was a campus minister at Regis University in Denver from 2006-2009.

    Pastor Ann is a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and holds an undergraduate degree from Luther College in Decorah, IA. She lives in Waukesha with her husband and their two children.

    In her spare time, Pastor Ann likes to travel, read, eat chocolate, try out new restaurants, garden and listen to her children laugh.

Staff

Our staff is a cohesive group of faithful and dedicated leaders who strive to carry out our mission statement to “Welcome, Nurture, Equip, and Send.”

  • …Organist, Director of Youth Choir, Adult Handbell Choirs, and Various Ensembles

    John Paradowski has been serving as Minister of Music/Organist at St. Matt’s since 1987, where he oversees a wide range of musical activities including multiple graded choir programs and worship planning. Specifically, John directs the adult handbell choirs, youth choir, and assists with the children’s choirs and various small ensembles.

    He was awarded the National Religious Music Alliance Award of Distinction “for developing and maintaining one of our nation’s finest worship music programs.”

    John starting playing organ for worship when he was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped. He lives in Brookfield, with his husband, Jeff, (who is the Director of Children’s Music Ministries).

    In his spare time, you are likely to find John looking for what the next piece of music to learn will be, as well as editing videos.

  • Gretchen Haugse has been in charge of Youth and Sunday School Ministries at St. Matt’s since 1998, and serving as Youth Director since 2005. In these positions, she leads activities for middle and high school youth, including the annual youth mission trip; teaches 9th-grade confirmation; and directs St. Matt’s Sunday School ministry, which includes writing and revising curriculum. Gretchen also coordinates ministry with our partner congregations, especially Reformation and El Salvador. Prior to this, Gretchen taught high school English, after being a stay-at-home mom.

    Gretchen holds a BA in English and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She lives in Wauwatosa and is the proud mother of four grown children: Justin, Kirstin, Kari, and Josh.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Gretchen reading, cooking, and gardening.

  • Alexa Doebele serves St. Matthew’s as the Adult Choir director. She is professor of music, director of choral activities, and director of graduate church music at Concordia University Wisconsin, where she conducts three choirs, in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting, and choral literature. She has been involved in church music in various capacities since childhood. She completed a bachelor’s degree (double major in vocal performance and German language and literature) at Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Colorado. She lives in Milwaukee with her husband Andy. In her spare time, you will find her working out (running, weights, yoga), learning languages, listening to podcasts, and working on her latest cross-stitch project.

  • …and Volunteer Ministries

    Sue Swing has been in charge of Evangelism, Adult Education, and Volunteer Ministries at St. Matt’s since 2001. In this position, she is responsible for welcoming and conducting new member classes, planning adult education sessions, small group formation/facilitation, and volunteer recruitment and scheduling.

    Prior to this, Sue served as the Resident Services Manager at St. Camillus Assisted Living Facility and as Program Director with The Shores Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.

    Sue holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in New Berlin, with her husband, Barrey, and has two adult children, Monika and Mitchell.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Sue caring for her five pets or fostering a stray, working in the yard, playing tennis, or running.

  • …and Youth Music Ministries

    Jeff Reeves has served as Director of Children’s and Youth Handbells since 2006, and Director of Children’s Choirs since 2008. In these positions, he is responsible for coordinating and directing choral and handbell choirs for children in
    pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.

    Jeff directs GODSBELLS (4th-6th grade choir chimes), RIGHTEOUS RINGERS (grade 7th-12th handbells), and co-directs PRAISE KIDS (K-2 choir) and NEW CREATION (3rd-6th grade choir).

    Since 1990, Jeff has specialized in the field of church music for children. His work in both the music publishing industry and the local church has given him the unique opportunity to understand the needs of children’s choirs within the larger ecumenical community. He is the author of numerous publications including children’s music curriculum materials, teaching articles, as well as choral and handbell works for children of all ages. Outside of St. Matthew’s, Jeff also works as Senior Choral Music Editor for Hal Leonard Corporation.

    Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master’s of Church Music degree from Southern Theological Seminary. He lives in Brookfield with his husband, John (who is Minister of Music/Organist.)

    In his spare time, you are likely to find Jeff spending time with family and friends, and traveling to warm weather destinations!

  • Amy Dankwardt has been serving as the Praise Kids Co-Director at St. Matt’s since 2011. In this position, she is responsible for lesson planning and instruction of the Jr. and Sr. Kindergarten section of the Praise Kids. This includes weekly activities, the teaching of songs, and leading the group during church performances.

    Amy holds a Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Minnesota. Outside of St. Matt’s, Amy is the Manager of Audiology Services for Aurora Health Care in the metro Milwaukee area.

    She lives in Menomonee Falls with her husband, John, and two children, Jack and Jameson. In her spare time, you are likely to find Amy at home reading, gardening or being involved with one of the boys’ sports/activities.

  • Heide Hughes began her role as New Creation Choir accompanist in September 2012 after moving up from Praise Kids, where she had accompanied for several years before.

    In this position, Heide assists with all rehearsals for the children’s choir and the Sunday morning services when they sing, as well as with the New Creation musical.

    Heide received her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from UW-Eau Claire and has been working with seniors and in hospice/end of life for most of her career. She lives in Menomonee Falls with her husband, Robert, and they have been members of St. Matthew’s since 1998. They have two daughters, Abby and Emily.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Heide reading or supporting her kids’ activities, and spending time with family and friends.

  • Donna has been serving as the Children’s Minister at St. Matt’s since 1997. In this position, she is responsible for Kids for Christ, Disciples of Christ, Vacation Bible School, Family Lenten Time, and other activities involving grade school children. Prior to this, Donna served as Youth Director at two churches in Minneapolis.

    Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Science from UW-Oshkosh and a Master of Arts degree from Luther Seminary. She lives in Wauwatosa, with her husband,
    Pastor Chris Manke, and their three grown children, Averie, Noah and Lilly.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Donna reading, attending children’s activities, or spending time with her extended family and/or friends.

  • Brian Smith began his role as Technology Coordinator in June 2013. In this position, he supports and maintains the technological devices and software used in worship, adult education, and around the church; and explores new ways to incorporate technology into the church activities.

    Outside of St. Matthew’s, Brian is a Data & Business Intelligence Administrator for Aurora Health Care. He has held a number of IT positions with various companies in the health care, insurance, legal, banking, travel, and retail grocery industries around the Milwaukee area.

    Brian lives in New Berlin with his wife, Bridget. They have three daughters. Cassie lives in Madison, Maya lives in Oak Creek, and Bella is in Indianapolis attending and diving for IUPUI. They have been St. Matthew’s members since 2004.

    In his spare time, Brian will still probably be doing something on a computer, or helping other people with theirs. He also enjoys spending time with family, playing with the dogs, singing or playing percussion or handbells, travelling, running, and occasionally brewing beer.

  • Bridget Smith has been an Office Assistant at St. Matt’s since December 2021. In this position, she is responsible for typing/running the Sunday order of services, serving as receptionist and supporting the church office ministry and other staff as needed.

    Prior to working at St. Matt’s, Bridget was the office manager of a small law firm for seven years. Before that, she managed the Third World Handcrafts Shoppe, which was located at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church.

    Bridget holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Carroll College (now Carroll University). She and her husband, Brian, live in New Berlin. They have three daughters who are now young adults; Cassie lives in Madison, Maya lives in the Milwaukee area, and Bella is a student at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

    In her spare time, Bridget enjoys all sorts of crafts (including quilting, knitting, and crocheting), reading, and cooking.

  • …and Youth Ministries support

    Lynne started serving as the Sunday School/Youth Ministry Assistant in 2022. In this position, she is responsible for assisting the Director of Sunday School and Youth Ministries with planning and preparation for all activities both inside and beyond
    St. Matthew’s.

    Prior to this, Lynne served as an exhibit design assistant at a children’s museum and an assistant teacher before ‘retiring’ in 2004 to be a stay-at-home mom.

    Lynne holds a BA in Psychology from Northwestern University and an MEd in Human Development & Psychology from Harvard University. She lives in Brookfield with her husband, Danny, and their two children, Spencer and Lila.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Lynne working on her house or yard, supporting her children’s many activities, or volunteering in her community.

  • Al Van Lith began his role as Financial Bookkeeper and Administrator in May 2018. In this role, Al is responsible for the day-to-day financial activities of the church. That includes depositing weekly offerings, paying invoices, and producing monthly financial statements for council. Al also handles the Sunday morning volunteer scheduling.

    Al holds a degree in accounting from UW-Milwaukee. He has worked in various positions throughout the years, including for FIS Global, Dedicated Computing and The Milwaukee Jewish Federation. In addition, for the past seven years, Al has been on the Board of Directors for the Elmbrook Education Foundation, recently working as their Treasurer.

    He lives in Brookfield with his wife of 25 years, Susan. He has two daughters. Caitlin (married to Zach Tritz), is a St. Olaf graduate and is working at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His other daughter, Alia, attends St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.

    In his spare time, you are likely to find Al on the golf course, on the stage, traveling, or enjoying life with family and friends.

  • Marsha Olson began providing her cleaning services in January 2017. In this position, Marsha cleans all restrooms, removes trash and recyclables from the entire building daily, cleans the main and upper kitchens weekly, dusts and vacuums all areas, and does special periodic projects from everything like cleaning the ovens in the main kitchen to cleaning the outside of all lower level windows. She also orders all cleaning supplies and paper goods for the restrooms and kitchens.

    She lives in Wauwatosa with her husband, Dick, who is retired. They have two daughters, Joyce and Dena. Joyce is an RN supervisor living in Menomonee Falls, and Dena lives in Florida and fabricates medical devices.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Marsha working in the flower garden, cooking new recipes, making artificial flower arrangements, or dabbling in her hobby of rearing Monarch butterflies.

  • Dave Fagerberg began his role as Event Setups and Custodial Assistant in August 2017. He became a member of St. Matthew’s in December 2010 and is also on the Church Property Committee. When you see Dave working at St. Matthew’s, he will be setting up the many religious and social events and activities scheduled during the busy church calendar year.

    Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in business/interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in business (MBA) from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He is a retired manufacturing plant and facilities project engineer/project manager.

    Dave served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years, active duty, and is a retired Captain in the Reserves. He lives in Wauwatosa, and has relatives in Madison, Illinois and Iowa.

    In his not-so-much spare time, he maintains three apartment buildings in Milwaukee for a fellow St. Matthew’s member. Dave enjoys going on mission trips. He has been to New Orleans, Joplin, Oklahoma City, Minot, and Houston.

  • Bob has been serving as the Custodial Assistant at St. Matt’s since 2000. In this position, he is responsible for maintenance of the floors. Prior to this, Bob served as a business owner.

    Bob lives in Milwaukee, with his wife, Joyce, and is the proud dad of two grown children (Donna Gardner Manke and Patrick). He is also the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. In his spare time, you are likely to find Bob up north fishing, woodworking, or spending time with his family.

  • Sonja Mohr has been serving as Communications Secretary at St. Matt’s since 1991. In this position, she is responsible for many administrative functions in the church office, as well as the writing and assembling of the Sunday bulletins and The Voice newsletter.

    Sonja holds a degree in elementary education from UW-Madison. She lives in Wauwatosa with her husband, David, and a fun-loving dog, Bucky. David and Sonja have two adult children, Katherine and Kyle.

    In her spare time, you are likely to find Sonja gardening, cooking, or walking in the neighborhood. Photography has become a more recent hobby.

Council Leaders

We are blessed with a group of faithful and dedicated people to lead our congregation in its vision and mission. St. Matthew’s Church Council is made up of a group of members of the congregation who serve for three years.

St. Matthew’s Church Council 2024

  • President: Carl Johnson

  • Vice President: Fred Heim

  • Secretary: Alice Rudebusch

  • Treasurer: Rob Wedel

Council Members:  Fred Heim, Laura Hyland, Carl Johnson, Alice Rudebusch, Cathy Shaw, Rob Sholl & Michael Wolaver