Staff

Shalom

We believe that God is calling us to invite people into a deeper relationship with Christ, that all may discover true peace and be prepared to follow Him in compassionate service.

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Lutheran Church 800 County Road 44 NW . Alexandria . MN . 320-762-8641

Rev. Grant L. Aaseng

Pastor Grant Aaseng accepted the call to serve at Shalom in 2002, bringing a vision of a church committed to making disciples of Jesus, rather than simply "church members". A native of Minnesota, Pastor Aaseng attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul and was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1983. He served Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Denver and Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City prior to his ministry at Shalom.

Pastor Aaseng is married and has two children. His wife, Ruth, has a Masters degree in music and teaches a number of music classes for young children at Shalom.

Shannon Anderson - Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Shannon taught fourth grade for three years and four years in first grade in southwestern Minnesota. In the summer of 2006, she became a Site Director for “YouthWorks” and led Christian based, mission trips for other youth ministry groups in Martin, South Dakota. In the fall of 2006, Shannon entered the Children, Youth and Family Ministry program at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN). She completed the requirements and received her Master of Arts degree in May 2008. Shannon believes in a strong relational ministry tied into the spiritual growth of children and youth.

Marcia Benson - Director of Music

Marcia is so glad to be back in the Alexandria area after 13 years in Clearwater at Rejoice Lutheran Church. She teaches piano both in Alexandria and at her home in Clearwater.

Marcia grew up in White Bear Lake and Brooklyn Park, MN. She sang for church and was in the “ Monroe Melotones.” She also played piano and violin and did piano/organ duets with her mom. Marcia graduated from Anoka High School a few years after Gary Keillor (we rode the same bus). She has attended Bethel, U of MN (Mpls), St. Cate’s, U of MN (Morris) and St. Cloud State; studying piano pedagogy and psychology.

Marcia’s children are grown and live in the Twin Cities. She is mom to Jesse and Lea Ellerbrock, Jared and Joelle Knappen, and Rob and Jena.

Marcia loves worshipping, music, reading, gardening and chocolate. She hangs out with Duane and visits Ron’s Warehouse on a regular basis. Marcia collects shoes, sweaters and good friends. At her funeral she wants Vocalise by Rochmaninoff and Pavane for a Dead Princess by Rovel played. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 133: “Behold, how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.”

Carol Hedlund - Office Administrator

Carol is an Alexandria native currently living on the farm land she grew up on. Carol attended St. Cloud State College earning a BS degree in Physical Education and Biology. Her varied vocations have included 13 years in District 206 as a teacher, aide and substitute teacher, three and a half years as the Recreation Program Coordinator at Knute Nelson Memorial Home and 15 years in Veterinary Medicine. Carol and her husband, Bruce Wollin, became members of Shalom in 2001.

Meet Our Staff