A group of people sits in wooden pews inside a church, watching someone speak at a podium. The church interior features a large cross on the back wall and hanging chandeliers. The congregation includes adults and children, with some standing and some seated.

Our Staff

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The Rev. Maggie Nancarrow

RECTOR

Maggie was ordained to the priesthood in Minneapolis in June of 2020. She holds a MDiv from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and History from Hamline University. She rounded out her Anglican Studies with three years in the cohort-based formation program with the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Her primary interests are spirituality of the wilderness, growing faith communities as places of social connectedness and transformative love, and making the ancient stories of the Bible accessible today. She served for eight years in ministry with children and youth before becoming the rector of St. Paul’s, and believes in nurturing children for a lifetime of spiritual resilience through faith. She enjoys long hours riding her bike, hiking, climbing, and camping.

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​The Very Rev. Rick Swenson

ASSOCIATE RECTOR

The Very Reverend Rick Swenson was ordained Priest in the Diocese of Nebraska in 2004. He has served parishes in both Nebraska and, since 2015, in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN). Until recently he was a bivocational priest practicing law while also serving God’s church. He attended the University of Nebraska, Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of Minnesota. He obtained his law degree and master’s degree in theology from Creighton University in Omaha. In addition to his parish ministries in Nebraska and Minnesota, Father Swenson has served on the Standing Committee and Trustees in the Diocese of Nebraska, and he is currently serving in ECMN as Dean of the North, and on the Council of ECMN. 

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The Rev. Patricia Benson

DEACON

Forty years ago, I came to St. Paul’s for a Search retreat and in the past decade I brought the younger two of my four kids here for Teens Encounter Christ retreat. Now I’m back as your deacon and look forward to getting to know you.  I want to learn from you, hear about of St. Paul’s history and your vision of the future, and to walk with you as you follow God into that future. I became an “empty nester” in August of 2020 and decided to downsize and relocate to Duluth.

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Dr. Thomas Hamilton

MINISTER OF MUSIC

I grew up and received my earliest musical training in Hibbing. My father was a teacher in the Hibbing schools and also worked as the house manager for the beautiful auditorium in the high school, so I was granted special permission to practice the organ after hours. The organ has always fascinated me with its ability to make so many different sounds, to roar sometimes and whisper at others. It is a joy to serve at St. Paul’s and lead you in song and to give voice to that which is otherwise inexpressible.

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Rita Rosenberger

SECRETARY

​I’ve been a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church since 2005, and I’ve served as Parish Secretary since 2018. My husband David Barthel and I have two teenagers named Agnes and Ernie. I enjoy participating in Handbell Choir, Chancel Choir, Junior League of Duluth, PEO, and Many Rivers Montessori.

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Christine Melone

BOOKKEEPER

My husband, Deke, and I moved to Duluth from Illinois. There I was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for 25 years serving as Treasurer, Stewardship chair, and Senior Warden as well as chair of the Outreach Committee and a Sunday School teacher. Both of our adult sons live out of state and enjoy visiting us here. We love life in northern Minnesota focusing our free time on all forms of skiing — water, downhill, cross country.

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Sophie Gray Spehar

FAITH FORMATION COORDINATOR

I am delighted to find myself in the role of Faith Formation Coordinator! I live with my family (Tommy, Arthur and Matilda) very close to the church. I get so much joy and fulfillment just from getting to spend time in this beautiful space, and it is fantastic that I now get to work here as well. I was a Visual Arts Teacher for Duluth Public Schools for the past few years, and try to bring creativity into my role here at St. Paul’s. Originally, I am from a rural corner in far Southern MN and grew up attending St. Peter’s Episcopal in Kasson. I have lived in South Minneapolis, Galway Ireland, Rockwood Tennessee, but have been at home in Duluth for the last fifteen years. This is by far my favorite place. I have many interests, including but not limited to: history, art, travelling, cooking, dancing, and roller-skating! I am passionate about inclusivity and strive to use that as a foundation in all my work here. I welcome ideas and collaborators — I hope you won’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to get involved with Youth Ministry!

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Bill Stapp

SEXTON

Bill comes with a wealth of experience in school administration. He and his wife Sandy are dedicated St. Paul’s 8 o’clockers. His role is primarily to coordinate building management and use, from overseeing the cleaning service to the snow removal service to fixing that one dark light bulb that everyone’s forgotten about. He has been a teacher and administrator in Wisconsin and Saudi Arabia. Bill and Sandy are both retired, but continue to work with students, community, and other service-minded tasks.

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Kofi

GREETER

Kofi is an eight-year-old Goldendoodle. He is extraordinarily friendly and relaxed. He accompanies Rita to work in the Parish Office everyday, fulfilling his own special ministry of greeting everyone who stops by the church on weekdays.