Staff
Pastor Mike Anderson retired from full-time ministry at HSLC in the summer of 2021. Beginning in the fall, he will be teaching Crossways, an in-depth biblical overview class based on his Crossways program of 36 years. This class will be taught virtually, including both videos and a weekly Zoom discussion. To register and learn more, click here.
Pastor Katy McCallum Sachse
pastorkaty@hslckirkland.org ext. 211
Pastor Katy McCallum Sachse has been at Holy Spirit since 2008. Her first call was as Pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She’s a proud graduate of PLU (go Lutes!) and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her husband, Brian, is a middle school teacher and they have an elementary school-aged daughter. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, music, coffee, and the occasional knitting project.
Pastor Gina Herman
pastorgina@hslckirkland.org Ext. 212
Pastor Gina Herman graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2012. She received her undergraduate degree from Trinity Lutheran College in Issaquah, WA in 2006. Her first call was as a Mission Developer and then Pastor to New Day Lutheran church in Idaho Falls, ID. She and her husband, Jeremy, enjoy spending time with their two kids – Micah and Naomi – doing a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, building Legos, attending Seattle sporting events (go Mariners, Hawks, Sounders, & Kraken!), and hosting game nights and parties. Her family also includes two dogs and a cat. She’d love to get to know you over a cup of coffee!
Marjorie Buchanan
Parish administrator
Parishadmin@hslckirkland.org | ext. 202
Marjorie Buchanan joined the staff at Holy Spirit in 2012. She describes her role as Parish Administrator as a wonderful opportunity to combine many of her past work experiences—small business administration, bookkeeping, medical billing, and human resource research. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon and has lived in Seattle since 1991. Marjorie and her husband Scott have two children, Alan and Meghan. She loves to quilt, read, and spend time with friends.
Danielle Dadashi
Director of High School and Online Ministries
youth@hslckirkland.org | ext. 223
Danielle Dadashi began working as the Director of High School Ministries in 2010. She loves traveling, reading, and telling jokes that make teenagers roll their eyes. She feels called to create a loving, safe, and welcoming faith community where teenagers can form relationships with each other and God. Danielle also manages the online ministries at Holy Spirit, including this website!
Becky Cole
Director of Children and Family Ministries
children@hslckirkland.org | ext. 224
Becky Cole grew up in a small town in Minnesota, before moving to Washington in 1996, and joining the staff as Children's Ministry Director in 2007. She has an MBA, and a Certificate of Professional Studies in Children, Youth and Family Ministries. Becky is active in the Children, Youth and Family Committee in our synod, and is on the Board for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network where she works to envision a future for Children, Youth, and Family professionals. Becky and her husband, Christopher, have two sons. They enjoy spending time together camping, going to soccer games, and traveling. She especially feels called to include every child, teach the grace of Jesus Christ, and live life as God called.
Tammie Zarfos
Director of Confirmation
confirmation@hslckirkland.org | ext. 226
Tammie Zarfos has been involved in Youth Ministry for over 30 years. She was commissioned as a Deacon in the ELCA in 2007 and was called to Holy Spirit that same year to work with the kids in the Confirmation Program. Tammie is committed to helping youth discover the awesomeness of God in their lives and she continues to learn from them much more than she teaches. In her free time, you can find her in her sewing room quilting or in the kitchen trying out a new recipe. She and her husband, Todd have two grown children (Josh and Nicole), a daughter-in-law (Corrine) and a Jack Russell Terrier named Peanut.
TBD
Director of Music
music@hslckirkland.org | ext. 240
Transition in Leadership
Holy Spirit’s music ministries is in a period of transition as John Sparkman has accepted a position at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This move brings him closer to family, especially his parents, and opens new opportunities to share his gifts. John’s last Sunday at Holy Spirit was October 29. We will miss John dearly, but wish him well on this new beginning. To hear more about this transition from John himself, click the button below.
The Personnel Committee is working to ensure a smooth transition with John’s departure. They have identified interim folks to help with the various choirs and Sunday morning worship, as well as created a committee to interview potential candidates for John’s position.
We give thanks for John and look forward to continuing the beautiful music we have made together.
JOAN FRIEL
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
OFFICE@HSLCKIRKLAND.ORG | EXT. 201
A lifelong Lutheran and native Washingtonian, Joan grew up in the no-stoplight town of South Bend, and attended college at Pacific Lutheran University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a minor in English/writing. She worked as a computer programmer for The Boeing Company after graduation, but “retired” in 1997 when she became a full-time mom to her daughter Megan and continued after her son Michael was born in 2000. After many, many years of volunteering in classrooms, attending PTA meetings, chaperoning field trips, and helping with homework, she is thrilled to have a career of her own once again. Joan’s husband Mike is also a computer programmer, working for WPAS, Inc. in Mercer Island. If you visit the church office on Fridays, you will see Joan wearing blue (go Hawks!), and she is always ready to attend a Mariners’ game. She also loves to travel, genealogy, and is a self-professed crazy cat lady. Joan is an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah.