Rev. Dr. Sue Allers Hatlie (Founder, Director)
An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, Sue’s ministry involves a special commitment to men, women, and children emerging from cycles of poverty and systems of oppression. She served 23 years as a correctional chaplain (15 years as Director of Chaplaincy) and has led units of CPE inside prisons for 22 years. Sue holds an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary (Honors) as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree (with Distinction) with a focus on Narrative Therapy from the MN Consortium of Theological Schools.
Awards and Recognition
Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson’s Youth Service Leadership Award: 1991
National Juvenile Detention Services Award: 1990
Hennepin County Commissioners Outstanding Service Award: 1991
United Seminary Scholar Award in Constructive Theology: 1985
Minnesota Consortium of Theological Seminaries Doctor of Ministry with Distinction: 2005
Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Emerging Leader Award: 2013
Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ Murdale Layseth Award – given to one Clergy Woman each year: 2016
Rev. Dr. Laura Thelander (Certified Educator Candidate)
Laura Thelander is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). An experienced pastor, interfaith chaplain. and theologian, she brings 25 years of professional ministry in a wide range of contexts, having served in seminary and congregational settings as well as a human services non-profit. She is committed to holistic approaches in spiritual care that promote thel flourishing of individuals and communities and reflect God’s reign of mercy and justice. Laura has her Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and completed a certification program in spiritual direction. In 2022 Laura became a Certified Educator Candidate in the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Laura servers as the Director for Racial Justice & Spiritual Care at Volunteers of America - Minnesota and Wisconsin and Certified Educator Candidate, ACPE
Honors and Awards
Volunteers of America Leadership Award for Excellence in Ministry, 2021
Dissertation Sustained with Honors
Princeton Theological Seminary Doctoral Fellowship in Theology, 2001-2005
ELCA Educational Grant Recipient, 2001-2006
The G.M. and Minnie Bruce Prize in New Testament, Luther Seminary, 1997
The Roy Harrisville, Sr. Prize in Homiletics, Luther Seminary, 1997
Departmental Distinction in History for Senior Thesis, Saint Olaf College, 1991
Phi Beta Kappa, initiated 1991
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship recipient, 1990
Board
Rev. Jason Cutshall (Chair), Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Rev. Pam Serdar, Rev. Stephen Olson, Rev. Arthur Murray, Rev. Brian Herron
Adjunct Faculty
Jay Hillestad, Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Dr. Herbert Perkins, Rev. Marty Shanahan, Dr. Lucy Mungai, Rev. Dr. Alika Galloway, Rev. Marchelle Hallman, Rev. Dr. John MacDougal, Rev. Martha Postlethwaite, Jennifer Johnson, Rev. Dr. Christie Neuger, Rev. Brian Herron