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