Church Council

The Church Council leads and guides St. Andrew’s mission and vision, determines ministry priorities, provides oversight of the Lead Pastor, and effectively stewards our financial resources. Council members represent the St. Andrew’s congregation, bringing their unique gifts, voices, and expertise to the council’s work.

The council is comprised of 12 members, elected by the congregation to a three-year term. Members may serve two consecutive terms, for a total of six years. The council annually elects four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Nominations

Recommendations of potential candidates can received throughout the entire year, with the formal nomination process occurring in the early fall. Elections are held at the church’s annual meeting, usually in November. We invite your interest in serving in this role or recommending others you know, by completing our Nomination Form below.

Recommend a nominee

CHURCH COUNCIL

Eric Swanson

PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT | 2nd term ends 2026

Eric Swanson

Eric and his wife, Sarah Meek, were led to St. Andrew’s in 1998 while searching for a Confirmation program for their children. Eric has been a Confirmation leader, participated in a Mission Jamaica trip, and active with our men’s ministry. He received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and has worked in the nonprofit and public sectors before entering private practice over 25 years ago. He enjoys his family, gardening, and the outdoors.

Pauline Allison

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT | 2nd term ends 2027

Pauline Allison

Pauline, her husband, Tylor, and two daughters joined St. Andrew’s in 2018, finding a new church home after living in southern California. Pauline retired from a long career leading global businesses at 3M. She is a volunteer for Minneapolis Business Mentors, is a lifelong learner, and loves traveling.

Russ Fleming

TREASURER

TREASURER | 1st term ends 2028

Russ Fleming

Russ has been a member since 2012. He is a Contemporary Worship Service usher and involved with Habitat for Humanity. Russ is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Audit Partner with Baker Tilly US, LLP, and has worked in public accounting for more than 30 years in a variety of sectors. He has served on the boards of the Detroit Children’s Hospital and Minneapolis Aquatennial and is currently board chair of the Century College Foundation. He studied accounting and economics at the University of Minnesota and enjoys road biking, downhill skiing, theater, music, travel, and spending time with his family.

Mark Windisch

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

Mark Windisch

Mark and his wife, Laurie, came to St. Andrew’s more than 25 years ago. Mark sings in the choir, regularly attends Bible studies and adult education classes, serves on the Environmental Stewardship Team, and is part of the Congregational Lay Minister team. He’s traveled with St. Andrew’s groups to Turkey and Greece (2015) and the Holy Land (2019). Mark has a degree in Chemical Engineering and retired after a 35-year career at 3M, mostly in the Oral Care Business.

Annika Winke

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE | 2nd term ends 2026

Annika Winke

Annika lives in North Oaks and attends Mahtomedi High School, where she is a member of the school’s lacrosse, tennis, and ski teams and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. At St. Andrew’s she has been involved with Confirmation, Sunday School, VBS, and food service – and other volunteer opportunities as they arise. She enjoys baking, crafts, volunteering, reading, her pets, sunsets, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

David Eisenbrandt

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2025

David Eisenbrandt

David has called St. Andrew’s home since 2005. Over the years, his four children—now grown—have been actively involved in Sunday School and Confirmation, making the church an important part of their family’s life. David enjoys serving on the Communion Preparation Team and regularly volunteers for Traditional Worship services. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a degree in chemical engineering, he spent his career in manufacturing leadership, most recently retiring after 27 years at 3M as Global Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain.

Lauren Anderson

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 2nd term ends 2026

Lauren Anderson

Lauren was baptized at St. Andrew's and has been part of the congregation ever since. Over the years, she's been involved in both the church's local and global ministries. She has traveled with Mission Jamaica and the church’s Germany tour in 2017. Lauren also spent a year living and serving with our sister congregation in Slovakia, building relationships and supporting their ministry. Upon returning home, she worked for a year at St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center, helping provide housing and basic needs to families in Washington County. She’s a graduate of St. Olaf College and currently attends the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Her passions include swimming, singing, and her dog.

Sharon Pfeiffer

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 2nd term ends 2026

Sharon Pfeiffer

Sharon has been a member of St. Andrew’s since 2013. In addition to the preaching and music ministries, she is drawn to the variety of volunteer and personal growth opportunities that St. Andrew’s offers. She serves as the council liaison to The Foundation where she was a board member prior to assuming this role. She also volunteers with funeral and hospitality ministries. Sharon retired from a 34-year career in banking, including with Wells Fargo as a Community Bank President with professional passions centered around leadership and team member development. She lives in Woodbury with her spouse, Kris, and cat, Gracie.

Sandy Cedergren

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2027

Sandy Cedergren

Sandy has been a member of St. Andrew’s for more than 34 years. She has served in many roles, including Sunday School teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, and formerly on the church staff. Most recently she has been an ambassador for the Bega Kwa Bega program, traveling to Tanzania in 2024. Sandy is a former business owner and has served on numerous boards and committees. She loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, teaching yoga, and serving others.

Steve Anderson

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2028

Steve Anderson

Steve has been a member since 2022, attends the Contemporary Worship Service, and has been a Confirmation group leader and men’s group leader for LIFEU. He taught English, reading, and student success courses for 20 years, the last ten years on the faculty of Century College in White Bear Lake. He brings a strong community focus to the Church Council, with board of directors service with the Mankind Project, Boys to Men Mentoring Network, and (currently) the Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Association. He has completed master’s degrees in English and creative writing (St. Cloud State University) and theology and art (United Theological Seminary). When he has free time, he enjoys model building and woodworking.

Kevin Gerdes

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2028

Kevin Gerdes

Kevin joined St. Andrew’s in 1992 and has been active in multiple areas of church life, including attending the Contemporary Worship Service, serving as a Care Lay Minister, strategic plan process leader, and co-chair of the Hope Lives capital campaign. Kevin is a retired Brigadier General with the Minnesota Army National Guard and the retired Director of the Master of Public Affairs degree program at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He is a graduate of Upper Iowa University (B.A.), US Army War College (graduate degree), and the University of St. Thomas (doctorate in educational leadership). Kevin enjoys playing guitar and singing, being “papa” to his grandchildren, and traveling with his wife, Mickey.

Janet Knoll

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2028

Janet Knoll

Janet Knoll has been a member since 1981 and attends the Traditional Worship Service. Over the years she has been engaged as a Sunday School teacher, Confirmation mentor, choir member, communion server, Community Resource Center volunteer, Care Lay Minister, Vision Slovakia trip missionary, and is part of the Candle Keepers baptism ministry. She and her late husband raised their children at St. Andrew’s and she brings a passion for faith formation, volunteering, and community service. Janet is retired from Saint Paul Public Schools and now enjoys gardening, needlework, and spending time with her children and grandsons.

Tim Koenig

COUNCIL MEMBER

COUNCIL MEMBER | 1st term ends 2028

Tim Koenig

Tim and his wife Sandy attends the Traditional Worship service and he has been involved with Habitat for Humanity. He is a retired 3M executive, most recently serving as president of the 3M Electronic Materials Solutions Division, and brings expertise in corporate and nonprofit leadership, strategic thinking, and business development. During multi-year overseas work assignments, he served on the councils for the International Church of Copenhagen and the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy. He holds a chemical engineering degree (University of Wisconsin Madison) and Master of Business Administration (University of St. Thomas). Tim enjoys travelling, water sports, and spending time at the lake with his family.

Church Council

Nominations

CHURCH COUNCIL

Eric Swanson

Pauline Allison

Russ Fleming

Mark Windisch

Annika Winke

David Eisenbrandt

Lauren Anderson

Sharon Pfeiffer

Sandy Cedergren

Steve Anderson

Kevin Gerdes

Janet Knoll

Tim Koenig

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