CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY

Preschool & Elementary

Sunday School restarts September 14, 2025

Our Christian curriculum is designed for weekly children’s faith formation—a time for kids to sing, create, move, and explore God’s Word! We welcome children age 3 (by September each year) through Grade 5 to join us on Sundays for age-appropriate lessons and fun.

2025/26 Registration

Volunteer

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

CONFIRMATION

During three years of Confirmation, middle school youth begin their own faith journey—learning what it means to be a Christian, the distinctions of being Lutheran, and how to live out their faith. Register now!

GRADES 6-8
Students choose Wednesday or Sunday track for regular Confirmation meetings. We generally have around 200-250 people on Wednesday nights and 20-30 on Sunday mornings.

GRADE 6 REGISTRATION

GRADE 7 REGISTRATION

GRADE 8 REGISTRATION

GRADE 9
During the fall of 9th grade, students who intend to affirm their faith will choose a track to walk through “what’s next” in their faith journey. Confirmation services are held during worship services on Reformation Weekend each Fall.

Learn more about Skipping Stones HERE.

GRADE 9 REGISTRATION

High School Adventures

Thursday, August 14
Twins Game, 5–11pm ($50)
Sunday, August 24
Kayaking the St. Croix, 12–6pm ($50)
Saturday, September 6
Valleyfair, 12–7:30pm ($50)
Details

STAFF CONTACTS

Tracy Lysne

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY

Tracy Lysne

Tracy came on staff to lead the Children, Youth & Family (CYF) team in the summer of 2023, and has been impressing us with her creative approach to telling kids about Jesus ever since! She got her B.A. in Mathematics Education at Concordia College, Moorhead (fun fact—3 out of 4 daughters went/go there too!). She earned her M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of MN. She met her husband Monty while doing radio at her college radio station KORD, and they now have four daughters, 24, 21, and twin 18-year-olds.

Their family lived in Loxton, South Australia for three years (2012-2015). While there, she worked as a pastoral care worker in two of the local schools. She still likes to tell our ‘ankle-biters’ to “chuck your rubbish in the bin!” Besides spending time with family, for fun she likes reading, going for walks with her dog Bill, getting out in a kayak, and working in her yard.

Kristian Carlson

CHILDREN’S MINISTER

Kristian Carlson

Fluent in multiple languages, including toddler, Kristian Carlson has a passion for understanding, empowering, and teaching the Gospels to children. He briefly studied Elementary Education at the University of Milwaukee (go Panthers woot woot), but preferred to pursue his passion outside of the classroom setting. Kristian has been in ministry since 2019 when he served with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), teaching English and Malagasy Sign Language to the deaf and blind in Madagascar. He has a fond place in his heart for Mason City, Iowa where he was a High School Youth and Young Adult Minister prior to joining the Children, Youth & Family staff at St. Andrew’s.

Kristian enjoys crafting, anything outdoor related (except running), bullying people from Wisconsin, canoeing, and his fiancé, Markell.

Erika Hiland

CHILDREN’S MINISTER

Erika Hiland

Erika Hiland brings a wealth of experience to her role in Children’s Ministry, having served in Youth Ministry for five years prior to coming to St. Andrew’s in 2010. Earning her B.A. in Youth & Family Ministry at Augsburg College set her up well for this role. One of the biggest joys of her job is hearing children tell their parents what they learned at church. (Often what they say compared to the actual lesson is pretty entertaining…)

Erika and her husband Scott have two kids, Torben and Freya. When not working or “momming” Erika loves all things crafty—sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, making costumes, or even learning a new home improvement project skill. Fun fact, Erika did a 75 mile hike of the Camino de Santiago in Spain in just six days!

Robin Kime

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTER

Robin Kime

Robin was raised and active in an ELCA church and her pastors and spiritual mentors would often say to her “when you work for the church…” or “when you’re in ministry, this will all make sense.” She always felt called to be part of ministry and walking with young people in their faith journeys. Her jobs found her, and she’s so glad they did. (And so are we!) Robin graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with degrees in Theatre: Performance and Theatre for Youth. After college, she spent a year on tour around the country with a small children’s theatre, before settling in the Cedar Valley and working in campus ministry, then moving to the Twin Cities to be part of the CYF team!

Having grown up on a dairy farm in Iowa, Robin’s a big fan of cows and horses. Her current home is filled with her four fur babies: two dogs, Jack and Willa, and two cats, Wilson and Frankie. To relax she enjoys puzzles, reading, playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) with friends, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She also loves learning facts and tidbits about the movies and TV shows she’s currently binging. Her favorite place in the whole wide world to be is on the dock at her family’s cabin on the Mississippi River, with her fishing pole and a good book.

Spencer Legred

PROGRAM MANAGER

Spencer Legred

Spencer’s only been employed at St. Andrew’s since 2023, but he’s been a member and volunteer here his whole life! If you want to know what’s happening in Children, Youth & Family ministry—or with anything at St. Andrew’s—he’s the guy in the know. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., a great city for someone who loves politics. After college, he worked for various political campaigns and in corporate settings.

He and his wife Maddy have two cats, Herman and Louise, and love to travel and explore new places, looking for fun and unique bookstores along the way. To relax, Spencer enjoys cooking, sports, reading, watching a good series or movie, and attending live comedy and concerts.

Rory Jean Snyder

CONFIRMATION & YOUTH MINISTER (MIDDLE SCHOOL)

Rory Jean Snyder

Rory Jean, a seasoned camp person, hails from Southwest Florida. Studying Recreation Management and Abrahamic Religions at Florida State University set Rory Jean up for success in youth ministry, which led to venturing north to Minnesota in 2020. A person who wears many hats, Rory Jean has been working with youth in academic, outdoor, and ministry settings for over 10 years. A passionate advocate for youth, Rory Jean values the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for all.

When not at work, Rory Jean is likely playing Magic the Gathering, hanging with cats, Monty and Atticus, binging Anime, vegging out on a new videogame, and/or plotting an elaborate camping trip. Rory Jean adores all things nature and nerdy.

Leah Chouinard

YOUTH MINISTRY ASSOCIATE

Leah Chouinard

Leah grew up attending St. Andrew’s, and was baptized in the Great Hall by Pastor Sarah Breckenridge! As her Dad, Bill, is the organist and Mom, Kristin, is piano accompanist, she spent many hours roaming around St. Andrew’s and caring for kiddos in the nursery. During high school, she enjoyed singing in the choirs and volunteering. She’s a proud middle child and loves her younger brother Matthew and older sister Sarah (and brother-in-law Tanner) dearly. Leah feels blessed to come from a large, loving, musical family.

Leah loves to learn and has a B.A. in Psychology from Concordia College, and M.A. in Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching from the U of M. Leah is very interested in holistic health and wellness, stays connected with friends and loved ones, likes journaling and writing, gluten- and dairy-free cooking, singing, creating thoughtful social media posts, playing percussion, taking long walks in nature. Given her interests, it should come as no surprise that she’s a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach.

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY

Preschool & Elementary

Sunday School restarts September 14, 2025

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

CONFIRMATION

High School Adventures

STAFF CONTACTS

Tracy Lysne

Kristian Carlson

Erika Hiland

Robin Kime

Spencer Legred

Rory Jean Snyder

Leah Chouinard

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

In honor of the holiday, our campus is closed today, Friday, July 4, 2025. See you in church this weekend!

— NEXT ONLINE EVENT STARTS ON MAY 26TH —

UPCOMING EVENTS HERE