pastor.kris@mlutheran.org |256.721.0041

Pastor Kris Schroeder is a lifelong Lutheran, born and raised in CA.  Pastor Kris felt the call to ministry at a young age as her home congregation and life-long pastor included children and youth in the entire life of the congregation.  Deep, God-filled relationships were developed in the midst of some of life’s most difficult moments, providing the reminder that God always keeps God’s promises and is always present.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with minors in Music & Psychology.  She graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1997 and was ordained shortly after. She has served in both large and small congregations as a part of pastoral staff, solo pastor and interim.  The first half of her ordained ministry she served as a Youth & Family, Faith Formation Pastor.

She served as Chaplain & Living Donor Advocate at Mayo Clinic in AZ for 8 years.  This provided the opportunity to enhance her abilities in conflict resolution, pastoral care and teaching adults.

She has a strong passion for collaborative and relational ministry that integrates all ages and places an emphasis on the discovery and utilization of our God-given gifts.

She and her husband of nearly 28 years, Bill (who is a retired ELCA pastor), currently live in OH.

Pastor Kris loves music as it provides energy, direction and inspiration. She is also an author, who published her autobiography the end of 2015 speaking to the hope and miracles of Jesus in her life.  As child of God, it was one avenue to share with the world who Jesus is and what Jesus can do!

She is very excited for the opportunities at MLC; especially the continued efforts integrating children, youth and families into the life of the congregation as well as the many outreach projects and possibilities available to the congregation and community.

musicdirector@mlutheran.org

Randall conducts the choir and oversees the music program at MLC.

Prior to moving to Madison, Randall served in Episcopal, Nazarene, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist parishes.

In addition to his role at the church, Randall also teaches choral music and class piano at Bob Jones High School where ensembles under his direction have won national competitions in Atlanta, Branson, Nashville, Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, and have performed in such culturally significant venues as Carnegie Hall, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A member of American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and National Association for Music Education, he is past President of the Alabama Vocal Association, and serves as Youth Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Alabama chapter of ACDA.

Randall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Alabama. He attributes his lifelong love of church music to heredity, as his earliest memories of church involve his mother playing piano while his sister sang solos at the church where his father was Pastor.

To inquire about being a part of one of the musical ensembles or to audition as a solo performer or cantor, please contact Randall at musicdirector@mlutheran.org.

organist@mlutheran.org

For nearly 30 years, Melanie Payne has served in many facets of church music ministry throughout North Alabama: as a music director, alto/soprano choir leader and soloist, and as an organist/pianist/ accompanist.

Additionally, Melanie teaches piano and voice and coaches singers in musical theatre, and opera. Melanie began serving Messiah Lutheran in November, 2023.