Spirit Garage has new staff, forming a brand new team!

In charge of music ministries is our new Music Director, Justin Rimbo! Justin (he/him or they/them) has served as a deacon and music director in several congregations over the past 15 years. A regular contributor to educational and worship-related publications from Augsburg Fortress and Sundays & Seasons, he loves to compose songs for communities to sing together, and has been a featured musician at synod assemblies, youth gatherings, and Holden Village. In his free time, Justin loves playing tabletop roleplaying games, cooking, and reading. Justin lives in Burnsville with his partner Angie, their son Owen, and their daughter Zoe.

Justin will begin at Spirit Garage on June 1, with a little bit of time to get their feet under them before leading worship, while Andrea Sorum wraps up her interim time with us. There will be some gatherings-with musicians and with everyone so that you can get to know Justin. Welcome Justin! Want to hear one of his songs? Here’s When it Seems the Day Will End, from an album project he spearheaded while working at Humble Walk.

 We also have a new Digital Tech Director, who will help keep things on track in the livestream, along with creating content for slideshows, social media, website, etc. Jason Eldridge is a known quantity in this community, often running sound and also playing guitar. He has also served on our leadership team, the Drivetrain (but will now run the Connectors). In his day job he’s a teacher of things like math, science, music…depends on the year. He also plays regionally in a band called Chill Billy Dynasty, and does things like builds computers with his son Hudson, and family camping trips with Hudson and his Life Partner Adrienne. Oh. And he brews beer.

Jason started on Sunday, though we thought he’d be running tech things and because of stupid COVID, instead he played piano. Such is life these days! Lucky to have a team who can pivot. Maybe he’ll preach next!