Staff
Ralen Robinson, Pastor email
Pastor Ralen is a native Philadelphian, but don't let that make you think that she only spent time in Pennsylvania. Over a near-decade in ministry, she has worked in the woods of New Jersey, New York's big apple, the metropolis of Boston, the rainforest of Costa Rica, and has even spent a year in the old cities of Jerusalem.
Ralen received her BA in Anthropology and Sociology from Wagner College, where she thrived as a leader in many on-campus and off-campus organizations. Following graduation, Ralen participated in Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), spending a year volunteering and immersing herself in the culture and religious history of Jerusalem and the West Bank. After her year of service, she traveled back to Philadelphia to continue her call to ministry by attending seminary.
While in seminary, Ralen worked as a contract chaplain for an inner-city hospital. She also wrote for ELCA magazines, which she still does today. In the spring of 2020, Ralen graduated from United Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity and a certificate for Black Church studies. Then, in the spring of 2025, she graduated with her Doctorate in Homiletics from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She believes her faith and a good pair of shoes can take you a long way.
Marcia Hansen, Organist and Handbell Director
On her 7th birthday, Marcia was told by her grandparents that there would be a special delivery for her birthday. Was she ever surprised when the piano delivery men showed up at her doorstep? And so it started! Marcia played so much that by 5th grade, she was accompanying her church children's choir. In 6th grade, she worked with the organist to provide piano/organ for the adult Christmas cantata! She then found her passion for accompaniment, accompanying choral groups and singing, making it her 'thing" all through high school and college.
Marcia graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Choral Music Education and Piano Performance. Webster University granted her a Master of Arts in Teaching, and Marcia taught elementary music for 33 years in Saint Louis Suburban school districts. In 2012, Marcia moved to Bartlesville with her husband, Craig, after he joined Phillips 66. She enjoyed 8 years of church work, accompanying the Bartlesville Chorale Community Choir and student instrumentalists for solo and ensemble festivals. Marcia served Good Shepherd Presbyterian and First Church United Methodist and substituted at several other churches in Bartlesville. In January 2021, Craig and Marcia, upon Craig's retirement, moved to Wichita, Kansas, to live closer to daughter Katie, son-in-law Will, and granddaughters Joanna and Evelyn. Still, to this day, Marca enjoys accompanying a variety of musicians. She serves school choirs and instrumentalists in the Wichita area schools. She loves church work the best! Craig and Marcia also have a son, Mike, who lives in St. Louis. Marcia is most grateful to her BEST supporter and encourager, Craig, and is thankful for her teachers and mentors throughout the years.