Staff & More

All are welcome.

We are a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive community shaped by the Lutheran tradition and sent out into the world to live out God’s love in Christ.

About St. Luke

We welcome all who seek a closer relationship with God. While you may come from another faith tradition, or none at all, we hope to join hands with you in ministry inside our four walls and also building relationships with those in need beyond our doors. Since our founding in 1943 special emphasis has been placed on personal spiritual growth and serving our neighbor.

Together with the 10,000+ congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we

celebrate the gift of who we are – people of varied ethnic, gender, sexual, age, and spiritual backgrounds.

To our LGBTQ sisters and brothers we want you to know this – you are welcome to be a full and integral part of the St. Luke community.

Come and experience the journey as Christ shapes us all!

We are a Reconciling in Christ Community

As a Reconciling in Christ community, we affirm and celebrate the worth and dignity of all persons regardless of their gender identity, race, or sexual orientation. Read our welcome statement:

RiC Welcome Statement

Our staff

Patti Welch
Lead Pastor
(she, her)

Rev. Patti Welch was born and raised in Hinsdale, Illinois, a suburb outside of Chicago. She attended Carnegie-Mellon University graduating with a BFA in Drama. Patti relocated to Manhattan pursuing a career in the theater. While the theater was both rewarding and challenging, she eventually decided to change direction and began working with the New York Association for New Americans resettling Jewish refugees from Russia. During her time with NYANA Patti joined Advent Lutheran Church and became a founding member of Westsiders Together, a community organization that advocated for citizen rights in sanitation, housing, and education. During this time, Patti felt a call to pursue ordained ministry where she could bring the sacraments of ministry and good news to everyone she encountered.

Following her graduation from General Theological Seminary, Patti was called to serve as Assistant Minister of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Manhattan. She was then invited to join the clergy team of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. During her tenure at CSJD Patti has ministered to the Cathedral’s resident congregation, school, and its many visitors.

Rev. Welch is married to Lee Welch, a psychotherapist in private practice. They have two sons, Evan and Brendan. The Welches love playing and composing music, hiking, watching movies, cooking, and telling stories.

Email: [email protected]

Beth Brashear
Associate Pastor
(she, her)

Pr. Beth Brashear grew up in various parts of Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina, but mostly hales from Chapel Hill, NC. She graduated from Appalachian State University (‘01), then Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 2005.

Her call to ministry grew from a love for the Church that had been a place of welcome throughout her life and from a deep sense of a Love that undergirds the universe, a Love that calls us into the fullness of a life dedicated to blessing for Love’s sake.

Since her ordination in 2005, she has served in all 4 corners of the US—Grace Lutheran in Johnstown, PA; Joy of Discovery in Raleigh, NC; Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert, CA; and now with St. Luke here in Portland since 2017. She also spent her internship as a student pastor with the American Church in Berlin (Germany). Her ministry passions involve building and nurturing community, music, and working with young people.

When not at work, Beth enjoys hiking, running, connecting with family & friends, and anything to do with horses. She is beginning to practice mindfulness and is learning to like to cook.

Email: [email protected]

Steven Schaefer
Director of Music
(he, him)

With over 12 years of experience in church music ministry, Steven Schaefer brings a deep passion for community-building through music. He has served in roles ranging from principal organist to Director of Music in Flagstaff, AZ and Portland, OR.

A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Steven holds a BA degree in Piano Performance and Spanish Language and a MM degree in Choral Conducting. He studied piano with Dr. Frank Scott, Dr. Jeffrey Swann, and organ with Elizabeth George. Steven studied choral conducting under Dr. Edith Copley, who shaped his love for diverse choral literature and music history. Steven also performed professionally with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers.

In 2022, Steven had the unique opportunity to tour Ireland with the Shrine of the Ages Choir as a singer, organist, and pianist, where he shared his passion for music across an international stage. He also brings extensive experience working with children's choirs, both as a decade-long classroom music educator and as the former Artistic Director of the Flagstaff Youth Chorale, a K-12 community choir dedicated to vocal excellence and community engagement.

At St. Luke, Steven is excited to grow the church's music programs and invites new members to join the St. Luke Ringers, Rejoice Choir, Modern Worship Team, and the St. Luke Youth Music program. His leadership fosters a warm, inclusive environment where musicians of all ages and skill levels feel welcomed and inspired to make meaningful music together.

Email: [email protected]

Kim Weber
Children's Ministry Program Coordinator
(she, her)

The Weber family stepped through the doors of St. Luke over a decade ago. It is that first visit on Christmas Eve that marked their anniversary becoming Lutheran, where they experienced the warm welcome that is St. Luke. Kim Weber recently stepped through a new door, Children’s Ministry Program Coordinator, a beautiful extension of her relationship with St. Luke. Since 2015, Kim has served as Hosannas Children’s Choir Director. She has enjoyed being a volunteer for St. Luke auctions and Wednesday Night Dinners. As a parishioner and Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Kim loves being part of a community of doers: “God’s Work, Our Hands”.

Having her own children grow up in a loving and safe church community, where family bonds have deepened because of traditions lovingly executed—traditions like the Fall Festival and the Advent Festival—is an absolute treasure. Kim wants to pass on these same meaningful experiences to young families and seeks to provide children the opportunity to explore their spirituality and faith together with their grownups.

Kim and her family love cooking, camping, and exploring the Pacific NW. Kim is mom to Zoe and Lucy, wife to Paul and the daily, great provider to two cats Mac and Tigerlily.

Email: [email protected]

Emily Brabham
Director of Youth and Ministry Services
(she, her)

Emily's background is extensive in the areas of youth and service ministries. She is grateful to share her gifts and talents with the St. Luke community in this position. Emily grew up in upstate New York and earned her BA in Philosophy from Siena College. She has never shied away from adventure having lived in Scotland, Japan, and throughout the US. She has also traveled to Ireland, France, Kenya, and Mexico.

Emily has led social justice pilgrimages to the US/Mexico Border, Civil Rights Movement sights in Alabama and Tennessee, and the Holy Land. One of her most profound experiences during a social justice pilgrimage was walking the way of the cross in Jerusalem with students from Lewis University. She has also directed both small and large youth ministry programs in Colorado and Illinois. She brings all her experience to lead our development of a dynamic youth program and robust service ministries. Emily is passionate about diversity and inclusion, social justice, and caring for marginalized populations.

Email: [email protected]

Annamarie Pearson
Administrative Assistant & Organist
(she, her)

Born in Portland, Oregon, Annamarie moved to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley (Idaho, Washington) with her mom, dad, and younger brother when she was 10 years old. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, studying pipe organ and management studies. Later, Annamarie worked as lead news clerk at the Lewiston Tribune primarily writing obituaries and daily items for the regional newspaper. She also served as organist to the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Lewiston.

Annamarie moved to Beaverton in 2022 and worked as a billing specialist for condominium insurance. She joined St. Luke as organist later that year and office manager in 2023.

She and her partner live in Beaverton with their adopted kitty, Betty White.

Raingard Kuhse
Executive Assistant
(she, her)

Raingard Kuhse grew up in Berlin, Germany and finished her studies at an all-women’s college in Roanoke, VA. At Hollins University she graduated with a B.A. in Art History. After a decade working in the arts, she moved to Portland, OR and started a new career in Apparel Product Development. She then became a full-time mom to Keelin and Aven with the goal in mind to raise them bilingual. Through this she discovered her passion for languages. She is a board member at Portland Kinderschule (German immersion preschool) and a teacher at Sophie Scholl Schule these past couple of years. Teaching preschoolers and K-1 online has been an absolute delight.

Both her children were baptized at St. Luke, attended middle school ministries and S.L.Y. Her youngest is now attending middle school ministries to be confirmed next year. St. Luke has been a constant in their lives.

Raingard's family enjoys their weekly horseback riding, figure ice skating during the winter season and watching detective movies, such as Hercule Poirot.

Email: [email protected]

Pepper Rehm
Virtual Worship Producer and Website Coordinator
(they, them)

Pepper Rehm was raised in Gilbert, Arizona, where they also attended Mesa Community College pursuing a degree in music business. Becoming a gigging drummer at 14, music has been in their lifeblood from a young age. They also learned how to play bass and guitar later on, and started making original music. At 18, Pepper began work at a recording studio, where they were an audio engineer.

Pepper then started doing freelance work while at the studio, adding tracks to songs and mixing live shows. In 2020, they worked at their church building a streaming and mixing installation from the ground up.

In July 2021, Pepper moved to Portland pursuing their love of audio engineering and music. They are currently living in SW Portland.

Email: [email protected]

Debbie Smith
Bookkeeper & Payroll Specialist
(she, her)

Debbie Smith was raised in southern California, and received her bachelor’s degree in Forensic Accounting in 2015. She has worked with many churches doing bookkeeping and accounting work within the ELCA.
Debbie has been married to her husband for 19 years, and has two adult children, and two amazing grandchildren.
In her free time, Debbie loves to cook, paint, watching football games, and spending as much time with her grandkids as she can.

Email: [email protected]