Vestry

Tamera Loerzel and her husband, Jamie, and teenage son, Lucas, have been members since 2016, plus they have two adult daughters and a grandson. Tamera is a leadership coach and facilitator for mid-size public accounting firms working from home or travelling pretty heavily in the spring and fall/early winter facilitating leadership development programs, strategic planning retreats, and speaking events at conferences.  She incorporates her company’s core values of “Leading generously and practicing gratitude” while “Living and working out of our faith and spirituality.”

Tamera has participated in the Outreach, Community Life and Membership Teams in various ways and lectors on Sunday mornings. She regularly attends the Wednesday night Beloved Community where she appreciates the intimate conversations and personal learning and growth. Currently Tamera serves on the Vestry as the Senior Warden.

Andrea Thermos and her husband, Bob Wenck, have been members since 2000, plus they have two adult children.  Andrea is a partner specializing in estate and trust compliance work at a mid-sized, local public accounting firm.  She oversees a team of seven individuals across the country in a mostly remote work environment. Andrea and her husband, enjoy traveling and entertaining while testing new recipes with their guests Andrea has been involved with the Nativity community participating throughout her time with them. She has previously served on the Vestry, been the church treasurer, served on the Finance Team, been involved with Community Life, and chaired the Annual Gala for several years. On Sunday morning services, she lectors, is a member of the altar guild, and reads prayers of the people. Currently, Andrea serves on the Vestry as the Junior Warden.

My name is Nate Gooden and my wife, Megan, and I joined Nativity in 2018. We looked for a church and community where we could feel we were accepted and were not just a number. We moved to Lakeville and, after some searching to find that special place, we found Nativity. I have always enjoyed watching football and learning how to smoke food. For the past 6 years, I have worked as an accountant for a family-owned company in Burnsville. I joined the Finance Team and have served as the Treasurer for the last four years. As I transition the role of Treasurer to Steve Grier, I see the need and benefit to having a conduit between the Vestry and Finance Team with the history and knowledge I have developed. That is why I serve as a member of the Vestry.

My name is Ben Gabrio, and I along with my wife and two children live in Savage. We began coming to Nativity in January of 2012. We were looking to belong to a church that was aligned with the things that we ourselves believed in. We felt so welcome the first time we came to Nativity that we never ventured out to the second church on the list.
I’ve worked in the printing industry for the last 26 years and am currently working for a print company in Minneapolis. I love hiking with my family in Minnesota’s State Parks, watching football and basketball and going to Saints games in the summer.
I want to be an active member of Nativity and was looking for opportunities to do so when I was approached by Steve Grier to consider being on the Vestry. I am willing to learn and contribute in any way I can, so I am seeking to serve on the Vestry.

My name is Theresa May. I live in Burnsville with my husband of 18 years, Henry. I have two adult stepchildren who live outside of our home.
I was introduced to Nativity in 2019 by a dear friend who knew I was searching for a church home in the Apple Valley / Burnsville area. Nativity’s value of all being welcomed spoke to me leading me to feel that Nativity is a church home where I can continue to grow in my faith.
I recently retired from a career as a pediatric nurse and nurse leader at a local hospital system. My work there included operational accountability for hospital and community-based teams. I am eager to bring my experience in working with teams to create or support new ventures, along with previous involvement as a member of a church council in a former faith community to serving on Nativity’ vestry.

Hello. My name is Avelenna Melsha. My family and I have been attending Nativity for over 20 years. My parents first started coming to Nativity (the old church) when I was in college. I started attending with my husband and sons in 1999. My sons were confirmed in Nativity. I have been very active in the church which helps me to understand some of the needs and concerns of the Parish. Some of the things I have done are door keeping for Godly Play, serving and preparing Community Café, serving on the Gala committee, working at the rummage sales, being a counter for the offerings, helping with Coffee Hour, and recently taking minutes for the Vestry.  Nativity means a lot to me as a place that I can worship in peace. I am excited to be a part of the future for Nativity.

I am a former educator who has been a member of Nativity since moving to Minnesota with my husband David in 1968. We have had our children here and raised them in this church. I have been active in youth ministry, children’s education, choir, Bible Studies and even been on the vestry three previous times. I have always found that the people, that make up the heart and soul of Nativity have been my  guiding light and support through the good and hard times. Nativity has had five homes in my time here and there are always challenges and joys to experience in these transition times. I will be happy to help see this congregation through another time of change and growth .

Bruce Nelson and his wife, Cristine, have been members of Nativity for 18 years. They have two children, Daniel, who works in retail and Jillian, who attends middle school.  Bruce has participated in different aspects of service to Nativity including leading Wednesday night youth group, Legacy presentations, Eucharistic Ministry, Director of the Youth Ensemble, performed guitar for worship, and helped with Rite 13.

Prior to Nativity, Bruce was raised Lutheran where he played an active part in the youth group, was a founding member of Saints Alive, which was a touring youth ensemble.  Bruce married Cristine in the Catholic Church and when their son was young, they searched for a faith community that dovetailed with their family.  They were blessed to find Nativity in which they raised their children in the Episcopal faith.

Bruce has worked in Finance for the past 25 years, most of which he has utilized his skill sets to assist people dealing with financial struggles, partnering with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae during the housing crisis of the Great Recession to keep families in their homes.

Bruce, Cristine, Daniel and Jillian love to travel, explore cultures and spending time together as a family.