Board of Directors

We’re always seeking new members for the Board of Directors. Learn more about serving on the board here.

Officers

Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Chair

The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya is the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, a diocese of over one hundred congregations in rural, suburban, and urban contexts, spread throughout the state. Before his election in 2020, Bishop Loya served as the dean of Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska and as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Kansas. Early in his time as bishop, he led a process of priority setting for the diocese, together identifying four core areas of focus: discipleship, daily practices that help us follow Jesus as our whole way of life; faithful innovation, joining the spirit in new ways to proclaim and live out the Gospel; justice, becoming the beloved community; and congregational vitality, thriving faith communities of all sizes and in all places.

Erin Barnett, First Vice Chair | Email

Erin first came to Episcopal House of Prayer in the spring of 2018 and quickly felt drawn to this extraordinary place and the community around it. Personal retreats have been an important part of Erin’s spiritual life for over 20 years, so she is delighted to have an opportunity to support the House of Prayer in its mission to welcome others called to “a time apart”. Erin works as a psychotherapist in private practice, and lives with her husband and teenaged daughter near Northfield, where they grow a big garden and enjoy time in nature.

Rev. Jay Phelan, Second Vice Chair | Email

John E. (Jay) Phelan is Emeritus President and Dean of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. He served there for 25 years as administrator and professor of biblical studies. He also served two churches as a senior pastor before becoming President and Dean of the Seminary. His field is New Testament and he has published many articles and columns and is the author or editor of four books. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2023. He has been married to his wife Dawn for 52 years and has two adult sons and two grandchildren. He is a member of and priest on staff at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. He has special interest in Anglican theology and spirituality; the thought of Kentucky essayist, poet, and novelist Wendell Berry; and literary approaches to reading Scripture. 

Dianne Schlichting, Secretary | Email

Dianne is a member of Episcopal House of Prayer; she and her husband John value the opportunity to share contemplative prayer and outreach with others who make the House of Prayer their spiritual home. Dianne is a wife, mother, and grandmother who loves spending time in nature, especially canoeing with John.

Karen Maza-Racine, Treasurer

Karen Maza-Racine serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Episcopal House of Prayer. For the past 20 years she has worked in Parish Administration in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of the State of New York. She recently accepted an invitation to join the Board after researching EHoP’s history and mission. Her faith journey includes lifelong involvement in the Catholic Church; she believes her involvement with EHOP will enrich both her personal faith life and her professional life. Karen is the mother of 3 adult daughters and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her family which includes her husband, daughters, 5 grandchildren and her dog, Benny, whom she hopes will someday be able to serve as a therapy dog.

S Hélène Mercier, Executive Committee Member At Large

Sister Hélène is a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN. She has held several positions at the Monastery including Director of the Spirituality Center, 1998-2001, Oblate Director, 2002-2010. Since 2003 she has been a spiritual director and presenter for the community’s spiritual ministries. She has been a member of the community Council, a member of the Lifelong Formation and the Community Worship Committee. Sister Hélène was the Formation Director and Director of Sisters in First Monastic Profession from 2013 to 2022.

Members

Ann Thompson

Ann was a lifelong Presbyterian until she started looking for a new faith community about 15 years ago. Ann attended Taizé services and been part of Cursillo teams held at St. Stephen’s, while she visited churches large and small across the metro area, she kept going back to St. Stephen’s in Edina, Minnesota, and finally got organized enough to attend a new membership class and be confirmed in 2025. Ann’s previous leadership volunteer activities within communities of faith include leading a single-parents group, a dinner ministry at Simpson Housing Services, serving on the leadership team for a mom’s group, senior high ministry large and small groups, Vacation Bible School, and a prayer group.

Barb Corson

Barb has been a member of the Contemplative Body since 2009. She has been a student of contemplative practice in the Catholic tradition from a young age and in the Zen tradition since 1990. She is excited to support the mission of EHoP, particularly the discovery of meditation and contemplative practice by newcomers. She retired from Stearns County in 2017 and loves quilting, cats and nature.

Rev. Cody Maynus, OblSB

Father Cody Maynus, OblSB, is a priest of Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota and has the privilege of serving as rector at All Saints Episcopal Church in Northfield, Minnesota. He graduated from St. John’s School of Theology-Seminary with a masters degree in Monastic Studies and is an Oblate of Saints Benedict’s Monastery. A son of Minnesota through and through, his happy place is sitting near a body of water with a good book and an iced coffee. Alongside his priestly ministry, he also enjoys offering Reiki and facilitating professional and spiritual retreats.

Mary Lusk

Mary Lusk is a life-long Episcopalian, growing up as a “preachers’ kid” in the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri. After college, and a few years in Kansas City, Missouri, Mary moved to Minneapolis, where she worked in retail management with roles in Communications, Operations, and Customer Relations. Having worked at St. Mark’s Cathedral since 2003, Mary’s children, Maddie and Matthew, grew up in the children and youth programs, including choristers, acolytes, and, of course, Episcopal Creative Arts Daycamp (ECAD)! As Canon Community Developer, Mary’s role is broad – focusing mainly on people and programs to help grow disciples and maintain a community that is full of vitality! Mary is thankful for the many years she has been able to be a part of the ministry at St. Mark’s.

Tara Darnall

Tara Darnall had attended two retreats at Episcopal House of Prayer by the time she moved back to her hometown of St. Cloud in 2021. Since then, EHoP and the community around it has helped her in the practice of living deeply by attending weekly group meditation and Chi Kung. Tara is on the Building and Grounds Committee, and is also on the cooking team for the House. She continues to enjoy the occasional retreat as well. Tara practices CranioSacral Therapy and Massage in St. Cloud and enjoys nature walks with or without dogs, camping, reading, puzzling, and putzing in flower beds.

Rev. Rachel Toombs, PhD

Rachel Toombs serves as the Associate Professor of Old Testament at Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) and part-time as the Assisting Priest and Director of Formation at Ascension Episcopal Church in Stillwater, MN. Rachel received her PhD from Baylor University (Waco, TX), where she wrote on Flannery O’Connor, biblical Hebrew narrative, and the theological force of spare stories. She grew up just outside of Minneapolis, and after many years away—in Canada and Texas—she now resides in Saint Paul. Rachel is married to Lance, and they share their home with two very cute and geriatric dogs, Eowyn and Rosie. In her free time, she likes to bake, read fantasy fiction, and cheer on the MN Twins as they reliably disappoint in playoff years. On Sundays, you will find her performing her priestly duties and ministering to children and youth in a historic and beautiful Episcopal church that overlooks the St. Croix River.

Staff

Dr. Christine Luna Munger Obl OSB, Director | Email

Christine Luna Munger, PhD currently serves as the director of Episcopal House of Prayer. She previously served as Coordinator of the Spiritual Direction Certificate and Professor of Theology at St. Catherine University, where she was also the director of Encuentro, a high school youth in theology initiative. She has taught at University of St. Thomas and College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University. Christine has published articles, videos, and other spiritual direction resources for Spiritual Directors International (SDI), and she regularly writes, teaches, and leads group prayer sits at EHoP. Christine is a mother of two young children. She is bilingual (English & Spanish) and enjoys all forms of dance and being outdoors.

Stephanie Hart, Hospitality Manager | Email

Stephanie Hart is the Hospitality Manager for Episcopal House of Prayer. She is the primary contact for rental groups and retreat participants, helping to ensure that all of the details and needs are attended to for a variety of events. Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in theology from the College of St. Benedict and has maintained connections with the monastic community for over 20 years, including singing in the choir. Continuing the tradition of Benedictine hospitality in this place is natural and life-giving for her. Steph lives with her partner and stepdaughter on 20 acres and enjoys making music, cooking, reading, and biking. She also maintains a small bodywork practice, offering massage, myofascial release, and energy work.

Jan Bros, OblSB, Program Associate | Email

For over forty years, the Christian contemplative tradition has been Jan’s primary source of nourishment. She is passionate about helping others grow and deepen in their spiritual lives and experience the presence of God here and now. Serving in the church, first as a lay person and then as an ordained pastor, she has incorporated the wisdom of her spiritual mentors and teachers to create and facilitate various formational experiences in congregations. Of particular interest to her are the ways traditional Benedictine monasticism can be adapted to create a shared life (ora et labora) centered in Christ today. Jan lives with her husband Bob, adult son John, and their dog Einstein in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She worships with the “Episcopalians” these days as well as the monastic communities of St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, and St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph.

Amy Chatelaine, Editor of Curriculum | Email

Amy Chatelaine serves as Editor of Curriculum for Episcopal House of Prayer’s Transforming Hearts program. Amy enjoys interweaving wisdom and best practices from her background in public health, contemplative spirituality, and the arts. She most recently worked as Editor and Communications Coordinator for On Being with Krista Tippett and Poetry Unbound with Pádraig Ó Tuama. Amy holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University and studied Biology at St. Olaf College. She lives in the Twin Cities and finds wholeness in playing cello, hosting community circles, teaching yoga, exploring Minnesota’s state parks, and having dance parties with her two young nieces.

Beth Harvey, Community Content Coordinator | Email

Beth is the Community Content Coordinator for Episcopal House of Prayer. She manages communications including emails, website, social media, and other projects that come up. She has lived in Minneapolis since graduating in graphic design and journalism from Iowa State University. She enjoys sharing her graphic design talents with her clients and non-profit organizations that are close to her heart. Beth enjoys spending her free time on creative pursuits – especially quilting and book arts – reading, traveling, and spending time with her Keeshond dog Faith.

Bonnie Wenker, Bookkeeper | Email

Bonnie Wenker serves as the bookkeeper for Episcopal House of Prayer, and she also assists the director. Bonnie has a degree in business management and many years of experience in product marketing and project management, including working as a fundraising and marketing manager. This experience has shaped her strong values, ethics, and beliefs in keeping with a golden rule: to treat others as you want to be treated. Bonnie is active in her parish and community and has a passion for teaching and volunteering, and she is especially passionate about volunteering for the Wills for Heroes program.