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

Erin Barnett, First Vice Chair | Email

Erin first came to the House of Prayer in the spring of 2018 and her heart quickly felt the tug of this extraordinary space and the community around it. She works as a psychotherapist in private practice, and previously worked in sustainable agriculture as a grant writer, program coordinator and farmhand. She, her husband, and their teenage daughter live outside of Northfield, where they grow a big garden and enjoy time in nature.

Rev. Cody Maynus, OblSB, Second Vice Chair | Email

Father Cody Maynus, OblSB, is a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota and has the privilege of serving 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.

Dianne Schlichting, Secretary | Email

Dianne is a member of EHoP; 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 EHOP. 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.

Jan Bros, Executive Committee Member At Large

For over forty years, the Christian contemplative tradition has nourished Rev. Jan Bros, OblSB. Incorporating the wisdom of the spiritual teachers she has encountered, Jan created and facilitated various new programs and experiences that helped others grow and deepen in their spiritual lives and experience the presence of God here and now. 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” most days, although she is genuinely ecumenical at the core.

Kathryn Wiant, Executive Committee Member At Large

Kathryn Wiant has been active at the House of Prayer for more than twenty years, and has been a member of the Contemplative Body since 2009. In addition to serving on the board, she has served on the Building and Grounds committee, the committee to update the House furnishings, and has helped to create the EHoP kitchen’s sustainability plan. She is also one of the team of Chi Gung leaders at the House. She is a retired educator and previously ran her own interior design consulting business. Her primary activity now is making pottery. She and her husband have raised three children and have three grandchildren. They enjoy hiking, biking, fly fishing, reading, music, and tending their land.

Members

Tom Darnall

Tom Darnall is a retired Professor Emeritus of Theater from the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University. Teaching Theater Arts in a Liberal Arts context on two Benedictine campuses allowed Tom to emphasize the spiritual roots of theater. Tom has been involved with the Episcopal House of Prayer since its inception and is a founding member of the Contemplative Body.

Johannas Asmussen

Johannas is a retired educator after 46 years teaching in the K-12 public sector and at Bemidji State University. In 2011 she was ordained as an Episcopal Priest. She is an avid traveler and hockey fan. Creating knitting projects to donate to needy children and animals occupies her time when she attends meetings or watches TV. She has several collections that include tea pots, camels, angels, and Owls. Jo has danced with liturgical companies and uses dance as a form of prayer. She is an associate of the The Order of Julian of Norwich, having recently retired as an assistant Prior. Jo splits her time between her home on Lake Bemidji and her family home in South Dakota, where she was raised.

Jennifer Otremba

Jennifer finds peace and renewal in the practice of contemplative spirituality, so she was honored to be invited to join the Board and support the work of the House of of Prayer in the community.  Outside of her efforts at the House of Prayer, Jennifer works as a database consultant for nonprofits and loves spending time with her husband, two daughters, and their community of family and friends.

S Hélène Mercier

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.

Brother Paul Jasmer, OSB

Staff

Dr. Christine Luna Munger Obl OSB, Director | Email

Christine Luna Munger, PhD currently serves as the director of the 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 the 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.

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.

Bill Brand, Kitchen Steward

Bill supports of variety of administrative and logistical operations at the House of Prayer. Bill has been involved with the House for many years, including as a member of the Contemplative Body and as a volunteer.

Claire Comstock-Gay, Community Engagement Specialist | Email

Claire Comstock-Gay is the Community Engagement Specialist for Episcopal House of Prayer, where she works to support the EHoP community; promote our workshops, retreats, and other offerings; and bring the contemplative tradition to new audiences. She has worked for a range of nonprofit organizations, and as an independent writer and editor, her work has appeared in publications including New York magazine and the New York Times. She lives in Saint Paul.