TLC Church Council

My wife Kristin and I joined TLC in 2021 during the pandemic.  We fell in love with this church immediately.  At the time attendance was very low but those who were here were so open and accepting of us.  Seeing the need for ushers, I jumped right in and began my volunteering at TLC along side Janice Millford as an usher.  I was then asked if I would be willing to be the team lead for Missions & Outreach which I said I would since I had experience with being Chair of that same committee at our other church.  From there I became a team member of the Strategic Implementation Team. 

​

My wife and I moved to Bloomington in 1993 and we both have been very involved with volunteering with many organizations.  I recently retired from the Bloomington Athletic Association (BAA) after 20 years of volunteer service where I served as President of the organization for 4 years.  I look forward to the chance to continue to strengthen and grow the  TLC family in the years ahead.

If you attend the Sunday services, you will usually find me almost every Sunday morning, at the doors to the sanctuary or Nave, as Pastor Al called it, handing out the bulletins and telling you that you are welcome this day and we are glad you have come.  Saying Welcome to all is one of the best parts of my week. I live in Bloomington & have been residing here since 1961 with a few exceptions.  My husband and I have two sons who are also in state and we really enjoy all that the Twin Cities area has to offer.  I am currently on the Council and seek to extend my stay to “finish the work”.  After two long years of Covid prevention and a lot of staff and members leaving, it is so nice to come out on the other side with hope and visions for a better church. I would appreciate you allowing me to continue the journey forward.  Thank you.   

My family and I joined TLC in 2011. Our family moved to Eden Prairie in 2001, but our church was in Dinkytown. Over time, the drive became too much, and we began looking for a church closer to home. While there are Lutheran churches closer to us, TLC was the one that felt like home—and one that had good music with a bell choir. My first Sunday with the bells was Pastor Vern’s last Sunday.

In our time at TLC, I have been involved with music, counting, Sunday School Milestones,

Vacation Bible School, and the nursery. Other volunteer experiences include serving as a

member of the Hennepin Healthcare Research Foundation’s Institutional Biosafety Committee and teaching

kindergarteners about frogs and frog development.

I’m excited to continue working with the amazing leadership at TLC!

My family and I became members of TLC beginning in 2014. We attended services and met wonderful people over the next few years. Once our son, Joey, began preschool, we joined a different church that had more children, but we found that we missed the true community feel that TLC had offered us. Since returning in 2019, we have never looked back and this has become our church home.

As an active member, I have participated in various congregational planning & vision meetings, attended many family events, belonged to the Cafe Group and served on the Call Committee. My most recent activities include teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, ringing in the handbell choir, and singing in the adult choir. I am honored to serve on the Church Council with other wonderful people who call TLC their church home.

Hello Friends at TLC!
 

My name is Karin Tappero and I grew up attending TLC with my family - The Dueffert's - and was confirmed here in 1989.  My husband & I live in Bloomington and together we are parents to our fur babies.  I am a lifelong vegetarian, animal lover and my mantra to get through everyday is to sing as much as possible!  You will hear my voice in the choir or song leading from time to time.  
 

For the last 17 years I have been employed at a local business where I am the Director of Operations.  My responsibilities include overseeing 9 retail locations - and let me tell you:  working retail throughout covid challenged me to navigate everyday with an open mind and to be ready for anything!  
 

I came back to TLC in November of 2021 after my beloved father passed.  Coming back here brought back many happy memories and it felt like home.  It not only helps me feel closer to God, but my dad too.  I am so happy to be a part of a place that not only speaks to but acts with love, compassion and inclusion.  I am honored and excited to see how I can be of help in the TLC Council!

I have been an active member of TLC since 2017 after initially attending several services in 2016. Since then, I have worked with TLC every year on Wednesday night as a small group leader and with the mentor program with youth confirmation. I have also worked closely with PACT on fundraising for Gbarnga County Liberia, Center for Changing Lives -Liberia and other amazing projects. I was fortunate to travel with other members of TLC to Liberia in 2019 and am forever blessed by the experience and the shared love by all. The core tenets, I believe, found at TLC (love, compassion, grace, and peace) are what drives me to attend worship and continue this work.  I attend service with my young daughter, Liv and am excited for her and the future of TLC to continue community work, both locally and internationally.

I grew up in Richfield, and was very active at House of Prayer.  But, when our oldest son was starting Kindergarten, we needed both day care and local church.  In 1986, we found both

at TLC!  Since joining the church that year, I have been involved in teaching Sunday School, Confirmation, Choir, MANY committees over the years, the ELC board, and ringing bells in the Bell Choir.  TLC has been my church home for almost 40 years… through good times and not so good times.  TLC is filled with faithful members, staff, and friends.  It is simply a good place. TLC plays an important role in the lives of it’s members, in our community, and in my life.

​

I consider it an honor to serve the TLC community.

Hello! My name is Sophie Werner, and I’ve attended Transfiguration Lutheran Church my
entire life. I have been volunteering in the Sunday School program since middle school and
also help in the nursery, with Vacation Bible School, and in various other ministries at TLC.

One of the things I enjoy most about TLC is the connections I’ve made.

I worked as an ELCA pastor in Papua New Guinea and rural MN.  I also worked in the lawn sprinkler business for some years in the Twin Cities after we moved to Bloomington in 2005. I am retired from both. We joined TLC in 2005.  Our daughter Laurel had a great experience here in confirmation and high-school and great support over the years.  At TLC I know I will be nourished with the gospel and challenged to serve and strengthened in faith and life in my pilgrimage with God and my neighbor.  I have helped a little with confirmation and helped maintain the lawn sprinklers and keep an eye on the ushers when they get out of hand.  I have enjoyed the men's golf and a service trip to New Orleans after storm Katrina.