Rev. Michael Thomas - Senior Pastor

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Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Pastor Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University and his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary both in Columbus.  Following graduation he served a two-point parish in Westfield, WI and then served as the associate pastor at St. James in Verona, WI.  His next call was as an associate pastor at Our Savior’s in La Crosse, WI.  In 1989 he was called to serve as Senior Pastor at Messiah Lutheran in Ralston, NE.  After 10 years he resigned to work for a few years as Trauma Night Chaplain at UNMC in Omaha, NE.  During 2000 he served as an interim pastor at Salem until his call in 2001.

 Mike and his wife, Jackie have three boys and he enjoys walking, dancing, scuba diving and golf.  Mike has been a volunteer fire fighter for many years and currently serves as the Chaplain and Honor Guard member of the Ralston Fire Department.  In addition he serves as the Vice-President of Fremont Midland Entertainment Series Board.  He is a member of the Fremont Ministerial Association, Midland Cluster of the NE Synod and serves on the Mission Interpreter Task Force of the NE Synod. 

Salem is a wonderful congregation that is friendly, warm and energized for the gospel!  It is a joy to serve here and I am grateful for the many volunteers who make a difference for the ministry.

John Cooper - Music and Worship Director

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John joined our staff in November of 2008 as organist, and assumed the role of music and worship director in June of 2009.   A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, John taught vocal and instrumental music for 33 years, the last 6 at North Bend Public Schools, before retiring and coming to Salem.  John (originally from Omaha) and his wife Peggy (originally from Sidney, Iowa) have three grown daughters (Christine, Susan, and Angela), a lovely granddaughter (Lauren), and live in Fremont with their two dogs (Dutchess, 12 and LuLu, 6).  Our third dog, Cassie, 17, passed away in November of 2011-we truly miss her! John and Peggy are passionate about their work at Salem and thoroughly enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Music and worship meetings are now being held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 5 pm in the library.

Adult Handbells rehearse at 5 pm in the balcony, while the Adult Choir rehearses at 6:30 in the same location. We will end our winter/spring season on May 19th, so we hope you can join us in the fall! If you are interested in becoming a part of our music ministry through one of our choirs, handbells, or Spirit and Truth worship teams, please contact John.  We need you! John's home phone is 402-909-6055.

The summer season is upon us! If you would like to provide special music at our services, contact John. We are always looking for talent! Please join us for worship this summer. We have a wide variety of different summer worship experiences this year and hope you can join us. One of our special services this year will be the return of the Armouraires in both worship and a 2 pm concert on June 30th. Plan on attending to hear this very popular group.

John's e-mail: salemjcooper1@q.com

Sybil Peterson - Director of Youth and Discipleship

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Sybil comes to us with an extensive background both in church ministry and student development.  She has most recently worked in a church and Christian school on the East Coast, and has previously worked in student life at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D.  Sybil earned her Master's Degree in Counseling and Student Affairs from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Sybil's passions are faith, family, friends and fun.  Her desire, as Director of Youth and Discipleship at Salem, is to see students and young adults develp a deep and personal faith in Jesus Christ that affects how they live, make decisions, and relate to others throughout their lives.  Sybil has been married to her husband Tim for 35 years.  She is the mother of four grown children and seven grandchildren.  Her favorite snacks are Peanut M&M's, cashews, and Pepsi.  She is looking forward to "hanging out" with students and getting acquainted with the congregation of Salem.

I am Casey McElroy, and I am honored to say that I will be the new director here at Salem Little Saints Daycare!  I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in Elementary Education.  I have currently been an assistant director for learning centers in the Omaha area.  I have a passion to learn, teach, and feel very blessed to have this opportunity to grow with Salem Little Saints!

Sandy Reimnitz - Administrative Assistant

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We welcome Sandy to the office.  Sandy's hours are 8-4 Monday through Friday with the exception of Wednesday when she leaves at noon. Sandy is married, and she and her husband, Larry, have lived in Fremont for almost 30 years.  They have four grown children: Eric, Adam and wife Heather, Cory and wife Venetia, and Sara Knudsen and husband John.  Please stop in the office and introduce yourself.

Nan Pollack - Administrative Assistant

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We welcome Nan to the church office in the shared position as administrative assistant with Sandy Reimnitz.  They will be working a total of 32 hours per week, with a volunteer covering Friday afternoons.  Nan is married to Rob George, and they have two children - John, 23, who lives in Oregon and Gabby, 19, who is a sophomore at UNL.  Please welcome her to Salem and her new position.

Rosie Parde - Adult Choir Director

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Rosie and her husband Les have been members of Salem Lutheran twice.  First from 1972-1977, and then again from 1982 to current date.  She began her work at Salem by working initially with the Children's Choir which later expanded to the addition of the Adult Choir.  She has also been a member of the praise teams since blended services have been a part of Salem's ministry.  Rosie taught vocal music in public schools having retired in the Spring of 2012.   Education includes degrees from Dana College and UNL in Music Education.  She has also taken various continuing education courses from the University of Northern Colorado and the Vandercook School of Music in Chicago, IL.

Rosie and Les have three children and two grandchildren. (They are anxiously awaiting the third grandchild.)

Ministry through music is powerful.  Singing religious songs is just one of the ways that people worship.  For many, it is the message through song that their own lives are touched in very meaningful ways.Salem is always looking for more people who love to sing to the glory of God.  Rehearsals are fun at the same time of being very productive. 

Rosie also serves in the capacity of sharing music with the confirmands during the year both by singing praise songs or using chime bars to play music for services once a month. 

Peggy Cooper - Bookkeeper

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Peggy joined our staff in February 2011 as the bookkeeper and has been a member of Salem since 2009.  She has worked in the bookkeeping field for 40+ years and is looking forward to her new challenges at Salem.  Peggy enjoys honoring and serving her Lord in many areas at Salem.  She is a member of the Spirit and Truth Team.  Besides singing, Peggy enjoys sewing, knitting, counted cross stitch, and spending time with her husband John.  She spearheaded the project Bonnets-4 Babies at FAMC.  She is honored to say that this wonderful group of ladies has donated over 1100 hats since the project started in February, 2009.

Dave started working for Salem part-time.  He has since changed to full time custodian.  He brings many varied skills with him to our full time staff.  He works with the property committee as a team to take care of our church properties.