Introducing the staff of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. If you need additional information, please reach out to our office through our contact page.
Karen Boda, Interim Pastor
Pastor Karen Boda most recently served as the Interim Pastor at Christ Lutheran in Marietta and Community of Grace Lutheran in Grayson. She was Interim Supply at St. Mark’s Episcopal in LaGrange. Prior to her time as Interim, she was Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life in the ELCA Southeastern Synod, and before that was called to Faith Lutheran in Clay, AL, just north of Birmingham.
Pastor Karen graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and affiliated with Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, interning at St. Luke, Atlanta, GA. She is a second-career pastor, having previously been a director in customer support at Hewlett Packard and a partner in a small management consulting firm. Pastor Karen and her husband have three adult children and a sweet pup named Rosie. They currently reside in Decatur.
Chase Petersen recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, with a Master’s Degree in organ performance. During that time, he played the organ at The Church at Highland Park, in Austin. He moved to Atlanta in 2023, to be an Organ Scholar at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, prior to joining the staff at Good Shepherd. He also enjoys teaching and maintains a private studio of piano students in addition to his church work.
Pam Weinelt studied piano, violin and voice at Newberry College and Kennesaw State University while completing her degrees in Accounting. She has participated in a variety of performance groups including Newberry Madrigals performing ensemble (piano), the Atlanta Youth and Cobb Symphonies (violin), and several small jazz and performance ensembles (piano, vibes/bells, bass) in college. She was Director of Music at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Roswell from 1986-1998 before accepting the position of Praise Team Coordinator for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 1999.
Melina Thurmond, Office Coordinator and Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator
Melina (Mel) is a long time Lutheran and native Illinois. She has worked administratively with her home church, college campus ministries, and the ELCA Youth Gathering. Her long time love for kids blossomed from her fourteen years at church camp. When she isn’t busy planning the next youth activity, you can catch Mel hiking trails, kayaking, hammocking, or knitting.
Donna has been a member at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for many years. She has been actively involved with many of our youth programs including Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and a regular Sunday Servant. She and her husband have 5 children, who have also grown up attending Good Shepherd. Donna loves spending time with her family playing games, doing crafts and enjoying the outdoors. She loves technology and helping people understand it.
She is a long-standing leader of the congregation. She has a professional background with over 10 years experience in corporate accounting. Over the last 15 years, Carrie has specifically worked in nonprofit accounting with faith-based organizations.
Aaron and his family have been members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1997. Aaron has been blessed to work as the custodian since 2006. Aaron has been helping with the music for Vacation Bible School for many years. Aaron loves music and has been singing with the Praise Team since 2002. Aaron enjoys going to the movies, playing games, and going on vacation with his family.
Staff
Introducing the staff of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. If you need additional information, please reach out to our office through our contact page.
Karen Boda, Interim Pastor
Pastor Karen Boda most recently served as the Interim Pastor at Christ Lutheran in Marietta and Community of Grace Lutheran in Grayson. She was Interim Supply at St. Mark’s Episcopal in LaGrange. Prior to her time as Interim, she was Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life in the ELCA Southeastern Synod, and before that was called to Faith Lutheran in Clay, AL, just north of Birmingham.
Pastor Karen graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and affiliated with Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, interning at St. Luke, Atlanta, GA. She is a second-career pastor, having previously been a director in customer support at Hewlett Packard and a partner in a small management consulting firm. Pastor Karen and her husband have three adult children and a sweet pup named Rosie. They currently reside in Decatur.
Contact Pastor Boda
Chase Petersen, Organist/Choir Director
Chase Petersen recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, with a Master’s Degree in organ performance. During that time, he played the organ at The Church at Highland Park, in Austin. He moved to Atlanta in 2023, to be an Organ Scholar at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, prior to joining the staff at Good Shepherd. He also enjoys teaching and maintains a private studio of piano students in addition to his church work.
Contact Chase Petersen
Pam Weinelt, Praise Service Coordinator
Pam Weinelt studied piano, violin and voice at Newberry College and Kennesaw State University while completing her degrees in Accounting. She has participated in a variety of performance groups including Newberry Madrigals performing ensemble (piano), the Atlanta Youth and Cobb Symphonies (violin), and several small jazz and performance ensembles (piano, vibes/bells, bass) in college. She was Director of Music at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Roswell from 1986-1998 before accepting the position of Praise Team Coordinator for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 1999.
Contact Pam
Melina Thurmond, Office Coordinator and Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator
Melina (Mel) is a long time Lutheran and native Illinois. She has worked administratively with her home church, college campus ministries, and the ELCA Youth Gathering. Her long time love for kids blossomed from her fourteen years at church camp. When she isn’t busy planning the next youth activity, you can catch Mel hiking trails, kayaking, hammocking, or knitting.
Contact Melina
Donna Garges, Media Coordinator
Donna has been a member at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for many years. She has been actively involved with many of our youth programs including Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and a regular Sunday Servant. She and her husband have 5 children, who have also grown up attending Good Shepherd. Donna loves spending time with her family playing games, doing crafts and enjoying the outdoors. She loves technology and helping people understand it.
Contact Donna
Carrie Escamilla, Bookkeeper
She is a long-standing leader of the congregation. She has a professional background with over 10 years experience in corporate accounting. Over the last 15 years, Carrie has specifically worked in nonprofit accounting with faith-based organizations.
Contact Carrie
Aaron Frink, Custodian
Aaron and his family have been members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1997. Aaron has been blessed to work as the custodian since 2006. Aaron has been helping with the music for Vacation Bible School for many years. Aaron loves music and has been singing with the Praise Team since 2002. Aaron enjoys going to the movies, playing games, and going on vacation with his family.