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.
Thomas Eisnor is our Director of Music Ministry and is our organist and choir director. He directs our chancel choir, Jubilate Ringers, beginner bells, and Shepherd’s choir. Thomas studied voice and organ performance at Gordon College, and Emory University. He is the grand prize winner of the Atlanta AGO scholarship competition for the year 2006, and the first recipient to be invited back as a judge. When Thomas isn’t making music he can be found anywhere on the water, fishing, skiing, or sailing.
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
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
Thomas Eisnor, Director of Music Ministry
Thomas Eisnor is our Director of Music Ministry and is our organist and choir director. He directs our chancel choir, Jubilate Ringers, beginner bells, and Shepherd’s choir. Thomas studied voice and organ performance at Gordon College, and Emory University. He is the grand prize winner of the Atlanta AGO scholarship competition for the year 2006, and the first recipient to be invited back as a judge. When Thomas isn’t making music he can be found anywhere on the water, fishing, skiing, or sailing.
Contact Thomas
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.