The Rev. Dr. Paula V. Mehmel
Pastor Paula, as she is widely known, describes herself as “a radical, evangelical, Lutheran mystic.” A Minnesota native, she holds an undergrad degree in English and German from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and has been an ordained ELCA pastor for 33 years, serving parishes in Minnesota, North Dakota and most recently Connecticut. Pastor Paula is a popular speaker, writer and proud single mother of two sons as well as two step children and five grandchildren. With a passion for serving the last, the lost and the least, she is a committed community member with a special interest in homelessness, refugee resettlement and addressing issues of sexual violence. She serves as co-President of South Sudan Leadership and Community Development. In her spare time she is passionate about travel, Broadway, fine food, ballroom dance and Minnesota sports teams.