Ministry Staff

Email:  prdorthy@grace97330.org

We welcome Pastor Dorthy who specializes in Interim-Transitional ministry.  She brings her experience serving as an Interim Pastor in churches in Montana and Oregon to walk with Grace through this process.  She says “The work to which I have been called, serving & working with God’s people, has been blessing & challenge. My theology is Incarnational, my pastoral style is open-door, open communications, & I know, believe that whatever is needed for ministry in the “place we are, is available…in you!

Email: kristin@grace97330.org

My name is Kristin, and I am thrilled to be joining the Grace community as the Youth and Family Minister. I was born and raised in Montana, attended college in Minnesota, and am looking forward to now living in Oregon. Over the past three years, I have served on year-round staff at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Lakeside, MT, as well as a substitute teacher and activities facilitator at a science museum in Helena, MT. I enjoy playing music, trail running, and a good dirty chai latte. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Email: office@grace97330.org

Andrea comes with Bali, her beautiful, Black Labrador companion and guide dog.  She and husband John have a daughter, Chrissy, who is a graduate of South Albany High School.  Professionally, Andrea’s background is in Architectural Computer Aided Drafting. While working in this field, she was also employed to assist in office administration where her skills in this area were honed. Andrea loves to volunteer and has served in various capacities in community organizations and charity walk events. She is active in the guide dog community serving as an officer of an alumni chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and volunteering with the local puppy raising club for GDB. Andrea is also involved both locally and nationally in the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).  Andrea has more recently gotten involved with Disaster Preparedness and assisting the visually impaired with how to be prepared for an emergency.

Email: jody@grace97330.org

Jody Parker is the Monday Office Assistant, since 2010. In 1982 she received a BA from the University of Oregon in German Language and Literature, with a semester of study at Tubingen University in West Germany. While at the University of Oregon, she ran on the track and cross-country teams. She made All-American twice, and led the 1979 Women’s Cross-Country team to a second place finish (by 1 point) at the AIAW National meet in Tallahassee, Florida. Currently she is on the Library Committee at Grace Lutheran Church, since 2012, and serves as Secretary to the Mid Willamette Chapter of the Pacific Northwest Association of Church Libraries.

Email:   bryson@grace97330.org

Hello Everyone, my name is Bryson Skaar and I am happy to be Grace Lutheran’s new Interim Director of Music Ministries. I’m excited to be joining this wonderful community and I am looking forward to mutually worshipping and praising with our music. Even distanced I hope to impart the joy, comfort, and strength music can add to our worship.

I’m a local musician who works regularly at Oregon State University, DTW Productions, and the Corvallis Community Choir. Prior to joining Grace Lutheran I was a keyboardist with Peace Lutheran for 10 years. I grew up in Philomath and then attended OSU for a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Piano Performance, under the tutelage of Dr. Rachelle McCabe. My degree focused on classical studies, but throughout my musical upbringing I’ve developed an appetite for improvisation and composition. In addition to classical music, I really enjoy performing contemporary styles such as jazz, funk, gospel, hip hop, R&B, and latin. There is so much freedom of expression in music and so many wonderful people I get to work with being a musician. That is something I regularly give thanks and praise for. I look forward to our time together, and thank you for welcoming me to Grace Lutheran!

Email: bookkeeper@grace97330.org

Robin Comforto brings years of experience as a bookkeeper as well as familiarity with working in a congregational setting.  When not working as a bookkeeper, she works at OSU as a real-time transcriber for hearing impaired students and faculty.  In addition to numbers, Robin also has a love of music —  she plays the piano, and sings in the choir at First United Methodist Church here in Corvallis.  Robin has a passion for environmental issues, and works hard to reduce her carbon footprint.