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| Pastor Todd Murken, PhD
| Hello! I am happy that you are reading this, because you must have some interest in Holden Lutheran Parish. It is one of the great joys of my life to serve these two vital churches, full of faith and joy and good works.
These dear saints are eager to hear God’s Message, the stern truth as well as the glad truth of the Gospel. They are prayerful. They are musical and talented. They have a real heart for the community and are generous in serving both locally and globally. They love our youth and are generous in helping us go on summer mission trips.
Their mutual love is something to see. I am happy for anyone who would come to us, for they will be heartily welcomed, appreciated and loved.
|  | My Loves in Ministry Are:
• Preaching the great news about Jesus Christ.
• Preparing worship services that express and strengthen our faith in a lively way, using heart and mind and body.
• Teaching - I love the Scriptures, theology and true knowledge about God and life. And I love to share these treasures with all ages.
• Pastoral care and counseling - I am honored when people share with me their joys and troubles, their questions and fears. They tell me that in our conversation they are not only comforted, but gain some insights into their situation and some good plans for how to move forward.
• Youth - Amazing, these young people. As they try to find their way, I love to show them respect, to care about their struggles, and to give them some wisdom to help them find the Light.
• Retreats - Wonderful things happen when Christians “go apart” for awhile, to focus on God, listen to each other, and let the Spirit whisper to them.
• Addressing community issues - The world is hurting, and too often hurting itself. I like to work with people to increase understanding and compassion, to bring help and solve problems.
• Music - Music supports and propels God’s life-giving Word. And it’s fun.
| A Few Facts
Todd B. Murken was born March 31, 1955 in Iowa and reborn through holy Baptism 24 days later. He grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he studied, was confirmed and first received the Lord’s Supper.
In higher education he received two theatre degrees, a BA from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and a MFA in acting from the University of Minnesota.
Being called by the Spirit into the ministry, he matriculated at Christ Seminary—Seminex at St. Louis in 1981. His internship was at Christ Lutheran in Washington, D.C. He received his MDiv degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1985.
That same week-end he married Gisele Berninghaus, a seminarian at Gettysburg seminary. He was first called to Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine. There their son Nathaniel was born.
In 1990 they moved to Illinois so he could pursue a doctorate in (systematic) theology at LSTC. After completing class work, and the birth of their daughter Anastasia, he was called to First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1994. His dissertation is on the human role in the Lord’s Supper, upon which in 1998 he received his PhD. He also began to serve as a supply pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Green Bay.
In 2000 he accepted the call to Grace Lutheran in Appleton, and the family moved there. In 2002 he accepted the call to Calvary Lutheran in Green Bay. In 2007 he resigned that call. About the same time, his wife ended their marriage.
Pastor Murken began serving Holden Lutheran Parish in July of 2007. In the beginning of 2008 the parish called him to be their pastor. He accepted and was installed with great celebration.
In September 2009 he married the former Julie Fondow. They had been put in touch by a mutual friend. He quickly came to appreciate her wisdom about life and what people require to be happy, her genuine love and valuing of everyone she meets, her wit and humor, her deep happiness. After a 17 month courtship across several counties, they wed.
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