PASTOR KAREN STETINS - SENIOR PASTOR
With joy and thanksgiving, Pastor Karen answered God's call to serve the people of St. Mark's in August of 2018. She is originally from the Chicago area, and most recently served two congregations in Paulding County, Ohio for eight years.
Pastor Karen has two adult sons: Adam, who lives in San Francisco; and Ryan, who lives in Napa with his wife, Kelly and son, Lincoln.
"PK" -- as she is known to many -- received her Masters of Divinity in 2010 from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She served her year of internship in West Point, Nebraska, a rural town north of Omaha. Before attending seminary, PK served the wider church as the assistant to the bishop in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA in Chicago, as administrator at Ridge Lutheran Church in Chicago, and as an American Sign Language interpreter.
Pastor Karen enjoys crafts and "brain" games, spending time with family and friends (especially her new grandson!) Her passions include serving all God's people in need and lifting up the lay members of the congregation and encouraging them to use their God-given gifts for the sake of the world.
LUCILLE BOWERS - ST. MARK'S PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
Lucille Bowers currently serves as the Director of St. Mark’s Preschool in Fairfield. She has served the preschool and the community since 2001. She found St Mark’s as a mother of preschool age children and decided to return to school to become one of St. Mark’s teachers. In 2006 Lucille became the preschool’s director.
Prior to her calling into this ministry she was the Nor-Cal and Nevada district sales manager for a multi-million dollar retail company responsible for 15 stores and over 120 employees.
Lucille Bowers is married to Bill Bowers, and together they have two daughters: Madison who lives in Idaho with her husband, Tyler and grandson, Levi; Molly who lives in Fairfield and works at the Preschool.
Lucille often states she feels truly blessed with the love of family, this preschool, her awesome staff and everyone at St. Mark’s.
Her hobbies are being in the outdoors, going to the gym, spin class, yoga, walking her dog, and spending time with her family.
SEMYON LOHSS - ACCOMPANIST & CHORAL DIRECTOR
Maestro Semyon Lohss continues to serve St. Mark's as the Musical Director for the traditional service. He is also celebrating his 23rd season as the Music Director and Conductor of the Solano Community Symphony. The Maestro brings years of orchestral, opera and choral conducting experience to our traditional service.
A native of St. Petersburg (Leningrad), Russia; the Maestro is an honors graduate from the Leningrad State Conservatory with two Masters of Music Degrees: one in Symphony and Opera Conducting and the other in Choral Conducting.
In June 2002, Maestro Lohss made his Carnegie Hall debut with great success. His guest conducting highlights include the Ballet California, North Bay Opera, Vallejo Symphony, Palo Alto Philharmonic and Nova Vista Symphony, among others. He joined the Solano Community Symphony for 1992-1993 Concert Season and has been a staple at St. Mark's since 2003.