Zion Lutheran Church
Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Make Christ Known

   
 

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Sunday Worship

8:15 a.m. Traditional
9:30 a.m. Blended
11:00 a.m. Contemporary

More details....

Nursery services available at 9:30 and 11.

Sunday School for youth at 9:30 a.m.

Adult Classes on Sundays as well.

 

Location

1501 West Liberty
(between Seventh and Stadium)
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

Phone: 734-994-4455
Fax: 734-994-4454

Map

 

Meet Zion's Staff

Our Pastors

Pastor Barry Ludwig () is our Senior Pastor. Born in Detroit, Pastor Barry received a B.A. degree from Concordia Sr. College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Master of Divinity Degree from Christ Seminary, St. Louis; and an M.A. degree in Old Testament Studies from the University of Michigan. Ordained in 1977, he served congregations in Madison Heights, Michigan and Marysville, Ohio before coming to Zion in 1999. Barry and his wife Karen have two adult daughters. The Ludwigs love to camp, canoe, hike, read, play golf, and root for the Tigers and Red Wings. Pastor Barry is on sabbatical until April 2010.

Pastor Mike Walters () came to us in July 2006, answering the call to serve as Zion’s Welcome Ministry Pastor. Prior to entering the seminary, he completed his Bachelor’s work at Capital University, in Columbus, Ohio, majoring in Business Management with a Human Resources concentration. Pastor Mike was ordained in 1997 after graduating from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus. He and his family went on to serve Epiphany in Pickerington, Ohio, then Emmanuel in New Philadelphia, Ohio. His call to Zion has him returning to his home state, Michigan, for the first time since 1972. When he’s not in the office and not with his family, Pastor Mike enjoys a round of golf and some hunting and fishing.

Pastor Dave Bracklein () is currently serving as our Visitation Pastor. He began his ordained ministry at Zion in 1960 and served for the next 18 years as Minister of Education and Youth - Associate Pastor, before leaving for Resurrection Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Michigan, where he served for 19 years as senior pastor. He returned in January of l996 to assist in various capacities in both full and part time interim-ministry positions at Zion. Pastor Dave is married to Helen Rae, a professional musician who has taught piano for over 45 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.

 

Our Staff (listed alphabetically)

David Beck () is our Finance Manager and came to Zion in 2008. He grew up in Ann Arbor and in the Lutheran Church and graduated from Huron High School. David started working at Fiegel’s Clothing on Main Street while in high school and worked there full-time after graduation. He earned a BA in Language & International Trade (he speaks German fluently) at Eastern Michigan University and then earned an MBA with a concentration in Finance. David enjoys camping and is ScoutMaster for a local Boy Scout troop, and he also enjoys training his dogs (“the best dogs in the world,” he says), restoring his vintage 1983 BMW motorcycle, and especially, spending time with his family.

Mark Burton is Zion’s Sound Operator.

Christine Carlsen () is the Director of Adult Discipleship Ministries and has been on staff in various capacities since 1994. Christine is daughter of a now retired Lutheran pastor and grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota. She received a B.A in Psychology from Augsburg College, an M.A. in Educational Psychology (specializing in college-age and adult development) from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in May 2009.  Her daughter, Catherine, is married to Steven; they have a son, Asher, and live in Minnesota.  Christine takes great pleasure in her family, sports (watching), sewing and quilting when there is time, her gardens, and vacationing in northern Wisconsin at a family cabin.  In the interest of always learning something new, she intends to learn to cook!

Michelle Clifford () joined Zion’s staff as the coordinator of Bibleland Sunday School activities in 2003. Michelle works closely with the Young Discipleship Committee, department coordinators, leaders and support staff, and parents to ensure we have an inviting and spiritual Bibleland program for our youth. She also coordinates special programs, mission activities, music, and curriculum. Michelle is a lifelong Lutheran, grew up in rural Iowa and attended colleges in Nebraska and Iowa, receiving her BS in finance. Michelle and her husband Tom both work at The Buckle. They have been married 15 years and have two children, Maddie and Mikey. Michelle manages Maddie's synchronized skating team and shuffles Mikey to his many sports activities!

Elgin Clingaman is our Organist and joined Zion’s staff in 2003. Elgin began his musical career at age 7 by studying the piano. He graduated in 1983 from Adrian College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and then studied organ at the University of Michigan with Marilyn Mason, James Kibbie, and Michele Johns. In 1995, Elgin performed at the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society on the largest extant Granville Wood & Son pipe organ, built in 1889. He has served as Dean of the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is currently a member of the Detroit AGO Chapter. Elgin resides in Ann Arbor and is co-owner of Renaissance Pipe Organ Co., Inc. 

Chris LeVasseur joined Zion’s staff as Resident Custodian in 1995, after several years of experience doing mechanical work. He loves working at Zion!

Rob Meyer () is Director of Music and came to Zion in 2007. He holds a BA in Church Music from Concordia University. Rob was previously Director of Music in several other Southeast Michigan congregations -- Resurrection Lutheran Church in Detroit (1998-2000), St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Eastpointe (2000-2006), and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Flint (2006-2007). He also served as church organist for 10 years. As Director of Music, Rob plans weekly and festival worship services and directs numerous vocal, handbell and instrumental ensembles. Rob also performs in several handbell and vocal ensembles in the Metro-Detroit area. Rob's favorite Bible passage is 1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us."

Micki Nixon () is our Office Administrator. She was originally hired in 2000 and retired from Zion in May 2008. After 10 short months of retirement, she is back! Micki is a graduate of Ypsilanti High School and Cleary College. She has been married to her husband Ken for 32 years. They have two grown children: Lindsay, who is married to Edmund and lives in Columbus, OH; and Zack, who is married to Mary and lives in Ashland, OH. Micki and Ken live in Whitmore Lake and enjoy gardening, biking and traveling in their RV, especially spending extended time in Florida in the winter. Micki says, “I really am glad to be back at Zion with this wonderful staff and congregation.”

Andrea Ribick () is Zion’s Wedding Coordinator.

Allison Kendall Rullman (m) is Zion’s Vacation Bible School Coordinator. She is a native New Yorker, life-long Yankees fan, and now also a Detroit Tigers fan! Allison’s family (including husband Loren and daughter Cailey) came to Ann Arbor and joined Zion in 2002, left for Bloomington, Indiana in 2004, and returned to Ann Arbor (and Zion) in 2007. Allison also works in the Media Center at Forsythe Middle School. When she’s not watching baseball or football, Allison loves to walk, bike, scrapbook, hunt for antiques, and work with wool, rug hooking and appliquéing.

Joyce Schlecht is Zion’s office staff person on Fridays. She is responsible for the church membership records as well as general office duties. Joyce was born and raised in the Ann Arbor area and is a lifetime Zion member. She and her husband (George) have two adult children, and four terrific grandsons who are all Zion members. Joyce also works on registrations for Community Education and Recreation and volunteers at Arbor Hospice. Joyce spends many memorable hours with her children, grandchildren and friends at their cottage on Patterson Lake. In her leisure time, Joyce enjoys travel, walking, volleyball, bowling and reading.

Joyce Teichow is Zion’s office staff person on Mondays. She previously worked as a secretary/office manager at the University of Michigan in Financial Operations and then in the University and Development Events office. Joyce has been married to Jim for 41 years, and they have a daughter and son (both married) and one granddaughter. As a lifetime member of Zion, Joyce has been involved in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, the YES Group, Altar Committee, and an office volunteer. Joyce says, “I am thankful to have had the wonderful pastors and people of Zion as my church family.”

Chris Ziemann () is our Coordinator of Young Discipleship Ministries and joined Zion’s staff in 2008.

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Looking for other contact information? Visit our Directory page for a full list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

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