Staff

The Reverend Mike Louia

Pastor Mike Louia began his call as Senior Pastor at First Lutheran in November 2014. Prior to beginning his call at First, Pastor Mike served as pastor at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Funkstown, MD. He is excited to serve with the disciples God has called into this community as we reach out into the world with God’s loving words of grace and mercy.

Pastor Mike graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, where he began his theological studies after retiring from a 20-year career at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo). He currently serves as team leader for our synod’s Mission Through Leadership Team and on our synod council.

He is married to Nancy and has two adult children, Ryan and Megan.

Wayne L. Wold joined the staff of First Lutheran as part-time Director of Music Ministry/Organist in September of 2013, after serving seventeen years in a similar position at Camp David. He also is Professor, Organist, and Chair of the Music Department at Hood College in Frederick MD.

Wayne is widely known as a performer, having presented organ recitals and hymn festivals all across the U.S. and in Europe, and he is harpsichordist with the Hood Chamber Players and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. An active composer, over 300 of his compositions have been published.He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead MN, a Master of Sacred Music degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester VA, and is certified as an Associate of the American Guild of Organists.

Lauren Caronna is First Lutheran's Director of Youth and Children's Ministries.. She received her Bachelor's Degree of Children, Youth, and Family Studies from Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, Washington. Lauren has always loved being a part of children's and youth ministry. She loves building relationships with young people and helping them grow in their faith. She also loves to sing and spend time with her family and friends. Lauren is very happy to be a part of the First Lutheran staff.

Phyllis Lott, Administrative Assistant

Lori Teitelbaum, Secretary

 
 

 

 

The Reverend Tamika Jancewicz

Pastor Tamika Jancewicz is First Lutheran's Associate Pastor. Prior to coming to First Lutheran, Tamika was called to be the vicar of Christ Lutheran Church in DC. She learned so much from her time there, and is anticipating the growth and service she will have at First Lutheran. She brings with her a love of biblical storytelling, a heart for reconciliation and renewal in community, and a strong passion for social justice.

She is the proud mother of her two children, Nya (11) and Arion (10).

 

Len Langrick joined the staff of First Lutheran as assistant director of music ministry and choir director in the Fall 2019. Len has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance from Western Michigan University, and a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance from Indiana University. In addition to being a Maryland State certified music educator, Len has obtained Level III certifications in both the Kodaly and Orff-Schulwerk approaches to music education. Len comes to us with music leadership experience in several dominations: Lutheran, Presbyterian, and most recently the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis. Len teaches choral/general music for Rockburn Elementary School of the Howard County Public School System. Len and his husband, Tim, reside in Columbia.

The Rev. Dr. Surekha Nelavala is the pastor of Beloved Community, a Christian community that provides a multicultural opportunity to worship on Saturday evenings.

 

Jenny James is the Director of First Lutheran Preschool. Her experiences include teaching at numerous preschools, training child care providers, managing training programs for a work/life company, and advocating for children and families. She studied Early Childhood Development at De Anza College in California and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from University of Maryland, University College. Jenny is also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association.

Renee Kalu joined the staff of First Lutheran as part-time Director of Communications in July 2017, with more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience. Renee has worked with large corporations such as CBRE, Honeywell and AutoNation, as well as small companies, directly supporting the marketing, communications and administrative needs of corporate leaders and business owners. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Renee has also completed several computer graphic & web design courses as part of her continuing education. Renee is passionate about joining in and communicating the amazing things God has done and is doing around and through her. She has been an avid volunteer since the age of 13, lending her talents, time and resources primarily to the youth and elderly in the church and community. She currently serves on the Media Relations team with Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child (OCC), and has had success in pitching several OCC stories to the local media in NC. In her new role with First Lutheran, she will direct, develop and support the congregation’s communication processes in living out its mission of Welcoming, Growing and Sharing in God’s Grace, by telling the story of God’s work in our congregation. She is excited to connect her passion with her purpose here at First Lutheran.

Not Pictured:

Preschool Teachers: Jen Copsey, Kim Delmar, Diane Hauk, Angie Swann, and Stuart Unkenholz.
Assistants: Kelly Donovan, Jeanette Gallo, Judy Haines, Noelle Jackson, and Betsy Mangum, 
Music Teacher: Karen Estrada
Administrative Assistant for the Preschool:  Kelly Jensen