Staff

Pastor Kirby Unti – Kirby and Kim mark their arrival at SMLC by noting it was the day Mt. St. Helens erupted. Northwesters know that date as May 18, 1980. SMLC at the time was struggling to keep her doors open but still had a heart for ministry. The first few years were tough sledding. The church was on the verge of going into foreclosure and while change was necessary it was not easily embraced. There were great moments in thse early days that hardly seem noteworthy looking back. Topping the list was the ability to pay for a new roof, install new furnaces and divide off the gravel parking lot with donated telephone polls. God works in mysterious ways to revive dry bones. The early focus which has continued to bear fruit has been to forge a strong partnership with the community. Kirby has been active in Rotary and a strong advocate for South West Mental Health, King Country Sexual Assault Resource Center, Congregations for the Homeless, The Salvation Army, Communities in Schools, Public Health etc. Kirby has a very down to earth approach to ministry and feels called to translate the gospel into the language of the people.

Pastor Gretchen Mertes – Gretchen Weller Mertes has been pastoring at St. Matthew’s since 2006 and lovin’ every minute of it. She manages the music ministry and worship planning, preaches occasionally, and has been known to do some puppeteering. Originally from the Midwest, she enjoys many types of worship experiences from the high liturgy to the very vaguely Lutheran — all of which can be experienced here at SMLC.  In her spare time, you can find Gretchen spending time with her family, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Pastor Kathryn Buffum - Kathryn joined the pastoral staff at St. Matthew’s in 2007. She’s from the neighborhood; early childhood in Bellevue, grade school through high school in south Seattle, college at the University of Washington (BS in Microbiology, DDS), and then twenty years as a dentist in Kirkland. After attending Luther Seminary, she served congregations in Edmonds and Kirkland before joining the great people of St. Matthew’s. Now that son Michael has graduated from college, Kathryn and her husband Dennis Lis-Sette are getting more involved in community volunteering.

Nicole VanderMeulen, Life Stage Children Coordinator - Nicole VanderMeulen is a Michigan native, but has relocated in Washington with her husband, Jon, making their dream of living near a thriving city and the beauty of the water and mountains come true. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphuss College in St. Peter, Minnesota with a BA in Elementary Education. Nicole’s previous endeavors include teaching third grade in a Minnesota public school and serving as the Minister of Family Life at St. James Lutheran in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She joined St. Matthew’s staff on September 1, 2007 and is thrilled for the opportunity to work with children and share God’s love.

Todd Hobart, Life Stage Youth Coordinator - Todd Hobart joined the St. Matthew’s staff in July of 2007 after 3 years of school at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was born and raised in the Northwest, and has worked in a variety of areas with youth and children, including after school programs, a faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center, and several church ministries. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and Western Seminary Seattle (now Mars Hill Graduate School).  Most recently, he graduated from Luther Seminary with a Ph.D. in Congregational Mission and Leadership. Todd and his wife Cori also have two wonderful and fun boys, Sam and Isaiah.

Joan Stewart, Welcome Ministry & Wedding Events – Joan was raised in Seattle, Wa. While she was raising her children, she operated a market research business from her home. In 1978 she became an Administrative Services Supervisor for US West. She is the former owner of Renton Greenhouse and Florist. She has worked on KCSARC Kids Are Our Business Breakfast, chaired the FTD Children’s Miracle Network telethon, a past board member of the Rotary Club of Renton, and is a past member of the executive board of the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce. She has 5 grown children, Jon, Jeanne, Karl, Lisa, Steve and 6 grandchildren.

Libby Lucier, Office Support & Special Events - Libby was born in Yakima, WA but as a child lived with her family in Salt Lake City, Utah and Spokane, WA. Libby moved to the Eastside with her family at thirteen and now resides in Renton, where she has lived with her husband Dan and their 2 children, Dan Jr. and Kathleen. Her background is customer service/sales support and was a floral designer for 10 years which she continues to enjoy as a hobby. Libby loves music and enjoys all the wonderful “life lessons” that raising children have to offer.

Dan Willcocks, Facility Manager - Dan won’t tell you this about himself, but he’s the guy who makes this place tick. He guides a volunteer crew in keeping the building  presentable, and for fun he rides the lift that takes him way up to the ceiling to change our lightbulbs. He’s married to Arlene, and comes originally from Montana. You can take the boy out of Montana, but you can’t take Montana out of the boy!