Bishop Emeritus Mark Hanson

Appointed as a Distinguished Fellow in Augsburg’s Christensen Center for Vocation, The Rev. Mark S. Hanson leads national and international initiatives to advance interfaith dialogue, inspire peacemaking, and support the College’s commitment to vocational discernment. In addition, he serves as a major gifts advisor for “Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.” Prior to his current appointments, Hanson served as presiding bishop of the ELCA. He was elected to this position by the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA in August 2001 and was reelected in 2007. In 2003, he was elected to serve, concurrently, as president of the Lutheran World Federation, a position he held until 2010.

Anu Krishnan

Anu Krishnan is the creative Director of her school, Shruthilaya School of Carnatic Music based in the twin cities. She is an accomplished Carnatic Vocalist. Anu started her musical journey at the age of four and has had the privilege of learning and honing her musical skills from the great RK school of Music in India, and later under the tutelage of Smt. Seetha Narayan. She has been the recipient of Gold medal for Carnatic vocal and silver medal for Carnatic Veena at the National level Competition held in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh at the All India Music Competitions. She has performed in various prestigious venues in Indian and abroad alike, and has participated and spearheaded various musical festivals in the twin cities. Currently, she resides in Plymouth and imparts her musical knowledge to the next generation and among her peers from her home studio. To embark or pursue your Indian classical music journey, do contact her after the program.

Karen Willis

Karen Wills, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist (UU), co-facilitates the Policy & Legislation Team of the North Star Alliance for immigrant justice in Minnesota, and serves as Midwest Organizer for the Faithful Justice Team of UURISE (UU Refugee & Immigrant Services & Education). She is a reader, writer, gardener, and pediatric neuropsychologist involved with planning rehabilitation of brain-injured children.

Name

Bio



Rev. Charlotte Franz

Rev. Charlotte Frantz is a retired minister of the United Church of Christ. She served congregations in Indiana, Montana, Iowa and Minnesota over a span of forty years. In retirement, she helped establish and interfaith coalition (ICMJ) working for migrant justice in Duluth, Minnesota. She also convenes an Afghan Welcome Circle at her home church, Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth. She has a grown son who lives in St. Paul.