Leadership
Institute of Liturgical Studies
Leadership
The Institute is run by our Executive Director, Director of Worship, and a team of advisory council members that work together to develop each year’s theme, presenter lineup, worship leaders, schedule, and more.
Have questions or suggestions? Reach out to us at ils@valpo.edu
Executive Director
James A. Wetzstein, M.Div.
Rev. James “Jim” Wetzstein comes to the Institute of Liturgical Studies following two decades of service at Valparaiso University in the role of University Pastor, a position he continues to hold.
Jim is a Ph.D. candidate in Liturgical Studies at Notre Dame. His research involves the work of the 20th-century Lutheran liturgical sculptor, Ernst Schwidder, and questions regarding the role of art and design in communication and spiritual formation.
He studied at the Institute for Liturgical Design Consultants at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has since consulted with dozens of congregations, helping them identify the core values and programming needs that will drive renovations to their liturgical spaces. His work with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso on their immersion font earned the 2008 Art and Architecture Award sponsored by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. More recently, Jim was the liturgical design consultant for the chapel at the International Lutheran Center in Wittenberg, Germany.
His published work has focused on the vocation of the artist to provide places of beauty in support of Christian formation.
On the lighter side, Jim is the author of the long-running self-published lectionary comic strip, Agnus Day.
Director of Worship
Sally Messner ’02, MSM
Sally Messner, Director of Worship for the Institute of Liturgical Studies, serves as minister of worship and music at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. She has presented on topics ranging from vocal care to church music history, written articles and hymn texts for national publications, and has served as musician and preacher for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. She is president of the Twin Cities chapter of Choristers Guild and founding musical director of the Elm Ensemble. Sally earned a bachelor of music in voice performance from Valparaiso University and a master of sacred music from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Advisory Council
In addition to the executive director and administrative staff, the Institute’s leadership consists of an advisory council comprised of pastors, musicians, scholars, composers, and more who, along with the Institute’s Director of Worship, serve across the country in institutions and parishes affiliated with both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Current advisory council members include:
Katharine E. Harmon, Ph.D.
Project Director
Obsculta Preaching Initiative Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary Collegeville, Minn.
Annemarie Hartner Cook ’03, M.Div
Program Director
Faith Alive: Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
Philadelphia
Joshua Hollmann, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Concordia University
St. Paul, Minn.
Isaac Kendall
5th Grade Teacher,
St. Stanislaus Catholic School
East Chicago, Ind.
Jim Marriott, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Theology and Music, Chair of the Theology Department, University Organist
Concordia University Texas
Austin, Texas
Craig Mueller, D.Min.
Lead Pastor
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Adjunct faculty
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Chicago
Omaldo Perez
Director of Worship and Music Arts
Christ Presbyterian Church
Madison, Wis.
Rhoda Schuler ’77, Th.D.
Professor Emerita
Concordia University
St. Paul, Minn.
Administrative Staff
The Institute’s administrative staff handles all of the behind the scenes work including registration, graphics, programs, marketing, event management, and more.
Rachel Webb ’08
Director of Operations
Division of Calling & Spiritual Life
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Ind.
Betsy Searle
Events and Communications Specialist
Division of Calling & Spiritual Life
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Ind.