Pastor John Dietz
Pastor John Dietz began the call to serve as pastor of First Lutheran Church in August of 2022. He had previously served First Lutheran from 2002-2012, and is happy to be back home in Hibbing and at First! In other calls, he has been pastor of congregations at Palo, Eveleth, and Two Harbors and was Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod.
A native of suburban Chicago and an Arizona transplant, John graduated from the University of Arizona - Tucson with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities as a religious studies major. During college and seminary he was involved in the Lutheran Student Movement, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and Lutheran Outdoor Ministry. In 2001, he received the Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary - St. Paul and was ordained into Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2002.
Pr. John and his wife, Ashley, live in the parsonage with their two kids, Livia (7) and Jack (5). They enjoy spending time together as a family - cooking and eating, reading, riding bikes and taking walks, and being involved in the school, community, and church. You can contact Pr. John by calling the office at 218-263-8388, emailing him at: pastor@firsthibbing.org, or stopping in at the office (normally Monday - Thursday).
If you need to contact the pastor outside of office hours for emergencies, use his cell phone: 218-969-5108. You can text or call, but please always leave a message.
A native of suburban Chicago and an Arizona transplant, John graduated from the University of Arizona - Tucson with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities as a religious studies major. During college and seminary he was involved in the Lutheran Student Movement, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and Lutheran Outdoor Ministry. In 2001, he received the Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary - St. Paul and was ordained into Word and Sacrament Ministry in 2002.
Pr. John and his wife, Ashley, live in the parsonage with their two kids, Livia (7) and Jack (5). They enjoy spending time together as a family - cooking and eating, reading, riding bikes and taking walks, and being involved in the school, community, and church. You can contact Pr. John by calling the office at 218-263-8388, emailing him at: pastor@firsthibbing.org, or stopping in at the office (normally Monday - Thursday).
If you need to contact the pastor outside of office hours for emergencies, use his cell phone: 218-969-5108. You can text or call, but please always leave a message.
Rian Johnson Parish Secretary
Nashville 2021-Rian, Ruby Jo, 11 yrs old & Cash Dean, 4 yrs old
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"I came to work at First Lutheran Church in August of 2019. Also looking for a church family, my children and I became members of the church shortly after. Ruby and Cash can be seen around the church occasionally in the office during the week as well as helping out with services on Sundays.
I graduated from Hibbing High School in 2000 and went on to Cosmetology School, working at Regis Salon in Roseville for 7 years. Before getting married to my husband, Lonnie, we moved back to Hibbing and I worked for Midwest Vision for the next 5 years. The next 7 years were spent working as a claims processor for BCBS. I was part of the first round of layoffs at Blue Cross and was looking for a more fulfilling job that was closer to home. After hearing such wonderful things about the church from the current secretary, I knew I had to submit my resume ASAP! I was extremely fortunate that I was hired on as the new secretary at the First Lutheran Church. This is not just a job for me here, all of you have become my family. I am so grateful for everyone and I continue to try my best to serve the church. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity! Stop in the office anytime, the coffee is always on!" |
Melissa Peterson Custodian
Elaine Sweeney Organist
