Pastor Kathy Ierien (pronounced ERIE-in) began her ministry at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in March, 2025.  She was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 2004 and has served congregations in Hibbing, MN and Wilmington, DE.  She returns to PRLC, having served as Vicar (seminary intern) here in 2001-02.  She has a deep love for liturgy, music and baptismal formation, considering how God calls us all to be engaged in the world today.  She holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) and a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.  She is currently working towards a Doctor of Ministry from United Lutheran Seminary in public theology.  Prior to seminary Pastor Kathy was a middle school and high school band director in northern Virginia. 

Pastor Kathy is mom to Rachel and Megan, who remain in school on the east coast.  She enjoys music, hiking, kayaking, reading and other creative outlets.