St. John Lutheran Church Beatrice, Nebraska

Celebrating her 16th year as Youth Director, Joni's love for God, kids and youth shines through her creativity and longevity.

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come into God's presence with a song." (Ps. 100:1-2) Stacie joined the St. John staff in February 2010. A native of Kansas, she earned undergraduate degrees in organ performance and religious studies at the University of Kansas. She spent the 1999-2000 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar studying organ at the Hochschuele fuer Musik in Luebeck, Germany. She then returned to KU to earn a Master of Music degree in church music. Stacie undertook doctoral studies in organ performance at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and was granted her D.Mus degree in November 2008. Stacie's ministry has been diverse, from director of music at North Topeka Baptist Church to chapel organist for the seminary community at Presbyterian College in Montreal, to singing with the semi-professional Gallery Choir at St. John the Evangelist in Montreal, a group that specializes in chant and Renaissance polyphony. While at McGill, Stacie served as director of music at St. John's/Sankt Johannes, where she provided music for weekly services in both German and English. In September 2006 she was called to St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, where she was appointed Associate Director of Music. She also served as assistant organist at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Omaha. Stacie is active in the American Guild of Organists and has attended their past two national conventions. She is also a member of the Hymn Society and believes in the power of congregational singing to shape our faith.