Pastor
The Rev. Leslie Swenson
During this time of transition as St. Andrew Church discerns and explores its future and awaits calling a new pastor, the Rev. Les Swenson is serving as our part-time Stated Supply Pastor, leading worship, working with leadership groups to strengthen the ministry of the church, and offering pastoral care.
After his retirement from full time ministry in 2013, he has served in interim roles at four Connecticut Lutheran congregations. Before retirement, he served congregations in Marlboro, MA, Needham, MA, New Haven, CT, Iowa City, IA, and Old Saybrook, CT. He enjoys gardening, golfing, cheering on the UConn Huskies during basketball season, the Boston Red Sox, and any other competitive game that rears itself on the television screen, reading, kayaking on still waters, and going for long walks with his Springer Spaniel companion, Ted. He and his wife, Liz, live in Old Saybrook, but always look forward to visits to their daughter, son-in-law, and three-year-old grandson in Portland, ME.
To speak with Pastor Swenson, please call 860.857.9362. He looks forward to sharing the journey with you at St. Andrew Church.
Minister of Music
Deacon Gwynne Hopko
Deacon Gwynne Hopko grew up in Salem Lutheran Church. There, musical opportunities were abundant and she taught her first Primary Choir at age 16.
Gwynne graduated from Western CT State College with BS and MS degrees in Music Education as a piano major, after which she taught classroom music to Grades K-6 and choral activities to grades 7-9 for five years in Southington Public Schools.
Gwynne studied organ under the University Organist, a grad student at Yale University, and took lessons on the fine organs on the Yale campus. Her first job on the organ bench was at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Kensington, the year her now 40-year-old son was born! Next, she spent nine years as Minister of Music at First Lutheran Church in Southington with two singing and bell choirs and, over time, an orchestra with string and wind students. Concurrently, she served as director of the adult and children’s choirs at Zion Lutheran Church in Southington. During her last several years in Southington, she established a group consisting of children from both churches called The Southington Lutheran Players, which performed musicals.
Subsequently, Gwynne served for 14 years as Minister of Music at Cheshire Lutheran Church, directing the adult, youth and handbell choirs. She brought with her a Christmas pageant that she directed, expanding it every year by adding more actors, dialogue and songs. Gwynne is particularly proud of and fond of a group of youth choir girls that she was able to keep singing together into their early college years. To this day, some of them will remark, “Good Friday just doesn’t seem like Good Friday unless we can sing Handel’s Surely He hath born our griefs from The Messiah.”
Fourteen years ago, Gwynne became the Minister of Music here at St. Andrew. It has been rewarding and motivating for her to lead congregational song for a congregation who enjoys singing! Gwynne’s other passion is in instructing St. Andrew’s voice choir that strives to sing expressively. In the hope of encouraging an appreciation for choral music, Gwynne has been instrumental in sponsoring guest choral groups: The Spizzwinks, Lycoming College Choir, plus two of the groups in which she participates – CitySingers of Hartford and her own group, the Southington Chamber Singers.
Professionally, Gwynne has been an active AGO member for over 25 years. Without a doubt, their chapter’s most notable projects were the Choir Festivals held for our church choirs to come together to rehearse and perform concerts, each choir (including the St. Andrew voice choir) performing individually and en masse. A great time was had by all!
Gwynne joined the ranks of rostered leaders in the ELCA as an Associate in Ministry 35 years ago, a title that has been renamed Deacon.