Our Leadership & Staff

Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis

Lead Pastor​​

Corinne Freedman Ellis is a UCC minister who has served congregations in Des Moines, IA and St. Paul, MN before arriving at Peace UCC in January 2024. She graduated from Yale Divinity School in 2014 with a Master of Divinity. Corinne was part of the Next Generation Leadership Program (NGLI) of the UCC, where she received continuing education in family systems theory, adaptive leadership, teambuilding, and facilitation. She is passionate about worship that engages all ages, Biblical literacy for progressive Christians, and our call to do justice in our community and the world. Corinne lives in Duluth with her spouse, Greg, and their two young children, Phoebe and Ori.

Rev. Laurie Crelly

Pastoral Care Chaplain​

Laurie Crelly grew up in Golden Valley Minnesota. Her faith journey has traversed through several faith traditions until she found her spiritual home in the UCC in 1995. She received her Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2001 and was ordained as a UCC minister in 2005. Laurie served four churches and worked as a faith-based organizer in the Twin Cities. She recently moved back to Minnesota with her wife Amy Brooks. Laurie provides continuity of care and support for members and friends of Peace UCC who are facing acute or chronic distress. She will also train and expand our volunteer visitation ministries. Laurie enjoys gardening, star gazing, and is a Doctor Who fan. Amy and Laurie have two grown children, Lore and Oliver.

Amanda McElray Hunter

Children, Youth, and Small Group Coordinator​​

Amanda McElray Hunter is committed to helping children, youth and small groups develop tools that will help them to build and sustain spiritual resiliency and joy in a complex world. Ingredients in this “resiliency recipe” include intergenerational relationship building, service to our community, justice work, spiritual and creative practices, developing a better understanding of the stories in the Bible, having fun and eating snacks!

Amanda is also a visual artist and works with the local arts community in creating public art initiatives. She graduated in 2010 from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a master’s degree in Theology and the Arts. Amanda is Mom to Siggy and Kieran and partner to Matt.

Jim Pospisil

Music Director​

Jim Pospisil has been the music director at Peace since 1997. He has been Principal Horn of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra since 1996. Jim also is a rock and jazz musician, a faculty member of the music department at UMD, and a member of A Band Called Truman. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Wichita State University, and his Master’s Degree from Indiana University. Jim has two children, Daniel and Neve.

Briana Dornbush

Office Coordinator​

A true born Duluthian, Bri grew up in this neighborhood going to Grant Elementary School and would go to 8th St. Video almost every weekend for an ice cream cone. She has known of Peace Church and what it stands for and what it does for its community, and is very happy to be part of the team.

Rachel Obed

Business Manager​

Rachel grew up in Duluth, graduated from UMD, and now owns a house here with her partner, Devan, and their two cats, Maple and Fern. She spends her free time working on house renovation projects, gardening, cooking, and hiking. At Peace Church, Rachel works closely with the Property Team, Finance Committee, HR Committee, Rental Space Team, Tech Team, and with groups using the building.

Mali Lorenz

Bookkeeper​

Mali was aware of Peace Church since involvement in local peace & justice work 20+ years ago. Then she moved to a dharma retreat center in the Southwest and stumbled upon bookkeeping skills, which were put to use at other organizations and small businesses, including at a border-justice organization in Tucson. Mali met her spouse Katie in that community. They moved (back) to Duluth with two cats in ’22, partly to be near family. They enjoy exploring the northlands and its multitude of festivals on foot and via roadtrip, and making new friends here.

Dan Shepard

Custodian​

Dan Shepard has been a member of the Peace Church staff since 2006, taking great care of the building. He lives in Lakeside with his lovely wife Lisa and two boys, Jack and Parker. When not working he enjoys going on trips with his family and exploring the new areas they travel to.

April Knight

Kids Club Facilitator​

​Before moving to Duluth four years ago, April lived in Grand Marais and worked as the occupational therapist for Cook county schools. Originally from South Carolina, she is also an RN and works at an all boys camp in Western NC as their camp nurse in the summers. Much of April’s career has involved travel as an occupational therapy practitioner in multiple states. Internationally she has volunteered in a pediatric outpatient clinic in Northern India. She looks forward to a new chapter this fall when she will enroll as a Masters of Theology and the Arts student at United Seminary in St. Paul. She lives in Duluth with her husband Brad Davis, their dog Baloo and two cats, Mr. Bean and Lars.

Alex Nelson

Worship Technician​

Alex is a lifelong resident of Duluth. Along with being Peace's A/V technician, Alex is an active Freemason and Shriner. He served as Master of Superior Lodge #236 across the bridge in Superior, Wisconsin in 2022. Currently, he's the Vice President of Aad Shrine's Dune Buggy Patrol and a Potentate's Aid. Additionally, he's a member of the Eau Claire Valley of Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Alex is also a part-time photographer. He lives with his wife Rachel here in Duluth, where they love to spend time by Lake Superior, cook together, and go see live music. 

Carrie Kelsey

Kitchen Manager​

Carrie joined Peace in November 2022 and you may have seen her singing in the choir, playing the fiddle, and volunteering at soup suppers. She has broad food service experience, including working at the Marshall School and Mount Royal Market. Carrie has creative ideas for how to accommodate dietary needs and build community through Wednesday night meals.