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Gethsemane Staff
Rev. Cheryl Walenta Gorvie - Pastor
Pastor Cheryl came to Gethsemane after serving for ten years as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas. Born and raised in Longview, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas before spending three years in Tokyo, Japan, as an English teacher and missionary with the ELCA Global Mission Unit. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Pastor Cheryl is passionate about social justice, faithful public witness, and sharing the hope of Christ with the world. She and her husband, Alfred, who is originally from Sierra Leone, are the proud parents of Evan and Willo.
Eve Cooney - Office Manager
On November 1, 2024 after having been a volunteer filling the role of Office Manager, Eve officially joins the Gethsemane staff! She recently retired from a lifelong career at the St. Louis Zoo and is excited to take on a new challenge.
Gretchen Jenson - Connections Coordinator
Gretchen works with Gethsemane's social media presence, volunteers, and new members, helping everyone communicate and get connected! Summer is her favorite season, but New Year's Day is her favorite holiday. As a breast cancer survivor, she encourages everyone who has breasts to get their yearly mammogram and advocates for leaders and policies that help people stay on top of their health. She and her husband, who are both St. Louis transplants, have two children in college and one college graduate who has boomeranged back home (at least for now!). Their household also includes one rescue pup and a "grandcat" belonging to their oldest. When he eventually moves out, negotiations over permanent cat custody are expected to be spirited!
Amy Crousore - Minister of Music
Amy is a local performer, accompanist and teacher of piano, organ and voice. She received her degree from Heidelberg college, where she received full scholarship in Organ Performance and Western Illinois University, where she studied the Alexander Technique under Dr. Felix Manning. She has toured as accompanist throughout the Midwest and Eastern US and has played for soloists from around the world. She recently moved from Columbia, MO to St. Louis to be the organist here at Gethsemane.
Ella Rothgangel -
Bell Choir Director
Ella Rothganger directs Gethsemane's handbell choir and is excited to welcome both returning ringers and newcomers this fall. All levels of experience are welcome. A longtime member of Gethsemane, Ella previously served as organist for several years and now plays organ and piano part-time at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Lake St. Louis while also serving as a substitute musician for congregations throughout the area. After more than 20 years at the Saint Louis Art Museum, she now works as an executive assistant in a private family office and teaches a handful of piano students. Ella recently founded a neighborhood children's bell choir, The Hartford Handbells, which culminated in a recital at Gethsemane. She lives with her husband, Chris, and daughter, Noel. Her favorite liturgical season is Advent, her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 23, and when she's not making music on bells, piano, organ, flute, or violin, you'll likely find her swimming.
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