Rev. Wendy Moen grew up in Decorah, Iowa with her parents, brother and numerous farm animals. She played sports and the flute and French horn throughout middle and high school.

Pastor Moen graduated from the University of Iowa in 1992 with a Bachelor of Social Work and a B.A. of Psychology. After seven years of social work with various populations in various settings, including a year of accompaniment with the people of Nicaragua, she began seminary studies at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Her concentration areas at seminary were urban ministry and Latino studies and she graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2003. Her seminary training included serving as intern pastor at Luther Place Memorial Church, in Washington, DC from 2001 to 2002 and a clinical pastoral education program at the Washington Hospital Center in the summer of 2000.

Pastor Moen’s first call was to First Trinity Lutheran Church, DC in 2003. While at First Trinity, Pastor Moen excelled in worship and preaching, outreach, pastoral care, building a sense of community and small group ministry. These emphases helped First Trinity steadily grow. She has experience leading retreats and discernment activities and exploring different types of spiritual practices.

In February of 2017, Pastor Moen accepted a call to Grace Lutheran Church. She feels called to tell people about Jesus and to help God be real and present in the world. Her heart is with the poor, the marginalized and the persecuted. She seeks to accompany, encourage and empower everyone by the power of the gospel, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to know God more deeply.

Pastor Moen has served on the board of Lifeline Partnership and supports Community Family Life Services, both ministries of First Trinity Lutheran Church. She also serves on the Synod Candidacy Committee that accompanies those desiring to join the rosters of the ELCA.

Pastor Moen is the proud mother of one wonderful and energetic son. Jonathan is a senior at Wilson Public High School and enjoys baseball, crew, music and entrepreneurship.

Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” John 13:34

Love. Just love is our mandate.