SPIRITUAL CARE AT THE EXTRAVAGANZA

For many years the Extravaganza has made a commitment to our members to offer an event that gives participants the opportunity to "renew, educate and connect."  Renewal can take many forms. This year we invite you to take time at the Extravaganza to renew your spirit and deepen your faith practices, as a part of our new Spiritual Care at the Extravaganza programming.

If you have questions about Spiritual Care at the E, please contact Charlie Roberts.

Morning Devotions & Daily Chaplains

Join us for devotional time to center on the Word and get set for the day. There are three different 30-minute sessions. These devotion times are each unique. Come to one, come to all. You are sure to be renewed and enriched.

  • Friday, January 30 at 4pm
  • Saturday, January 31 at 2:30pm
  • Sunday, February 1 at 7:45am

In addition to devotion leaders, the Extravaganza is pleased to offer time with chaplains throughout the event. These spiritual leaders will be available for prayer and conversation throughout the day and especially following each General Session. These daily Chaplains will be identified with a black tee that they wear the day with the Network logo on the front and the words 'Event Chaplain' on the back. Feel free to chat with one or all of our event chaplains throughout the event.

Daily Devotions at the E:

We are thrilled to welcome Network leaders who bring their own unique personality and style to these scriptural explorations within our Extravaganza theme. So often in our own ministries, we are leading these conversations. We hope you'll see this as a chance to come experience the Word in community with peers!

Meet our Devotion Leaders

Todd Buegler HeadshotRev. Todd Buegler
Todd Buegler is married to Lori.  Together they parent Nathan (age 24) and Sam (age 23).  Todd is the senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota.  As his side-hustle, he serves as the Executive Director of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, where he watches and marvels at the gifts and skills of all of the passionate people who make this work happen.

 

 

Sherman Lee HeadshotSherman Lee
Sherman Lee lives in his adopted hometown of St. Louis, MO, and as a 5-year veteran of the Extravaganza Learning Team is pleased to act as informal local host to this year’s event. He has served as an adult leader in youth ministry since his baptism as he entered graduate school and has led teens to 9 ELCA national youth gatherings.

Recently retired from his corporate career in data analytics for financial services firms, he now gets to spend more time with his in-town children and grandchildren and his out-of-town parents and other relatives. His lay ministry continues to expand, including support for the tornado-stricken areas of St. Louis and support/advocacy for inclusion, including the St. Louis LGBTQ+ Faith Alliance. And he’s in his 9th year as executive director of Crossings (crossings.org) (founded by Lutherans), a community dedicated to exploring how what we hear at church is useful and beneficial in our daily lives.

 

Matthew Lovett HeadshotMatthew Lovett
Matthew lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up as a member of Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church. His father, James A. Lovett was the pastor, and under his parental and pastoral guidance, Matthew decided to make Jesus his choice at an early age. Matthew says that he was always surrounded by elders of the church and then “when I was 5 years old, my best friends were 85, and they always found a way to enrich and encourage me at all times, and I took on an old soul from that.”

He is a graduate of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in communications and a minor in religion and philosophy. He plays drums for the choirs at his congregation, teaches Sunday school, attends men’s Bible studies and is a commissioner for the youth summer basketball league. Matthew is now a part of the community at Mediator Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Philadelphia.

 

Daily Chaplains at the E:

This event is planned specifically for you, a leader of children, youth and families within a ministry setting. As such we know this event creates an opportunity to dive deeper in the ministry life and all of the stuff that comes along with it. This caring group of folks to serve as daily Chaplains to be available to unpack thoughts or process the event. 

Meet our Daily Chaplains

Rev. Jenna Couch headshotPastor Jenna Couch
Jenna Grew up in Sumner, Iowa, and is a proud graduate of Wartburg College (’08) and Wartburg Theological Seminary (’12). She has served congregations in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, where she currently serves as Campus Pastor at Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and part-time at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapidan.
Jenna met her husband, Mike, through mutual friends while they were both living in Dubuque, Iowa. Together they are raising two wonderful kids—Kayleigh (7) and Spencer (4, turning 5 in February)—and a playful Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier named Revvy (short for Reverend).
She is passionate about social justice and LGBTQIA+ equality and is a proud member of the community as a bisexual woman. In her free time, Jenna enjoys making necklaces, designing creative t-shirts with her sublimation printer, and finding ways to bring color, sparkle, compassion, and joy into ministry and everyday life.

Rev. Heather Hansen headshotPastor Heather Hansen
Heather currently serves as Associate Pastor for Faith Formation and Pastoral Care at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. In 2025, Heather completed her 29th year of paid ministry. During that time, she has shared her gifts as a congregational youth minister, director for youth ministry on synod staff, professor of youth ministry at Texas Lutheran University, and as a congregational pastor, always with a focus of youth ministry as part of her call.
Heather is married to Mark and they have two adult children; Hannah, 23 and Alex, 21.  She is also “mom” to a number of furry critters, and some scaly ones too!  She loves animals, biology, nature and the outdoors, sports and spending time with family.  Heather’s passion is to connect people with creation and share God’s love through the simple things, like a good cup of coffee with a friend.

Kinna selfie smiling at the cameraRev. Deacon Kinna Nordstrom Kemp
Deacon Kinna Nordstrom Kemp serves as the Deacon of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry at Fellowship Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now in her sixteenth year of ministry, she is called to preach good news, nurture belonging, and celebrate the freedom of the gospel—so that all might experience the wholeness, liberation, and unwavering love of God.
Deacon Kinna is also the Program Director for Other + Wise, a Native nonprofit that leads cultural immersion “Journeys” for youth and adults, cultivating lifelong commitments to relationship, inclusion, and justice. She serves on the board and as co-lead of the Education Team for the ELCA Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice, where she helps equip leaders for faithful learning, listening, and transformation in the church and world. Known for her curiosity, compassion, and joyful spirit, Deacon Kinna brings a ministry of presence, listening, and hope to every space she serves.

Rev. Dr. Tiffany McClung HeadshotRev. Dr. Tiffany McClung
Pastor Tiffany has served in ministry for over twenty-five years. Married to Andy for 35 years, Tiffany says, “We met at church camp and have been together ever since!” Andy is also a pastor. “Our poor kids!” she jokes. They have two adult sons who seem to be doing well despite being PK’s (Preacher’s Kids). Recently becoming empty nesters, Pastor Tiffany and Andy are getting used to a more quiet life.

In addition to serving our congregation part-time, Tiffany is a full-time Bereavement Coordinator for a local inpatient hospice facility. Tiffany earned an M.Div. and D.Min. from Memphis Theological Seminary. After completing the doctorate in Theology and Arts, she led the Theology and Arts Program for a time. She has been a youth minister, chaplain, and secretary. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Stage Manager for local community theatre productions.