Pastor Jay Carlson
Ordained to pastoral ministry in the ELCA in 2004, Pastor Jay has served congregations in Indiana, the Twin Cities, and New Zealand before coming to Holy Cross in 2023. He is grateful to worship and serve alongside the members of this congregation and to help cultivate an inclusive community where everyone can experience God’s grace and authentic belonging.
Pastor Jay was nurtured in faith by the worship and community of Bethel Lutheran Church in his hometown of Willmar, Minnesota. He sensed a call to serve in the church while a student at Concordia College in Moorhead, where he studied philosophy and volunteered with a nearby Lutheran congregation. He now lives in south Minneapolis with his spouse, Kristen, (another Concordia alum) and their two children. In his spare time, he enjoys running or biking along Minnehaha Creek, playing drums with a jazz quartet, and adventuring outdoors with his family.
Ed Copeland
Ed manages the video for worship services. He graduated from Hennepin Technical Center in Media Production, later working for First Avenue and Ave Productions.
Ed served in the Minnesota National Guard in the 147th signal battalion as a photographer, moving picture specialist, and audio/visual equipment repair technician in the photographic section.
He has been the head organist at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights since 2005, and tours presenting silent movies with original organ scores. He has been a pipe organ builder since 1975 and operates a pipe organ service company with James Blomberg.
Among other pastimes, Ed does model railroading and volunteers with the Minnesota Streetcar Museum.
James Blomberg
James runs the audio for worship services and knows the church building like the back of his hand. Along with Ed Copeland, he takes care of our Kilgan pipe organ and other organs around the Twin Cities.
Wendy Kofoot
Wendy, a native of Shawano, Wisconsin, is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She has accompanied the Holy Cross choir since 1998. Wendy and her husband Jon first met at choir practice and live in Savage.
David Hinrichs
David Hinrichs has been the choir director at Holy Cross since 2005. The fall of 2025 will be his 30th season at Holy Cross. David grew up hearing his Lutheran minister father and strong singing mother singing in church. They told him he was humming with the hymns before he could talk.
David earned a BA from St. Olaf majoring in Music, then obtained Music Teacher Licensing from Augsburg University in Minneapolis. He worked as a music teacher for 20 years in St. Paul Public Schools, and has also sung professionally with the Bach Society, Sebastian Singers, and for weddings.
Beyond music, David has always loved many outdoor activities, especially bicycling, motorcycling, and sailing. He currently lives in Apple Valley with his partner Sue who enjoys finding new hobbies for both of them, like maple syrup making.
Mark Fideldy
Mark joined the office staff of Holy Cross in December, 2024 and began serving as organist in April, 2025. His unique passion for both administration and music make these roles a natural fit.
Mark enjoys staying active as a runner, dreaming up new musical experiences, and occasionally sewing custom housewares. He lives in Uptown with his cat, Hawkman.