Rev. Jonathan Heifner serves as the Lead Pastor at St. Paul’s, but he did not start in this position. He first joined the pastoral staff here in 2015 as the Associate Pastor. Jonathan grew up in northwest Iowa and enjoyed playing baseball as a child and learning guitar as a teenager, but his most formative experiences came from being involved in church. Church involvement has always been a significant part of his life. Every so often, someone will ask Jonathan about siblings, and as he tells them he is an only child, they say, “That makes sense.” He is not sure what to make of that. Jonathan holds a BA from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, and he earned an MDiv from Duke University Divinity School in 2013. Jonathan’s interest in social justice and the church’s mission in the world led him to pursue training and coaching in grassroots organizational methods. He desires for our church to hold to the ancient faith while also acting courageously for the kind of mercy and justice that are marks of God’s kin-dom on earth. When he is not at the church, Jonathan enjoys spending time relaxing with his spouse, Stephanie; their son; and their dog, Penny.

Jonathan’s guilty pleasure: Staying up late to watch a movie I will not remember watching by morning

Rev. Daniel Niyonzima was raised in Burundi in a devout Christian family affiliated with the United Methodist Church. His early education in agriculture and animal husbandry studies enabled him to practice as a veterinary technician in his homeland while concurrently serving as the lay pastor at Muhene Parish.

The war in his country cut short his studies at the Theological Institution of Mweya in 1993, forcing Daniel to flee to Tanzania, where he worked with the International Rescue Committee as a laboratory technician in a refugee camp. He subsequently served as a local pastor with the United Methodist Church and continued his education at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Tanzania. Daniel became an elder in 2003 and was appointed to lead Karago United Methodist Church.

In 2006, he came to America and relocated to Cedar Rapids with his wife, Perpetua, and their family. He led African worship at the Ecumenical Center, eventually moving services to St. Paul’s UMC. From 2011 to 2015, he obtained certificates of completion in lay and licensed ministry.

Daniel was appointed Associate Pastor, African Nationals, at St. Paul’s in 2016 and began studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. In 2019, he was reassigned as an ordained elder from the East African Annual Conference to the Iowa Annual Conference of the UMC.

Daniel and Perpetua take joy in the eight children God has given them, and they are dedicated to serving God as a family.

January 2025 marked the beginning of Miriam Mackey’s role as Director of Ministry Support. A native Iowan (Maquoketa was where she grew up), Miriam is a Luther College in Decorah (BA in Accounting) graduate and has lived in Cedar Rapids since the early 1990s, when she joined St. Paul’s. She met her husband, Tom, through her connections with the church, and they got married in 1998. They are parents to two daughters, nurtured here at St. Paul’s. The music drew Miriam to St. Paul’s, so it rings true that she is involved in the Sanctuary Choir and Carillonneurs. A children’s hymn rings true for Miriam: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” Let’s all show LOVE for each other! Miriam loves all sorts of games (board/card/etc.), enjoys cooking and baking, and likes watching crime and spy TV shows.

Aaron Thompson, who oversees St. Paul’s building maintenance, was born and raised in Cedar Rapids by two amazing parents who he still lives by. He has a degree in electronics, a four-year electrical certificate, and his bachelor of science in business management. He’s a fifth-generation woodworker. He grew up playing around in his grandpa’s garage, learning about cars and trying not to break things. Aaron is due to be married this September right here at St. Paul’s! He and his fiancée, Katie, have a side business creating wood crafts, 3D printing, and CNC routing wood signs. Aaron is also a semi-pro-competitive cosplayer, having won competitions in Chicago, Minneapolis, and elsewhere. In the summer, he and Katie spend their time camping with their dog, Jack. Along with being the church Building Maintenance staff, he also volunteers to run audio during Sunday services. Aaron LOVES serving God and the church in this way—giving back with the talents God gave him, in a space that he loves being!

Aaron’s guilty pleasure: Creating and wearing costumes in cosplay competitions

Barb Hanson serves as part-time Ministry Council Coordinator at St. Paul’s. She was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, but grew up in Emmetsburg, where the United Methodist Church was an important part of her childhood. She spent time working for the Omaha Housing Authority as a young adult, which was very impactful on her journey, personally and professionally. Raised in a family with deep farming roots, Barb is a first-generation college graduate. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies, with an emphasis in International Family Studies. With over 15 years of experience working in education, Barb has served in roles ranging from paraeducator to Director of Student Support Services and has also worked as a DEI Subject Matter Expert and Project Management Lead supporting federal initiatives.

Barb is passionate about social justice, especially educational equity, and creating welcoming spaces for people from marginalized communities. In 2022, she launched Shared Existence LLC, the first LGBTQ+ woman-owned business in Iowa recognized by the NGLCC, and in 2024, she founded Project Isaiah, a nonprofit focused on researching school-based harm and supporting students and families. Barb enjoys spending time with her partner, Selenthia, and her children, Evan, Ava, and Isaiah. Her faith continues to ground and guide her, and she is grateful to serve the St. Paul’s community through collaboration and care.

Barb’s guilty pleasure: Thrifting clothes and collecting a variety of eyeglass frames

Beth Parker serves as Security Coordinator at St. Paul’s UMC. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Cedar Rapids to attend Coe College, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Beth enjoys traveling, reading, learning, and making connections in her free time. Beth is always available for conversations regarding sustainable environments, any books or events, and any interests you would like to share.

Carole Tucker has been serving as St. Paul’s Church Treasurer since 2024. She was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, with three siblings and graduated from Marian High School in Omaha. She met her husband, Robin, at Creighton University and is a graduate of Coe College. Carole and Robin have been long-time members of St.Paul’s UMC. They have three adult daughters who grew up at St.Paul’s and participated in many early childhood programs up through high school. Carole brings her friendly, professional, customer-centered, and accounting experiences to her role as our Church Treasurer.

Julie Hanlin joined St. Paul’s Early Learning Center staff in 2012. Julie graduated with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Northwestern College. Julie is an Ambassador for the T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood Iowa program and the Child Care WAGES program and currently serves on the Board at Linn County Early Childhood Iowa. Julie has a passion for high quality early childhood education and believes that access to early learning lays the foundation for school readiness by building the cognitive and social skills children need to do well in school and life, including language, attentiveness, persistence, kindness, and self-regulation.

Julie’s guilty pleasure: Having an early night, in bed by 8:00 p.m. and watching a documentary

Kelly Truax serves as the pianist for Sanctuary Choir and other music needs for St. Paul’s UMC. She has taught 7th and 8th choir at Prairie Point Middle School in Cedar Rapids since the fall of 2000. In her spare time, she loves to knit (primarily dishrags and blankets) and is a cat mom to Edison and Oliver.

Kelly’s guilty pleasure: Watching The Great British Baking Show or Project Runway like potato chips, I can’t watch just one episode and end up spending my day binge watching!

Dr. Mark Baumann, CAGO, came to St. Paul’s in April 2005. He plays the organ, directs the Men’s Ensemble, leads youth music, coordinates instrumentalists, and administers our music ministry. Mark completed his undergraduate work in vocal and instrumental music education and organ performance at Central College in Pella, Iowa. After teaching music in Iowa public schools, he continued his studies at The University of Iowa. There, he earned a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance and a Ph.D. in musicology, with a dissertation in hymnology. Mark is a long-time member of the American Guild of Organists and The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. Mark is passionate about music ministry, including people of all ages and skill levels, to make a joyful noise to the Lord. He also sets a priority to encourage the voice of the congregation in song.

Mark’s guilty pleasure: Ice cream

Mary Horn became the Parish Nurse for St. Paul’s UMC in 2014 after being a member since 1967. She acquired a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1967 and a Master in Nursing of Children from the University of Iowa in 1997. Mary was one of the earliest nurse practitioners in Iowa after getting certificates as a pediatric nurse practitioner at The University of Iowa in 1972 and a midwifery certificate in 2008. She took a course for parish nurses offered by Mercy Hospital, a course for volunteer chaplains through the Spiritual Care Department at St. Luke’s Hospital, and the Methodist School for Lay Ministers. Mary believes that every area of life affects your health and works to provide holistic care.

Stephanie Heifner serves as part-time Coordinator of Worship. She grew up around Iowa as a United Methodist PK (pastor’s kid) and is a certified “church nerd.” She is an active member at St. Paul’s, often facilitating or planning spiritual growth opportunities like Terra Divina, studies, and retreats. She has a Bachelor of Special Studies from Cornell College in Art, specializing in ceramic sculpture, but these days she prefers creating more ephemeral artworks from paper. She is passionate about native plants, healing through nature, creativity as spiritual practice, and believes in transformation through spiritual practices. She tries to live by the liturgical year and loves to learn about corresponding folk traditions (the more obscure, the better).

Stephanie’s guilty pleasure: Thrifting

Talia Ciemnoczolowski joined the St. Paul’s team as Hospitality Coordinator after serving as a paraprofessional with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. A proud graduate of Washington High School (Class of 2012—go warriors!), she also brings years of customer service experience from Hy-Vee, where she worked her way up to manage Caribou Coffee. Talia grew up attending St. Paul’s during her formative years and is excited to return in a new role where she can help create a welcoming and comfortable space for others.

Outside of work, she stays busy as a devoted mom to two daughters, a Girl Scout leader, and a proud pet parent to three cats—Toothless, Hiccup, and Astrid—and one dog, Francis. She loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, reading, listening to music, and, of course, enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Talia’s guilty pleasure: Staying up way too late rewatching her favorite TV shows or playing games on her phone