Andrew Plocher
Associate Minister for Children, Youth and Families

Andrew Plocher was born in Corvallis, Oregon on February 17, 1981. He spent his childhood active in church, Boy Scouts, bands and symphonies, choirs and sports, spending most of his summers mountaineering in the cascade Mountains. He received his BA from Carleton College in Northfield Minnesota in 2003, majoring in studio art (printmaking). Following his undergraduate work, Andrew received his M. Div. from Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota) in 2006.

While an undergraguate, Andrew interned as a youth director with the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, PA. In seminary he served as the Director of Youth Ministries at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, and completed his field education/intership at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. His seminary field advisor during this time praised his gifts of ministry, compassion, creativity and leadership skills. Andrew also completed chaplaincy training in pediatrics and trauma at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, and in mental health at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. During seminary he interned and worked with faith-based community organizing and the labor movement. Andrew also served on editorial board of the theological journal Word and World, and was editor of the seminary journal.

Andrew has worked and studied in ecumenical environmnents and values the cooperation and dialogue which has strengthed his Presbyterian identity and his passion for our church. Andrew has experience with youth and family ministry and enjoys working with children and youth in faith formation, fellowship, education and worship.

When not involved with the church, Andrew enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Anna (a graduate student at Georgetown University), backpacking, playing ultimate Frisbee, singing, drawing and creating woodcut prints, baking, watching House MD and Minnesota Twins games, and exploring art museums and galleries.

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