Staff

Contact Us

Debbie Burns
Parish Administrator

There are a number of ways to contact us. Office hours for the Parish Administrator are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday. You may call or leave a message at 763-421-1196. You may also send an email to admin@trinityanoka.org

You can reach all staff by filling out and sending the contact us form.

To reach the Father Bob Pierson, Priest Associate, please email brbobohc@gmail.com or admin@trinityanoka.org . Non-emergency calls or emails are typically responded to within 24 hours. He is usually onsite Wednesday and Sunday. 


Click the down arrow on the pictures to read the bios for staff members.

Debbie Burns
Parish Administrator


I am Debbie Burns, the administrator at Trinity Episcopal Church. I was born and raised in Richfield, MN, and am a lifelong Episcopalian. I attended St. Nicholas Church in Richfield. Then after starting a family, we saw there was an Episcopal Church in Anoka, Trinity, and have been attending ever since (30 years).

After working full time for many years, I was lucky enough to be suggested for this position when Marilyn Zebe retired at the beginning of 2018. The work here is interesting and the “to do” list changes almost every day.

I am married and have two grown kids and five grandkids. My daughter and three of the grandkids live in Nebraska. My son and his family live in Brooklyn Park. I have always enjoyed reading and am a fair-weather sports fan until the team gets to the playoffs, then I’m full-on rooting for the team. Tim and I were pit crew members, racing on dirt tracks throughout the Midwest. Furthest travels with racing included Thunder Bay, Canada, and Daytona area of Florida during Speed Weeks, which is just before the Daytona 500.

Father Bob Pierson
Priest Associate

Father Bob Pierson - Priest Associate

I was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1984 and was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 2016.  I served two small Episcopal churches in New York's Hudson Valley  as their Priest in Charge from 2018 to 2021 and moved to Blaine, MN, in January 2023, when I joined Trinity.  


At the request of Fr. Cyprian (Phil) Boelter, I became Trinity's Priest Associate in July 2023.  My duties include chairing the Mission Outreach Team, leading the Circle of Care monthly meeting, and scheduling our Lay Eucharistic Ministers every month.  


I also serve as the Sunday supply priest when needed, which is currently every Sunday since Fr. Phil retired in January 2024

Erin Berg
Music Director

Stephen Berg
Music Assistant

Music Director Erin Berg at keyboard.

Erin Berg
Music Director


I have been the music director at Trinity since September 2019. I grew up in Bismarck, ND, and studied music at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN, where I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education.

I taught Elementary Music for 35 years, 29 of those years in the Centennial School District. I retired from teaching in the spring of 2019.

Music has always been a part of my life. I began singing in church in high school and have been active musically in the Catholic and Methodist churches before coming to Trinity. I sang in the choir at Brooklyn United Methodist Church and served as a soloist and substitute pianist and organist. I also sang in the Praise Band at Brooklyn. 

In addition to my church music, I have been singing in the Minnesota Chorale since 1996. I performed a solo vocal recital in 2017 with repertoire that included Dowland, Bach, Handel, Schubert, and Gershwin.

My husband, Stephen,  and I have a son, Tyler, who lives in Long Beach, CA. We have two cats, (Princess) Diana and Nolan George (who thinks he is a king). I enjoy singing, playing piano and harp, and gardening.

Music Assistant Stephen Berg playing guitar.

Stephen Berg
Music Assistant


I started as Music Assistant at Trinity in 2019. I grew up in Coon Rapids, MN. I have an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Anoka Ramsey. I went on to graduate from Bemidji State University with a degree in English and Education. I am and always will be a Beaver! I  attended United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities for a time, and although I did not complete a degree program, I loved my time there and it heavily influenced my faith. I studied Old Testament, United Methodist History and Polity, Pastoral Care, and Christian Education.

My musical experience is varied. I played the violin through junior and senior high and started playing the guitar in senior high. Other instruments I play are bass, drums, percussion, lute, and Irish Bouzouki. I am also a songwriter and avid home recorder. On occasion, I have done special projects recording small groups, singers, and instrumental ensembles. 

I got involved in church music around 1993 and worked in small groups, choir, and as a solo musician.  From 1996 - 2002, I also gave a large number of concerts of original music at a variety of Minnesota churches. I was often accompanied by my wife Erin on keyboard and vocals as well as with a full band on many occasions. At Riverview United Methodist Church, I also preached on several Sundays. At Brooklyn United Methodist Church, I played guitar and drums in the Praise Band to which I contributed several original songs. I also did solo performances there for fundraising purposes, especially for SUNNY, our summer feeding program for children.

One of my faith tradition's mission statements indicated that we are "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." I believe music can communicate and be transformative. Being able to share the gift of music in a worship setting is one of my greatest joys!