Staff

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 Cyprian (Phil) Boelter
Rector

I came to Trinity in early 2019 as interim priest-in-charge and was named permanent part-time rector (pastor) in the fall of 2020. I was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in June 2014. I served most recently as interim rector at St. Johns, Mankato, and before that as vicar of the historic Gethsemane Church In downtown Minneapolis. In 2013-15, I served part time as deacon and sabbatical supply priest at St. Matthew’s, St Paul. I have also worked for 16 years doing fiscal and budget consulting for nonprofits.

I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 1990 and began my adult career life as a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor. I also pursued postgraduate studies in scripture and early church at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend.

I was an oblate of St Benedict for more than 25 years through St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. Then, in 2021, I entered an Episcopal contemplative religious order, Communion of the Mystic Rose (CMR).

CMR is a dispersed community of both monastics and householders, lay and ordained. We share a common devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, as Queen of this cherished Earth. I am currently under three-year novice vows under my monastic name Cyprian. Call me what you want. . . Just don’t call me late for supper.

In CMR, we seek closer union with the Divine in the Way of Jesus through contemplative meditation, worship and study. Our roots lay deep within the ancient Desert Mothers and Fathers and other strains of contemplative practice expressed in world religions. Find out more about CMR at The Communion of the Mystic Rose | A Contemplative Vowed Religious Order.

I have two adult sons: Matthew who lives in Duluth, MN, and Eric, who lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I live with my partner, Sage, in Fridley, and our two dogs, Finn, a gracefully aging Blue and White English Setter and Teddy, a Yorkshire Terror . . . I mean Terrier.

In my infrequently experienced spare time, I enjoy working out, running, playing guitar, and practicing yoga. I also maintain a part-time work commitment to the ministry of fiscal consulting with my current clients.

The Rev. Eileen Harvala

Deacon

I am the Rev. Eileen Harvala, serving as a deacon at Trinity. I was ordained to the diaconate in 2013. As a deacon, I am committed to:

• approaching innovation and transformation as servant-leaders, advocates, witnesses and prophets, forming partnerships and relationships with others to build capacity for God’s mission, and leading and inspiring all people into the servant ministry of all believers;

• responding to God’s call to service, justice, mercy, compassion, love, and peace for all creation;

• believing that we are serving Christ as we serve particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the forgotten, and the unseen;

• living out God’s ministries in the community and world with courage, tenacity, vision and hope;

• dancing on the edge of what is and what’s possible, bearing the light of Christ, proclaiming truth, and blurring boundaries; and

• articulating and preaching the diaconal invitation to join God at work in the world.

At Trinity, I work with the Liturgy Team, Mission Team, and Sacred Circle Caregivers. I also ensure that preparations are in place for Sunday services, am a pastoral minister, train Eucharistic Ministers, preach at least once a month, and work in close partnership with Father Cyprian Boelter, Trinity's priest.

My husband Steven and I were long-time members (30 years) of St. George’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis Park, serving in a variety of leadership and volunteer capacities. After my ordination, I was a deacon at St. George’s for more than three years, working on outreach, mission, and helping others discern their gifts for ministry, before responding to God’s call to go forth and serve another parish, Trinity, in 2016. Both of us retired from our professions in 2021. We have two grown children, Amanda and her husband Matt who have four children, and James and his wife Chelsey who have one child.

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.

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!