Our Pastor: Mark Grorud

Pastor Mark Grorud was born in northern Minnesota, grew up in Montana and Idaho, and graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska with degrees in Religion, Music and Humanities. He attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota receiving his four-year Master of Divinity degree. He returned a few years later and received his Master of Theology degree from Luther Seminary.

Pastor Grorud served most of his ministry in Nebraska, serving 26 years at First Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska, first as Associate Pastor and then as Senior Pastor, and 6 years as Senior Pastor at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Omaha. He also served for five years as the Director for Relationships with Large Membership Congregations on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) at its headquarters in Chicago, IL. His final call was to serve as developer and first Executive Director of the Immanuel Vision Foundation in Omaha, a large charitable foundation connected with the ELCA.

Pastor Mark is married to his college sweetheart, Caryl. She has served as a nurse in a variety of settings, including 23 years as a school nurse. The Groruds moved to Wilton, Connecticut seven years ago to be close to their four grandchildren who also live in Wilton. Since moving to CT, Pastor Mark has served the New England Synod of the ELCA as a parish consultant, and as an Interim Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Brookfield, St. John's Lutheran in Stamford, and now as the new Interim Pastor at St. Michael's in New Canaan. Additionally, Pastor Mark serves on the Finance and Audit Committee of the New England Synod, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Seafarer's International House, a ministry of the ELCA located in NYC.

The Groruds love spending time with their grandchildren and family. They also love to travel and see the world. And, of course, the Vikings, (will this be the year)?

Quoting Pastor Grorud: “I am very excited to be a part of the ministry at St. Michael's in New Canaan. With its new connection to the New Canaan Museum and Historical Society, this congregation has an incredibly bright future. Keep your eye on St. Michael's, and better yet, give us a visit. As Lutherans, we strive to celebrate the grace of God in all we say and do. Grace is forgiving, accepting, and uplifting. You are invited to be a part of that at St. Michael's.”

Pastor Grorud will have weekly office hours Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00.