Our Staff

The Rev. Seth Bridger
Associate Pastor
[email protected]

513-335-2882

 

Pastor Seth Bridger joined Messiah in 2017 after serving as Director of Recruiting & Admissions at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Seth and his wife, Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger, were both ordained in 2006 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. They spent time in Savannah, Georgia, before accepting a co-pastorate in Cincinnati. Pastor Seth and Shelley have two sons, Zachary and Noah.

 

Pastor Seth is passionate about Jesus, kayaking and outdoor pursuits including golf, cycling, and soccer. On his “bucket list” is hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. He enjoys family time, bagels with cream cheese, a good cup of coffee, participating in several yearly fantasy baseball and football leagues, and an occasional walleye fishing trip.

Helen Casselberry
School Principal

Helen Casselberry has served as the role of Messiah Lutheran School's principle since July 2011. Helen takes great joy in student growth, Mrs. Casselberry believes that education is a celebration of God's love for us and the talents He has invested in us. She considers education a unique ministry through which school staff may directly serve students and families while preparing them for service to God and others. She looks forward to strengthening the tradition of academic excellence and culture of Christian love established at Messiah. Helen and her husband Tim have attended Messiah Lutheran since 2007 and became members in 2008. The Casselberry's share an Olmsted Falls home with their daughter, son and their dog.

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Darlene Waugh
Administrative Manager

Director of the Pierstorf Memorial Fund

A lifelong member of Messiah, Darlene has served since 1999 as the business administrator for Messiah Church and School and manager of the church office. She has also worked extensively in youth ministry, with a particular focus on summer mission trips and confirmation camp. In recent years she has been serving as the Northeastern Ohio Synod's coordinator for national youth gatherings of the ELCA. Trained as an accountant, Darlene worked for Key Bank and its predecessor institutions before coming to Messiah. 

In 2020 Darlene assumed the Executive Director position for the Pierstorf College Fund, previously held by Marty Uhle for the prior 8 years. The Pierstorf College Fun is a one-of-a-kind pan Lutheran financial aid program that provides interest-free loans to all Lutherans pursuing a higher education who live in the State of Ohio. For more information, visit www.pierstorf.org.

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Pastoral Assistant

Deaconess Ruth is a child of God, a wife, mother, and deaconess. She joined Messiah community with her family in fall 2016.  In 2017 she became a Eucharist Minister and joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant with a focus on caring for the Home Bound in February of 2019.   Deaconess Ruth is a member of the Lutheran Diaconal Association.  

Deaconess Ruth has been a Parish Deaconess, a Church musician, Spiritual director, and active volunteer at the North Olmsted Food pantry and for many years a volunteer in multiple North Olmsted schools.  Ruth enjoys baking, walking, and traveling.  Ruth and her husband Dale have two young adult children, Signe and Luke.   

Lisa Daley
Bookkeeper

Business Manager of the Pierstorf College Fund
[email protected]

Lisa works in the Church office as Bookkeeper for both Church and school. Her love of numbers and spreadsheets assists her in serving as the Business Manager of the Pierstorf College Fund. She is the mother of four adult daughters, and grandmother of one granddaughter. Her husband, Dave, is a retired pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in Cleveland. 

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Office Assistant, Bulletins
[email protected]

Diane works in the Church office to create the weekly worship bulletins. A graduate of Lutheran West, Diane received her Undergraduate Degree from Ohio University and Masters Degree in Business from Baldwin Wallace University. She is working part-time in the Church Office after retiring from a career in purchasing and supply chain management. She enjoys bowling, having lunch with friends, and spending time with her two dogs, Libby and Baylee. 

Communications Manager
[email protected]

Sarah works in the Church office as Communication Manager. As graduate of The Ohio State University, her background in art and design is helpful in her role. Sarah enjoys ceramics and attends markets in the area to sell her work. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, Brandon and snuggling with their cats, Nugget, Trilby and Zoey.