Staff
REV. Taylor Hagbo
Pastor
Pastor Taylor Hagbo was born and raised in Washington state, primarily in the college-town of Ellensburg, home to Central Washington University. Taylor grew up in connection to the Presbyterian church and enjoyed an imaginative childhood, exploring interests in music, theater, reading, and sports. Taylor attended Pacific Lutheran University, pursuing undergraduate degrees in both Biology and Religion, as well as a growing interest in the Lutheran tradition.
After graduation, Taylor lived and worked at Holden Village—a remote, Lutheran retreat center, located in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. This experience cemented Taylor into a connection with the Lutheran church and a continuing desire to live out his faith in Christian community. A contact from Holden Village and a road trip down the west coast brought Taylor to Humboldt County, where Taylor quickly met his wife, Sadie. When returning to Holden Village in 2014 to write liturgical music as an Artist in Residence, Taylor began to feel a calling into ordained ministry.
Taylor and Sadie spent three years in Berkeley, California, where Taylor pursued his Master of Divinity degree at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, part of a consortium of nine other seminaries and religious schools known as the Graduate Theological Union. Taylor was able to study with students from other faith traditions and explore a wide variety of Lutheran churches in the Bay Area.
For his required internship year, Taylor served as the pastor of The Bridge, a “coffee house church” in St. Charles, Missouri. The Bridge is an experimental ministry site that aims to engage with those who may not find a home in a traditional church building or congregation.
Returning to Humboldt County following his internship, Taylor worked as a Chaplain for Hospice of Humboldt from 2019 to 2023, ministering to those who are nearing end-of-life, as well as their family members and caregivers. During this time, Taylor also served part-time at The Lutheran Church of Arcata as Outreach Minister, coordinating various events and worship experiences in addition to assisting in leadership on Sunday mornings.
Taylor is passionate about outdoor ministry, liturgical music, Christian education, and the intersection of theology and culture. Taylor strives to share the Gospel and the Lutheran tradition with a world that sorely needs to know God's Grace through Jesus Christ. Taylor, Sadie, and their daughter, Trudy (3), enjoy living in Arcata and exploring all that Humboldt County has to offer.
Gwyn Czerwinski
office manager
Gwyn is a long-time resident of Arcata and member of LCA. She enjoys her family, the Plaza, camping, and taking walks in our beautiful area.
e-mail: gwyn@lutheranchurcharcata.org
Mike Meyer
Facilities Team
Mike is a long-time resident of the area, enjoying backpacking, hiking, and time with his family.
Sadie Hagbo
Facilities Team
Sadie is a born-and-raised Arcatan and member of LCA. She is glad to help maintain our beautiful facilities here in the redwoods.
Karen Giacomini
Parish Nurse
Karen is a retired R.N. with 50 years of nursing experience and 32 years of experience in health care management. She is available to provide health guidance and resources as the need arises.
e-mail: karengiacomini@att.net
phone: (707) 839-5147
Nancy Call
PIANiST
Music has always been an important part of Nancy's life. She enjoys playing traditional and contemporary music at our church.
RYan Hoopes
PIANiST
Ryan A. Hoopes grew up in Eureka and plays the piano. He is an improviser first. His influences include Keith Jarrett, J. S. Bach, Solas, Beethoven, and W. A. Mozart. He is largely self-taught and rebellious by nature, but did come under the tutelage of Dr. Daniela Mineva. He has studied hymnology and hopes to write a liturgy for Eucharist. Ryan also enjoys running and tea.
TIM CLAASEN, Jonathan Claasen & ELIOT CLAASEN
Contemporary Worship Team
Tim, Jonathan, and Eliot are local musicians who love the North Coast, music, and leading God's people in worship.