Pastor Lawrence Richardson (Lead Minister) 

Rev. Richardson is a pastor, prophet, evangelist and author. He is a graduate of St. Catherine University and Liberty Seminary, where he was trained in Sociology, Communications, Pastoral Care, Evangelism and Christian Ministry. Rev. Richardson also has completed certifications for Anti-Racism Facilitator Training, Our Whole Lives Sexuality Training, Church Planting, Digital Media Strategy and Executive Leadership Coaching. He is on staff as a media trainer at Auburn Seminary and as an executive clergy coach for the Center for Progressive Renewal. Rev. Richardson also has active partnerships with the Evangelical Church of Germany, collaborating on digital ministry projects.

The author of I know What Heaven Looks Like, Rev. Richardson writes about and advocates for LGBTQ people, people of color and the flourishing of all. His works have appeared in Huffington Post Religion, The Root, Believe Out Loud, The Salt Collective, Rachel Murr’s Unnatural: Spiritual Resiliency in Queer Christian Women, Austen Hartke’s Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, and numerous other national and international publications. He has received awards and commendations for his service from Black Transmen, Inc. and the Stellar Awards for his work in global communication.

When he is not ministering, researching or writing, Pastor Lawrence loves reading, trying different cuisines, traveling, spending time with his family and empowering people to live life from a place of joy, abundance, faith and gratitude.

Alexander Farino (Office Coordinator)

Alex is a born and raised Midwesterner who, after spending five years in Philadelphia, moved to Minnesota in early 2018. The lure of a better quality of life, the great arts and culture scene, the progressive and accepting environment, the parks, the nature and the seasons (including winter) made the Twin Cities the perfect new home. After a career in opera and theatrical production, he is excited to be using his experience to support the members of Linden Hills UCC to advance their mission and promote the many programs that make this congregation so wonderful and blessed and bring the teachings of Jesus to Linden Hills and the wider community.

He is is responsible for keeping the church office humming, keeping Linden Hills UCC’s presence visible in the community through the website and social media, producing the weekly order of service, print and email editions of the weekly newsletter, The Linden Tree. He also assists with accounting and financial reporting.

Alex lives in North Minneapolis with his husband, Polish- born painter, Marcin Cienski, and their two transplanted pups: Bodie, a Lab collie mix from New Jersey and Mala, a dachshund corgi mix from Poland.