Aubrey Thonvold
Executive Director
Aubrey Thonvold (she/they) is a lifelong Lutheran who is committed to work centered in justice and equity for LGBTQIA+ people and their families within religious and faith communities. With a master’s degree in Transforming Spirituality from The School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, she strives to bring people in and invite all to the table. She leads this work at ReconcilingWorks with a sense of call to this holy ministry. Aubrey has worked on marriage campaigns in Washington, Hawaii, and Oregon, organizing outreach, education, and advocacy and encouraging faith communities to support the freedom to marry for LGBTQIA+ couples. Aubrey and their spouse Heather both have a call to ministry, a love of adventures, and enjoy time with family and friends.
David Rask Behling
Program Coordinator
David Rask Behling (he/they) is a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He grew up mostly in Tucson, Arizona, but moved around a lot as a kid, including time living in Japan and Germany. David’s professional background is eclectic; working at different times as a homemaker, a writer, a college professor, an academic administrator, and more recently as a synod staff member and a campus minister. David was an English major as an undergraduate, is fluent in German, and has graduate degrees in Biblical Studies, Technical Communication, and Creative Writing [MFA]. He currently lives in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin with his partner, Karen, where they spend their free time reading, baking/cooking, and streaming movies and shows.
Jennifer Trom
Operations Manager
JenniferT@ReconcilingWorks.org
Jennifer Trom (she/her) is a life-long Lutheran whose commitment to social justice was formed early on growing up in rural Minnesota as a child of a pastor and an educator. With this foundation she studied liberation theology in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) with an administrative emphasis at the University of Utah. Most recently she has worked for two ELCA churches, the Oregon Synod, and a faith-based art retreat center. She is currently serving a 6-year term on the ELCA Church Council. Jennifer finds joy and peace working on jigsaw puzzles, spending time with animals, and creating with mixed-media. She lives in Portland with her partner Chris, where they raised two amazing children and care for three demanding cats, one smart dog, and a small flock of chickens.
Joy Strunk
Merchandise & Sales Assistant
Joy Strunk (she/her) after graduating from the College of Saint Benedict with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education: Communication moved out to eastern Washington State. It was there that she encountered her first Reconciling in Christ congregation at a local Pride event. Their warm, authentic welcome helped Joy reconnect with a faith community she thought was lost to her. With this invitation, Joy seeks to serve her LGBTQIA+ community by advocating for fully inclusive faith communities. Currently, Joy is completing her master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services at Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota where she lives with her wife. When not studying, Joy enjoys reading mystery novels, being outdoors, playing hockey, and exploring new places.