Push: Dr. Kathleen Kristin Ruen
Sep 29, 2026
Greetings and God’s Blessings upon you!
My name is Dr. Kathleen Kristin Ruen, and I am thrilled to be working in the Metropolitan New York Synod as Development Director. Today marks my first month in this position. It has been a learning experience, of course, but also an absolute delight to meet so many people who aim to live like Christ in the world. Everywhere I go in the Synod, I feel welcome. Thank you.
Here’s a little about me. I grew up in the Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where my father was a pastor. After moving to New York City, I became a member at Trinity Lower East Side, and then at St. John – Matthew Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. I raised my three children in the church: Sundays were my favorite day of the week.
During the pandemic, my family and I relocated to a house near Camp Koinonia in Highland Lake, NY. Since Koinonia had recently been shut down and had no staff to run it, Rev. Robert Wollenburg asked if I would serve as the Executive Director, and I said yes. More than five years later, the camp was not only open but filling up; we had raised over $2 million for a Capital Campaign, buildings were improved and refreshed, and well-qualified staff were hired. This was the slow kind of work where you need to focus on the large goal ahead without getting diverted by day-to-day problems. It took a large amount of faith for me to come in every day, especially when people doubted anything could be done. In the beginning, I would come into the office and pray, “God, help me know what to do.” And then I would get to work. The River Reporter wrote a great article about the resurrection of Koinonia.
Did you know that the Metropolitan New York Synod was a big part of Koinonia's resurrection? The Synod helped Koinonia acquire a $300,000 Mission Investment Fund Loan to begin its work. The Synod provided pastoral care, strong board members, and a donation of $20,000 to bring in interim administrators at just the right moment.
God helped me flourish in this seemingly impossible position, but also helped me grow in faith and abilities, see new possibilities, and eventually led me to a call to the ministry. I am currently an entranced candidate in the Metro New York Synod and taking classes at United Lutheran University. And I am looking forward to my new role in the Synod, and meeting you and working with you!
My story of overcoming a huge obstacle with God’s help is not unique. There is a multitude of stories throughout the Metropolitan New York Synod that help us understand who we are as Lutherans in the ELCA. Starting next month, you will receive a special “Synod Snapshot” story via email about one of your fellow Lutherans. Perhaps you will know that person. Perhaps you will see your story in them. Perhaps they will help you look at being a Lutheran in a new way. My hope is that, by reading these stories together and talking about them, we will better understand each other and how the Metro New York Synod connects us all. So, keep your eyes on your email every first Thursday morning of the month, and prepare to be inspired.
Blessings and Grace,
Dr. Kathleen Kristin Ruen
PS – would you like to receive “Synod Snapshot” in print form? Click here to fill out your address.