Staff
Pastor Jeremy Johnson
Senior Pastor
pastorjeremy@clcbyron.org
Pastor Jeremy grew up in Upsala, Minnesota, where church and community shaped his faith from an early age. He first sensed a call to ministry in high school and later attended Wartburg Seminary, graduating in 2013. For the past 13 years, he served Little Cedar and Marshall Lutheran Churches in Adams, Minnesota, before beginning his call at Christ Lutheran Church in July 2025.
Jeremy and his wife, Sandy, are highschool sweethearts. They have two children, Micah and Liliana. Sandy is an educator in the Byron School District. As a family, they enjoy traveling, exploring national parks, and cheering on their kids in basketball, robotics, and creative pursuits.
In his ministry, Pastor Jeremy values relationships, listening, and walking alongside people in faith. A guiding verse for him is Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Pastor Judy Thompson-Reitz
Part-time Interim Pastor
Pastor Judy Thompson-Reitz began serving Christ Lutheran Church as the Halftime Interim Pastor on May 13, 2024. Her areas of focus will primarily be visitation and assisting with Confirmation, as well as preaching 1-2 times a month. She is extremely grateful for the warm welcome and welcome assistance of Elaine, in the office; Pastor Steve’s gracious guidance, The Visitation Committee’s commitment to the elders of CLC and everyone else who contributes to make this place the Body of Christ. She looks forward to getting to know folks better, mixing up names less, and working with you in the mission into which we are all called: To Proclaim the forgiving, redeeming, transforming Love of God made known in Christ for all people and to share that great grace-filled truth and promise in all we Think, Say, and Do. God’s Blessings and Peace to you all!
Peace,
Judy
Elaine Meek
Administrator
Elaine Meek is our Administrator. She is married to Tim and has three children, Katie, Naomi, and Cece. Elaine and her family live in Byron.
Julie Carlblom
General Music Director
Julie Carlblom is our General Music and Chancel Choir director. She and her husband, Darell, have two adult sons and 3 grandchildren and live near Salem Corners. She has been involved with church choirs in one form or another for over 50 years. She is a retired high school math and computer science teacher and former computer programmer, who is also actively involved with the Byron Lions Club.
Jane Cabaya
JuBELLance, Organist/Pianist
Jane Cabaya is our Chancel Bells director and our Organist/Pianist. Music has been a special part of her life along with libraries. She loves to perform and accompany anyone. She has been media specialist in school libraries in the area at all levels. She lives with her husband, Michael, in the woods west of Oxbow Park. They have two grown sons, Kyle and Ty. She grew up in Winona and enjoys the nature of the area with camping, fishing, and biking. She and Mike also love to experience adventure with travel throughout the world.
Sarah Palmer
Contemporary Music Director
(507) 696-3065
Sarah Palmer leads our praise team which leads the contemporary service. Sarah was confirmed at Christ Lutheran and has enjoyed mentoring the youth mission trips.