Mary Laymon

We are thrilled to welcome Pastor Mary Laymon to Lord of Life this summer while Pastor Lowell is away for a sabbatical.

The Rev. Dr. Mary Laymon has been nurturing the spiritual journeys of individuals and communities for more than 30 years with experience in inner city, rural, and suburban neighborhoods.

Whether she is pastoring a congregation, leading groups on pilgrimages, companioning others in Spiritual Direction, or leading Tikkun Farm’s Beloved Community, she strives to offer the same spiritual leadership – helping others hear the quiet and persistent voice of God speaking love to each of us.

Pastor Mary will be the Sabbatical Coverage Pastor from June 1 to August 23, 2026.

Lowell Michelson

Pastor Lowell will be away June 1 to September 7 for an extended time of refreshment and renewal sponsored by The Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program. While Pastor Lowell is away, Pastor Mary Laymon will be leading worship, providing pastoral care, book discussions, and more. See her bio on this page for more information about her.

Pastor Lowell Michelson has been talking to people about Jesus all of his life, but has been professionally telling God’s story for twenty plus years. As a “P.K.” (pastor’s kid), Lowell spent his childhood hanging out in the back pews of churches in Northeastern Ohio, where he grew up. He received an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH).

After serving as a youth director in St. Paul, MN and a traveling musician across the U.S. and Germany, he packed up his drumsticks and followed God’s call to be a pastor. Lowell continued his studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Columbus, OH). His pastoral education included ministry with Lutheran Campus Ministry at The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) and Resurrection Lutheran Church (Portland, OR).

Lowell came to Lord of Life after serving with the good folks of Reformation Lutheran Church (Wichita, KS) and St. Paul Lutheran Church (Davenport, IA). While in Davenport, Lowell was blessed to be a part of the Transition into Ministry pastoral residency program, sponsored by the prestigious Lilly Endowment.

Lowell still finds time to play music. He and his wife Tera are parents to three kiddos. Together, they explore parks, used book and music stores, and restaurants with hot sauce on the table.

Nicole (Nikki) Duty

My name is Nicole (Nikki), and I’m excited to step into the role of Office Manager. My family has been part of the Lord of Life community for nearly 5 years now. My husband, Justin, and I have two young boys, both of whom have attended LOLCP. I currently serve on the preschool board and am involved in the 2026 Vacation Bible School.

Growing up in Northwest Ohio, I moved south to study Interior Design at the University of Cincinnati (DAAP). As a creator, I enjoy finding meaningful ways to communicate visually and help bring ideas to life. In my free time, I enjoy a good game or competition, drawing, musical theater, and spend most weekends at the field watching our boys play sports. I especially love the Olympics and am excited to attend the 2028 Summer Games with my family to watch some soccer.

I’m looking forward to getting to know the congregation more deeply, supporting our initiatives, and using my skills to help further the mission of Lord of Life. I can't wait to get started and be a part of all the meaningful work happening here.

John Johns

Church music has been part of my life since I can remember and it has always influenced my journey. While beginning my studies at Capital University in Columbus, I received a call from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church to be their paid soloist and choral section leader. For four years, the liturgical skills I learned at St. Mark’s augmented the musical skills I learned in school.

When I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance, I moved to Dayton and began a career at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. At St. Paul’s, I led an adult choir, handbell choir, children’s choir and instrumental ensembles.

During my time in Dayton, I performed with Dayton Opera, the Dayton Philharmonic Chorus and I was on stage and music director at several theatres in the area. I have also had opportunities to sing at Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Washington National Cathedral,  Worcester Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral, both in England. Most recently, I was privileged to play the carillon at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in the center of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Angie Seiller

Angie has lived most of her life in the Cincinnati area (born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana). Her family was always active in their Missouri Synod Lutheran church. The boy that came to her 4th grade Sunday school class mid-year, eventually became her husband, Dan. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing.

The force of hospitality is strong for her as her first jobs were in the hotel industry. While thinking about starting a family, she weaved her way into her own business venture for a few years. She had two children and found herself in a position to switch careers again to be the Administrator for POP Kids Preschool in Loveland, Ohio at Prince of Peace Lutheran.

She and her family were active members of Prince of Peace for many years and found the joys of being part of an ELCA Lutheran community. She lives in Mason with Dan who is a Fire Captain for Deerfield Township. Her daughter, Madeline, is an officer in the Army stationed in Seattle and her other daughter, Olivia, is finishing her degree in Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati.

Angie loves to walk with her dog, Myah, vacation, read, and cheer on UC’s football team.

Cara Hasselbeck

Cara grew up in Pittsburgh, and is a lifelong Steeler fan and Lutheran. After graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University with a degree in Information Technology, she worked briefly for a defense contractor in northern Virginia before moving to the Cincinnati area to work for General Electric. After meeting her husband, Greg, at GE, Cara took at job as a consultant, and ultimately worked for Procter & Gamble for several years before taking a break from the workforce to raise their daughter Lauren.

The Hasselbecks joined Lord of Life in 2002. Since that time Cara has served in a variety of roles on church council, as a Youth MAC, and in the office. She is now tackling special projects for the church.

Cara enjoys vacationing with her family, reading, and baking.

Nicole Wells

I am so excited to be your new director at LOLCP! Education is truly my passion, and I am excited to help preschool children build the foundation of education while growing in their relationship with Christ.  I have a master’s degree in Special Education from Radford University, and I taught a separate setting special education classroom for 6 years in Asheville, NC before moving to West Chester in 2018.  After spending a few years as a stay at home mom raising my three daughters, I most recently served as a Behavioral Health Specialist for Cincinnati Children’s working on an inpatient psychiatric unit. We are active members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. In my free time I enjoy crafting, being outdoors, and watching my daughters compete in gymnastics, dance, soccer, and lacrosse. 

Pastora Carmen Colón-Brown

Pastora Carmen comes from the New Jersey/New York area.  She was born in the US to parents from Lares and Moca, Puerto Rico, and is the oldest of five children.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Thiel College (ELCA).  She was consecrated a Deaconess in 2010 through the Lutheran Deaconess Association at Valparaiso University, IN.  She has been married to Charles Brown for 28 years and they have two daughters: Autumn and Sienna.  In May of 2010, Deaconess Carmen received a call to serve the Southern Ohio Synod as a Latino Mission Developer.  In August of 2010 the call was extended to serve as Pastor of Vida E†erna–Iglesia Luterana (VEIL).  She is currently enrolled in the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) program seeking ordination.  VEIL is celebrating its 5th anniversary as a ministry and worshiping community of the Southern Ohio Synod.

Chris Thompson

Chris graduated from Miami University in 2003 with a B.S. in Middle Childhood Education and completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 2007. He currently works for Middletown City Schools in a central office role overseeing data integrity and testing compliance. Chris grew up attending and being involved in church including as a teenager helping with children’s church, VBS, and actively attending our youth group, which is where he and his wife Lori met in 1997.

“Our family has attended Lord of Life since 2021 and have appreciated the warm welcome we have received immensely. The junior high program and the retreats have been a highlight for Luke, VBS and singing in front for Ben."

Jeff Hills

Do you have a question or need to make a change to your giving? Contact Jeff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..