Our Staff

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Rev. Monica Weber earned a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, receiving the John Olin Knott Award for scholarly writing in Biblical studies; she completed her pastoral studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Her experience as an ELCA pastor includes community garden ministry and administration of community feeding and shelter programs.  A passionate believer in God’s grace for all people, she advocates for inclusivity and social justice; she’s also the proud mom of a son who shares her love of travel and immersion in world cultures.

Prior to ordination, Pastor Monica served as a hospice chaplain for Adoration Health, after ministering to military veterans at Vanderbilt University VA Hospital. She speaks several languages, and received a certificate in Hispanic Ministry training from Lutheran Seminary of the Southwest.

Rev. Dr. Bryan Katz earned his Master of Arts in Religion and Pastoral Ministry Certificate from the Institute of Lutheran Theology in addition to completing seminary courses through Luther Seminary.  Prior to accepting the call at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church to serve The Well, Pastor Bryan was the Pastor at New Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Pastor Bryan also serves a leadership role in the Virginia Synod, serving as the Synodical Coordinator for Campus Ministry. 

Pastor Bryan is not new to campus ministry with The Well.  He discerned a call into pastoral ministry by serving as the Lay Campus Minister for The Well in 2018 and 2019.  Pastor Bryan’s passion is working with college students in exploring their faith lives, providing support during college life events, and providing a safe and affirming place for all students to be part of a community with diverse opinions, backgrounds, and ideas.

Pastor Bryan has a strong connection to Virginia Tech, having graduated with his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering and he serves on the faculty as a Professor of Practice in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.  Pastor Bryan was introduced to Lutheranism, the ELCA, and Lutheridge (a Lutheran Camp in Arden, North Carolina) by his wife, Katie.  Pastor Bryan and Katie are blessed with two children, Emily and Ethan. 

 Amy Cowan graduated with a B.M. in Voice from Rice University, then an M.M. in Opera Performance from The Longy School of Music in Massachusetts. In 2008, she earned a Certification in Kodaly Methodology from the prestigious program at Holy Names University in Oakland, where she studied solfege and music theory with Erzebet Hegyi, and choral conducting with Judith Hartyanyi. She has almost twenty years of experience teaching and has held positions with San Francisco Arts Education Project, Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose, Coastal Repertory Theatre, and Seacrest School, among many others. In addition to maintaining a private voice studio for many years both in Blacksburg and in California, Amy is an adjunct Voice Instructor at Virginia Tech and has taught courses in Diction and Music Appreciation, and regularly substitutes for the Voice faculty there. 

Jay Crone is Principal Trombone of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Opera Roanoke, the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra. He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in Europe, Asia, South America and appeared at regional conferences and workshops in the United States, including the American Trombone Workshop, Tromblowin’, and the  Southeast Regional Horn and Tuba/Euphonium Workshops. He joined the Virginia Tech faculty in 1994, where he currently teaches trombone, euphonium, tuba, and Listening in the Digital Age, a new approach to music appreciation geared towards the general student. Crone has also been a collaborative pianist in recitals throughout the United States, including performances with former members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra and current members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Florida Orchestra, among others. Crone holds degrees from the University of Southern California, Yale University, and California 

State University at Fresno.  

Ray worked for many years in the trucking industry as a mechanic and truck driver for Indy cars and Coca Cola, prior to answering God’s call to vocational ministry. Ray is currently studying to be an ELCA Deacon through the TEEM program. He is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and diversity in both Church and community. As Sacristan, Ray manages Luther Memorial’s sacristy, to prepare weekly holy communion and monitor all supplies used in worship. He is in charge of changing the altar paraments and sanctuary banners according to each liturgical season, and he assists Pastor Monica and Office Manager Marcia Barrow with Property issues. Ray also mentors our Confirmation class.