Rev. Sara Morse
Pastor
Hi! I’m Rev. Sara Morse and have been the pastor of this great congregation since January 2009. I was ordained in 2003 and have been blessed and humbled to hear the stories of many and engage in vital ministry over this time.
I come from humble roots – growing up in rural Wisconsin on a dairy farm I have learned the value of hard work and relationship. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Medical Microbiology and Immunology. I had other career aspirations until I finally realized that God was calling me to parish ministry. Finally, upon figuring out that God’s call was real, I attended United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and received my Masters of Divinity.
I love being a pastor. I cannot imagine doing anything else because it allows me to meet individuals where they are on their journey of faith and how the church can be instrumental in creating a just, peace, open and affirming world. When I’m not hanging out at church, the community or visiting people, I like to be home with my husband, Tim and two boys, Daniel and Michael – enjoying their creativity and love. Now that you have an idea of who I am – I look forward to getting to know you.
God be with you!
Meet our Staff
Laurie Tanner
Office and Media Coordinator
Laurie Tanner serves as the Media and Office Coordinator at Hazel Park UCC. Laurie is originally from Anoka, MN and graduated from North Central University with a double major in Music and Communications. She has had several positions in church ministry including choir and drama director, worship leader, volunteer coordinator, graphic designer, and administrator. She also has performed with the Minnesota Chorale, the Bach Society of Minnesota, and as manager and singer with the Edina Chorale. She is excited with her position at Hazel Park and loves the members and community of the church.
Dr. Asako Hirabayashi
Music Director
Asako has been the music director since 2015. Asako has an extensive music career as a performer, composer, and arranger for 3 decades. She is a harpsichordist and composer with excellent improvisational and sight-reading skills. Her repertoire extends from Renaissance to contemporary music which includes some of her own compositions, arrangements in Japanese traditional folk music, Latin, Jazz, and pop. She has won many awards, has played at Carnegie Hall, and has been a featured guest soloist on A Prairie Home Companion. Asako believes that music is essential to nourishing our spiritual being. She applies this belief in her music ministry at this church.
Nolan Rose
Audio Visual Coordinator
Hello! My name is Nolan! I serve as the Audio Visual Coordinator for Hazel Park Congregational UCC. I began this position in October of 2025, and have loved contributing to the service every Sunday.
I graduated in 2025 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology. During my time in school, I pursued my passion for music an instrumentalis, playing both the oboe and tenor saxophone for many of the ensembles.
Throughout my time in school I focused a lot of my attention on music production and recording.Alongside my experience in studio recording, I was also able to work as assistant engineer at an event venues where I developed much of my abilities in live recording.
At Hazel Park, I am committed to utilizing these skills I’ve acquired and to contributing to a great experience for each person attending in-person or online. I am thrilled to be here and can’t wait to learn so much more!