rev. mark ryman, pastor

Susan and Mark are graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University, where they each majored in English Literature. Mark also received the Master of Arts in Theology from Houston Graduate School of Theology, and the Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies and Theology from Carolina Graduate School of Divinity. He is now working on a Doctor of Ministry in Stewardship of the Word through Saint Paul Lutheran Seminary, and hopes to have that degree conferred in the spring.


Susan is retired from a career in human resources at Duke University, and another half dozen years as the Business Manager for Sola Publishing, where Mark was also the Production Editor for Sola and Connections magazine. 


They are thrilled to be among the folks at St. Paul's, eager to move into the parsonage, and to get to the other side of the pandemic so that they may visit with you all more freely. 


Check out our pastor's daily video posts called "Reading the Word with Luther" and read his daily devotions here.

Connie Burleson, organist

Connie is a graduate of Meredith College and Wingate College, with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and Music Education. She also has a certification in Handbells from Queens College. She has taught music in Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Davidson Academy Private School. She has taught piano and organ at The Arts Academy at Grace, and is currently taking Harp instruction there. She is married to Lanny Burleson. She and Lanny have two daughters, Meredith Vaughn, and Ashley Wind. Connie and Lanny love spending time with their seven grandchildren.

Connie is very excited about her Music Ministry at St. Paul's!

Pamela Cottingham,

Church Secretary

Pamela is a Salisbury native and life-long member at St. Paul's.

She has an Associate of Arts, and Associate of Fine Arts from RCCC. 

She has been working for several years at St. Paul's, beginning as a part-time office assistant, and began full time as the secretary in September of 2019.