Ordained for Word and Sacrament ministry in 1988, she has served parishes in eastern North Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota and as a chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisory candidate at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She taught homiletics for two years at Luther seminary. She has published a number of parish education materials for the ELCA, and a book, Called Into Ministry. Mary currently has served Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in SW Minneapolis, a congregation devoted to worship and social justice.