by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
Pastor Eric Jensen and Pastor Katie Jensen have been settling into their roles as first-time pastors after being called to serve by the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Preston, and Faith Lutheran Church in Andover. Since their arrival at the parsonage in Preston during a snowstorm and their first services beginning in March, they have both been ordained in their individual home churches and have been officially installed at the two churches by members of the Synod staff. Both Pastor Eric and Pastor Katie have been quite busy from the start as they arrived in time for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter services. They have been busy learning names and faces, visiting homebound members, and engaging with the youth in the congregations. You have probably seen them at local breakfasts, sporting events, the Farmer’s Markets and walking around town. Make sure to introduce yourself if you meet them. They would love to hear from you and get to know you as they both believe strongly in community. The two of them are currently working together with Carrington Wells and Craig Myers from Calvary Lutheran in Sabula planning the July 27th Bluegrass Service at Twogood Park and planning the July 13th Thresher’s Community Service at the Miles Park. Pastor Eric wrote a greeting to share this week, and we will hear from Pastor Katie in the next week or two.
Greetings in Christ!
My name is Eric Jensen, and it is my blessing and joy to serve as the new Pastor at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church here in Preston. While discerning God’s call on my life over the past decade, I’ve been lucky enough to do ministry in a variety of places around the country, but it’s good to at last begin putting down some roots as my wife Katie and I start our life and ministry together. My love for ministry work took root at a summer camp in the Flint Hills of my home state of Kansas, where I learned to treasure both the wisdom of the land as well as of the voices of the young people throughout our church. Gathering for music, story, and prayer (and s’mores) around a campfire is still one of my favorite ways to build community with folks – and more intentional time in community is something I believe our world desperately needs. I have a growing list of hobbies, among them: cooking (I make a mean Italian Ragú), an expanding collection of houseplants, and amateur astrophotography (I’ve already fallen in love with the rural night-sky). I also have a deep love for many kinds of music – though outside my singing in worship nowadays I play mostly bluegrass and folk music on my guitar.
I was raised a city kid (I’m from Wichita, KS), but growing up on the Great Plains, attending Kansas State for college, and doing so much ministry out at camp has meant our country’s rural communities and farmers never felt far removed from my own life story. That said, one of the things I’m most excited about as we settle out here in Jackson County is to better understand the people and ways of life who make up such key threads in the tapestry of our nation. Don’t be a stranger – tell me about who you are and what you do – I’m looking forward to getting to know ya.
In grace and peace, Pr. Eric
Pastor Katie and Pastor Eric had their own friendly competition at a St. John’s Bingo event. They love playing various board and card games and enjoy the time spent with fellow players.
Pastor Eric was invited along to help with spring planting and see all the modern equipment up-close.
Pastor Eric is a talented musician and plays many instruments- saxophone, flute, banjo, piano, ukelele, and of course, guitar. He also has a special interest in astrophotography (photographing the night skies).
Pastor Katie joined Pastor Eric in his office to begin planning the July Thresher’s and Bluegrass Ecumenical Services.
