Robert M. Boreson
Member for 5 years

We are involved with Contemplative Prayer and, in the past, I have been involved in the Tiny House building projects. I also built play tables for the preschool kids and two storage pews to store the handbells.

I helped build a couple of Tiny Houses and I have led groups in building these houses. These projects - 5 in all - have been especially meaningful to me in that these house are and will be used by a number of homeless people. Individuals like any of us that fell on hard times and get stuck in the well of addiction, unemployment, and homelessness. The way the system is set up in our society is a catch 22. You need money to have someplace to clean up, be safe, have an address and wash your clothes. To have these things you need money. To have money you need a steady job. You can't get a job without an address, clean clothes, or adequate hygiene. It is a spiraling downward cycle that cannot be broken on one's own. These Tiny Houses give a person a safe place, a community in the Tiny Home Village, services, and support to get a job and once again be a contributing member of our wider community. These individuals are God's Beloved community, included and worthy of help and redemption. The Tiny House project is a way to materially contribute to a number of people as therse homes are used again and again. I was proud to be a part of it.

The mission of HSLC as I understand it is to be the presence of Jesus in the world. To me this means to show my Christian faith in action. Faith/Belief unto itself is nothing. True faith/belief shows itself to be faith through actions. What actions? To love each other as we love ourselves. HSLC is a Church not just of beliefs and creeds, sermons and songs - it is a group joined together acting out the Good News that we ALL are included; we ALL are beloved; we all are deserving of God's amazing, generous love. I get this from the members and the staff of HSLC. I'm proud to be a member.

Jacquie Brissey
Quilt Coordinator, member for 23 years

I was looking for a new church home (in 2000) . . . I attended several services at HSLC before making the final decision to move my membership and after each one I knew that I had found a place where I could grow my faith and become a better person. It wasn't easy to leave my old friends behind, but I was warmly welcomed into the HSLC community and have never thought twice about my choice to come here. This place has become my home and these people are my relatives.

Pastor Katy has often said that she considers the quilts we make for our high school seniors to be a third sacrament, following closely behind baptism and holy communion. I have to agree. Those of us who make these quilts are tied together by our love of taking an ordinary object (fabric) and turning it into something extraordinary. We don't expect or ask to be compensated for our time and materials and other than complete a form to let us know what they'd like, the students don't have to do anything to "earn" one -- sort of like the "inclusive" part of our Mission Statement. hey are gifts from the congregation and the quilters are simply the method by which the gifts are created. We quilters are blessed by making these gifts for our young people and their faces and words of appreciation when they receive them is our real reward. It is a joy to be part of something that expects nothing in return! Every one of us uses the exact same pattern and every quilt is totally unique, just like every recipient is unique. The metaphor of the pattern we use, "Yellow Brick Road", seems especially appropriate as each senior steps into their own journey. I estimate we've made well over 300 quilts for this ministry since it began (about 20 years ago).

My daughter married her husband at HSLC in 2001. Their son was baptized here in 2005 when he was just 6 days old. Their daughter was baptized in 2008. All of those were joyous events and we were grateful for the lovingkindness that the community showed. But it was the illness and subsequent death of our son in 2008 where the support, compassion and grace of the staff and members of this family really were most needed and selflessly provided. In 2018, when my husband died unexpectedly after a bad fall, once again the family of HSLC offered loving support to my family. I am exceedingly grateful to be part of a community that cares so much about each other. Both of those difficult times were made far more bearable because of the kindness and support of these faithful people. I only hope that I have been able to show others in our congregation and community the same kind of compassion I've received from them.

Julie and Phil Etheredge
Members for 1 year

We had been feeling increasingly out of sync with some of the teachings and the direction of our previous church. I (Julie) had done the Crossways course for two years several years ago, so I was familiar with Holy Spirit through that and through my friendship with HSLC member Cathleen Brueske. Phil was a lifelong Catholic, but felt at home with the liturgical worship at Holy Spirit. We were impressed by the warm welcome of everyone we met, the social justice orientation of the church, and the wide range of active ministries and activities. We quickly realized we had found our new church home.

There are so many ways to get involved at HSLC that it's hard to decide what to participate in! Phil is an usher and hopes to and is also hoping to serve as assisting minister. He loves being involved the liturgy, and as an extrovert he loves the chance to meet people and be of service on Sundays. I am more of a "behind-the-scenes" person. I am currently serving on the Refugee Resettlement Committee, where I'm Treasurer. Having worked for many years in an organization serving refugees internationally, I've had a long-time interest in learning about and serving immigrants and refugees in the U.S. I've been so impressed by the passion and commitment of the committee members. I'm also a lifelong book lover, so I was excited to join the Library Committee. The HSLC Library is a real treasure! I also belong to the HSLC Book Club. It's been so much fun to gather with other people who love and value reading and books as much as I do! Phil and I also attend the Wednesday Night dinner and adult ed program "Way To Live." We love the chance to gather mid-week, share a meal, and get to know more people in our church community. The Way to Live program has been a great way to learn more about the Lutheran Church, and we love Pastor Katy's teaching. Overall, Phil and I have both felt so warmly welcomed in everything we've participated in since joining HSLC, and we've loved the chance to get involved in such a variety of ways . . . it feels like at HSLC every person is welcomed and encouraged to share their own unique gifts, passions and talents. Because of that it feels that we are all taking part in creating a more compassionate, challenging and inclusive community.

Over the past year we've dealt with some health challenges and professional transitions. Becoming a part of the HSLC community, making new friends, and finding a church that finally feels like "home" has been such an encouragement during a challenging time. I have prayed for years that we could someday be a part of a warm, vibrant church family that welcomes everyone to the table, and this feels like an answered prayer!

Bob Hallberg
Fix-It Folks Team and member for 1 year

The Fix-It Folks group repairs broken items and prepares the sanctuary. I like to work with my hands and it's a labor of love.

I enjoy being with a varied cross section of families and adults. The fact the church has children, young adults, middle-aged and seniors is appealing to me.

Veronica Knudson
Past member and 2021 to the present

As I was planning my retirement and my return to the area [from Southern California], thanks to COVID, I was able to do my "church shopping" on line. I (virtually) returned several times to HSLC and made the decision to bypass a few Lutheran churches who are closer to my home to rejoin this incredibly vibrant organization.

Making a difference in the lives of others is important to me. I am involved in other HSLC ministries and participated in an informational meeting about HSLC's affiliation with Common Hope and an upcoming trip to Guatemala. Learning about Common Hope and meeting members who had participated in the first Vision Team helped me connect the dots between personal mission (making a difference) and the work of this group. There is such passion from those who have gone and the mission of the organization to make lives better, but also to create enthusiasm for education for the children of Guatemala had me hooked.

HSLC is great at reaching out to meet community needs in many ways. The Vision Team takes that mission international and allows us to spread God's word, through our work beyond our borders. The generosity of the congregation with their donation of supplies for us to take with us was incredible. So many people contributed, out of the goodness of their hearts which all supports HSLC's mission.

Finding my footing, post retirement, has been a challenge. I have met so many wonderful people since I rejoined the church [Veronica is also a member of the bell choir]. The number of ministries and opportunities to serve seem never ending. I also greatly appreciate that when I make a prayer request, it does not go unnoticed and there is follow up. I am also grateful that my granddaughter is able to participate in confirmation, even though her family does not belong to the church. HSLC is a great church home!

Kris Reekie
Member for 19 years

Due to mobility issues I can no longer join groups but I did help with Wednesday night meal prep for years. Loved it and miss it.

I do take part in online church every Sunday. I light a candle, set my communion table, and Airplay the video to my TV. I look forward to it every Sunday! I feel like I am there. In my PJs. With my cat on my lap.

[At Holy Spirit] over the years, I’ve learned that Jesus loves everyone and I am free to as well—regardless of their religion, background, etc. I grew up in a very strict Lutheran church where judgment seemed like a bylaw. It’s freeing to not judge, but want to learn about and love the person.

Heath Stewart
Assisting Minister, Instrumentalist, Sound Booth Team, member for 4 years

I've played various instruments - mainly percussion - almost my entire life . . . Helping install and run the sound system at [my previous church] which taught me a lot of the basics of audio engineering. When I saw more people were needed at Holy Spirit it just made sense to help however I could. It's also nice to have opportunities to play with other instrumentalists and vocalists, as well as speaking to the congregation as an assistant minister.

Being part of a community that truly cares about their community - no matter their beliefs, income, etc. - feels right. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and being an active part of that provides some sense of pride, though I hate to admit that and certainly hope I don't flaunt it. But for all those people who are actively involved from Sunday School to the worship team to people sitting in the sound booth: it just feels like we're all more connected to each other and to the community we serve.

Polly Vann
Member for 39 years

I have been involved in many different activities at HSLC in my nearly 40 years . . . Sunday School, Church Council, Assisting Minister, communion setup. When I retired in 2012 I was looking for a new daytime activity so my friend and I came to the morning quilting group and we have been there ever since. I am not a quilter but I learned that I could do the pinning and tying. 😉

A part of our mission statement talks about the word inclusive and the work we do is for the good of people around the world who do not live like we do, do not have our same resources and have probably suffered from some disaster.

I have many great memories but I will always remember how Pastor Kluth came to our home in the very late evening when my mother passed away suddenly and when Pastor Larry came to our home when our son lost his best friend in high school. Both of those visits were above and beyond.

Mark Weiseth
Member for 12 years

My wife, Connie and I first came to Holy Spirit to attend the memorial service of a close friend. The memorial service was well done and very meaningful. We decided to start attending Holy Spirit and have been there ever since.

I strongly believe that lay people (not just the Pastors!) are called to be involved in the ministry of the church. Holy Spirit strongly encourages lay leadership and participation!

I believe the church is called to both an inward and outward focus. Inward, to help people grow in their faith and relationship to Christ (become followers of Jesus) and, outward, to do ministry in the world outside the walls of the church.....to bring salt, light, and hope to those struggling with injustice, oppression, etc. That said, HSLC helps me achieve that inward/outward balance on a personal level, inward (Faith Formation, Confirmation leader, Choir, Men's retreats) and outward (Great Decisions courses and primarily the refugee committee's work with an Afghan family). All this helps me connect with the "compassionate, challenging, and inclusive " mission of HSLC.

Connecting with men of the church through the annual (pre-Covid) Men's retreats has been very significant for me. A core group of men has formed that is a great source of encouragement, challenge, and support for me during the highs and lows of my faith journey. And believe me, I've had both highs and lows over the years!! Also, I have so greatly appreciated the church's involvement with, and support of, the various refugee families they have sponsored over the years. In particular, the Afghan refugee family that my wife and I continue to be directly involved with.

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