So what's with the picture of corn? Well, both of us spent a significant part of our lives in the great state of Iowa. We feel a certain affinity for those wide open spaces and field after field of corn and other crops. While we now live in northern New Jersey, our family members (parents & siblings) live in the Midwest states of Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. All right, we have ONE sibling in Texas, but as they like to say, "Texas is a whole 'nother country." We'll always feel a connection with the Midwest. It's where we grew up.
Having said that, we haven't lived there since 1985. That year we moved to the Ozarks in northern Arkansas, to be closer to Sue's family (her folks had retired there). It was during the next 8 years in Arkansas that we got married, celebrated the birth of our daughter Kate, and discovered our shared calling to ministry.
Having said that, we haven't lived there since 1985. That year we moved to the Ozarks in northern Arkansas, to be closer to Sue's family (her folks had retired there). It was during the next 8 years in Arkansas that we got married, celebrated the birth of our daughter Kate, and discovered our shared calling to ministry.
"You guys do what together?"
Some old friends ask that, surprised that we're both in ministry. We come from very different religious backgrounds.
Sue is a born-and-bred Presbyterian, deeply entrenched in the Reformed tradition of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Her mother still tells the story of finding "little Susie" in the bathroom, baptizing her dolls in the bathtub. Sue was always very active in church and after graduating from Buena Vista College in Iowa (a Presbyterian college), she began a career in the church as a Christian educator.
Mitch was born and baptized Roman Catholic, but from age 6, was raised and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. After moving to a small rural town in Iowa at the beginning of high school (with no Episcopalian churches nearby), he joined the Methodist Church and became quite active in youth group. He remained a Methodist until he met a woman who was a life-long Presbyterian and, well...
How we became ordained ministers is kind of funny. Sue was working as the Director of Christian Education at a Presbyterian church in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas and Mitch was the program director at a local radio station. A serious incident occurred, as the pastor of the church had a heart attack and underwent a quadruple bypass. Who would preach that Sunday? The Session of the church (or "board of directors" for you non-Presbyterians) needed someone in a hurry and they turned to Mitch. After all, he "spoke" for a living and, being the Christian Educator's husband, wasn't likely to turn them down. Mitch preached for a few weeks during the pastor's absence and it re-kindled a calling for ministry that he had managed to avoid for many years.
At the same time, Sue was coming to a crossroads in her career. She really enjoyed Christian Education, especially working with families, children and youth, but she was also feeling a calling to do something more in her service to the church. After wrestling with the future for about a year and a half, both Sue and Mitch realized that they felt called to ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Sue is a born-and-bred Presbyterian, deeply entrenched in the Reformed tradition of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Her mother still tells the story of finding "little Susie" in the bathroom, baptizing her dolls in the bathtub. Sue was always very active in church and after graduating from Buena Vista College in Iowa (a Presbyterian college), she began a career in the church as a Christian educator.
Mitch was born and baptized Roman Catholic, but from age 6, was raised and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. After moving to a small rural town in Iowa at the beginning of high school (with no Episcopalian churches nearby), he joined the Methodist Church and became quite active in youth group. He remained a Methodist until he met a woman who was a life-long Presbyterian and, well...
How we became ordained ministers is kind of funny. Sue was working as the Director of Christian Education at a Presbyterian church in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas and Mitch was the program director at a local radio station. A serious incident occurred, as the pastor of the church had a heart attack and underwent a quadruple bypass. Who would preach that Sunday? The Session of the church (or "board of directors" for you non-Presbyterians) needed someone in a hurry and they turned to Mitch. After all, he "spoke" for a living and, being the Christian Educator's husband, wasn't likely to turn them down. Mitch preached for a few weeks during the pastor's absence and it re-kindled a calling for ministry that he had managed to avoid for many years.
At the same time, Sue was coming to a crossroads in her career. She really enjoyed Christian Education, especially working with families, children and youth, but she was also feeling a calling to do something more in her service to the church. After wrestling with the future for about a year and a half, both Sue and Mitch realized that they felt called to ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seminary Bound!
So...off we went to Louisville, Kentucky to attend seminary at one of the most beautiful campuses you'll ever see, with our 4 year old daughter in tow. Since that time, we've had some incredible experiences, found plenty to laugh and cry about, but most of all, have been privileged to be part of the lives of many wonderful people. And what's made it even more special is the fact that we've had the chance to spend most of our time together in ministry as co-pastors, working side-by-side. Some people wonder how we can manage to do it...many couples end up in arguments or fights if they have to spend that much time together.
For us, it's been a blessing. We possess many similar skills and talents, but in the areas where we differ, we are very complimentary. What's made it work is a great deal of love and respect for each other, and the knowledge that ministry and service in the church, while often challenging, is also a source of joy.
For us, it's been a blessing. We possess many similar skills and talents, but in the areas where we differ, we are very complimentary. What's made it work is a great deal of love and respect for each other, and the knowledge that ministry and service in the church, while often challenging, is also a source of joy.