Jesse and I were looking for a church to become a part of in St. Paul. We were both raised Lutheran and wanted our children to have an understanding of what that meant. We were both actively involved in our churches growing up. And it is a way of becoming a part of a community that cares, that is not just family and friends.
When Teague was around 4 and Nia was around 6, Jesse and I decided that it was time to find a church. We went to a few different ones in or close to our neighborhood. At some of these churches, we felt like strangers.
Growing up, Jesse was good family friends with the Rohr family, and knew of St. Timothy because of the family’s involvement in the church. Jeff Rohr was the pastor of the church at that time, and Jesse remembered hearing stories of the youth trips that the Rohr children had been on. So Jesse suggested we check out St. Tim’s.
When we first went to a service it just felt different. People smiled, welcomed and greeted us. Jesse and I had graduated from Luther College, and a friend I had lost contact with after college was there with her family. Joy Holstead (now Hensel) she had been a youth pastor at St. Tim’s and said that she really missed being part of the congregation. She had recently gotten married and moved away, but they would drive back once and a while. She said it was a wonderful congregation to be a part of.
We also talked with a lot of members who introduced themselves and welcomed us. Stan comes to mind, because we connected over the fact that St. Tim’s had gone to family camp at Outlaw ranch for years. Jesse and I had been counselors there when he had come with his family. It’s such a small world.
Since becoming members we have made a lot more connections with members and people at the church. Our family ended up moving to a home that is located close to the church. And we both appreciate how it is part of not just the immediate community, but also the global community.
We appreciate the openness of the church and the kindness of the pastors who always make sure people feel welcomed and supported. Pastor Hans greeted us, shook our hands and impressively remembered our names when we came back a few times before becoming members.
We appreciate the opportunities that our children and we have had at St. Tim’s. Whether it’s the amazing Christmas show that Cathy creates and gave our kids the opportunity to try singing, dancing, talking to a group of people, and puppets, or heading to Feed our Starving Children to make food packets for kids in need, or swamping and righting a canoe at Wilderness canoe base, or listening to the amazing music that is part of either service, baking bread with Pastor Sarah to learn about communion, creating art with Pastor Lisel or the great connections and conversations that we have had with other St. Tim’s members. We have really enjoyed and appreciated the community of St. Tim’s.
— Heather Rietz and Jesse Winsell
