Hello to my new church family and friends! I wanted to share a little about me and my family as we end out our first month of ministry together in Kearney.
In the picture, you can see our son, Ander, who also moved to Kearney. He is enjoying his new work at Cabela’s in the “hunting/archery” area and his new apartment here. He enjoys singing, golfing and outdoor hobbies such as fishing. You will see me next, in our family picture from this past December. My husband, Jamie, is enjoying his new home office in the parsonage as he continues his work with Smithfield. He is their Export Product Manager and works with four plants most directly as well as company-wide issues. He loves to sing and work with model trains, among other things. Our daughter, Alexa, and her husband Kevin live in Seward. She owns her own studio, William Henry School of the Arts, and enjoys teaching dance and painting. They also have many classes for both the performing and fine arts for students ages 3 and up. Kevin works in Lincoln and is a great son-in-law! He enjoys making “craft beer” and other hobbies.
We enjoy camping in our “Huckleberry” with our doggies (mini-schnauzers Ben and Jerry, along with 19-year-old yorkie Heidi) and family. We have two cats, Ace and Boo. We enjoy walks at the park and are looking forward to trying out the walking trails. We have already enjoyed going to Cottonmill, Harmon, and Yanney. We enjoy the arts, music, and museums.
I am an avid reader of all kinds of literature and the Bible. I love to create art, look at art, and just generally appreciate the arts. I love to teach, work with students of all ages, and care for humans (youth and caring ministry is a good fit for me.)
I have spent the bulk of my life in an educator role (taught mostly at the college level) and in a pastoral role (children’s, youth, and caring ministries.) I love Jesus and sharing faith in many ways in the community. I have been active in community service organizations and volunteer roles all my adult life.
I grew up in church families which gifted me with mentors who helped to shape and form the kind of adult/pastor I would become. My Momma, Great Aunt Grace, and Great Aunt Dorothy had the most wonderful roles in shaping me as well. They are some of the most influential folks in my life and their memories are ones I hold dear to my heart.
If you watch the podcast, which was shared both on the website and our app then you can learn more about me. I shared some stories of faith, etc. I look forward to getting to know you all better in the coming years… let’s go on a faith adventure together as we grow in grace and love of God!
Love and prayers,
Pastor Jo Ellen
