Congregation member Marion Pruitt-Jefferson is an ordained ELCA pastor who is currently on-leave-from call. She will preside at worship services on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, and October 25 and 26. Marion graduated with a BA degree in music from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, and then spent four years serving as an LCA missionary in Japan. She attended the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, graduating in 1995 with a Masters of Divinity degree. While preparing to be a pastor, Marion also began playing the organ, studying with Paul Manz. In 1996 she accepted a call to First Lutheran here in Decorah as an associate pastor and director of music. After 16 years of service at First Lutheran, including 4 years as co-pastor and 2 years as administrative pastor, she resigned in 2012.

Marion is married to John Jefferson, and together they have eight children, three grandchildren, two cats and a dog. Among her hobbies Marion enjoys sailing, bird watching, knitting, reading, cooking and playing piano and flute.

For the past three years, nearly 200 neighbors have gathered with Good Shepherd members for a relaxed and enjoyable picnic in which live music, great food, and children’s activities are held in a wonderful outside space on the church’s lawn.  This free event, which was held this year on September 7, is open to any and all residents of the area.  Good Shepherd members provided everything for the picnic which featured hot dogs, salads, hot dishes and desserts. The Good Shepherd band and several other groups entertained with live music.   By hosting this event, Good Shepherd was registered as part of the ELCA initiative, “God’s Work. Our Hands” which was celebrated the same day.

Photo Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

Lillian H. Erickson, member of Good Shepherd, died at age 87 on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at her home in Decorah.  She was born October 31, 1926 near Lakeville, Minnesota but lived for many years in Waterloo, Iowa.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo with Rev. Jim Knudson officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Thursday after 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo.

The “new” Frigidaire stoves  installed in the kitchen recently replace the older models which had been in that space for many years. Thanks to the Property and Management Committee, with input from the Kitchen Committee, for researching and making the purchases. Funds raised from the 25^th anniversary celebration for kitchen enhancements were used for the updated equipment. The stoves each have a fifth warming burner, smooth cook tops, and self-cleaning ovens. The more functional of the old stoves replaced the worn out stove in the kitchen used by the pre-school.