top of page

Greetings in Christ!  I’m Intern Pastor Marcia Pedersen, from rural SW Austin near Oakland, MN, where my husband Rick and I live next door to my dad on our family farm.  Rick is currently the Master Electrician for Albert Lea Public Schools, and we’ve been married for 32 years. Together, we have three adult daughters – Taylor, and her husband Brian, both grad school students living in Moorhead, MN; Jess, a recent UNI grad now living and working in Residential Life on the Wartburg College campus in Waverly, IA; and Brooke, who lives in Moorhead, who works for the Marvin Windows corporation.

 

I’m a current Luther Seminary Senior with only one credit remaining (my second credit/half of internship) as I complete requirements for my Master of Divinity degree, with a concentration in Justice and Reconciliation.  My previous experience is in children, youth and family ministry where I served just shy of 20 years as the Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in Austin, MN.  I love reading (books that I’m NOT required to read, that is), the arts including music and visual arts, living and working on the farm, and in general being creative in many things.

​

Since I’ve come to the Lutheran Faith tradition as an adult, I marvel at the sacraments and liturgical form of Lutheran Worship.  Though my baptism in form was different, I learned early as a Lutheran adult the power of Christian connection in baptism and communion, where ALL are welcome, barriers are broken, and we become unified in the Body of Christ.

​

A favorite verse of mine actually comes from Isaiah 43:1, which says: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; “Fear not. For I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, YOU are Mine.” During seminary, during difficult times and as a daily reminder, I cling to these verses as a grounding point…I am God’s. God calls ME by name, and says to me, as well as to you…YOU are mine.  In these words and this promised reminder, I both rest and am called to proclaim.

I’m honored and blessed to be able to serve as the pastoral intern for the fine folks at St. John’s in and around the community of Elkton, and beyond.  I’m looking forward to learning with you in our time together!

​

     ~Intern Pastor Marcia Pedersen

bottom of page