“I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”      Ephesians 3:17-21, NRSVUE

Pastor Lou Whitmer leads confirmation at Hettinger UMC. (Photos: Hettinger UMC Facebook)

Preaching to the congregation and those being confirmed at Hettinger United Methodist Church in Hettinger, North Dakota, Rev. Lou Whitmer shared Paul's words from Ephesians.

“I am trusting that we are confirming you into a church rooted in love. I know something about that love,” Rev. Lou Whiter, told those present with tears flowing. “Fifty-six years ago, I was confirmed. That was the year my mother died. This church stood beside us.”

Rev. Lou Whitmer began her faith journey in Hettinger, North Dakota. Her family surrounded her with encouragement to grow in her faith at the United Methodist Church in town.

This spring, she was invited to return to Hettinger UMC to assist with the memorial service of a high school friend who had lost their father.  A few weeks later, she returned to Hettinger to lead the mother's memorial service. When the congregation found itself without a pastor in April, they invited Pastor Lou to return to lead the worship service for confirmation.

“I could remember the saints and people that had gone before and those that continue now,” describes Rev. Lou Whitmer regarding her return to Hettinger UMC.

Three pastors have been nurtured by Hettinger United Methodist Church since 1909– Pastor Lou and two of her great-uncles. Rev. Dr. Earl Grunstead and Rev. Dr. Ralph McNeil both served the Dakotas Conference. Rev. Grunstead served as a district superintendent and ended his ministry at McCabe UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota, where Rev. Whitmer now serves in retirement. Rev. McNeil was instrumental in starting Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center. Whitmer has served local churches in South Dakota at Kimball, Mitchell, and Aberdeen.

“I really saw how much of me is rooted in this congregation. The confirmation service was the 56th anniversary of my confirmation. I could see so much of my history and my formation,” said Rev. Whitmer.

The altar at Hettinger UMC is in memory of Pastor Lou’s great-grandmother. The baptismal font is dedicated to her mother. The McNeil Room is named after Pastor Lou’s grandfather's family. His parents were founding members of Hettinger UMC in 1908. Her father helped build the current church building.

Six students and Pastor Lou celebrate confirmation at Hettinger UMC.

On the Sunday after Easter, Pastor Lou confirmed six students into the church .

“It was heartwarming. As I was leading worship for those being confirmed, I suddenly saw and felt myself as a 14-year-old being confirmed. You think about your own faith journey and where life leads you. These confirmands are beginning their faith journeys,” shared Pastor Lou. “Their hearts were touched by my roots and connections to the congregation.”

She led worship with communion in May and in June. A newly appointed pastor, Rev. Kathy Chesney, begins on July 1. The choir from the congregation where Pastor Lou currently serves, McCabe UMC, also sang at Hettinger UMC.

“Someone suggested that we should send our choir to sing in Hettinger. It is 150 miles, one-way,” explains Pastor Lou.  “I was not going to ask the entire choir to go. The choir director asked if anyone would like to go to Hettinger and sing. Seventeen people volunteered!”

Seventeen members of McCabe UMC's choir sang at Hettinger UMC in June.

McCabe’s choir came to the June service that Pastor Lou led. They sang several songs, and a soloist sang during communion. During that same service, Pastor Lou baptized her grandniece.

“The choir saw it as an adventure. They sang their hearts out,” Pastor Lou said. “I was blessed to be able to baptize my sister’s grandchild. It was a nice crowd at worship and wonderful to hear McCabe’s choir sing.”

On Sundays when Pastor Lou is not leading worship, the congregation invites others to lead, including laity and Reverends Rita Ennen and Kris Mutzenberger.

Returning to Hettinger UMC and connecting was a blessing for Pastor Lou and for the congregation.

“It was a gift to me to be able to go to Hettinger UMC. We were blessed,” said Pastor Lou. “We all learned some things about ourselves. I remembered the roots of my faith. The congregation discovered more about who they were. The Spirit led us. We are rooted in love.”