The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

After a few years without a pastor, Christ Lutheran Church is hiring Kristie Rutledge part time. She will be providing pastoral care to members and preaching two Sundays a month. Her first day on the new job was Friday, October 6th. The new role comes as Kristi is wrapping up her Licensed Pastoral Associate Program, which will conclude this June. "I started my LPA program over two years ago now through the Montana Synod of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America)." Kristi is finishing up the program alongside Lynn Steinmetz, who is a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Havre. Messiah is the second half of the 2 point parish with Christ Lutheran, and will help fill in some of the leadership need for the sister church.

Regarding her new role at the church, Kristie explained that "I have felt called for a long time. We are without a pastor for going on three years now, and it's been a hard time for our church. It's always hard without a pastor to lead. So there's been a lack of pastoral care and mission. Over the years, I've taught Sunday school and youth group for probably 25 years. There's always been a call to be active in the church. I always intended to do the LPA program. After all my kids had graduated, and it presented itself to me before Lance graduated. God and I argued for a while, and of course, He won. So I answered that call. It had really been on my heart. Going through the pastoral care work, as

you talk to people, you start to hear what's missing and what people wish for, what they want and need. It just kept coming to my heart that potentially I could fill that role."

Cheri Stiles, who was visiting Kristie's office when I stopped in to talk about the new position, remarked that it was a step in the direction of new hope for the church. They both expressed optimism regarding the future. "A living church is always the hope and the goal. A church where people can come and feel fed. We want people to be comfortable here. We have activities that include all generations and that's really what we're working toward."

Kristie explained the importance of revitalizing the Lutheran Church in Big Sandy. "For many years, I think there's been a fear for my kids or grandkids. Is there going to be a church to come home to if they ever choose to come home?

And this church has been a hub of the community for a lot of years and it has dwindled. Having people who value living in the Word, being able to be steeped in the Word, supported and loved and cared for here is definitely the goal. We want to have a vibrant living church."

"I made the proposal to our council, and they approved it unanimously. Then they took it to the congregation and the congregation approved it unanimously." The church has a been encouraging as well. She was greeted on her first day with various treats. "Cheri brought me coffee today, and I was met with a lovely note and pastry this morning. People have stopped me and they've thanked me for taking this on."

Kristi will be working in the church office, "One Friday a month, and I'm hoping to preach two Sundays a month. Then I will try to pick up some of the pastoral care duties. I have visited people in the hospital and nursing home. I'm a people person; I just I love making connections. I hope to help people heal and to share the Word of God."

Going forward, Kristi has no shortage of ideas for breathing new life into Christ Lutheran Church. "I hope that people will open their hearts and minds to all of the churches in Big Sandy, but also that those people who have been part of this church would maybe come back. We're going to have Sunday Fun Days that will be open to the community. We don't want anybody to ever feel like, 'That's just for the Lutheran church.' We are God's people in God's Church, and we want everybody to feel welcome here."