I cannot remember when I first heard about Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pinehurst, Idaho. I knew Pastor Seth Rummage had a good year there with his family before taking a call to Billings. I knew it was retired Pastor Kate LePard’s first call a few years ago. I knew I would need a place to be this Sunday, between a week of activity in Spokane and our staff retreat tomorrow and Tuesday. I called the office phone to invite myself and volunteer Judi Burks called me back and said they would love to have me. Retired Pastor Ken Bartle would help with leading worship and we could all share lunch afterwards.

The drive over through Spokane Valley and North Idaho was nice and easy. I’m always amazed that that is the same Interstate 90 that goes across my home state of South Dakota as ones needs to pay a bit more attention to the road in the panhandle, even in good weather. I got a glimpse of their nice parsonage on my way into the church building. Our Savior has a very active choir, which rehearsed before worship for this Sunday and after lunch for their cantata on Dec. 17. Council President Scott Reed got some biographical information from me before worship and I learned a little about his time up near Glacier. My biggest regret of the morning was not thanking Scott or the entire church more for their commitment to hunger work in the Silver Valley. I had read in a Facebook post that, “At the recent church council meeting, it was decided to send a check for $2,500 to our local food bank and also a check to Second Harvest for $2,500. Second Harvest blessed our Silver Valley families with 5 food distributions in 2023. At the November distribution, food was given out to 251 families.” When the bishop is not present to preach, Pastor Ken and three lay people take turns. It was fun to follow up with with Judi during lunch about text studies she and the other lay preachers might join and trainings that the synod will soon be announcing. I realized that Our Savior, Pinehurst is just the kind of congregation I have had in mind when it comes to equipping lay people for the next chapter. That said, our whole synod staff would still love to find a pastor to serve Our Savior. With the parsonage, closeness to Coeur d’Alene, proximity to the great outdoors, and great lay leadership, it would be a great call.

By the time we finished our potato and chili lunch, it was snowing. Fourth of July Pass looked a little different on the drive back to Spokane, but the road was only wet and everyone out there seemed to know what they were doing.

Fun facts about the building, constructed in 1957: The rock wall was laid by Carroll Chaffee. The materials are natural rock from the Kellogg area. The 14 foot rough hewn cross was made and placed by Clarence Stillwell, former manager of the Kingston Ranger Station. The altar, laid on stone columns, was made from a stately white pine tree which once stood on the very spot of the altar. (Celebrating the First 50 Years, in 2007)

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