This week we’re lifting up Sue Ferkingstad, who was one of our Churchwide Assembly voting members and is very active at her church. Learn more about how she gives her time.
What role(s) do you take on in the synod and beyond?
- I’m a member of my church choir, council president, volunteer for Every Meal, and my congregation’s point person for all things we do as it relates to Cherish All Children. I’m also a member of Faith Practices Neighboring Practices cohort.
What identities are important to you to highlight?
- I am a child of God, a sinner, and one who is thankful for each day I’m given to be a better disciple.
Which, if any, congregation do you belong to?
- Since 2002, I’ve been a member of a very welcoming congregation in Robbinsdale, Faith Lilac Way Lutheran Church.
Thinking about the ELCA or the Minneapolis Area Synod, what part of its mission resonates the most with you/your work?
- Something Nick Tangen wrote in his August 2022 blog speaks to the benefit of examining the type of work I, and maybe all of us do. Is it good or real work? I know with time constraints, I can settle for doing good work like writing a check or signing up for a lesser task within my church. Although helpful, it’s that digging deeper and taking more time to do real work that lands the outcome in a different category of meaningful. That is what I will strive to achieve.
What about attending Churchwide Assembly is important to your work as a leader in our Synod?
- Love thy neighbor! I’m part of the Faith Practices Neighboring Practices Wildfire group. As we act in good faith doing community outreach, attending the assembly cemented the realization for the need to dig deeper for understanding my neighbor’s needs, wants, and struggles if I want to be of service. Here the Golden Rule doesn’t apply. In its place would be “treat others as they would like to be treated.” My neighbor’s needs, wants or struggles aren’t necessarily the same as mine. I cannot be fully of service if I don’t know or understand the need.