Assisting The Pastor

The office of part-time secretary was created by the congregation in January, 1943. Previous to that all secretarial assistance had been on a voluntary basis. By the fall of 1945 it became apparent that something definite would have to be done to give the pastor additional help. Since the number of Seminary Vicars available didn't begin to meet the most essential demands in both parish and parochial school work throughout Synod, it was resolved by the congregation to engage a full-time parish worker beginning with January, 1946. Miss Anita Hinz, a member of the parish, a graduate of the Scovill Schools, was engaged for this work. She served her Savior and her church very well in this capacity until her marriage in the fall of 1947. Miss Thelma Mattil became the second full-time parish worker, serving about a year beginning with February, 1948. From 1949 through mid-1958 Pastor Mueller served Messiah Lutheran without any form of pastoral assistance other than part-time secretarial help. It had been discovered that full-time secretarial assistance resulted in the creation of extra work to keep her busy, as well as fostered a tendancy for the members to have the secretary do work they could as well or better do themselves. Part-time secretarial assistance has proved very functional, especially with Lola (Mrs. Duaine), Hunsberger, who has served us since July, 1959.

Pastoral assistance was gained from Youth Worker Vicar Chuck Rivers in 1958-59; from Youth Worker Vicar Marilyn Clausen in 1959-60; from Seminary Vicar Leon Hodges in 1960-61; and from Seminary Vicar Gary House in 1961-62.