Rev. Louis M. Hesse

On July 10, 2010, I officially became "the pastor's wife" when Lou was ordained in to the ministry of word and sacrament at Living Word Lutheran Church in Moses Lake. The congregation issued the call at a meeting on May 18th, which Lou accepted.Dr. Jim Nestingen, (emeritus, Luther Seminary ELCA) presided at the ordination service after he and Lou's uncle and godfather, Rev. George Putnam (retired LCMS), publicly questioned the candidate for competency. Then, in fine Lutheran form, we had a reception dinner afterward at the event center next door, with roast pork and yummy potluck side dishes, and a great cake made by member Shirley M:It was quite a day, and a good thing for the congregation and friends and family to witness.
We appreciated the effort so many made to be here on a pretty short notice in the summer time.

Lou is now enrolled at the Institute of Lutheran Theology to take some seminary classes beginning August 30. Not the usual order of things these days, but legitimate and more like it used to be done, we are told -- the congregation picks one, ordains him, and then classwork is added to fill in any holes. Lou has been sort of 'home schooled' for about 10 years now, by some of the very professors and teachers he will be taking classes from (including Jim Nestingen), but he wanted to do this for his own self and for the congregation to gain more confidence in his teaching. ILT is an online seminary so he will take the classes from the 'comfort' of his own home -- hopefully from his new office as soon as I empty and refurnish Ben's former bedroom upstairs.The official photograph (or as close of one as we have)
(L-R): Dr. James A. Nestingen; Rev. Louis M. Hesse; Rev. Michael Wiser; Rev. George Putnam

Other items of note in these photos:
In the laying on of hands photo above, the young lady was asked to participate because she was the first person to call Lou "Pastor Hesse," when inviting him to her Christian School's Pastor Appreciation Day nearly 3 years ago.
The red stole Lou is wearing was made by one of our members, Ruth P. The gold embroidery was done by Ila S. and her fancy embroidery machine. It was perfect for the occasion.
The white robe (alb) Lou is wearing was sent to him by a pastor from Arizona that we have never met, but have "talked to" on an internet discussion board for a couple of years now. When he heard Lou was called and would be ordained, he offered to send an alb, so we took him up on the offer. Thanks, Pastor Poedel! It is not something that will be worn every week, as we are sort of 'low church' at Living Word, but it will come in handy for festival Sundays and special occasions, for sure.

And in case you are still wondering, Lou will continue to make his living by farming. He is a bivocational pastor, and does not draw a salary from the church. At LW, Pastor Wiser preaches about half the Sundays, and the plan is that will continue probably until he secures a full time call of his own, preferably in the Spokane area where he lives.