​I am excited and honored join you in ministry as your new Transitional Minister! I have been an Ordained Pastor in the ELCA for 10 years, and received my Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St Paul MN. I have served congregations in Northeast Nebraska and I most recently served in Aurora NE.
I live in Southeast Lincoln with my husband, Miles, who not only partners with me in our home life, but in ministry too. He too is an Ordained Pastor in the ELCA and is currently serving at United Lutheran Church in Hampton, NE. We have three children that have kept us just as busy during this time of restricting our trips outside of the house as they have in years past. Hannah is 17 and a Junior at East High School, Caleb is 14 and in the 8th grade at Lux Middle School, and Aaron is 9 and in the 3rd grade at Maxey Elementary School. We are also blessed to live jointly with my parents, Howard (a retired ELCA Pastor) and Linda. My family hopes to worship with us at Calvary and First English from time to time, and I look forward to them meeting each of you. I enjoy road cycling (as in 2 wheels that you power on your own), crochet, and being active with my children. I am excited to learn about you and your families in the coming months!
During my seminary education I learned many things that I am grateful for; but the most influential thing I learned was the simplest lesson I received. While on a visit to a rural congregation that included visits to many of the parish member’s homes, our instructor asked one of the farmers what he would most like a future pastor to know.  His answer was simple: “God is already here. Know that you aren’t bringing God with you.” In this statement, the definition of ministry was made clear to me.  I may be called to join in ministry with you, but I am not here to introduce God to you. God has been here in this place since you first formed as congregations, and for many years before that too.  What I am called to do, is come alongside you in this journey of faith you have been living. Thank you for giving me the privilege of entering into your lives and ministry.
I’ll be doing a lot of listening during my time with you, desiring to learn how your ministry began, how it has evolved throughout time, and what your vision for ministry in the future is. I hope to encourage you in faith and help you grow in your daily life of discipleship.
Please know that I am happy to speak with you for pastoral care or just plain conversation! If you’d like to get ahold of me, you can use the email or phone number below. I look forward to our time together and I am excited to see what God has in store for us!
  
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​Diana Johnson ~ Organist 
Diana Johnson began Church Organist at 12 years of age, had a minor in music as an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska and received a Master's degree in Organ Performance in 1985. She has been Organist at Calvary since 1975.
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                             Linda Fuhr - Secretary
Linda Fuhr started her duties as Secretary of Calvary in August, 2019.   Linda and her husband Don live in the Swede Home Community. Linda retired from full time employment in 2016.  She and Don have 2 daughters and 6 grandchilden, both families live in the Ankeny/Johnston area of Iowa.
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At the 2020 annual meeting the Extra Mile Award was presented to Cheryl Jones and Diana Johnson.  These two members have for years gone the extra mile and are  two members who exemplify the values of this congregation. One or both of these members have served as a Synod assembly delegate, confirmation mentor, Sunday School leader, WELCA leader, Altar Guild chair, church council member, Evangelism an Outreach leader, Bible Study and spiritual growth leader, worship committee leader, Organist and Pianist, Singer and seamstress.  They are both passionate about church mission, the preservation of this building and the future of this congregation. Above all, we witness, see and hear their God given talents each Sunday during service. 
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In a year with a worldwide pandemic, a year that was far from normal, our council’s biggest challenge was to make worship as normal as possible. The challenge of maintaining worship while reaching all of our congregation, not only for the period of time when we were not physically worshiping here at Calvary, but for the continuing Sundays when some of us were at Calvary, while others who may have health concerns, stayed at home.
These two individuals helped us make that happen.
Linda Fuhr’s dedication to Calvary this past year was remarkable. When our council made decisions that would affect her workload, Linda never missed a beat. She embraced the extra responsibility. Linda helped  Calvary tremendously, distributing our weekly services by email, regular mail, and on Facebook. Linda’s assistance to both Calvary and First Lutheran in keeping our joint ministerial agreement moving forward, along with communication with Synod, during the pandemic, was a blessing to both councils. Linda’s service to our congregation is a testament of her faith and is greatly appreciated.
Lisa Oquist, like Linda, has shown great dedication and service to Calvary. Lisa has faithfully recorded Calvary’s family and Sunday School giving, along with maintaining our membership roster, for years. Lisa also creates the yearly counting schedule and is herself a member of the counting team. Lisa’s weekly commitment of recording our giving is, like Linda’s, a testament of her faith and is also greatly appreciated.
Lisa’s and Linda’s steadfast service to Calvary this past year makes them an east choice for recipients of the “Going the Extra Mile” award.
     Kent Adelson and council