One Service Story…Just a few weeks shy of his 81st birthday, my husband, Jack Horton, retired from decades of volunteer service from two local Lutheran churches. He didn’t want me to write about the ways in which he served, however, I got permission from Kim Bohley and she carries way more clout than Jack.
Through the years, Jack would bring up snippets of his service story as they applied to topics we were discussing. It occurred to me that willingness to serve, on a volunteer basis, is very powerful and can impact many lives. Jack was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Palmyra from 1968 – 1991. For 17 years he served in various capacities on Bethany’s Council. He introduced the Green Lutheran Book of Worship while there. Jack also recalls arranging for a Head Start Program to be housed in the church building. The program remained active there for 10 years.
From 1991 to the present, Jack has been a member of St Matthew. He was a member of Council in 2002 when Pastor Huff suggested that a lay person, not Pastor, heads up Council. Jack, then vice-president, was selected to be the first lay person to head Council. Later, Jack served for three years on the Evangelism Committee, helping to initiate the Kiddie Carnival (a free mini-carnival located on church grounds). Automatic direct deposits to the church were stressed when Jack was Chair of the Stewardship Committee. By far, Jack’s favorite service project was initiating the Dancing Clergy of South Jersey fundraiser. This fundraiser combined his love of ballroom dancing with opportunities to raise money for local charities. Pastor Ingrid competed with a lively Swing dance.
Jack’s story is one thread which intertwines with many, many, others creating a sturdy fabric, which is the Lutheran Church. Where do you fit into that fabric?
—Lorraine Horton