OUR CHURCH
We are part of the Western Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
INCLUSION STATEMENT:
Come as you are!
Be who you are!
Make us a better community, congregation and people!
Come as you are!
Bring yourself, dressed in your favorite comfy clothes
Bring your gifts, your pain, your hope, and your fears
Bring the traditions that have helped you and hurt you
Bring your experiences that have made you and broken you
Bring your mind, ready to engage and question and grow
Bring your heart, open to discern and delight
Be who you are!
If you are young or old and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you have brown skin, black skin, white skin, or any color of skin, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are married or single, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are gay or straight, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are transgender, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are a man or a woman, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you cannot hear or see, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are sick or well, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are happy or sad, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you are rich or poor, powerful or weak, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
If you believe in God some of the time or none of the time or all of the time, and you come to Emanuel, we will be better because of you.
And make us a better community, a better congregation, and better people.
We’re excited to be with you and to have you with us!
OUR PASTOR
Pastor Cara Knutson has been at Emanuel Lutheran since December of 2019. She received her Bachelor of Science in English at South Dakota State University and her Master of Divinity in Theology at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Prior to coming to Emanuel, Pastor Cara was the chaplain at Methodist Manor Retirement Community.
"Luther's theology of the cross points to the brokenness of our world and of ourselves. It is in those places where we are most fractured that we are also most open. These cracks make an opening that let in God's grace and healing. When we are our most vulnerable, we are also most open to God's presence. I believe that profound change and spiritual insight often comes from those who are often overlooked in society to the point of almost being invisible. Therefore, I want to listen to God's people and discerning their particular gifts then to encourage, and support members to step forward, take risks, and develop their gifts for
the sake of the community."
