By Mary Owen
Entering into ministry felt like coming home for Silverton United Methodist Pastor Linda Quanstrom.
“It’s challenging,” she said of her role as pastor in the United Methodist network of churches, “but also immensely satisfying.”
Quanstrom was a minister’s kid, and from a very young child, she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. Ministry was a mid-life career change, however, after serving as the development officer for the School of Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota in Duluth.
“I had felt called to ministry for some time, but the opportunity hadn’t presented itself,” Quanstrom said. “I contacted the Methodists to explore the possibility of becoming a supply preacher, taking the place of pastors on vacation. They viewed my background, and asked me to be a minister full-time.”
Quanstrom, who has a master’s degree in communications, finished her post-master’s work in theology. She served a congregation at Chester Park United Methodist Church for nine years before being called to replace Pastor Al Trachsel at Silverton United Methodist. She began in July, covering the entire framework of ministry: teaching, leading worship and pastoral care.
“It’s a delight to be able to serve people in that way, to be part of their lives when they marry and their children come, to assist them through the difficult time at the end of their lives,” she said. “It’s a privilege to walk with them through all their life’s transitions, times of trials, times of joy.”
Quanstrom loves helping people engage “in the Word of God in a fresh way” through teaching and preaching.
Silverton United Methodist, she said, has a “warm, wonderful congregation” that is community-oriented.
“They have a lot to offer to folks who want to nurture their faith, particularly families who want their children to be a part of the church,” she said of her congregants. “They see themselves as people who are here to help others.”
To support them in their effort is a real highlight of Quanstrom’s pastorship at Silverton United Methodist.
The church offers religious education for children and adults, Bible study twice a week, a monthly men’s breakfast and a “wonderful music program with a good choir,” Quanstrom said.
“We’re an active church,” she said. “We host Indoor Park, parenting classes, an ESL class and a Writing Your Life class. We also provide rehearsal space for the Silvertones, a gospel singing group in town.”
Church members also participate in Silverton Area Community Aid – (SACA) and volunteer for Silverton Together, SMART, the Silverton Hospital, The Oregon Garden and Silver Falls State Park.
The church’s Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 13.
Quanstrom said Silverton United Methodist has plans to expand programming for children and adults.
“We plan to provide a Blessing of the Animals service during Silverton’s annual Pet Parade,” she added. “And we anticipate broadening our music programming.”
Of her position, she said, “It’s wonderful to enter ministry and be in a pastoral setting.”
For information on Silverton United Methodist, contact Quanstrom at 503-873-6517.
