Gegel leaving LeSueur River, Vista Lutheran
SO LONG, PASTOR GEGEL — Though he’s putting the church behind him for now, former LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Pastor Brian Gegel has not ruled out a return to ministry at some point. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It was late March when Pastor Brian Gegel got the call. His father was in the hospital — in Southern Illinois, where Gegel was born and raised.
Gene Amley, an elderly member of the parish Gegel served, was one of the first to offer advice.
“He told me, ‘Pastor, you’ve got to get down there,’” said Gegel. “I said, ‘Well, thank you Gene. You’re the voice of God.”
The visit led to a gut-wrenching decision for Gegel: to leave LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran Church after nearly seven years.
“It’s actually something I’ve been wrestling with since last year,” said Gegel, 61. “It was a very difficult decision.”
Amley seemed to echo the thoughts of parish members: it’s something Gegel had to do, but it’s awfully sad to see him leave.
Gegel is also leaving behind the memory of losing his beloved wife, Jane, who died in May 2017 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She rests near where Gegel is moving.
“She was very organized, very wise,” said Gegel. “She let me know when I was doing something bone-headed by rolling her eyes at me. She was so much a woman of faith.”
Gegel is moving with his son Josh, who will be 34 in July. Like his father, Josh has been heavily involved with the community, working at the Red Leaf Café and volunteering with the New Richland Area Food Shelf. Unlike his father, Josh is staying in Minnesota, moving to the Twin Cities. Gegel has a daughter, Jessica, who lives in Traverse City, Mich.
Gegel is moving to Marissa, Ill., a town of about 2200, approximately 7 miles from his home place and 8 miles from his dad. Jane’s family also lives there. Gegel is taking a “leave of call,” during which he plans to spend a lot of time with his dad, whom he said has “amicable dementia” and Parkinson’s, and his 83-year-old mom, who still lives on the home place. He’ll also do some artwork and maybe some gardening
“Everyone keeps asking if I’m going to move in (to the home place),” said Gegel. “Nope. I’ve been gone since 1977.”
Coming to New Richland seven years ago was sort of like coming home for Gegel, who gradually moved to bigger and bigger towns after graduating from high school. It was his first ministry after 35 years with the Dow Chemical Co., and it left a lasting impression.
“Leaving is very, very difficult,” he said. “The people here have been such a gift.”
Gegel was almost not recognized when he walked into the Star Eagle office last week. For the first time in recent memory he was clean-shaven. It wasn’t exactly by choice. His facial hair started falling out, probably from stress over leaving New Richland.
Gegel credits his predecessor, Charles Espe, for helping him get started here.
One of the most important things Gegel will take from New Richland is an appreciation of small-town life.
“It’s been such a blessing here,” he said. “And having Pastor Espe’s master garden over there, that’s been my catharsis, my place to pray. That garden has kind of taken me back to my family roots.”
While Gegel will miss the entire congregation, the children will always be a special memory. A “group hug” was held during his final worship service last Sunday.
It was during that service when Gegel read his letter of resignation, stating in part, “I have been so blessed to be your pastor in this wonderful rural parish. The blessings have been beyond measure. My family and I will always be deeply thankful for the love and care you’ve all shared with us during our years here — and especially these last three years as Jane’s illness grew. Please know that I am not moving to another parish at this time; nor am I retiring. I will be entering a “leave of call” period of time — again, as I feel God calling me to be with my family.”
“I just feel a deep sense of gratitude for what they’ve given and shared with me,” said Gegel. “I thank them for their patience and forgiveness.”
Gegel said he’s also grateful to the church quilters for their dedication to brightening the lives of others.
Gegel will also never forget what he learned as chaplain for the New Richland Fire Department, something he’s done for several years.
Gegel was very pleased when he was approached recently by the Waseca Arts Center, asking to display some of his work. He agreed, but asked if some of Jane’s embroidery creations could also be included. They agreed, and both are on display at the WAC until June 28.
Nary a day goes by when Gegel doesn’t think of Jane, whom he said was his “wisdom and organization.”
“Every now and then,” he said. “I get the feeling she’s looking down at me, and she’s rolling her eyes.”
This, probably, is not one of those times.