Pastor Eric Jensen

08/25/2026

What a week! 🌎 Yesterday evening I returned from Chicago, where I've been serving as chaplain for this year's group of Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers. These twenty amazing young adults spent the past eight days in worship, conversation, adventure, and community as they prepared for their next ten months accompanying our global ministry partners. 🇦🇷🇰🇭🇲🇽🇬🇧🇺🇾 So often in the church, I hear people ask, "Where are the young people?" When we choose to uplift their voices and presence, and trust them to lead, they step up! I'm so thankful that our church makes this the face of our Global Ministry. ⛪️ Vaya con Dios!

08/14/2026

A year ago, I decided that this spring I wanted to plant a garden. I didn’t grow up caring for plants (ask my mom - I abhorred mowing the lawn). But cold, grey winters during COVID lockdown in Chicago and our First Call here in rural Iowa sparked a newfound love for the company of growing plants. 🪴

As you might guess, I spent the whole fall and winter researching and making a plan - I decided to build a raised bed beneath the unused clothesline at the parsonage and use it for support. I put in an herb garden, tomatoes, beans, and peppers. At first the little plants grew slow, as a particularly chaotic spring and start of summer with weather wreaking havoc. But at last today I reached my goal: Enough homegrown tomatoes to make homemade Ragù! 🍅

So this evening, as our week of stay-cation winds down, we finally have enjoyed the fruits of my labors. And they were delicious!! 🍝

Hoping for many more veggies yet this summer. But I’m already planning for next year! 😁

P.S. if you need Serrano peppers, I have an endless supply. 🌶️🔥😅

08/03/2026

Tonight for dinner 🍅 Homegrown tomato BLT with fresh roasted beans from the garden! 🤤

The wait has been worth it!

08/02/2026

"In our Gospel, the last time Jesus was in this wilderness place, the devil invited him to turn stone into bread. Jesus denied him. But this morning, as we again find ourselves in the wilderness, when faced with the staggering hunger of the poor, Jesus does far more than that. The Messiah transforms scarcity into miraculous abundance. "

If you were unable to join us for worship this morning, you can read the words of my sermon through this link:

First Reading – Isaiah 55:1-5 Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21 Second Reading – Romans 9:1-5 Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21 Grace and peace to you from God who provides Manna in the desert, from …

08/01/2026

County Fair, round two! The theme of the day was “better to have some rain and mud than it be 95° with no wind”! 🌧️ Despite some dirty boots, it ended up being a lovely time out at the Jackson County Fair, and it was such a joy to see our youth showing off all their talent and hard work! 🐄 🐐 🐖 I didn’t get to see everyone, but walking around the stalls I counted at least fourteen who had names above their livestock!

It’s a wonderful thing, as a pastor, to see how these young people care for these animals and their wellbeing. It’s a beautiful way that our rural communities help teach future generations to be good stewards of the land and all that it provides for us. 🚜

And the projects everyone made were amazing too! 🎨 🧶 🔨

07/30/2026

I must have missed the day of Seminary where they taught us how to clean squirrel nests out of the organ. 🐿️ Does this fall under “other duties as required”?

Yes, at St. John’s all are welcome! But please refrain from setting up shop inside our organ!

07/25/2026

Fun day at the Clinton County Fair to see some of our St. John's youth projects and the amazing Pr. Katie’s Birdwatcher Porch Goose! Good luck to the two showing Bottle Bucket Calves, and can’t wait to see more at the Jackson Co. Fair next weekend!! 🐄 🧶 🪿

07/23/2026

Preston folks, please share!
My wife and I found this really friendly kitty in town this afternoon! Took it to the vet to get checked out and are caring for it while we seek any possible owners! He’s a bit thin, but otherwise a healthy, sweet boy!

07/10/2026

The final two days of the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering were full of wonderful learning, listening, worship, and community. 🧵

On Wednesday we heard yet more beautiful insight into how God weaves us together in Community from Dcn. Gray, Savanna, and the Rev. Vandiver. I attended workshops on council organization and navigating elections, and shared meals with friends old and new. We gathered as Synod leaders and Seminary alumni, sharing memory and story.

During the whole of the gathering our artist in residence, Lori Kochanski, was weaving a tapestry using fabric donated from rostered leaders around the country. This morning she unveiled the finished piece. Stunning in its beauty and imperfection! 🪡

Then today we closed the Gathering with worship and song, Word & Sacrament led by Rev. Mills. What a joy to be able to be present at this event, and many thanks to St. John’s for making it possible for me to attend. 🌎

07/08/2026

Day 2 of the Rostered Ministers gathering was about being woven together for Creation. We heard a phenomenal sermon from Rev. Baird Linke, followed by equally moving presentations by the Rev. Dr. Theresa Smallwood and Rev. Leila Ortiz. During the afternoon I attended a great workshop by Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Powell on Immigration & Borders in the Old Testament. We ended the day with a wonderful walk around downtown Indianapolis before a gathering with Alumni from LSTC and the new seminary President. Looking forward to more worship and learning today! 🌎 🧶