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Social - June 2002 |
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Rector answers call to ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer June 21, 2002 - The Rev. Jane Kempster’s ever-evolving career path has paved the way to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Lincolnton. The church’s new rector — known also as Mother Jane — took over the pulpit Sunday, June 9. Kempster’s résumé includes restoring ancient pottery; leading pilgrimages in Bethlehem; and working as a journalist, director of religious education, magazine editor, publicist and priest. She became an ordained minister in 1995, when her two children were grown. Kempster earned her masters in theology and post graduate studies in the 1990s, but says she felt the call to ministry more than 20 years ago. “In 1976 I had a calling experience. It was actually before women were allowed to be priests… so I started doing lay ministry.” She served the church in many capacities — as a deacon, lay person and teacher. Kempster found opportunities to minister outside of church when her husband, Norman, was assigned a job in the Middle East. A reporter for the Los Angeles Times, he led the bureau in Israel. Kempster used the experience to her advantage. She led tours to the Holy Land; volunteered at an orphanage in Bethlehem; and worked on an archaeological dig, restoring pottery. Kempster says almost four years in Israel provided invaluable experience. “I got to learn a lot about people… all the followers of Jesus Christ. That was exciting.” Originally from California, Kempster and her husband have lived most of their lives in Washington, D.C. or close by in West Virginia. Now that her husband has retired from the Washington Bureau of the L.A. Times, Kempster says she’s getting accustomed to Lincolnton life. She notes how wonderful it is to walk home after a service. While serving as a priest in the Nelson Cluster of Episcopal Church in West Virginia, Mother Jane sometimes spent six and seven hours traveling to services. The salt-and-pepper-haired woman says she cared for the people to whom she ministered. “I loved those people — I still do, but it was time.” Kempster has led several services and conducted a funeral at St. Luke’s. She spends her free time unpacking boxes and meeting members of her parish. Parishioners have hosted a cook-out in her honor, and stopped in to say hello. Kempster’s smiling face and uplifting sermons are welcomed by church members, who have been without a full-time priest since Rev. Everett Thomas left two years ago. Thomas had served the church for 17 years. Interim priests have led services since. Kempster says no interims will be needed for quite sometime at St. Luke’s. She plans to make her home in Lincolnton. Her “grand plan” — which she leaves up to God — is to add to the children’s ministry at the church. “I’m basically a teacher,” she says. And she feels her journey to Lincolnton is all part of God’s plan for her, and the people of St. Luke’s. “I’m here because I’m supposed to be here… Isn’t life an incredible adventure?” ————— St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at the corner of East Pine and Cedar streets, holds services Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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