Pastor Tim O’Shields
Hello! My name is Pastor Tim O’Shields. Thanks be to God, and thanks to you, the congregation of First Lutheran Church, here in Fergus Falls, MN, for the call as the Senior Pastor of FLC. There are indeed ‘big shoes’ to fill when you look at the legacy of the eleven Senior Pastors before me, in the 150+ years of FLC. It is exciting to be a part of such a rich history of congregation, staff, and community. I never rely on my own ‘ways’ in following the call to the mission of the church. By prayer, study, and discernment, I seek to follow the paths that God lays out—for life—for ministry—and for church. Our human ‘ways’ pale when it comes to the path and will of God. Jesus said it best, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” I pray that we live in the Light of Christ as we seek to follow the Way of God. Alleluia!
Pastor Kate Bruns
Pastor Kate Bruns is the wife of Walt, mother to Julie, Steve, and James, grandmother to Sierra, Lillian, and Clyde, AND child of God!
Kate Bruns was a junior high English teacher, and also served as speech coach, spring musical director, and junior class advisor. She was called by God to ordained ministry – the first time as an 8th grader while in Confirmation class at Trinity Lutheran in Harvard – and again when two of her children were in college and the youngest a senior in high school.
She attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul and was ordained in July of 2001. Pastor Bruns served as associate pastor for 14 years at Bethlehem. She was pastor at Augustana in Elizabeth for six years. She also served as part-time chaplain for the Pioneer Care residents and staff and then was invited to serve as pastor for the Aastad/Rock Prairie parish. Pastor Bruns retired from full-time ministry the end of November, 2022.
Pastor Bruns enjoys participating in and listening to music in many styles. She loves to read books and likes to participate in book clubs. She likes to cook and bake and share good food with family and friends. In her “free time” Pastor Bruns likes to spend time with their sheltie, Scooter, is a member of the Sons of Norway, the DU chapter of the PEO, reading for the blind, volunteering with the food shelf, and traveling to visit family.