By JUDY KINDER

Linn County News

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PARKER - Although congregations in the Parker, Beagle and Fontana United Methodist Charge were saddened by the recent retirement of Pastor Ed English this past June, many are just as excited to welcome a familiar face back to their designated pulpits.

Pastor Marti McDougal says that she had not anticipated the offer to serve as the area minister until earlier this spring, "I was contacted by Ron King, who was the District Supervisor at that time. He asked me if I would be interested in taking over the position part time."

Pastor McDougal says that she was a bit apprehensive at first because of other obligations, "Although I have been filling in as pastor when needed, I had not served in that capacity for quite some time."

On July 5, Pastor McDougal stepped back into a position that she left over 15 years ago -

pastor of the Parker, Beagle and Fontana churches.

"This was almost like going back in time. In fact, from 1990-1993, the PBF churches were where I began my ministry," stated McDougal.

Pastor McDougal received her degree from St. Paul School of Theology (Kansas City) in 1990 and her Masters in Divinity and Christian Education from the Scarritt Graduate School in Nashville, Tenn.

"After leaving the area, I served as minister at Mound Valley Methodist Church in Altamont for three years, Pomona (Richter) for five years and Burlington for three years. In 2004, I took a family leave from ministry and filled in on a substitute basis when necessary."

Pastor McDougal also teaches Title One Reading as well as fifth and sixth grade at Greeley Elementary.

"It is going to be quite a challenge once school gets underway, but I am always up to a good challenge," she noted.

Pastor McDougal stresses the fact that her faith and commitment are her driving forces, "My husband, Douglas, and I live on the family farm that was homesteaded near Beagle in 1857. I have always felt that faith and God have been an important part of living and raising families in rural areas. It is my desire to see continued ministry in these locations, because strength of families and religious commitments are so vitally important in today's world. It is so crucial that corporate worship and Christian education continues to flourish."

Pastor McDougal and her husband are the parents of two children; Riley and Monica, who both attend Osawatomie High School.

"I feel that my family has given me the moral support to accept this position, but I also think that it was a decision that was based on faith that really played the most important part. Either way, I am very happy to be back - it's like coming home," McDougal concluded.