“Stories of Discipleship” is a way to lift up stories of faith and discipleship from members throughout MNO Synod. These stories come out of the synod’s ministry priority of “Empowered Discipleship” and the invitation to discipleship received in and through baptism. We want to share how faith impacts and guides the life of our members, and how we can see God acting through the lives of others. We hope this will inspire us to look for where God is present for us, encourage us to grow in our own discipleship, and reassure us that we are not alone in living out our faith. If you would like to share your story of discipleship, contact the synod office.
An interview with Marion Magnusson. Marion is retired from working in spiritual care.
What congregation do you participate in?
Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selkirk, Manitoba
What are some ways your faith shows up in your daily life?
My life since retirement has become more peaceful. I feel the gift of time. Rather than the rush of early mornings to get to work, I now enjoy waking up when I am rested. I have the time for morning & evening prayer and to read while enjoying a cup of coffee. I spend at least an hour absorbed in a study or a text that I find challenging.
My faith shows up in daily life in the choices I make–the way I spend my time, what I read and what I listen to. I live alone with my pet, Kodie, who keeps my spirits up with his playfulness and gets me out for walks in the dog park where we meet many other dog lovers!
I am blessed to be in relationship with my siblings, my adult children and grandchildren, and my network of friends who I connect with in various ways. I value and feel their love and support.
Who are some people who have impacted your faith or inspired you in some way?
My faith was first inspired as a preteen in confirmation class. Rev. Smith asked what I thought and listened as I expressed my thoughts. That impression stayed with me.
My faith wavered as a young adult, but was renewed as I learned through life experiences that I needed God in my life. I came to realize God’s faithfulness was always there for me. Rev. David Johnson, an Anglican priest, prayed with me and helped me rebuild my life after a betrayal in the mid 1990’s. From then, I became strong in my faith. I found a sense of calling and spent the next years studying and becoming fully engaged in theology and spiritual care. So many professors, teachers, and mentors impacted my life in university when I moved to Winnipeg after my marriage broke down. I was completing an internship in Spiritual Care at Riverview Health Centre when I found a home at First Lutheran Church where I met Pastor Michael Kurtz. His leadership and gentle presence was the support and strength I needed to go into full time work as a Chaplain. My work took me full circle back to Selkirk where I became a coordinator of Spiritual Care for the Interlake region. I became a member of Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church–my place of baptism as a baby—where Pastor Stan was inspiring as a faithful servant of God. I enjoyed many talks with him and felt his encouragement in my life and work challenges.
What hymns, songs, scriptures, or traditions are particularly meaningful for you?
One hymn that has been the most meaningful to me is “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry.” This hymn sent me running to my room at a retreat where I was in a workshop to teach an adult biblical study. I thought I was unworthy to teach others, but a few other teachers came to see me and helped me understand that humility was a part of my learning. They suggested that now I would be able to teach with sincerity rather than relying on my ego. Since that time, I still get goose bumps when I hear the hymn. So many other hymns, especially “Amazing Grace” will bring tears to my eyes.
I am now a lay reader and lay minister, and I have found reading the scripture to be moving. When I am leading the service, I find an inner strength to be a faithful presence to minister to the congregation.
What else would you like to share about the role or value of discipleship in your life and in the church?
My work as a Spiritual Care Practitioner has been my professional role where discipleship was always affirmed through the many patients where God’s presence blessed both me and the one in need. Often overwhelmed by the many needs in hospitals, the value of a strong faith was the only way to be with sickness, surgical patients, the dying and most often in infant demise. Through prayer and meditation, God gave the courage to approach families with love and compassion.
In the church, I continue to discern a calling to ministry. My own value of discipleship feeds my soul and keeps me living in a life of care and love for neighbour.
I have found it most surprising that in my life I have been told that I have drawn others to spiritual care or to a ministry and strengthened them in their faith journey. To me that is an honour. I hope I can be an influence to others as I continue in my own faith journey.
What is one message you hope people hear from the church?
“Let go of your life. Let God be with you. Come: be with your community. You are not alone.”
To feel at home in the church is to have family who care and support you when you are able to be open and allow others to know your heart through your interactions. Discipleship to me is becoming part of a community of faith who share values, hopes and love of Christ.
