Behind the Scenes: Holy Mama History/Mystery

This week we’re taking a look at Pastor Vicki Worthington, AKA Holy Mama. Pastor Vicki is the minister for Grace Lutheran and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Grygla. We know what she does on Sundays when we see her in front of the congregations, but what does she do behind the scenes? 

I called her to find out.

After explaining that I wanted to run this story on her, she quickly agreed and extended an invite to me and my children to accompany her on some nursing home visits! My daughter and I got to spend last Thursday with her and really enjoyed the day. If you know Pastor Vicki, or for those of you who don’t, she is an open book and loves to talk about anything with you. ALWAYS up for a good laugh and great conversation, it’s easy to feel like you’ve known her your whole life.

When we made the trek to Thief River Falls, we headed to Greenleaf. We had a great visit with Laudy Sistad, formerly of Grygla, and also stopped in to see Donna Jelle, but she was out for an appointment. Laudy talked a lot about Grace Lutheran Church and shared so many fun memories with us. Pastor Vicki even told Laudy that she is referred to as Holy Mama, which generated a lot of laughter!

Next, we drove over to Oakland Park where Ardell Roen is living. She was so happy to see familiar faces and, let me tell you, everyone around there just loves her. Pastor Vicki, Anna and I got to hear so many of Ardell’s fond memories from when she grew up, including recollections from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. 

Not many people take the time to just visit with one another anymore. Like REALLY VISIT, you know? But we did some quality visiting that day and left Thief River feeling fulfilled.

Because we spent the day visiting, driving (and eating really great food), I didn’t get much time to jot things down so I sent Pastor Vicki some questions after the fact via email. She wrote me back, and in true Vicki Worthington style, let her personality shine in her answers. I thought, “Why re-write this and change HER words to MY words. Hers are better. Hers are ALWAYS better…if you know her, you know this to be true. Enjoy a “behind the scenes” look at the Holy Mama History/Mystery, as she so cleverly called it.

Let’s turn the pages back to the beginning and get to know you….

I was born in Grafton, North Dakota, in 1953. My parents were living in Park River, ND, at the time. Then we moved to Minot and then Williston where my Dad worked for Standard Oil. While we were in Williston, my Mom finally convinced my Dad to stop spinning and go to Luther Seminary in St. Paul to become an ordained minister. So we moved to St. Paul for two years. I was sick part of that time and had to miss a lot of school. Dad bought an upright piano from the St. Paul Courthouse for $3.00 and found a bench for $8.00. He would carry me from the couch to the piano every day. I listened to the radio and played back what I heard.

I went to high school in Northwood, North Dakota, and graduated in 1971. I went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and was going to major in music but changed to a religion major because music wasn’t fun to study and religion was. Between my freshman and sophomore years, I was on a Christian musical team from Concordia, and we traveled mostly in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. At the time, I thought Eastern Montana was the ugliest place I had ever seen. (And never, never, never drink the water in Wolf Point.)

Can we get a glimpse into your working world?

For almost 20 years, I had a variety of jobs including a receptionist/transcriber for Meeker County Social Services in Litchfield, MN; getting advertisements for the local paper in Hillsboro, ND (never again . . . no offense, Kari); a legal secretary for a law firm in Hillsboro (I started turning gray with that one); and a high school secretary in Valley City, ND (how could I say no to that . . . the principal was a cross between Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds!). And I spent two summers going to lots of churches to give the message and even play the piano on a Sunday the regular pastor was gone.

After fighting with God about doing this “pastor thing” for most of that 20 years, I got out of my car on a lonely country road, shook my fist at God and said, “fine … I’ll go to seminary, but just so we’re clear: I’m not happy about it, but I can’t fight you anymore.” At 40 years of age, I was accepted to Luther Seminary, the same place where my Dad went. In addition to classes, I played organ/piano at a church in Minneapolis every Sunday, had a student job in the seminary bookstore (where I got to know what the faculty was reading), and played for a community theater production in White Bear Lake. On study breaks, I drove through downtown Minneapolis at night and if I passed a big test, I went to the discount movie theater where the popcorn was drenched in REAL butter, not that chemical crap!

I graduated from seminary in 1997 after completing an internship at Castle Rock, Washington. In 1998, I was officially ordained, and my first call was in North Dakota; then Washington State, Montana, back to North Dakota, South Dakota, and finally the one state I didn’t want: Minnesota! And all because of taxes. Grygla changed my mind. Now I’m on a roll to serve the longest call of my career. All I have to do is beat the five-year mark.

1. How do you pick your sermons and 2. I heard you finalize them at 3am on Sundays….?

The most important work I do all week as a pastor is getting the sermon ready because it ranks #1 as part of my job. Most of my research is online with mostly two favorite websites: Working Preacher and Textweek. From that research, I hope to find the “hook” that is the focus of the sermon. There is a weekly guide to what Bible passages to use. I mostly like to work with stories rather than concepts. Sometimes it takes a long time, and sometimes it clicks right away. And it’s true . . . I do get up at 3am every Sunday morning to put the final touches and order in my head since I don’t use any notes. Scary! And if the Holy Spirit isn’t part of the process, nothing works. I also like to use my own life experiences because I’m not just preaching “out there” . . . I have to preach to myself, too.

Do you lead worship anywhere else?

I am fortunate to be able to lead worship services at least twice a month at the Thief River Care Center. It brings me back to my time as chaplain of a care facility in South Dakota. I also get to play the piano at the service and have coffee with the folks afterwards.

One thing we all love about you is your ability to bring that personal touch. Whether it’s worship, weddings or funerals, it’s always there. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

The personal touch . . .  I give absolute credit to my Dad who was known for the same thing when he did weddings and funerals. Whether it’s a conversation with a couple or a prayer service for the deceased, I try to listen very hard to what’s being said so I again can find that “hook” for the message. Again, sometimes the words come easily, and sometimes I go into panic mode when time is ticking.

What does a typical week look like for you?

My working schedule varies quite a bit. During the school year, Wednesdays have a pretty firm schedule with release time, choir, confirmation, and Bible study or council. Otherwise, I’m at home where my office is or at the hospital or at a nursing home or in monthly meetings with colleagues. And in the last three years, I’ve visited my folks in Northwood quite often since Dad is in the nursing home, and Mom needs financial help and just some face to face support. Our Savior’s and Grace couldn’t be more gracious to me about that, and I’m so lucky and appreciative that they understand without reservation.

Are you under a contract right now or how does that work?

I’m not under contract. It’s a call, and in the Lutheran denomination, pastors can stay or go at their own discretion, although it’s strongly recommended that a pastor stays at a particular place for at least three years. My standing joke is that after four years, I’m still on pastor probation!

Does the Holy Mama have any hobbies?

Road trips . . . I especially love going to Itasca and Bemidji. I love to read almost anything and love the Grygla Library. I confess…I’m a news junkie! I also love to play the piano and keyboard.

How would you define Grygla in 1-2 sentences?

I would define Grygla as a town “on the edge”. It’s on the edge of farming and on the edge of the woods. It has more to offer than what one might find at first glance. A school, Cenex, a community center, a co-op store, a library, good eating places, a fire and rescue department . . . it truly is “the biggest city of its size” and a neighborly place to be.

Finally, the music….. 

Music doesn’t just follow me . . . it IS me. When I struggled with becoming a church musician or a pastor, it finally dawned on me that the two things I love doing best . . . telling a good Bible story and introducing new music . . . well, that added up to becoming a pastor. Every pastor brings a specific skill set, just like everybody else. For me, music and theology go hand in hand. My latest musical pleasure is directing the church choir. And the parsonage basement holds my digital piano and keyboard. I can’t be a pastor without the music.