Recent Graduates and Their New Calls: Rev. Maggie Falenschek

A year ago, if someone had told me that I would receive a first call before graduating, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. Again, if someone would have mentioned that both Nikoli and I would be serving congregations in central Illinois, we probably wouldn’t have believed that either! As Nikoli and I prepared our assignment paperwork last fall, we were asked to consider places that we could and could not serve. We came to realize that our unique situation as a young clergy couple was a gift, not a restriction, and used our mobility as an opportunity to be open and adventurous.   

In early May I was called to serve St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, Illinois, and began my time there in July. Champaign-Urbana is a busy metro-center about two hours south of Chicago. The area is home to the University of Illinois and much more diversity than one might expect to find in central Illinois. I’ve proudly named Urbana the “little Berkeley” of East-Central Illinois because of the city’s love for vegan restaurants, co-ops, and local produce. St. Matthew has a deep love for its city and makes serving with the larger C-U community a priority. The congregation even has a four-acre, chemical-free vegetable farm on its property with two farmers on staff.  Sola Gratia Farm uses profits from its CSA program to provide local food pantries with fresh vegetables, a huge need in the community—yes, it is the coolest thing ever!

I am the second pastor at St. Matthew, so I am in the unique position of being able to “specialize” in areas that I am passionate about in addition to participating in all of the wonderful things pastors get to do, like pastoral care, preaching, and worship leadership. My call, in particular, focuses on developing youth and family ministries, which aptly use my gifts and energies. I get to think critically and use skills in community organizing and development every single day, and it is a privilege to serve among a congregation that not only values their young people but also empowers them to be leaders in their community and world. St. Matthew is a congregational community that is rooted in relationship and refuses to keep “church” within the confines of a building. I feel so blessed to be able to serve among these people and can’t wait to see how we can grow together. I am finding ordained ministry to be one big adventure, one that I humbled to be able to follow. 

For more information:

St. Matthew: www.stmatthewurbana.org

Sola Gratia Farm: www.solagratiacsa.com