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Pastor McMillin to celebrate ordination 50th anniversary

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Pastor Harold McMillin will celebrate his 50-year ordination anniversary on June 11 during the 9:30 a.m. worship service at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Garnavillo. (Photo submitted)

By Caroline Rosacker 

St. Peter Lutheran Church of Garnavillo and Peace Lutheran Church of Clayton will celebrate the 50th ordination anniversary of Pastor Harold McMillin during the 9:30 a.m. worship service at St. Peter Lutheran in Garnavillo on June 11. Pastor David Tielbar will be the guest preacher, and Pastor Steven Brackett, Assistant to the Bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod will be present and take part in the service. Following worship a sharing of memories and thoughts will be followed with a dinner.

Guttenberg ministry

Pastor McMillin, who prefers Pastor Harold, served St. John's Lutheran in Guttenberg for 18 years, beginning his ministry in June 1993.  In 2000, he began the two-point parish with St. Paul Lutheran in Guttenberg.  He was ordained on June 10, 1973, in St. Olaf and served a half dozen parishes prior to coming to Guttenberg.

He served 12 years as the Guttenberg Fire Department Chaplain, and was a member of the Clayton County Foundation for the Future (CCFF).  

Reflections

The clergyman looked back and reflected on his 50-year career. "It is hard to believe that I have grown in so many areas of life," he began. "This happened due to the demands of the communities I served in and the many opportunities to become educated in the areas of need.  People that I have worked with and served have been very patient and understanding in my ability to respond to their request. They have also been very reflective, supportive and patient with ideas that I floated by them as I addressed issues from my experience and reasoning."

  The dedicated minister is proactive when it comes to problem solving. "I have always been a person that wanted to work on concerns and problems rather than just live with them," he told The Press. "For instance, how can we change and/or improve the environment around us and the issues that affect people’s lives. This involvement and the improvement in people’s lives have always fed my spirit of wanting to continue and become more involved in the community I served.  Seeing people express their joy in smiles, have problems resolved, or hearing their thankful responses is a great reward and payment enough."

Dreamers and doers

Pastor Harold credited his wife, Linda, for his ongoing success. "One of the greatest joys was having a partner in life that was very supportive and as involved and dedicated to meeting needs of people as I was," he said with a smile. "Linda’s love of people has helped feed my desire to serve and act.  She was the doer, I was the dreamer and visionary."

Deep appreciation

The Lutheran Minister expressed deep gratitude for the communities he served and the individuals who have impacted his life in very helpful and productive ways – many times unaware of their contribution. "God has blessed me with many opportunities, and myriads of people that I never ever thought I would be involved in when I began ministry 50 years ago. All of this has impacted my life," he shared.  

In gratitude he thanked his wife and family members who were proud of the couple's work. "Youth, adults and specialists, not only in the congregations but communities have all expressed great words of support throughout the years," he told The Press. "They have even taken time to recognize it in many ways. The love and support I have felt from their actions has driven me to work even harder in improving life, values and events."

Inspiring others

Pastor Harold has had the privilege of witnessing several others who have followed in his chosen profession. "I always said if they want to work with people, have no two days be alike, and have different challenges always facing them, what better place to get involved in people’s lives and make an impact," he commented. "One of those young men, David Tielbar, will be our guest Preacher on the day of the celebration."

Not quite retired

Shortly after his retirement on Nov. 3, 2019, he began Interim ministries. "I make decisions based on needs and the abilities I have to meet them," he explained. "If God has given me the ability to respond, then who am I to say 'No'." 

Pastor Harold eventually hopes to sit back and watch the many birds his wife, Linda, feeds and assist her more in the garden. "I may even take a few more opportunities to watch our grandchildren in their activities," he concluded with a smile.

Special request

The McMillins ask no gifts be given. If you so desire to give a gift, Pastor Harold requests they be designated to: Wartburg Theological Seminary, Memo line: Class of 1973.  Your presence for this special day of celebration for Pastor Harold is all that is needed.

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