It Just Makes Sense

Dirk Manson spent his career caring for young people in schools and school administration. It was through 30+ years of that work, mostly in the Chicago suburbs, that this Yooper thrived as a Bears fan! 

In Illinois, Dirk and his wife Sue (Ebbesen) Manson became active members of All Saints Lutheran Church, an (eventually) independent Lutheran Congregation. Dirk was very active in congregation life there and served until his retirement in 1995 when he and Sue moved to be closer to family here in Gladstone. Back in their old Yooper stomping ground, Dirk and Sue joined Sue’s family church, First Lutheran Church, the one they were married in in 1962. First Lutheran seemed like a natural fit and both Dirk and Sue jumped into congregational life with a quickness.  

First Lutheran offered Dirk the opportunity to study scripture more deeply. Through Bible Study and Lay School, (now Lifelong Faith Formation), he was able to better understand what God expects of us. Course by course, Dirk’s faith deepened. Serving on the Candidacy committee was one of his biggest eye openers for how the church works. The wide and varied backgrounds of the candidates were interesting and watching them grow through the process had an impact on Dirk. 

Dirk stated that, “Before I came here I wouldn’t have had any way to describe what it means to be a Lutheran. Now I can, especially the grace part and the response to God’s love. There had always been this feeling that there needs to be good deeds and service. I’m more comfortable knowing the grace is right there meeting us. You cannot earn it. Our good stewardship is a response to God’s love. It just makes sense and when it fails to make sense, we look to our faith knowing that’s what it is all about.” Dirk’s ability to clearly articulate his faith came from working within First Lutheran Church and our Northern Great Lakes Synod.

Dirk has given his time to First Lutheran through serving in the Choir, the Stewardship Committee, Personnel Committee, Internship Committee, Congregational Council, Welcome and Outreach Committee among others, and he has worked with several synod committees. Dirk argues that he has gotten more out of it than he contributes and is so thankful for his church family which he and Sue thank God for every morning during their morning prayers. First Lutheran Church is thankful for Dirk.