Several years ago, our editor (now emeritus), Sandy May, proudly stated that the First Lutheran Church was our oldest loyal church supporter. It was not simply a matter-of-fact statement. I could hear the humility in her voice. I never thought that years later, I would be inside the beautiful church (at 2519 Grove St.) interviewing Pastor Brittany Baurle Kooi.
Upon first contacting Pastor Baurle Kooi (pronounced Barley Koy) for this column, she stated that they are not really a business, but a non-profit. However, a non-profit organization is still a legal entity. It is not a surprise that churches have been the Forum’s number one supporters. Churches are an integral part of a community where people seek sanctuary.
The First Lutheran Church was officially founded in Blue Island in 1863 after a year of Bible studies by worshippers. I always associated Lutherans with German heritage and wondered how this population was today at First Lutheran compared to the past. Pastor Baurle Kooi said, “A good chunk are of German descent but there are lots of American mutts. Its peak population was in the 70s and 80s, and there are currently about 70 members, many still living in Blue Island.”
I didn’t know much about the Lutheran faith and thought it was synonymous with Protestant. Baurle Kooi said, “No. ‘Protestant’ is a BIG term that includes Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, non-denominational …” And what about the differences between Lutherans and Catholics? She said, “A big issue is how the hierarchy is structured – pastors, priests, who reports to who.”
Another major difference between the two religions was the role of a priest in the Catholic religion. Baurle Kooi explained, “Priests stand in between people and God. That’s why you have to go to Confession to receive forgiveness through the priest. In the Lutheran church, there is no intermediary beside Jesus. It is between you and God. If you ask for forgiveness, God forgives.”
There are theology differences as well. Based on Baurle Kooi’s first name, “Brittany” , we can tell that she is female. And if that isn’t enough, she is actually pregnant. (She’s married.) “Being a female pastor and pregnant, would not be allowed in the Catholic church,” she said. She is not the first female pastor at First Lutheran. Two other women included an interim pastor for three years and an associate pastor.
I know my parents would have been surprised by this and queried if parishioners were apprehensive or welcoming when she first started there earlier this year. She said, “No, they were past that, but some were surprised when I stand up because I’m now showing. There is an understanding of Life, and it’s good. God calls people of all stages to lead. In Catholic pastoral leadership, Catholics would have to give up family life while Lutherans can be married with kids.”
We began delving into our family backgrounds. My mom was a German/Irish Protestant. My dad was an Irish Catholic. She decided to convert and had to attend classes for weeks and went through a ritual to convert. I didn’t understand what all the ritual was about and asked if this process still goes on today. Baurle Kooi said, “Yes, but it depends on the church. Some have very formal guidelines with membership classes. It depends also on whether you have a history with the church.” With First Lutheran, if it’s someone she doesn’t know who suddenly wants to join the church she would say, “Let’s talk about what it means to be a Lutheran. It’s not an interview, but a discussion. Talk about your journey.”
On the same note, I reiterated what a philosophy teacher told my class about how we cannot just simply choose or join a religion. He was adamant that we are born into our religion. He did say it was possible to convert but you have to be serious where it’s a life-long commitment. Baurle Kooi stated that, “It comes down to Truth. You may go places you might not expect and you’re not just born into something. You may marry into a religion.”
The million-dollar-question about “The Calling” seems more prevalent with ministry. Baurle Kooi grew up the western suburb of Glen Ellyn. She did not grow up in ministry. Her family has a corporate-management background. Her mother is Catholic, her father is Lutheran and she is only a quarter German.
Before going into ministry, she was teaching English at an alternative high school. A science teacher died in the middle of a school day who had just turned 40-years-old. Baurle Kooi took over her homeroom and helped the students through the grieving process. A few months into studying for her master’s degree, which she thought would just bump her up the educational ladder, she realized she really loved what she was doing with helping her students. At 24-years-old, it was clear that she was on the right path. Interestingly, another female pastor who was a good friend recommended that she go into ministry years before.
I was curious about whether a pastor is assigned to a church or do they have a choice? Baurle Kooi explained that each denomination does it differently. Catholic and Methodist pastors can be sent somewhere and the congregation has to deal with it. “The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) allows a pastor to choose a region. Based on openings available, you must apply for it with an extensive resume, other paper work, and a round of interviews. You then have to preach a sermon for them. There is another round of interviews, a sermon is preached at the church for parishioners, there’s a meet-and-greet afterward, and they vote in a few weeks. The church has to want you.” It’s a two-to-three-month process and Baurle Kooi was chosen over two other candidates.
I asked the pastor what she especially likes about First Lutheran Church and what she would like for its future? Without hesitation, she stated, “Its tenacity and stubbornness. A real commitment.” With her teaching background, the church is like her classroom. She loves to deal with mental health issues and says there is a huge need for this. She would love to have her parish “explore more of what it means to be a Christian. We should not just worship God for an hour on Sunday. It’s a lifestyle. We need to worship God in everything, every day. A deeper living faith is needed − living moments throughout the day. We need to understand that God is always at work.”
On that note, the closing of MetroSouth Hospital came up. Baurle Kooi said, “This was awful. The way Quorum went about this was not right. Clearly, it’s profit over people. It shows how healthcare in this nation works and how it doesn’t work. It’s a for-profit system. People came together from all over attending meetings and rallies, which didn’t work. It makes us question God, ‘Why did you let this happen? Where are you in this? Do you see us?’ We need to see how this will work for our good.”
(Photo by Michelle M. Ryan)
First Lutheran Church has a regular service at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. (Baurle Kooi and First Lutheran Church were part of a special Service of Closure for MetroSouth Hospital on October 28, along with seven other churches from Blue Island, two from Robbins, and one from Alsip and Midlothian.)
This article originally appeared in the October/2019 issue of the Blue Island Forum Newspaper and has been updated.
