From the Pulpit: Finding her flock

The Rev. Karen Dumey was raised in the Roman Catholic Church but converted to the Presbyterian faith in 1992. She became a minister six years ago. She received a master's of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis and came to Westminster Presbyterian Church on Aug. 1, 2008. Dumey said she likes being a convert because she feels she can relate more to people struggling with the question of conversion or coming to Christ altogether. "I have asked the questions that so many people are asking themselves," she said.

How long have you been involved with a church? I have been involved in church life as long as I have memory -- even if that memory is as a child who could not sit still! I really became involved in the life of the church during my undergraduate years, when I began co-teaching fourth-grade Sunday school, and where I helped to lead a liturgical mime group. As an adult I served as a deacon and an elder before eventually going to seminary to become a minister.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role? Some of the leadership roles I have undertaken just due to someone asking me to do them. But as far as leadership through being a minister, I must say that three things drew me into this vocation. First, I truly believe that this is God's call to me and I am so happy that I finally answered that call. Second, I was encouraged to contemplate my calling by a past minister and other members of the congregation I belonged to at the time. Having your call verified by others means a lot during the discernment process. Third, at the time of my call into the ministry I was working with homeless veterans and the poor in St. Louis. So many of the individuals I worked with had such a rock solid faith that it made my faith in God pale in comparison. Through these persons who are rejected by so many in the world, my faith was deepened, and I fully committed to serving God with the remainder of my life.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau? My family moved to Jackson when I was 12 years old, so I graduated from Jackson High School and from Southeast Missouri State University. I am so pleased to be able to move back home after nearly 20 years out of the area. It is a blessing to be near my parents, Bob and Mary Dumey.

What do you think makes this church special? There are so many things that make the congregation of Westminster special. We have great musical talent in the congregation. We have that big fish and cross on the hillside next to the church building that makes us instantly identifiable. But what truly makes Westminster special is the love that is found here. Examples of our love for others are numerous and include our youth, who go out and serve God on mission trips each year. Last year they did Hurricane Ike recovery work in Texas, and this year they are headed to Nashville, Tenn. Our hearts circle the globe as we support not only local not-for-profits, but as we help support God's work in places such as San Francisco, Mexico, Japan, Pakistan and the Gaza Strip. And if a local individual is looking for a loving community to belong to, then Westminster is the place for you. The people here truly love and care about each other. I am not talking about a superficial "How are you?" on Sunday morning. No, I am speaking of a love that goes the extra mile. An example of what I am speaking of happened just recently. One of our members lay dying, and her family was becoming exhausted with attending to her 24 hours a day. The members of Westminster not only took over food to feed the family, but one member of the congregation volunteered to spend the night, so that the family members could sleep uninterrupted. This gift of presence was a simple gift of love; it was a gift that many would not even think of, but the folks of Westminster don't place constraints on how love may be expressed. They live out Jesus' command to love one another.

What's your favorite verse and why? My favorite verse comes from the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), chapter 8, verse 6: "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes of fire, a raging flame." This reminds me of God's love for me, which is as strong as death, thus death cannot destroy it. This love is a raging flame, it will never be extinguished.

What program(s) have you done with Westminster that you are proud of and why? I have not been at Westminster long enough to have established many programs. I am proud of the work the congregation and I have done regarding Westminster's history. The congregation is almost 50 years old, and it is good to look back, see where we have been, forgive and ask for forgiveness for any wrongs along the way, and to gain a sense of our organic strengths so that we may discern where God is leading the congregation next. The folks at Westminster have a lot of energy, so I am looking forward to the future. While not a program, I am proud of the fact that my presence here at Westminster allows the members to have fun. Church life is not to be a burden -- we are to gather in joy!

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? At 7 p.m. Jan. 7 there will be a meeting at the church to discuss the new book by Mitch Albom titled "Have a Little Faith." Following this, a five-week study on John Calvin will be offered at 7 p.m. Thursday evenings beginning on Jan. 14. After the five-week Calvin study, the season of Lent will be upon us. It is Westminster's tradition to meet on Wednesday evenings during Lent for a light meal of soup followed by a time of study or worship. And on Sunday, Jan. 10 we will have the joy of ordaining a new elder and a new deacon in the congregation.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? Sunday -- it is the one day of the week when I get to see so many of the faces of the members of Westminster, and it is the day I am able to serve God through the sacraments and through proclamation.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? The relationships formed with the members of the congregation. It is a privilege to be invited to be a part of so many lives. My life is so richly blessed by the people of the church.

What hobbies do you have? I like to read -- mysteries are a favorite -- and I like to watch movies and go to musical theater productions.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I am a part of the Cape Ministerial Alliance; I am the treasurer for the Downtown Council of Churches. On the presbytery level, I serve on the Committee on Ministry. I am training to be a Christian coach. This has nothing to do with sports, but is more akin to being a life coach. And of course I enjoy being with family and friends.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? "But now says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." -- Isaiah 43:1