By Carol Fisher Linn
Several weeks ago, The Reverend Mark Swanson officially became pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville. Pastor Mark’s wife, Laura filled the gap and served as interim pastor while the congregation went through the search process for a new pastor. Pastor Mark says, “she paved the way for me.” Not having been on the selection committee, perhaps they worked with the “water seeks its own level” philosophy, and considering that they became especially fond of Pastor Laura, perhaps that gave him a leg up. However, he certainly had to have his own merits as well. It was truly my pleasure to meet with Pastor Mark over lunch at Katy’s a few weeks ago.
Aside from the fact that Pastor Mark is quite an imposing physical presence with an immediate big smile, he seems to exude a light, a genuine positive hope for the future, not only for St. Paul’s Church but for the Ellicottville community and for all humanity. One can’t help but feel comfortable in his presence.
son in Schweinfurt,
Germany in front of the
Schweinfurt Memorial.
Lutheran from birth and by family legacy, he tells a story of being at a large Lutheran conference where Pastor Swanson was asked to raise his hand, and nine hands went up. He says, “it’s in the blood” – there are at least nine others in his family who are ordained into the Lutheran church, including a son and wife.
Rev. Swanson was born and raised in Jamestown and his family was active at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he was baptized, confirmed, and ordained. A graduate of Jamestown High, JCC and SUNY Fredonia, he then went on to Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he met his wife, The Rev. Laura Csellak who now serves as chaplain at the Lutheran Home in Jamestown. Years combined, they have served nearly 75 years as pastors, with one of their sons (they have two – Stefan and Luke) following the tradition and becoming ordained.
As is the case in ministry, the family found themselves moving quite often, going from Queens, New York City to Dansville and Cohocton in the Finger Lakes, another St. Paul’s Lutheran in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, interim in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Syracuse, New York and back to Jamestown for a few years before being hired by St. Paul’s in Ellicottville. Pastor Swanson continues to live in Jamestown but is prepared and readily available to serve the Ellicottville community.
When we discussed his making home or Hospice visits, he shared a story which revealed his understanding of the uniqueness (even quirkiness) of human nature. He had the privilege of being with the family of a dying man he knew quite well. “He was always a man who knew his own mind,” said Rev. Swanson. As the family was gathered, the man stated that he was dying (Now) and wanted to be alone. Even his wife had to kiss him goodbye and leave the room. And, indeed, he did die. As a true shepherd, Rev. Swanson knew to encourage the family to honor the man’s wishes to have the death he chose. This story told me this man leads his flock, not just by the “rules” but by his heart and intuition. It was heartwarming to hear a man of the cloth sharing his heartfelt belief that we are all God’s children, worthy of love and promise, and like all parents, there is room in his heart, and in St. Paul’s church, for every human being, without discrimination.
Rev. Swanson shared his hope to grow the church attendance even more, and to work with all the local pastors much as in the ‘80’s when Pastor Mary Martin helped developed an ecumenical church group where all pastors met regularly for the good of the community. It is refreshing and reassuring that this pastor called to this community is Christ minded, unabashedly professing and living by Christ’s example to love our neighbor, feed the hungry, house the homeless, etc. He lives the message of unity and inclusivity we find in Christ. His message is simple: All believers, and even unbelievers, form one body in Christ, transcending our individual differences and instead, celebrating our diversity. He certainly represents the mission of St. Paul’s which is: Opening doors of its home of faith, welcoming and nourishing all people through the Word and Sacraments and strengthening each other through acts of kindness in the name of Jesus Christ. You can find them on Facebook, but why not just join them for 10AM Sunday morning service and fellowship afterward? St. Paul’s continues its spaghetti suppers December 13, January 17, February 14 and March 14. Their candlelight Christmas service is at 7pm, December 24th.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville is located at 6360 NY-242. They can be reached by calling (716) 699-2265.