UDLC Stories: Elmer Heiland
I first came to UDLC in 1980, as a 21-year-old new to the area and fresh out of college seeking fellowship and a place to honor my family traditions and remain devoted to my faith. Over the years I moved to different locations and attended other Lutheran churches. In 2013, my wife and I were troubled with our church and I suggested we visit UDLC. We became members in March 2014.
Being new to the area in 1980, I never forgot the warm welcome and immediate acceptance I felt at UDLC. It was also a return to the authenticity, principles, and customs of the small-town church that started my spiritual journey. Returning to UDLC 33 years later, I was delighted to find those same principles and values had not changed.
There are many things that come to mind that I appreciate about UDLC, but number one would be its welcoming and inclusive nature. There is a true sense of community and belonging among the congregants and a commitment to serve and practice Christ's love.
“There is a true sense of community and belonging among the congregants and a commitment to serve and practice Christ’s love.”
I learned to appreciate the gift of giving from an early age through my family and church. While we had little compared to most, I have vivid memories of everyone coming together to raise funds, gather food and clothing, help repair homes, or do whatever was needed. It was through these experiences that I learned the profound impact of generosity and the joy it brings to both the giver and the receiver.
My father had a favored passage, Romans 12:6–8, that addresses our spiritual gifts and the responsibility to use them. I try to honor my father by sharing my gifts to serve others.
My hope is that UDLC will continue to nurture the faith of the next generation—to plant the seed of generosity and the teachings of Christ's love—so they can feel part of something timeless and sacred.