ROOTED IN LOVE
Hear From New Members and How They Found a Home at SOTV
We’re thrilled to share the stories of some our newest members and showcase how they’ve quickly found their place and purpose within the Shepherd of the Valley (SOTV) community! Their journeys beautifully illustrate the richness of life that happens when we move from simply attending to actively belonging.
DRAWN TO A WELCOMING MISSION
What first drew these individuals and families to SOTV was a combination of our clear Mission and our reputation for Welcome.
Kathy Fuqua, upon moving to Rosemount, spent time searching online, ultimately choosing SOTV for its explicitly “welcoming Welcome Statement.” She quickly felt the warmth from the staff and pastors, noting the church strikes a perfect balance—a large church that still feels personal.
For Beth Baumgard, the initial connection came through family—taking her grandson, Marvin, to the SOTV Preschool program. While waiting for him, she observed the vibrant life of the church and was impressed.
Similarly, Sally and Steve Varpness, seeking a home church near Eagan, were immediately impressed and Sally’s interest was sealed when she saw Pastor Lindsey was leading a book study by her favorite author, Anne Lamott. Their initial sense of belonging was solidified during a moving service where members were literally connected by a length of green yarn—a powerful symbol of the community they were joining, reflecting the mission to connect with each other.
The Edmiston family (David, Julie, Madeline, and Abby) also prioritized finding a faith community that “aligned with their values” and would welcome every member, ensuring their family always felt valued—a clear need addressed by our Welcome Statement. Even Don Mulfinger, who was initially wary of joining a large church, found himself continually drawn back by the exceptional preaching, the music, and the pervasive friendliness of the congregation.
FINDING FULFILLMENT THROUGH ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
Once connected, these members dove into service and fellowship, affirming SOTV’s mission to worship, learn, care, and connect.
Several members discovered that using their talents in service is key to fulfillment, aligning with the mission to care for the world around us.
Beth Baumgard felt she could “pay it forward” after a long career as an elementary school teacher. She offered her time to Preschool Director Linda Nelson and is now in her third year of volunteering every Wednesday. She finds great pride and satisfaction in helping the wonderful teachers and loves watching the children interact and learn about God—noting she especially loved seeing her grandson, Marvin, get excited about what he learned in Chapel.
Steve Varpness quickly leveraged his woodworking skills to benefit the worship team, helping to build the drum kit riser in the sanctuary. He then used that same passion to mentor our youth, assisting the 2025 Confirmation class in building the Little Free Library that now sits at the north entrance to the parking lot. Steve also regularly volunteers with other SOTV members in the community through Open Arms and Bridging, a direct extension of our call to care and be sent out into the world to meet the needs of others.
Kathy Fuqua put her faith into action early on by joining the Empty Nesters group for a service project packing meals. She now volunteers with Open Arms events, finding that contributing her “tiny little part” makes her “feel better about myself/my life,” underscoring the spiritual benefit of helping others.
Beth Baumgard’s sense of belonging was cemented by the warm welcome she received. Shortly after coming to SOTV, she met a woman who had worked with her son. This woman and her friends welcomed Beth, inviting her to sit with them in church and for coffee and fellowship afterwards. This intentional kindness led Beth to join the ladies coffee group that meets monthly. She notes, “Even though there are over 8,000 members at SOTV it just feels like I belong here.”
Sally Varpness turned her love of children into a vital role, transitioning from a volunteer to a paid Nursery Care Attendant at SOTV. Her joy for children’s ministry was clear when she worked with VBS this past summer, sharing her delight in “watching the worship, laughter, and singing” of the energetic young people.
The Edmiston family utilizes the church’s intentional programming for families, including the Family Supported Worship Space in the Chapel during worship and the Shepherd’s Kids program for their daughters. David and Julie also participated in the Family Faith Every Day program, which fosters such strong, authentic relationships that the group now extends their fellowship to social outings!
Don Mulfinger finds the preaching at worship to be deeply impactful, filled with God’s Word, and focused on the “pure grace of God,” ensuring he leaves the service “better prepared for what might lie ahead in the coming week.” He finds the choral music similarly inspiring, emphasizing the spoken word.
WHY MEMBERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT MATTER AT SOTV
For a large church like SOTV, active membership and involvement are crucial for your spiritual growth and overall wellbeing. Our size is not a barrier to intimacy; rather, it allows us to offer diverse avenues for connection and impact, rooted in our values. SOTV’s Mission to worship, learn, care, and connect is validated by our members’ experiences.
As one of SOTV’s core values suggests, spiritual growth happen when we are connected. Whether it’s a men’s coffee group (Steve), the Empty Nesters (Kathy), the ladies coffee group (Beth), or a family class (The Edmistons), these intentional gatherings provide the space to build community—one foundation of sustained faith and our mission to learn and connect.\
The acts of service offered by Steve, Kathy, Sally, and Beth are direct extensions of SOTV’s commitment to use our hands and feet to care for the world around us. Serving allows one to follow Christ’s example by investing your time with others, which shifts your focus outward and is a powerful mechanism for increasing personal fulfillment and spiritual resilience.
Our size means we have resources to support major initiatives like the Little Free Library or extensive VBS programming. When you become involved, you are empowered to be “more than we are on our own,” contributing your unique gifts to a larger, collective impact that truly changes lives locally and globally.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO BELONGING
We asked these new members to share their advice on getting involved at SOTV. Here’s what they said:
BE PROACTIVE
The Edmistons stress that while everyone is welcoming, it’s up to you to get involved. Check the website or newsletter and sign up for something that sparks interest, like a class, a service opportunity, or a small group.
HANG OUT AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Kathy and Beth both advise staying after service, grabbing coffee, finding a table, and introducing yourself. As Beth’s experience shows, simply being present can lead to an invitation that makes you feel like you belong.
UTILIZE RESOURCES
If you’re new, the Edmistons recommend seeking out the staff or taking the new member class to learn about programs and connect with church leaders in a low-pressure environment.
We are so grateful that Kathy, Don, Beth, the Edmiston family, and the Varpness family have made SOTV their home. Their stories show that community here is built through small, intentional acts of worship, learning, caring, and connecting!
Share your story with us. Email communications@sotv.org.