Paul Harrington Hometown: Ferguson, MO Current Home: Rosemount, MN Major: English Additional Education: Master of Theology & Master of Divinity, Luther Seminary Email: paulharringtonmn@gmail.com After leaving Concordia, I spent the next five years at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, acquiring the two degrees noted above. It was also during this time that I met and later married a wonderful woman named Margaret Bredberg, who was a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Elementary Education. My first parish was in Pontiac, Michigan, a northwest suburb of Detroit. Pontiac was the first city in the nation to have mandated busing of children, which presented a host of challenges for persons of all racial backgrounds. Two of our three children were also born in Pontiac. After almost nine years in Michigan, we moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota, to form a mission church (Shepherd of the Valley LC) of the then American Lutheran Church. Starting with just three families, the church grew to over 8,000 members in the next 30 years with a salaried staff of over 60 persons. Following retirement from Shepherd of the Valley, I also worked for three very enjoyable years as interim campus pastor at Luther Seminary. I have served on several different boards and committees including the governing board of Gustavus Adolphus College and the Metro Lutheran Newspaper. Following Margaret’s retirement, we have spent a fair amount of time traveling (Indonesia, China, Europe, Israel, Tanzania). We also winter in Mesa, Arizona, in a marvelous community of retirees, about a third of whom are from Canada. Delightful people to spend time with. Our three children are all married and have blessed us with nine beautiful grandkids. To say that life has been good is a gross understatement. On most days, our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. And on many days, I also reflect on those four very formative years I spent at Concordia College and realize more than ever what a gift that college has been to my life. I look forward to seeing many of our former classmates at the reunion in 2017. Soli Deo Gloria.
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