Elwyn Luber
Topeka
Last updated:
03/10/2007
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Elywn, Kris and Joel at the 30th Anniversary of Ordination
celebration given by the First Lutheran Church of Topeka
After LHS
After LHS, I attended two church schools for my undergraduate
education: St. John’s College in Winfield, Kan., and Concordia
Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Next I spent four years at
Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where I received my Masters
of Divinity after interning at a church in Houston (where I
met my wife).
Employment
I have spent my entire career as a pastor in Lutheran
churches. I served Bethel Lutheran Church in Middleburg
Heights, Ohio (a Cleveland suburb) for 22-1/2 years. The first
10 years there I was associate pastor, and the last 12+ years
I was senior pastor. In 1997, I “returned home” (as I tell
people) to become senior pastor of First Lutheran Church in
Topeka.
Hearth & Home
I married Kris Schleif (who is from Wisconsin) in June 1974. A
graduate of Concordia University in Seward, Nebr., Kris has
served as an English reviewer for a translation of the Bible
and has written curriculum for churches to do ministry with
adults with mental retardation (her passion in life).
Presently she serves as director of education and youth at our
congregation in Topeka. We have one son, Joel, who is a
National Merit scholar. Joel graduated Phi Beta Kappa from KU
with degrees in linguistics and film studies. He starts
graduate school at KU this fall in American Culture studies,
and looks forward to his upcoming marriage next summer.
The Other Stuff
In past years, I have served as a trustee for a Lutheran High
School and as chair of Ecumenical Ministers associations. I
just completed an appointed term for Shawnee County’s mental
health agency, Valeo Behavioral Health Care. Currently I serve
on the board of directors for our Central States Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For fun, Kris and I
enjoy traveling and going to the Topeka Civic Theater (great
acting talent in this community). I also enjoy reading
mysteries and presidential history as well as visiting
presidential museums with Kris. I follow college football
recruiting and, as I was in high school, I am still an avid
Oklahoma Sooner fan (a difficult thing to be, halfway between
Manhattan and Lawrence!).
My Memories of LHS
As it was for many of us, LHS helped to shape who I am now
(for better or worse). Because of R. Wayne Nelson and Millard
Denny, I learned to be comfortable singing and speaking in
front of large groups of people. Because of Jerry Remmel, I
developed a deep appreciation for American history and a great
love of presidential history. Thank you, men, for your
guidance and encouragement! In addition, I have fond memories
of A Cappella/Mixed Ensemble, stage plays, Friday night
football games (except for the “string breaker”), Boys State,
and many of you, my fellow classmates. |
