Jim Chinery, Pastor
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Michigan

Jim and Beth Chinery moved to Raleigh and joined Grace in 2000. They volunteered to work with the youth of Grace right away and were much loved advisors. We sponsored Jim as a student at Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated in 2006.

A message from Jim and Beth:

So, some of you may be wondering-have the Chinery’s turned into "Yoopers" yet? Do we have indoor plumbing, ride in dogsleds, or have our church meetings over a hot pasty & cold beer? Or, as one of our friends asked-do the women have a full set of teeth? To answer all of the questions above would ruin the beauty of the mysterious U.P. But I can say this-there is no where else we would rather be!!

I had braced myself for the move-unpacking and organizing a home with a newborn & 2 year old at my side, not knowing a soul, trying to adjust to being a pastor’s wife & a stay-at-home mom, our family still seven hours away, a 1 ½ hour drive from any mall, museum, zoo, or Target, the list of negatives probably could go on, I suppose. But as you might be anticipating me saying, it has all worked out better than I could have hoped or imagined according to His perfect plan and timing…We were first blessed with great neighbors, then a welcoming congregation, and then discovered an amazing community of people here in Iron Mountain-oh, and we’ve found lots of fun stuff to do!!

Ruthie has grown like a weed-she is tall-like me (I guess I didn’t have to say that because we all know who she takes after in that respect). Last month she turned 3 and started preschool at a nearby church. She loves it and as with most things…no fear, no tears, and no lookin’ back! She had mixed feelings about her little bro-"Ivo." Initially, "He’s so cute!" to "Put Ivan back in your tummy!" to "I’m going to eat him up!" You get the picture! Now she loves to make him laugh or get him to chase her…and she has been learning to SHARE… Ivan has been crawling and pulling himself up since last month ( at 7 months old)…He is into everything, of course!…and is very good natured, and he adores his big sister Ruthie!!! He is finally starting to sleep through the night, too! YEAH!

Jim loves his work as a pastor! He is the only pastor in a church of approximately 600 members. He is very busy, but is learning to balance family time and 6 days of work each week. Jim is an awesome daddy-Ruthie says "Daddy is our favorite guy" and "Daddy is a cute boy." She goes out with him on Saturday mornings before work for a Ruthie and Daddy date. Since it’s been cold, they usually go to one of the cool little coffee shops and to Burger King play land or ShopKo (to run an errand for mommy).

Although family is still approximately 7 hours away, they have helped in so many ways this year of transition! My parents helped with the packing and Jim’s family with the unpacking! They all traveled up here for Jim’s ordination and Ivan’s baptism in August. And just were so supportive through the whole process of getting here!!!!!! We appreciate them all so much! There’s nothing like family-eh?  And we want to say hello to our Grace family, and let you know that although we are miles apart - you are always in our hearts and prayers. 

God's Blessings - Beth and Jim