Like so many sojourners in the faith, the Werner family kept their focus on things above when they started a new adventure in Minnesota in 1973. Their daughter, Denise, was away at college. Scott, their teenage son, was excited to move from a small town to the big city.
Neil and Helen Werner moved from Ellsworth, Wisconsin to Maple Grove and found a home just blocks from Advent. They were active members of their previous church and felt a young energy at Advent which began worship services just six years earlier. Neil was asked to be on the church council and became involved with men’s groups. Helen volunteered in the kitchen and the library and was involved in a Women’s Circle. She was president of Advent's Women's Ministry for a couple of years and was known for being driven when working on a project. Helen was the driving force behind Advent’s memorial blood drive for over 30 years. This was a cause she felt very passionate about after the loss of their son.
The people of Advent were always there for the Werner family. Their church friends supported them with healing and love and were an essential part of their faith journey.
When Neil had a heart attack at the age of 71, the pastor spent hours with them. After he moved to the Wellstead of Rogers, Pastor Tim was a compassionate presence along with many Advent members. When Helen moved to Minnetonka to be closer to her daughter, she still loved coming back to worship at Advent. Her friends at Advent were a gift to her. As her memory faded, she never felt forgotten and still felt loved by the people at church.
Psalm 115:1 says: Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Although they have both passed, Helen and Neil have left a legacy to give back to the ministry of Advent that was faithful to them. Their estate has generously decided to fund a part-time Congregational Care Minister. This Minister will be a cornerstone of our mission, dedicated to nurturing the spiritual and emotional well-being of our congregation. They will work with Advent pastors to oversee visitations to the homebound, hospitalized, and those facing significant life challenges.
Helen lived in the same house for almost 50 years. She even mowed her lawn with a push mower until the age of 88. She and Neil lived a simple life, but they left an incredible gift to Advent. Their generous legacy gift is not only their lasting impact for Advent, but also may inspire others to consider a similar gift to further God’s mission.
