Not the typical Community of Christ guest minister type, if there is one

Here’s what happened when Mary Cusack, newly graduated from seminary, risked something new and agreed to serve as guest minister at McGowan’s Lake, a camp she had never been to.

I couldn’t really fully process what Vonda was suggesting at our graduation ceremony in December of 2025. We had just completed all the assigned work to earn a Master of Arts in Religion from Graceland Seminary and were about to celebrate the successful conclusion to this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Vonda DenBoer, Pat Pallister and I had been Seminary pals and were so excited to be together receiving our masters’ hoods and ministerial stoles together. Vonda hinted that I should be prepared to be called to possibly serve as a guest minister in Canada! I didn’t have too much time to let it sink in, but I was kind of stunned at the suggestion. 
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A few months later Vonda contacted me again to ask me to participate in a reunion at McGowan’s Lake and described the people there as friendly, spiritually minded, and as being a group of folks who would have an appreciation for sacred formation. She said that she thought that I would really connect with them. I wasn’t sure why she felt this to be true, and I definitely didn’t believe I had the ability to participate as a guest minister, but I let my insecurities go and just said yes. I had learned in life never to say no when I perceived that God was asking me to do something. I also thought that if Vonda trusted that I could serve this way, there must be something to it.  

I initially met Wanda White and Elizabeth Young, who immediately responded to me and helped me with all aspects of putting the reunion plans into reality. I was fortunate to have them offer support and hard work to get things in order for me. I had a few requests for things to make the classes work and everything I asked for was provided! God was definitely and directly involved for us all, in that the group wished to have the children be able to participate in some way, and my wife Miriam was a teacher and had gotten the necessary Community of Christ certifications to work with the kids. I pursued this certification as well. While I held active and involved classes with the adults, Miriam designed fun, hands-on activities that mirrored the material presented for the children at the back of the hall.  

I admit I am not the typical Community of Christ guest minister type, if there is one. I have numerous tattoos and piercings as well as bleachy highlighted hair. I wondered if this might be a hindrance for me to give a faithful presentation to the group? I needn’t have worried. Everyone was welcoming, warm and interested in talking to Miriam and I from the start. I told everyone that I had a lot of trouble remembering names, but I found that it was really easy to remember everyone because they were all, every single person, so kind and engaging with us. The kids related well to Miriam and the adults participated thoughtfully and openly in all the classes. Despite some rain that week, we were able to sit out together in a small group outside in a circle and get into some really intimate conversation. It was at times humorous and at other times pretty deep sharing together. 

Although it was important for me as a first time presenter to learn the material and sit in the zoom meetings or attend the recorded zoom meetings, I was also encouraged by Vonda and other spiritual mentors to make it my own and be myself. People at McGowan’s Lake reiterated this idea by encouraging me as well.  

In addition to all this, we were blessed to have Leandro Palacios come join us for rousing campfire songs that everyone loved! We had some percussion instruments to add to the fun and the kids even led a few songs. Pat Pallister also came up to McGowan’s Lake for the week. I can’t express how much support I felt from her. Pat led some cool campfire activities and got us all up and moving!!! Even Vonda came overnight to offer her support and calming presence. 

The whole week was amazing and combined lots of fun with a real Community of Christ spiritual connection. I was privileged to be part of the 55th anniversary of McGowan’s Lake worship service and could really see the reality of becoming aware of what a sacred place looks like. Miriam and I found wonderful friends and plan to definitely return to this holy, spiritually connected place!