HomeUpContentsMapContact Us

Pastor DanaLee Simon


Pastor DanaLee Simon
   Pastor DanaLee Simon working on a house for Habitat for Humanity   Pastor DanaLee Simon at the altar of Elim Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ogden, Utah



    Hello! My name is Pastor DanaLee Simon and I am so joy-filled to be the pastor at Elim. This is my second call in ministry and I've been here for three years as of March, 2010.

     There are many aspects of my call to Elim that excite me, but I want to highlight a few. First of all, the people here excite me. We are a small community with big commitment and bold hospitality. We function in many ways like a big family that always has room for at least one more chair around our table. It has been exciting to join my own spiritual gifts with the gifts of the people here. It has not taken long to discover that we can do much more together than any of us can do on our own.

     Secondly, our neighborhood excites me. It's a neighborhood in transition. We're just a couple blocks east of new buildings, homes and commerce on Washington Boulevard. We're also just a couple blocks from Dee Elementary School where a majority of the kids live in poverty. We sit in the middle of a lot of diversity -- diversity of culture, language and economics. Our challenge is always to figure out how to be a vital ministry to our neighborhood community.

     In my church life, I love writing, visiting our shut-ins, preaching and teaching (kids and adults). Evangelism gets my blood pumping, not because it's easy, but because by doing it, I believe it opens a door for the Holy Spirit to move and breathe. I enjoy getting to know people and hearing about their life and faith journeys. I believe that our faith calls us to ask a lot of questions. I don't promise to have all the answers, but promise that I will sit in the questions with you as we figure out how to call upon our faith together.

     My husband and I have been married for almost three years (May, 2007) and we just welcomed our first child in November (2009). So, we are busy figuring out a life of parenting and I have to say, it's a pretty wonderful learning curve. I love almost anything that is active -- exercising at the gym, biking (mountain and road), skiing (downhill and cross-country), taking our dog, Madison for a walk, hiking, and swimming. I also enjoy reading, listening to music, cooking (eating), making cards and movies. I cherish my connection to my family and friends and spend a fair amount of time maintaining those connections.

     My call at Elim right now is part-time, which means I help lead worship every Sunday, but that my time in the office is somewhat limited. However, I do want to be available to you. Since you're on-line reading this, maybe the best way to reach me is by e-mailing me at pastor@elimlutheran.org. Or, call the church office (801/394-5543) and see when my next office day is. If you're a visitor to this site, and looking for a church home, I welcome you and invite you to join us for worship or any other event that is happening at Elim.

Peace,

Pastor DanaLee Simon