Jane Lippert to Retire after Leading Outreach Nine Years
by Pastor Linda Stephan
“Pastor Jane – she saved my life.”
Picture the scene: a couple members of Central run into each other in a local home improvement store and, as expected, they start talking about church.
They’re overheard by an employee, who confirms they’re talking about the same church he has in mind, the one downtown with the dome that serves breakfast. And then he says it:
“Pastor Jane – she saved my life.”
As Jane prepares to transition to retirement this June, it is impossible to overstate her importance to our church and its outreach mission, to us as people, and to a community of people in need of basic needs, dignity, sanctuary, prayer and hope. We are grateful for her witness and advocacy and her compassionate heart for all people. In the past decade, Central Outreach has:
- created lasting partnerships with community resources to help people navigate the complex local web of social services.
- become a hub for Goodwill Street Outreach services, state social workers, medical, dental and addiction treatment, and more.
- partnered with Food Rescue, Northwest Food Coalition, and Central’s own Our Neighbors’ Garden to reduce food waste and to serve nutritious and delicious meals.
- created a schedule with other agencies to make sure there are places open through the day and meals served through the week.
- partnered with Safe Harbor to provide nutritious breakfast on the weekends.
- grown to serve as many as 80-100 breakfasts a day, and even more lunches on Thursdays.
This year, especially, Jane has shown a radical commitment to Central Outreach by commuting from Manistee and living part of the week with her daughter and son-in-law in Traverse City. She’s ready to enter her next adventures in retirement with her husband, Pastor Chris Lane, who retired last year. Many of us will miss her terribly as she transitions to retirement this year. And yet – we celebrate who she is and all she has done.
Our leaders are already working hard to re-evaluate our needs as Jane departs and are reaffirming our commitment to a smooth transition and to the sustaining of this important ministry in our building. If you know of someone who might be a good fit, please let us know. Jane has a special mix of skills and we recognize filling her shoes may require two people – someone who knows the kitchen and someone else who can lead the mission. Discussions are ongoing and there has been much diligence among both leaders of the Outreach Committee and the Central Staff-Pastor Parish Relations Committee.
On a personal note, I want to share that Jane radically changed my life as well. She was the person who told me, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that she thought I was called to be a pastor. She didn’t “save me,” but I can also say my life will be forever changed because she loved me and saw who I could be.
If you have a story of how Jane’s ministry has touched you, I hope you share it in the comments.
More about Rev. Jane Lippert:
Traverse City Record-Eagle: GOOD SAMARITAN: Jane Lippert
Traverse City Record-Eagle:17 remembered at memorial service for homeless
I have been a volunteer for the Outreach Breakfast program for a number of years. It has been a pleasure to watch Jane’s relationship with our guests. She is a very kind and caring person and our guests certainly respond to that caring. It has been a pleasure to work for this program and with Jane.
I worked with Jane during the outreach luncheons. It was so good to have her there at the side of those who needed her. She has been an inspiration to all of us in that role and as a Pastor. We will all miss her, but understand, that this has been difficult for her to establish her new home with Pastor Chris. She deserves this retirement, but I doubt that she will be totally retired from her mission. God bless you, Jane, but try not to burn yourself out!
Jane, thank you for being so supportive of my Jazzy. Christmas concert each year. I was so happy to provide some financial support for your efforts with a.Christmas present to the community. You and your always warm and smiling face will be missed. Your personal connection with guests, service providers, and volunteers will leave a big hole. I will personally miss your wonderful sermons. Have a great retirement with the already missed Chris.
Dear Jane, You are indeed an angel in an apron and plastic gloves!! You’ve led cooking and cleaning teams with enthusiasm and knowledge and support and gratitude ! You’ve greeted and lovingly cared for so many guests! Your presence will be sorely missed by all of us who have ever worked in the outreach program or been a recipient of a meal or warm shower or a warm hug! God bless you for your ministry that has helped so many lives!! We love you!!
“We are blessed to be a blessing.” Pastor Jane has shared her gifts with grace and with faith in all who pass through all doors of Central Church. Thank you, Jane!!
Pastor Jane, you’re not only fed the hungry from our outreach community but you were there for them at their very last farewell it’s so many, far too many, funeral services in the chapel for the friends and family of those who were claimed by homelessness. Just last week, one of our minute, DannsHouse mentioned your name and regretted the fact that he would no longer see you for the occasional breakfast that he would partake of. You have touched the lives of so many people, and made a difference for most of them and it did not go unnoticed , God bless you and whatever you decide to do from here on out. Staton .
I have been struggling with homelessness since 2016 when my youngest adult son was going through a terrible time. I needed to support him and it took a great deal of my resources. He is doing well now. But, the best part is that four days ago I signed a lease for a low income apartment and as long as the apartment is here I have a safe home. Jane has been there the entire time. The Lord is good and I can’t thank her enough for being there to see me through. Through her many life were touched and supported because I found a way through her ministry. Congratulations on your retirement. It is well earned. I wish you the best life has to offer.