Nebraska Synod ELCA

Juliet Focken (Hampton) will be going on Educational leave-from-call after working on the Bishop’s staff for ten years.  During this time Juliet primarily worked with deacons and pastors in their First Calls, conflict mediation in congregations and congregations in the Call Process.

Juliet is enrolled in the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program where she hopes to be certified as a Licensed Clinical Counselor.  When asked why she was going back to school, Juliet said, “COVID has taught us a lot as a church, one of the pieces I learned is that there aren’t enough counselors to support the needs of this community.  After COVID I saw and experienced increased rates of depression and anxiety in our congregations and leaders.  I’d like to be able to support the health of our leaders while working through a Lutheran lens.”

When asked about her greatest joys on staff, Juliet replied, “the one that comes to mind first is the hope of the future of the church.  It’s been a privilege to be part of the story of the ministry that is done here.  To be able to walk with new leaders and to hear the opportunities when new life is brought into congregations through the call process.”  She said that it will be tough to not hear all the stories from across the Synod, but that it will be nice to settle into more of a routine with her family.

For all the many ways she has so faithfully and capably served, the Nebraska Synod says, “Thank you, Juliet!”