New vicar gets taste of rural life

Zion Lutheran Church welcomes a new vicar who will be fulfilling his student pastoral duties for the next year before returning to the seminary for his final year of academic work.
John Baseley and family arrived in Imperial two weeks ago.
Having only lived in large cities, rural life will be a whole new experience for them, he said.
Some of the vicar’s responsibilities will be teaching bible classes, leading services at the church and nursing home, teaching classes at Zion’s Christ Academy on Wednesdays, visiting shut-ins and will be in charge of the summer Bible School program.
Baseley brings with him a some musical talent.
He sings, plays a multitude of instruments and writes music, although the writing is on hold until his schooling and training reaches a point where he has more time again, he said.
Baseley said he has always been involved with the church, and wants to spend the rest of his life serving God.
“I love to study God’s word. It’s a beautiful thing to share with everybody,” he said.
Something in common
Baseley and wife Katherine met when they were children and remained in contact.
“We are both preacher’s kids,” Katherine said.
“I grew up in New York. John’s family lived there for six years. Our fathers were best friends. My dad still preaches there,” she said.
As a child, Baseley’s family eventually moved to Dearborn, Michigan and remained there until he and his own family traveled to Imperial.
Waiting for open doors
Before entering the seminary, Baseley made a living as a musician and band teacher, he said.
He also served in the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier for five years.
“About five years ago, I decided I wanted to go into ministry. Two years ago, the timing was right, and I entered the seminary,” he said.
With the couple coming from city life, they said all they were used to seeing was concrete and tall buildings.
“I’ve seen fields but never been in a field or seen so much big country,” Katherine said.
“We recently got to go pick some corn by hand. It was really fun and interesting,” Baseley said.
Katherine said when they arrived here, she was shocked­—in a good way—at how friendly people are.
“People didn’t even know us, and they were waving at us,” she laughed.
Baseley said they had never been in a rural community before, and they were looking forward to experiencing all there is to offer.
The Baseleys have four children and a fifth child due in November. Elisabeth is 12; David, 6; Clara, 4; and Lucy, 1.
Katherine loves to cook and sew. She said she makes lots of clothes for the family.
She also homeschools their children.
She is looking forward to being a part of the church groups and different functions with her priority as a support for her husband.
Along with her husband, Katherine also likes to sing.
“I plan to sing at church as well,” she said.
They had heard about the Chase County Fair and were looking forward to going.
“We were disappointed that it was cancelled, but we hope to attend next summer before leaving,” they said.