On Staff, as Volunteer, Amy’s Gifts are Valued

Remembering Amy Furan‘s cheerful competence when she served on Gethsemane’s staff, it’s good to see these abilities still in evidence in her role as a multi-tasking volunteer.

Amy grew up in Brainerd. Her father, Doug Furan, worked in the post office. Lona, her mother, was a teacher’s aide, then went back to college and is now a fifth grade teacher.
Amy’s one sibling is Gethsemane’s popular facilities anager, Brian, two years her senior.

As Amy tells it, she was “socially awkward” as a child, “with big, ugly glasses and clothes not at all like those worn by the popular girls.” She was, and insists she still is, an introvert.

The Furans were a church-going family. Their church was their home. Luther Crest Bible Camp near Alexandria was an every-summer adventure, and she served as a junior leader there twice.

At Brainerd High School she was active in the Arts Club and sang in an a capella choir that was nationally recognized for excellence.

After high school graduation, she journeyed through a whole series of school and work experiences: community college for awhile, a short time at the University, some time at Augsburg, and a variety of jobs in the spaces between schools.

Those jobs included writing, secretarial work, managing a warehouse, you name it. Her degree from Augsburg came ten years after starting college.

“I guess I’ve always been on a quest, deciding what to do with my life,” she explains. “Whatever work I do has to be meaningful to me.”

She did learn, while employed by a “Dot Com”, that she’s not interested in the corporate world.

One weekend spent back home in Brainerd was a life-changer for Amy. A mutual friend arranged her re-introduction to Mike Lamser, whom she vaguely remembered from high school.

Mike was in the Army, and for two years they continued to see each other. When Mike was stationed in Escanaba, Michigan, doing recruiting work, Amy was finishing her degree at Ausburg. After graduation she took a job in Escanaba, writing for the newspaper.

They became engaged. Understanding that Amy just wasn’t cut out for the role of a military wife, Mike agreed to go from full-time service into the Army Reserve. They married in 2000 and, returning to Minnesota, settled in Hopkins.

Visiting Gethsemane one Sunday with Brian and his wife Krista, Amy noticed a “Help Wanted” item in the Tri-fold. She applied for the job and was hired as Administrative Secretary.

Her service was legendary. “You brought a problem to Amy and it was solved.”

For several of her Gethsemane years her brother, Brian, was also on staff. They had the normal amount of squabbles as kids, but it was “fun to be together at work.” Brian continues to be a jack-of-all-trades at church.

Amy and Mike’s daughter, Faith, was born three and a half years ago. For most of her babyhood Mike was in Iraq, called into duty with the reserves. Although both of her parents tend to be introverts, Faith is the huggable life of the party. She loves people and has always been willing to go to anyone.

Mike now works for a Civil Affairs Unit in Arden Hills. Amy resigned from her Gethsemane job after four and a half years. “Actually,” she says with a smile, “it’s the longest I’ve ever stayed in one job.”

The quest continues! Amy has finished most of the course work at Augsburg for a Master’s Degree in Education.

“I’ve always loved school, and I’ve always toyed with the idea of teaching. Now I’m not sure what to do with my degree. Is teaching really the answer?”

Stay Tuned!

Busy keeping an eye on Faith and attending school, Amy has managed to keep a strong involvement at Gethsemane: Mary Circle, Social Ministry Committee, the Web Team, GCW Board, Nominating Committee, Hospitality Plus, and Sisters in Spirit planning. Her outside interests include camping, a little craft work, and a book club.

Her vision for Gethsemane’s future? “We should broaden the base of lay leadership, encourage those who don’t see themselves as leaders, and give them the opportunity to step up. It’s the servant leadership idea. We should just say to these members, “Try it! We’ll give you the support you need.”