A Neighborhood Church at Boyson and Alburnett
Faith Lutheran Church sits at the corner of Boyson Road and Alburnett Road in Marion, Iowa, about two miles east of the Bowman Woods development and a mile west of 10th Street. Members drive in from Alburnett, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and as far away as Anamosa to worship with a congregation where "people know your name." The motto reads, "We are a community of faith, growing in Christ, sharing in God's love. Nurturing faith, together." The church describes itself as Inclusive, Family Friendly, and a place where everyone can come as they are.
Sunday Morning at 9:00 AM
Worship at Faith Lutheran is rooted in the Lutheran liturgical tradition, with a focus on Holy Scripture, ancient words, timeless grace, meaningful ritual, and comforting music. The Sunday service runs from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the sanctuary, and the Sunday worship bulletin is available ahead of time. Each service is broadcast on Facebook and YouTube, and a video archive lets worshippers catch up later in the week. Hearing assist devices are available from the tech team at the Tech Station.
A team of friends from Faith meets visitors at the canopy door, where those with mobility challenges can be dropped off. Parking is plentiful, with accessible spots reserved near the entrance. Visitors are invited to come as they are, and the congregation is inclusive and family friendly.
Pastor Tom Ogilvie
Pastor Tom Ogilvie's faith journey began with baptism in the Lutheran tradition. Raised Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, he earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1995 and served congregations in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. In 2023 he discerned a new direction, stepped away from the LCMS, and joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, which led him into the process of joining the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Since 2024 he has served as a Synod Authorized Minister, including a stint with Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Iowa. In December 2025 he was approved for rostered ministry in the ELCA by the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Pastor Tom is the father of five children, ages 18 to 31. In June 2024 he married his husband, Erik Cross, who works as a hospital cosmetologist at University of Iowa Health Care, and they make their home in West Liberty. He enjoys music, theatre, and going for a good run, and publishes a weekly devotion called Thursday Thoughts.
Danny Stone and the Youth and Family Team
Danny Stone joined Faith Lutheran as Director of Youth and Family Ministries in 2011, after sixteen years at Messiah Lutheran in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and three decades in "da Yoopee." Born in northern California and raised in National Parks across the country, he studied at Northern Michigan University and served at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Danny has been part of the Kellogg Youth Development Seminar team, Fortune Lake Board, Episcopal Camp Board, Synod Youth Ministry Team, and YARP Team, chaired the SEIowa Synod Candidacy Committee, and served two terms on the EWALU Board of Directors. His daughter, Isabella, grew up at Faith, and in 2024 Danny married Kristen Hamilton-Stone, News Director at KGAN. They live in Cedar Rapids' Bever Park neighborhood with dogs Oliver and Amelia.
Children, Youth, and the Confirmation Journey
Faith Lutheran runs one of the more layered children and youth programs in the area, organized by age group from preschool through high school.
Preschool through first grade enjoy Children's Messages, worship bags, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, worship programs, and invitations to attend youth events with a caregiver. Second through sixth graders move into Sparkhouse Classroom Sunday School and Wednesday Night Live with the Sparkhouse Lectionary, plus VBS and worship programs, with invitations to attend youth events and to attend EWALU. Seventh and eighth graders join a Sunday Morning Teen Group, volunteer at VBS, take part in worship programs, and are invited to overnight events, the canoe trip, mission trips, and EWALU. High schoolers add a Wednesday Night Live High School Group to the mix, plus overnights, the canoe trip, mission trips, the National Lutheran Youth Gathering, and EWALU.
Sunday School begins at 10:10 AM in the sanctuary, with music, motion, and prayer before children head to their classrooms for Bible stories, games, music, crafts, and faith-filled time together. The curriculum highlights Old Testament themes in the fall, Advent in December, and the New Testament through winter and spring. Sunday School is always free, and registration is available online along with medical authorization forms.
Children and youth in grades 2 through 12 are invited to Wednesday Night Live, a midweek program with learning, storytelling, fun activities, conversations about God's love in everyday life, laughter, friendship, worship, and a shared meal. The Wednesday Night Sr. High Group meets from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, kicking off with a relaxed vibe in the Youth Room before moving into games, real conversations, prayer, bonfires, service projects, and plenty of laughs. The group's programming is shaped by the youth themselves.
Confirmation is open to all seventh and eighth graders and meets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:25 PM in the church library during the Wednesday Night Live season. After class, students and families gather for a shared meal from 6:30 to 7:00 PM. Confirmation is presented as a time for "thoughtful, meaningful exploration of what it means to live as Lutheran Christians," and expectations include attending weekly class, taking part in Sunday morning worship, completing 15 sermon notes per year, writing a personal faith statement, and showing a sincere, genuine desire to be confirmed.
The annual canoe trip, for youth entering seventh grade through high school along with college students and adult friends, takes participants down the Crow Wing River in Minnesota, with stops at Itasca State Park, the Rapid River Logging Camp, and a day in Minneapolis. Winter Overnights and "School's Out!" Overnights bring together youth in sixth through twelfth grade for late-night games, snacks, hangout time, faith conversations, and bonfires.
Vacation Bible School runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in late July. Mission trips over the years have taken the youth to New Orleans, Upper Michigan, Detroit, Milwaukee, Houston, Pine Ridge, and Minneapolis, including several ELCA Youth Gatherings and trips to the Cedar Tree Institute in Upper Michigan.
For summer camp, Faith Lutheran partners with Camp EWALU in Strawberry Point, Iowa, an ELCA camp serving the region since 1961 with day camps, weeklong programs, and environmental education on more than 500 acres. Partial and full scholarships are available so that every child who wants to attend has the chance.
Music That Makes a Joyful Noise
Music is a lively part of Faith Lutheran's life. The vocal choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and sings for worship about once a month, working around members' schedules. A bell choir and other special choral groups round out the program, and the team is recruiting instrumentalists, vocalists, sound technicians, and anyone willing to help with worship services. Music Coordinators Jeff Schafer and Sue Tweeton lead the effort.
A flower chart lets members purchase arrangements in memory of a loved one or in celebration of an anniversary or birthday. Flower coordinator Sonja Gibbs can assist with the process.
Adults, Seniors, and Small-Group Life
Beyond youth work, the church hosts a Sunday morning Pastor's Class, book groups, retreats, fellowship events, and service opportunities for adults. Adults can connect through spiritual practices and basic Bible classes, with worship at the center of community life. Seniors have access to day-time faith nurturing events, game days, community service opportunities, and trips and tours.
Serving Marion and the World
Faith Lutheran's Social Concerns ministry keeps the congregation connected to the wider community. Locally, the church supports the Marion Food Pantry, Feed Iowa First, and Habitat for Humanity. Globally, Faith has worked with the ELCA on disaster relief, contributing over $5,000,000 for Haiti alone, and helps financially support clean water, food programs, and education around the world.
The building itself is in service too. Boy Scouts, play groups, civic organizations, and a wide variety of church events use the Family Center. Use of the facilities is subject to availability, with priority given to church activities; the Family Center Use Guidelines are available online for download.
Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms
Faith Lutheran celebrates all the major milestones. Weddings are held as worship services where couples, family, and guests celebrate God's love and thank God for the gift of love in marriage. Pastoral staff help with preparation, a wedding coordinator handles the rehearsal, and an organist assists with music. The Fellowship Hall is available for receptions, and a downloadable Wedding Guide walks couples through the details.
Funerals are worship services that proclaim the promise of the resurrection and give thanks for the life of the deceased, with a focus on God's grace in Christ. A Funeral Template is available for download.
Baptism welcomes people of all ages, including infants, children, and adults, into the life of faith through water, Scripture, prayer, the Apostles' Creed, and the congregation's promise to support the newly baptized.
A Part of the Southeastern Iowa Synod and the ELCA
Faith Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, part of a denomination that includes some 8,400 congregations, 26 Lutheran colleges and universities, 7 seminaries, 240 global missionaries, and one of the largest nonprofit social service networks in the United States, along with Lutheran World Relief worldwide. Locally, Faith belongs to the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Pastoral Care and Giving
Pastoral care is available around the clock by calling the church office at 319.377.9700. Members and visitors are encouraged to notify Faith directly if they or a loved one are admitted to a hospital or care facility, since local hospitals do not always do so. Prayer and care requests can also be sent by email to Pastor Tom.
Online giving is available through Simply Giving, allowing one-time or recurring gifts from home. Adjustments are easy and the system is secure. A printable form is also available for those who prefer to set up automated giving offline. Volunteering is supported through an Interests and Skills Survey, both online and printable, to match member gifts with the church's ministry needs.
Practical Details for Visitors
Sunday worship begins at 9:00 AM. The address is 155 Boyson Road, Marion, Iowa 52302. The phone number is 319.377.9700. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with secretary Jen Heinsius at the desk on those days. Mornings are the best time to reach staff in person, while afternoons are reserved for visiting or off-campus meetings. Pastor Tom's day off is Friday, and Danny's day off is Monday.