Elizabeth Felt was called to the ministry at an early age, but being female, she didn’t see pastorship as a viable career option.

On March 1, Felt’s dream was realized when she was installed as the first female pastor of Freeland’s Trinity Lutheran Church.

Though the church has been ordaining female ministers for 45 years, Pastor Jim Lindus explained that the opportunity to hire a female pastor had not been presented until now.

“It’s a big first,” Felt said.

Lindus noted that it is greatly beneficial to the church as Felt is able to connect with fellow women in a way that he cannot, in addition to her being a talented and dedicated co-pastor.

Felt has lived on Whidbey full-time since 1988 and became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in the 1990s.

In an interview Tuesday morning, Felt expressed her affinity with South Whidbey and noted that she is well aware of the impact of Trinity Lutheran Church within the community.

The church has established a reputation as a warm and inclusive sanctuary, said Felt, and that this was one of the main reasons she elected to vie for the position of pastor.

The church also has a hand in a number of non-profits and contributes several thousand dollars to college scholarships annually. All members of the community are welcome, Lindus and Felt said.

“My goal is to continue this vibrant mission of welcoming everybody,” said Felt.

Felt will be serving as a second full-time pastor alongside Lindus. Duties will be split 50/50, Lindus said, though they have yet to determine the specific delegation of tasks.

Eric Ottum had previously been working part-time after retiring, but recently decided to step down for good.

Pastor Dennis Hanson will continue to work part-time.

Hanson said he has known Felt for 15 years, and has always found her to be a “gem to be around.”

“She has a full pastoral heart,” he said.

Lindus said he had known Felt for as long as she had been a parishioner and added that she had always been heavily involved with the church in various capacities, though her previous career was a professional musician and music teacher.

“It was just a question of where God would lead her,” he said, emphasizing that Trinity Lutheran leaders believe that everyone plays an important role, from teachers and musicians to spiritual leaders.

When Felt decided to embark on her journey towards pastorship, Trinity Lutheran supported her as she made her way through seminary school.

She graduated from the Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry in 2010, was ordained at Trinity Lutheran Church in 2011 and served as a Mission Developer in Port Ludlow before taking a position at First Lutheran Church in Richmond Beach.

Bishop Kirby Unti officially installed Felt in her new position. Lindus, Felt and Hanson each said that she received a warm welcome from the congregation, which consists of about 1,500 parishioners.

Lindus described Felt’s preaching style as relaxed and Biblical.

“She’s got an ability to connect with people off the street,” said Lindus.

Hanson recalled the air of “overwhelming excitement” on Felt’s first day as co-pastor.

“I share that enthusiasm,” he said.