Stories From the Pews of Faith
Members of Faith share personal experiences that highlight God's love, mercy and guidance.
Joe Malm
Origin stories—where things come from—are sometimes unknown but usually interesting. At Faith, you might ask about the beginnings of FLY’s leadership philosophy, the expanded nursery, both art galleries, or the increase in new members. This story from Faith’s pews answers one of those questions:"So where did that portable baptismal font come from?” To summarize the answer: A) An airline pilot with the soul of an artisan/engineer and B) An oak tree in a Naperville backyard. Details follow….
PROLOGUE
You don’t have to look hard to spot Faith’s handcrafted, portable baptismal font. The simple design is striking, its heavy granite bowl securely held in place by an artisanal wood stand. This piece of ecclesiastical art matches much of the spirit and style of other utilitarian or worship-oriented artifacts in our congregation. As is true of much of Faith’s ambience, the font was the result of perhaps-invisible planning and handiwork by an especially skilled congregational artisan whose spirit imbues his life and work with deep wisdom and love of this church. In the case of the baptismal font, that behind-the-scenes person is JOE MALM, a member of Faith since 1969.
AN AIRLINE PILOT WITH THE SOUL OF AN ARTISAN/ENGINEER.
“I’m retired, not ‘a retired pilot.’” That’s how Joe frames his current identity. (More on that later….) For several decades before his retirement, Joe was a pilot for United Airlines. Working his way through several hiring/furloughing episodes over the years, though, Joe’s flying career reaches farther back, into his junior year at the University of Iowa. Following the occupational choices of his older brothers, Joe was pursuing his studies in Engineering.
At the end of that academic year—and not completely sure he wanted to be an engineer--Joe decided to take some time away from school to work. His local draft board apparently found out about this decision and sent him a letter asking him to report for a physical immediately. (For younger folks: He was going to be drafted into the Army!) Joe wryly characterizes the origin story about his becoming a pilot this way, “The federal government encouraged me!”
Researching military service options other than the Army, Joe found out about the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program, which was offered to men with two years of college. “I fit the qualifications,” Joe reports, “so I applied.” Having passed the necessary battery of exams, he began the 18-month flight training program in Pensacola, Florida. After completing primary and basic training, the aviator continued advanced instruction at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. In November of 1965, he was commissioned as an Ensign and received his wings as a Navy pilot. In 1986, Joe retired from the Naval Reserves as Commander.
Following flight school and additional specialized training in tactics, Joe served as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) fleet pilot. Operating off aircraft carriers, flying Grumman S-2 prop planes, the crew’s mission was to locate, track and—if ordered to do so—attack Soviet subs. The planes were loaded with electronic gear, but also carried anti-submarine weapons like rockets and torpedoes.
Joe’s career as a pilot extended over several more years, starting with United Airlines. When he was furloughed after only two years there, Joe re-entered military service, this time as an instructor pilot for the Navy, teaching other aviators to operate the same equipment he had flown as a fleet pilot. That stint lasted two years, and he returned to United. But in just a few months, United furloughed him again! That next, non-piloting chapter in his career would last for three years.
During that time, he was fortunate to be offered a job by his brother Dave, who was the research director for a project that surveyed the capabilities of U.S. Army munition plants across the country. While performing that work, Joe conducted on-site assessments, collected data and wrote reports. “We built a library of information for the Army to use in the event of a mobilization,” Joe recounts.
After those three years, Joe was called back to United again, where he spent the rest of his career, flying to cities across the United States, and to international destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America.
The portable baptismal font also has its roots in Joe’s inclination to make, build or repair things. That part of his identity comes from his days in Burlington, Iowa, where he was born and grew up. Joe’s father was a union pipe fitter for Murray Ironworks, where he worked on large boilers and turbines that were used by the military and the government. Some of their father’s hands-on intelligence and skill must have been picked up by his older brothers, both of whom eventually became engineers.
Joe’s interest in wood has an even longer history. When he was in seventh grade, he took woodshop and enjoyed working with wood—finding satisfaction in working with this easily altered natural material. Over the years, he accumulated woodworking tools and learned the skills necessary to operate saws, planers, joiners, lathes, drills, etc. At home, his detached garage includes a large woodworking workshop. With the addition of an engineering background, Joe became an artisan---an artist who makes useful things. And he learned to appreciate the beauty and usefulness of wood. How wood can be used to create a variety of objects that grace homes. And churches….!
At Faith, Joe’s craftsmanship can be seen in mounting frames for stained-glass panels hanging in the Gathering Area, outside the church office and above the South Entrance; shelving (with stained glass) in the Chapel and display boards in the Center Art Gallery and Children’s Art Board. He built the portable pulpit that presently holds the Visitor’s Registry outside the Gathering Area and the Unity Candle table at the back of the altar. He has shortened and repaired several of our sanctuary pews. And the most recent project, with Mark Pedersen (Faith’s Property Chair), was stabilizing the Lenten Cross to a new, well-engineered base.
AN OAK TREE IN A NAPERVILLE BACKYARD
This “where did it come from” story about the portable baptismal font has yet another genesis: An oak tree in the backyard of Joe’s Naperville home. About 15 years before he started work on the font, this tree had fallen—or been blown down in a storm. With help from his neighbor he harvested and dried the wood, and then cut it into usable lumber.
When (former Associate Pastor) Joe Yucha asked Malm if he could design and build a baptismal font, Joe knew where the stand’s materials could come from—there was enough lumber from that fallen tree! He began the process by finding just the right bowl. “I researched which materials and dimensions made a good font,” he remembers. He settled on a heavy white granite bowl just the right size for portability, for Faith’s sanctuary. The next steps: He drew up plans—fitting a sturdy stand around the bowl that he had selected—and offered several possibilities for consideration. Pastor Shelly, Joe the pastor and Joe the pilot/engineer/artisan agreed on the present option. And so Joe Malm constructed Faith’s new portable baptismal font as you see it now.
AN ORIGIN STORY SUMMARIZED
As you can see, the portable baptismal font has several originating streams. From his days as a pilot, Joe learned something beyond the special aura of flying. He exhibits “situational awareness,” assessing the full scope of circumstances before acting. He’s good at seeing what needs to be done, and then follows through.
From his days as an engineering student, Joe developed keen attention to behind-the-scenes details. Solving practical problems with imaginative and workable solutions. Envisioning the big picture, the greater good that could be accomplished. Plus, being content to take a background role.
From his continuing skills and identity as a woodworking artisan, Joe gained the ability to create something functional that could also be beautiful to behold and enjoyable to use.
EPILOGUE
This congregation prospers because of the sometimes-invisible roles of people like Joe Malm. As you might imagine—or also exemplify--Joe sees himself as just one of many in this church who, when they see something that needs to be done, gather together and get the work done. In their own ways, each of them is an entrepreneur, servant and leader-from-behind.
Now that you know how the portable baptismal font came into existence, you might start asking about the origin stories of the other remarkable features of this congregation’s facilities, programs and leadership. Stories like Joe Malm’s.
Stories like yours….?
Origin stories—where things come from—are sometimes unknown but usually interesting. At Faith, you might ask about the beginnings of FLY’s leadership philosophy, the expanded nursery, both art galleries, or the increase in new members. This story from Faith’s pews answers one of those questions:"So where did that portable baptismal font come from?” To summarize the answer: A) An airline pilot with the soul of an artisan/engineer and B) An oak tree in a Naperville backyard. Details follow….
PROLOGUE
You don’t have to look hard to spot Faith’s handcrafted, portable baptismal font. The simple design is striking, its heavy granite bowl securely held in place by an artisanal wood stand. This piece of ecclesiastical art matches much of the spirit and style of other utilitarian or worship-oriented artifacts in our congregation. As is true of much of Faith’s ambience, the font was the result of perhaps-invisible planning and handiwork by an especially skilled congregational artisan whose spirit imbues his life and work with deep wisdom and love of this church. In the case of the baptismal font, that behind-the-scenes person is JOE MALM, a member of Faith since 1969.
AN AIRLINE PILOT WITH THE SOUL OF AN ARTISAN/ENGINEER.
“I’m retired, not ‘a retired pilot.’” That’s how Joe frames his current identity. (More on that later….) For several decades before his retirement, Joe was a pilot for United Airlines. Working his way through several hiring/furloughing episodes over the years, though, Joe’s flying career reaches farther back, into his junior year at the University of Iowa. Following the occupational choices of his older brothers, Joe was pursuing his studies in Engineering.
At the end of that academic year—and not completely sure he wanted to be an engineer--Joe decided to take some time away from school to work. His local draft board apparently found out about this decision and sent him a letter asking him to report for a physical immediately. (For younger folks: He was going to be drafted into the Army!) Joe wryly characterizes the origin story about his becoming a pilot this way, “The federal government encouraged me!”
Researching military service options other than the Army, Joe found out about the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program, which was offered to men with two years of college. “I fit the qualifications,” Joe reports, “so I applied.” Having passed the necessary battery of exams, he began the 18-month flight training program in Pensacola, Florida. After completing primary and basic training, the aviator continued advanced instruction at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. In November of 1965, he was commissioned as an Ensign and received his wings as a Navy pilot. In 1986, Joe retired from the Naval Reserves as Commander.
Following flight school and additional specialized training in tactics, Joe served as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) fleet pilot. Operating off aircraft carriers, flying Grumman S-2 prop planes, the crew’s mission was to locate, track and—if ordered to do so—attack Soviet subs. The planes were loaded with electronic gear, but also carried anti-submarine weapons like rockets and torpedoes.
Joe’s career as a pilot extended over several more years, starting with United Airlines. When he was furloughed after only two years there, Joe re-entered military service, this time as an instructor pilot for the Navy, teaching other aviators to operate the same equipment he had flown as a fleet pilot. That stint lasted two years, and he returned to United. But in just a few months, United furloughed him again! That next, non-piloting chapter in his career would last for three years.
During that time, he was fortunate to be offered a job by his brother Dave, who was the research director for a project that surveyed the capabilities of U.S. Army munition plants across the country. While performing that work, Joe conducted on-site assessments, collected data and wrote reports. “We built a library of information for the Army to use in the event of a mobilization,” Joe recounts.
After those three years, Joe was called back to United again, where he spent the rest of his career, flying to cities across the United States, and to international destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America.
The portable baptismal font also has its roots in Joe’s inclination to make, build or repair things. That part of his identity comes from his days in Burlington, Iowa, where he was born and grew up. Joe’s father was a union pipe fitter for Murray Ironworks, where he worked on large boilers and turbines that were used by the military and the government. Some of their father’s hands-on intelligence and skill must have been picked up by his older brothers, both of whom eventually became engineers.
Joe’s interest in wood has an even longer history. When he was in seventh grade, he took woodshop and enjoyed working with wood—finding satisfaction in working with this easily altered natural material. Over the years, he accumulated woodworking tools and learned the skills necessary to operate saws, planers, joiners, lathes, drills, etc. At home, his detached garage includes a large woodworking workshop. With the addition of an engineering background, Joe became an artisan---an artist who makes useful things. And he learned to appreciate the beauty and usefulness of wood. How wood can be used to create a variety of objects that grace homes. And churches….!
At Faith, Joe’s craftsmanship can be seen in mounting frames for stained-glass panels hanging in the Gathering Area, outside the church office and above the South Entrance; shelving (with stained glass) in the Chapel and display boards in the Center Art Gallery and Children’s Art Board. He built the portable pulpit that presently holds the Visitor’s Registry outside the Gathering Area and the Unity Candle table at the back of the altar. He has shortened and repaired several of our sanctuary pews. And the most recent project, with Mark Pedersen (Faith’s Property Chair), was stabilizing the Lenten Cross to a new, well-engineered base.
AN OAK TREE IN A NAPERVILLE BACKYARD
This “where did it come from” story about the portable baptismal font has yet another genesis: An oak tree in the backyard of Joe’s Naperville home. About 15 years before he started work on the font, this tree had fallen—or been blown down in a storm. With help from his neighbor he harvested and dried the wood, and then cut it into usable lumber.
When (former Associate Pastor) Joe Yucha asked Malm if he could design and build a baptismal font, Joe knew where the stand’s materials could come from—there was enough lumber from that fallen tree! He began the process by finding just the right bowl. “I researched which materials and dimensions made a good font,” he remembers. He settled on a heavy white granite bowl just the right size for portability, for Faith’s sanctuary. The next steps: He drew up plans—fitting a sturdy stand around the bowl that he had selected—and offered several possibilities for consideration. Pastor Shelly, Joe the pastor and Joe the pilot/engineer/artisan agreed on the present option. And so Joe Malm constructed Faith’s new portable baptismal font as you see it now.
AN ORIGIN STORY SUMMARIZED
As you can see, the portable baptismal font has several originating streams. From his days as a pilot, Joe learned something beyond the special aura of flying. He exhibits “situational awareness,” assessing the full scope of circumstances before acting. He’s good at seeing what needs to be done, and then follows through.
From his days as an engineering student, Joe developed keen attention to behind-the-scenes details. Solving practical problems with imaginative and workable solutions. Envisioning the big picture, the greater good that could be accomplished. Plus, being content to take a background role.
From his continuing skills and identity as a woodworking artisan, Joe gained the ability to create something functional that could also be beautiful to behold and enjoyable to use.
EPILOGUE
This congregation prospers because of the sometimes-invisible roles of people like Joe Malm. As you might imagine—or also exemplify--Joe sees himself as just one of many in this church who, when they see something that needs to be done, gather together and get the work done. In their own ways, each of them is an entrepreneur, servant and leader-from-behind.
Now that you know how the portable baptismal font came into existence, you might start asking about the origin stories of the other remarkable features of this congregation’s facilities, programs and leadership. Stories like Joe Malm’s.
Stories like yours….?
Read Previous Stories:
Paula Serfling Nugent
Art Oberwetter
Beatrice Ndayisenga
Karen Finerty
Cole Swanstrom
Melanie Rohla
Kathy Dibadj
Bob and Sylvia Wulffen
Jason Loebach
Bob Hawkinson
Molly Hall Barrett
Grant and Mary Kelley
Retta Hennessy
Alan Foster
Pilvi Innola
Amy Kerman-Gutzmer and Patrick Gutzmer
Andrew Sells
Beth Nyland
Tom Wendorf
Cindy and Jeff Crosby
David Hooker
Leroy Boeckelman
Zach Pehta
Emil and Mary Petereit
Chris Bettin
Lee Boyden
Brent Ellerbee
Craig and Sue Warner
Jane Stroh
Michael Kozakis
Lois Evans
Wally Becky
Art Oberwetter
Beatrice Ndayisenga
Karen Finerty
Cole Swanstrom
Melanie Rohla
Kathy Dibadj
Bob and Sylvia Wulffen
Jason Loebach
Bob Hawkinson
Molly Hall Barrett
Grant and Mary Kelley
Retta Hennessy
Alan Foster
Pilvi Innola
Amy Kerman-Gutzmer and Patrick Gutzmer
Andrew Sells
Beth Nyland
Tom Wendorf
Cindy and Jeff Crosby
David Hooker
Leroy Boeckelman
Zach Pehta
Emil and Mary Petereit
Chris Bettin
Lee Boyden
Brent Ellerbee
Craig and Sue Warner
Jane Stroh
Michael Kozakis
Lois Evans
Wally Becky