Meet Peggy Hinrichs | Meet the Congregation

Welcome to Meet the Congregation, a new series from Cheryl’s Corner that will help us get to know the people who make First Lutheran such a special community.

I am a huge fan of the podcast “Wild Card with Rachel Martin,” so I ordered my own Wild Card deck. For each First Lutheran member interview, I will choose one question from each of its three categories to help break the ice.

Here is what Peggy Hinrichs shared with me.

Memories
What do you admire about your teenage self?

“Not a lot. I had pimples on my face, and I was called ‘Pimple Picking Peggy.’ Eventually, my complexion cleared up. I became a letter girl in high school and was the second ‘E’ in Roosevelt. We marched with the band and performed during halftime at ball games. I have a photo of myself from that time that I like. It was a fun time.”

Insights
What emotion do you understand better than all the others?

“Love, compassion and kindness. I have been sober for more than 21 years. Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps have helped me become more in tune with the person God designed me to be. I have learned to incorporate the 12 Steps into my life and accept that I am perfectly imperfect.”

Beliefs
Is there anything in your life that has felt predestined?

“When my older brother got the measles, I said to my parents, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I woke up with the measles tomorrow morning?’ The next day, I woke up in my parents’ bed with the measles.

“After having my tonsils removed, my father covered my head with a wool scarf as we left the hospital. I said, ‘Daddy, that makes me too hot. I’m going to get sick.’ He told me I had to wear it because it was cold outside. As he carried me to the car, I got sick all over him and the floor.”

Getting to Know Peggy
Peggy joined First Lutheran four years ago. She participates in the Knit & Crochet Ministry, Book Discussion Group and Dining Out with FLC. She also serves on the Count Team and has previously served on the Worship Team and sung in the Choir. She would even greet people in her choir robe before heading to the balcony to sing!

Peggy taught herself to knit and crochet when she was 15. She joined the Knit & Crochet Ministry because it gave her a purpose for knitting her first love: complicated socks. Although she creates intricate patterns, she also enjoys teaching new knitters and crocheters.

Words to Live By
“When you cry, your tears water the soil where the flowers of your recovery grow.”