The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two new bishops to serve the Grand Island area.
Barton Pyper accepted the position as the Grand Island First Ward Bishop and Jared Noorlander accepted the position as the Grand Island Second Ward Bishop. The two wards cover Shelton to Central City and Doniphan to Albion.
A bishop's duties include seeing to the overall welfare of the congregation and
for ministering the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation. These bishops do not receive money for the position.
About Bishop Jared Noorlander:
Noorlander and his wife, Ralae, have four children; Eric, 9,
Shalee, 6, Blake, 3, and Lance, 3 months. Noorlander says the family moved to
Grand Island about four and a half years ago and they all really enjoy the
city. He currently works at St. Francis Medical Center as a CRNA (Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
Noorlander says he expects his biggest challenges as
bishop will come as he balances his duties as a bishop and those as a
husband/father.
"While there are many people in the church who need my
help, my main priority is my sweet wife and children," he said. "Sometimes it
is hard to leave for church meetings or getting a call to help someone while I
am leaving four kids who are still getting ready for baths and bed. But I have
a wonderful wife who supports me and doesn't complain."
About Bishop Barton Pyper:
Bishop Pyper was born in Murray, Utah but grew up in
Grand Island. He attended both Barr
Middle and Grand Island Senior High, where he graduated.
After graduation, Pyper dedicated two years of his life
as a missionary of Jesus Christ in Billings, Montana. He later met his first
wife, Elizabeth, in Denver.
Two weeks after the birth of their son, Duane,
Elizabeth passed away. Pyper eventually did marry again to his wife, Cindy, and
he describes their family as a "yours, mine and ours" with a total of four
adult children: Duane, Jaime, Grant and Brook.
Pyper works at Nebraska Truck Center where he sells truck
parts.
Although he is sure it will be a challenge, Pyper said
he's anxious for the opportunity to give back to the city he grew up in. "Over
the years you get to know everyone real well and you want to give back; you
jump at the opportunity to give back."
