Rev. Joyce K. Basler

Joyce was born in southwest Iowa and grew up on a farm at Winterset, Iowa. She experienced the normal things of an agricultural life and loved the freedom to roam the hills and timbers of that rural setting.

She became a farm wife and mother to Kari, Kevin and Kelli (those 3 are still her most cherished accomplishments.) They are now launched into the world as independent young adults, and they have given her 2 grandchildren-how fun!

Her undergraduate degree was accomplished as a nontraditional student. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, MO. with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Seminary took her to Kansas City, MO where she studied at Saint Paul School of Theology.

Growing in her faith included involvement with the Subcommittee on Hunger through the Presbytery of Des Moines. In that capacity she traveled to El Salvador in 1993 and assisted in establishing a sewing cooperative at El Tablon, a rural, mountain village where extreme poverty continues to be battled as women learn to sew and sell their products.

As a pastor Joyce served St. Johnís United Church of Christ as a student pastor for 6 years while completing her undergraduate and divinity degrees. She also served First Presbyterian Church in Creston, Iowa and First Presbyterian Church at Sidney, Iowa as interims before arriving in New Windsor as their installed pastor in 1998.

Joyce was blessed to be in New Windsor for 9 years, helping that congregation to grow and reach out into the world through mission and outreach. During that time she led the Senior High Youth Group, led multiple mission trips for youth and adults, helped to reorganize Sunday School into a Rotation model program, wrote a 6 year curriculum for Sunday School and helped to establish a committee system and Board of Deacons.

Presbytery Involvement is an important part of Joyceís faith connection. She served as moderator of Great Rivers Presbytery in 2004 and worked with various committees: Brazil task force, (traveling to NE Brazil in 2001), Evangelism Committee, Spiritual Growth and Nurture Task Force, Presbytery Council and Camping and Outdoor Ministry Committee.

Her current Presbytery involvement is as moderator of the Camping and Outdoor Ministry Committee. She also serves as consultant to a congregation that is going through a process of revitalization.

Joyce believes strongly in mission as the basis for growing faith and reaching out into the world in Godís name. She also has a commitment to helping others grow in their devotion and commitment to Christ. She feels blessed to be at Milan and looks forward to all that God has in store for our work together.