Convention Workbook

Convention Workbook - Part I

“Imagine ... Living as God’s Loved and Compassionate Community”

101

Michigan District Convention

Concordia University Ann Arbor

June 28–30, 2015

Section 1: Organizational Matters (Green)

Section 2: District Reports (Yellow)

Section 3: Overtures (Pink)

’

April 2015

Please read through the Workbook carefully. You will need this information in

preparation for the Regional Meetings which will be held on successive Saturdays,

April 18 and 25 (see below). Bring your Workbook with you to these meetings. Your

Regional Vice President has sent you more information on your Regional Meeting.

Floor Committees will meet on Saturday, May 9 at the District Ofce. They will

be considering overtures, found in Section 3, that have been submitted to the

Convention.

Following the Regional Meetings and the Floor Committee Meetings, you will be

receiving Convention Workbook - Part II. It will contain: (1) General Convention

Information, (2) the Agenda, (3) any additional reports and updates, (4) slate of

candidates for ofces and boards as well as biographical material, and (5) the

Resolutions for the Floor Committees. If you have any questions you may contact

Julie Strobl at 734.665.3791 ext. 233.

Convention Workbook - Part II should reach you the rst full week in June.

101

Michigan District Convention Regional Meetings

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Metro West

Guardian, Dearborn ▪ 9:00 a.m.– Noon

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Metro East

Hope, Warrren ▪ 9:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.

North & East

St. John, Pinconning ▪ 12:30 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.

West

St. Matthew, Grand Rapids ▪ 9:00 a.m.– Noon

People of Hope...Vigorously Making Known the Love of Christ

Michigan District

The Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod

Table of Contents

Congregations ................................................... 1

Ministers of Religion – Ordained ..................................... 6

Ministers of Religion – Ordained Roster Changes ......................12

Ministers of Religion – Ordained Anniversaries ........................ 17

Ofcers ........................................................18

Boards and Committees ..........................................18

Staff ..........................................................20

Ministers of Religion – Commissioned ............................... 21

Ministers of Religion – Commissioned Roster Changes .................29

Ministers of Religion – Commissioned Anniversaries ...................36

Section 1 - Organizational Matters

Organizational Matters - Page 1

Congregations

North and East Region

#1 – Mackinaw Straits Circuit – Charles Burhop, Visitor

Cheboygan, St. John – Randy L. Johnson

DeTour Village, Redeemer –

Drummond Island, Drummond Island – Donald P. Nemec

Engadine, Bethlehem – Arthur J. Bode

Germfask, Grace – Arthur J. Bode

Hawks (Rogers City), Faith – Jack D. Ferguson

Kinross, St. Paul –

Moltke (Rogers City), Immanuel – Eric W. Voigt

Newberry, Trinity –

Onaway, Holy Cross – Joshua C. Ketelsen

Rogers City, Peace – J. Derek Riddle

Rogers City, St. John –

Rogers City, St. Michael – Keith A. Schneider

Sault, St. Barnabas – Charles B. Burhop

Trout Lake, Trout Lake –

**Paradise, Paradise –

#2 – Alpena-Gaylord Circuit – Jason Mandley, Visitor

Alpena, Immanuel – James D. Erickson / Joshua M. Schultz

Harrisville, Faith – Dennis J. Neigh

Hubbard Lake, St. Paul – Joseph J. Llewellyn

Hillman, St. John – Jason L. Mandley

Lewiston, Bethlehem – Steven E. Thiel

Ossineke, Good Shepherd – Dennis J. Neigh

Posen, St. Paul –

Mio, Living Water –

#3 – Timberline Circuit – Dean Muhle, Visitor

AuGres, St. John – Frederick T. Cordts

Glennie, Our Savior –

Hale, St. Paul – Dean R. Muhle

Oscoda, Trinity – Timothy P. Azzam

Prescott, Faith – Daniel L. Jansen

Tawas City, Zion – Allen R. Stoll (IIP)

Whittemore, Good News Ministries –

#4 – Gladwin Circuit – Michael Schaedig, Visitor

Clare, Prince of Peace – Paul V. Young

Gladwin, Our Savior – James M. Krach

Harrison, St. Luke – Michael W. Schaedig

Houghton Lake, St. John – William C. Winter

St. Helen, Hope – Rodney L. Morrison, Jr.

Standish, Bethlehem – Matthew T. Dent

West Branch, St. John – Howard S. Travis

#5 – Midland Circuit – Michael Buchhorn, Visitor

Alma, Peace – Thomas C. Messer

Auburn, Grace – David H. Reed

Auburn, Zion – Michael G. Buchhorn/Seth R. Hemme

Midland, Messiah – Edward F. Doerner / Kurt A. Weber /

Tige A. C. Culbertson

Midland, Our Savior –

Midland, St. John – Daniel A. Kempin/Matthew M. Makela

Mt. Pleasant, Zion – Jonathon J. Bakker

**Mt. Pleasant, CMU Chapel (Mt. Pleasant, Zion) -

Sanford, St. Paul – Samuel B. Reith

Wheeler, Immanuel – Larry A. Warsinski

Midland, Lord of New Life – Kurt W. Eichinger

Brant, St. John – Timothy J. Behnke

#6 – Bay City Circuit – William Allwardt, Visitor

Bay City, Faith – Daniel C. Meckes

Bay City, Immanuel – Kevin C. Jones

Bay City (Amelith), St. John – Stephen P. Starke

Bay City (Monitor), Trinity – David F. Sherry

Bay City, Zion – William H. Allwardt

Essexville, Pilgrim – Theodore E. Voll (IIP)

Frankenlust (Bay City), St. Paul – Paul D. Theiss

Pinconning, St. John – David A. Jung

#7 – Thumb East Circuit – Kenneth Lueke, Visitor

Bad Axe, Our Savior – Kenneth D. Lueke

Kinde, St. Peter – Larry K. Loree, Sr

Forestville (Minden City), Trinity – Richard G. Wilson

Harbor Beach, Zion – Ronald C. Schultz

Palms, St. John – Henry J. Hales

Port Hope, St. John –

Port Sanilac, St. John – Leo G. Thoms

Sandusky, Peace – Richard L. Tino / James C. Tino

Marlette, Our Savior – David J. Sutton

#8 – Thumb West Circuit – Michael Allen, Visitor

Bach (Sebewaing), St. Peter – Michael L. Teuscher

Caseville, Good Shepherd – Steven M. Stolarczyk

Cass City, Good Shepherd – G. Stevens Bagnall

Kilmanagh(Sebewaing), St. John – Michael L. Teuscher

Linkville (Pigeon), St. Paul – Lee C. Wenskay

Sebewaing, Immanuel – Michael D. Boyer

Unionville, St. Paul –

Fairgrove, Grace –

#9 – Frankenmuth Circuit – Robert Gadeken, Visitor

Caro, St. Paul – Cameron K. Steele

Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz – Mark D. Brandt / Joel C. Kaiser /

Gary L. Bender / Caleb M. Adams

Millington, St. Paul – James R. Bruner / Kirk W. Abatelli

Munger, Trinity-St. James – Michael G. Stahl

Reese, Trinity –

Richville, St. Michael – Robert G. Gadeken / Wesley S. Gillaspie /

Lang Yang

Saginaw (Frankentrost), Immanuel – Mark A. Loest

#10 – Saginaw Circuit – William Hessler, Visitor

Bridgeport, Faith – William W. Hessler

Hemlock, St. Peter – William L. Morris

Hemlock, Zion – Paul A. Hauser

Owosso, St. Philip – Brian F. Heidt

Saginaw, Bethlehem – Michael P. Korte / Charles F. Buckhahn

Saginaw, Good Shepherd – John E. Langewisch (IIP)

Saginaw (Carrollton), Messiah – Phillip M. DeVries

Saginaw, Peace – C. Wm. Weis / Paul R. Hinz

Saginaw, Holy Cross – James F. Krueger

St. Charles, Nativity – Mitchell R. Vogeli

Saginaw, St. Mark – Edward A. Meyer

*Chesaning, Chesaning – Mitchell R. Vogeli

#11 – Flint North Circuit – Erik Cloeter, Visitor

Birch Run, Christ – Richard P. Hillenbrand

Birch Run, St. Martin – James D. Chinery

Clio, Messiah – Erik K. Cloeter

Flint, Christ the King – Brant A. Engel

Flint, United In Christ –

Flint, Our Savior – Randall P. Schultz

Flint, St. Paul – Jeffrey B. Walsh

Flushing, Holy Cross – Clifford F. Bira

Organizational Matters - Page 2

Metro East Region

#12 – Flint South Circuit – Dean Dumbrille, Visitor

Flint (Burton), Pilgrim – Daniel A. Wonderly

Fenton, Trinity – Dean G. Dumbrille

Goodrich, Christ – Kelly D. Todd

Grand Blanc, Faith – Todd A. Biermann / Jonathan J. Moyer /

Thomas E. Moyer / Robert G. Scott (SMP)

Linden, Hope – James E. Rolf

Swartz Creek, NewLife Community – Bradley J. Yops /

David E. Rossow (SMP)

Flint, Lamb of God – Paul M. Boerger

#13 – Lapeer Circuit – John Kaiser, Visitor

Davison, Trinity – Todd L. Frusti

Dryden, Holy Redeemer – Steven C. Helms

Flint, Calvary –

Flint, St. Mark – Gary L. Beck

Lapeer, St. Paul – John C. Kaiser / Andrew M. Johnson

North Branch, New Life in Christ –

Otisville, St. Timothy – David E. Weiss

* Mission

** Satellite Site

#14 – Port Huron Circuit – Gerhardt Doroh, Visitor

Algonac, First – J. Robert Herrod

Armada, Our Saviour – M. Samuel Sherouse

Fair Haven, St. Peter – Steven R. Hoerr

Goodells, Hope –

Lexington, St. Matthew – Barry C. Sheldon

Port Huron, Faith – Stephen E. Schilke (IIP)

Port Huron, Trinity – Mark J. Madson

Richmond, St. Peter – Mark J. Haller

St. Clair, Immanuel – Alan J. Schwieger

Memphis, St. Andrew – Joshua T. Ball

Ray, (New Baltimore), Living Hope of Bay – Paul G. Werner

Marine City, Living Faith – Keith H. Dusheke

Marysville, Light of Christ – Paul G. Kruse

#15 – Macomb North Circuit – Edward Steeh, Visitor

Clinton Twp., St. Luke – Russell D. Johnson / Bert A. Thompson

Clinton Twp., Trinity – Kenneth M. Wise / Brian D. West /

Gary L. Richard

Macomb, Immanuel – Greg S. Grifth / Michael L. Heiden

Macomb, St. Peter – Kenneth C. Wagener / Matthew D. Baye /

Mark T. Wuggazer

Chestereld (New Baltimore), Good Shepherd – David M. Ulm

New Baltimore, Christ – Barry L. Mueller

Ray Twp (New Haven), St. John – Edward J. Steeh

#16 – Macomb Northwest Circuit – Craig Meyer, Visitor

Romeo, Grace Fellowship – Eric W. Majeski

Shelby Twp.(Utica/Disco), Peace – David R. Klemm

Sterling Heights, Redemption –

Sterling Heights, St. Paul – Walter A. Keller

Troy, Faith – Warren B. Arndt / Paul W.Arndt / Antonio C. Boos /

Joseph A. Casiglia (SMP)

Utica, Trinity – Norman A. Koy / Shawn D. Fenske / Justin A. Krupsky

Washington, Our Redeemer – Jeffrey G. Draeger

Shelby Twp, Shepherd’s Gate – Jonathan B. Trinklein / Craig M. Meyer /

Timothy R. Bollinger

Troy, All Nations – Khurram M. Khan / Amer M. Khan / Farrukh M. Khan

Imlay City, Family of Christ –

Troy, Faith Tamil – Arul J. Alexander

#17 – Oakland North Circuit – Kendall Schaeffer, Visitor

Clarkston, St. Trinity – Kendall L. Schaeffer

Lake Orion, Good Shepherd – Gary E. Koltz

Oxford, Holy Cross –

Rochester Hills, Crown of Life – Keith H. Lemley

Rochester (Brooklands), Gethsemane – Thomas F. Fischer

Rochester, Living Word – John E. Kassen

Rochester, St. John – Marc N. Schwichtenberg / Stephen D. Grafe

Waterford, St.Stephen – Chad M. Speller / Benjamin Bruns

Rochester Hills, Incarnate Word – Allen D. Lunneberg

Ortonville, Prince of Peace – James H. Van Dellen

Pontiac, St. Paul International – Dietrick A. Gladden

*Clarkston, The Gathering Place

#18 – Birmingham Circuit – Cary Richert, Visitor

Birmingham, Our Shepherd – R. William Roper (IIP) / Ray E. Scherbarth

/ Stephen W. Woodn (SMP) / Mark R. Doede (SMP) /

Michael S. Vieregge (SMP)

Birmingham, Redeemer – Randall J. Schlak / Cary M. Richert

Birmingham, Our Savior Deaf –

Bloomeld Hills, Cross of Christ – Randy J. Miller

Huntington Woods, Hunt. Wds. – Peter S. Nickel

Royal Oak, St. Paul – David P. Schmidt

Troy, St. Augustine – Paul C. Monson

Warren, Holy Cross – Alan P. Eisinger / Matthew J. Canion

#19 – Macomb South Circuit – John Merrill, Visitor

Eastpointe, St. Peter –

Eastpointe, St. Thomas – Mark W. Hetzner / Richard A. VanBriggle (SMP)

Fraser, St. John – Bradley A. Smith / Aaron M. Richert

Roseville, Bethlehem – Jeffrey D. Frechette

Warren, Hope – John M. Duerr / Daniel C. Howard (SMP)

Warren, Peace – John W. Schwartz

Warren, Trinity – Ryan D. Reese

**Harper Woods, Genesis Center

#20 – Detroit East Circuit – Steven J. Essenburg, Visitor

Detroit, Bethany – Christopher R. Bodley

Detroit, Bethlehem East – Asaph A. James

Detroit, Charity – Steven J. Essenburg

Detroit, Historic Trinity – David Eberhard

Detroit, Mt. Calvary – James M. Hill

Detroit, Peace B Robert L. Mikkelson

Detroit, Resurrection – Scott E. Benjamin

* Mission

** Satellite Site

Organizational Matters - Page 3

Metro West Region

#21 – Detroit West Circuit – Eddie Morales, Visitor

Detroit, St. Philip – Marvin A. Grifn

Detroit, Berea –

Detroit, Iglesia Luterana –

Detroit, Nazareth –

Detroit, St. John – James M. Hill

Detroit, St. Stephen – Daniel W. Ramthun (SMP)

Detroit, Evergreen – William F. Danowski

Detroit, Greeneld Peace – Kenneth M. Spence

Detroit, Outer Drive Faith – Eddie Morales

Detroit, Redford – Raymond D. Parent

Dearborn, Atonement – Gary Rohwer

*Detroit, Family of God

#23 – Down River Circuit – Erwin Hutter, Visitor

Flat Rock, Community – Erik R. Schmidt

Southgate, Christ the King – Jason D. Cashmer / Terry L. Cashmer

Taylor, Our Redeemer – Erwin M. Hutter

Taylor, St. John – Richard A. Zeile

Trenton, St. Paul – Richard Blythe

Wyandotte, Trinity – Grayson D. Grenz

Allen Park, Mt. Hope – Brant A. Engel (IIP)

Lincoln Park, Calvary – Mark W. Arendell

#24 – Monroe Circuit – Bruce Lucas, Visitor

Waltz, St. John – Kurt S. Taylor/Jeffrey E. Wade

Newport, Christ Our Shepherd –

Monroe, Grace – Mark K. Witte

Monroe, Holy Ghost – Larry K. Loree, Jr. / Todd A. Seaver

Monroe (Ida), Immanuel – Bruce K. Lucas

Monroe, Trinity – Jeffrey E. Heimsoth/Daniel A. Potts

Lambertville, Christ the King – Timothy J. Loewe

Petersburg, St. Peter – Mark S. Flory

#25 – Dearborn Circuit – Randy Duncan, Visitor

Dearborn, Emmanuel – Joel R. Baseley / Paul A. Wolff

Dearborn, Guardian – Darryl L. Andrzejewski

Dearborn, Our Redeemer – Roderick D. Schultz

Wayne, St. Michael – Andrew D. Gruenhagen

Westland, Our Saviour –

Westland, St. Matthew – Kurt E. Lambart

Plymouth, Living Word – Randall S. Duncan

*Dearborn Heights, First Arabic

#26 – Kensington Circuit – Terry Nelson, Visitor

Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes – Mark D. Milatz / Benjamin W. Vogel

Highland, Faith – Terry A. Claus

Milford, Christ – Martin B. Dressler

South Lyon, Cross of Christ – Terry A. Nelson

White Lake (Union Lake), Cedar Crest B

West Bloomeld (Union Lake), St. Mark – Aaron H. Vergin

Walled Lake, St. Matthew – Paul M.Moldenhauer / Robert J. Nelson /

John F. R. Merrill

**Wixom, St. Matthew (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) – Robert J. Nelson

Waterford (Union Lake/Pontiac), Peace – Russell S. Tkac (SMP)

#27 – Livonia Circuit – Dean Davenport, Visitor

Westland, Salem – Timothy J. Brand

Farmington Hills, St. Paul – D. Andrew Becker

Farmington Hills, Prince of Peace – John A. Straub

Northville, St. Paul – Christopher D Fairbairn

Livonia, Christ Our Savior – Dean M. Davenport / Robert F. Bayer /

Joel S. Eden

Redford, Hosanna-Tabor – Paul J. Undlin

Dearborn Heights, Immanuel –

Canton, Grace – Steven M. Newton

#28 – Milan Circuit – Jakob Heckert, Visitor

Britton, Emmanuel –

Saline, Christ Our King – Thomas L. Schroeder

Ypsilanti, Faith – James A. Waddell

Milan, St. Paul – Philip W. Penhallegon

New Boston, St. Paul – Joel M. Holls (IIP)

Ann Arbor, St. Thomas –

Belleville, Open Arms –

Canton, Tabernacle of Praise – Bertram G. Lewis, Sr.

#29 – Ann Arbor Circuit – Larry Courson, Visitor

Ann Arbor, Divine Shepherd – Rodger L. Williams

Ann Arbor, St. Luke – Justin P. Rossow / Matthew C. Hein /

Daniel J. Flynn

**Ann Arbor, University Chapel (Ann Arbor, St. Luke) –

**Whitmore Lake, Living Water (Ann Arbor, St. Luke) – Daniel J. Flynn

Ypsilanti, Cross & Resurrection – Bryan K. Schindel

Ann Arbor, Peace – Larry G. Courson

Ann Arbor, St. Paul – Donald O. Neuendorf

**Ann Arbor, St. Paul (Earhart) (Ann Arbor, St. Paul)

Chelsea, Our Savior – Dale A. Grimm

Hamburg, St. Paul – Evan P. Gaertner

Pinckney, Trinity – Merelyn R. Snider (IIP)

#30 – Jackson Circuit – Joel Sarrault, Visitor

Adrian, Hope – Paul W. Herter

Adrian, St. John – Joel H. Sarrault

Brooklyn (Irish Hills), St. Mark –

Hudson, Our Saviour – Troy R. Neujahr

Jackson, Redeemer – Michael A. Geml

Jackson, Trinity – Eric I. Ekong / Michael B. Hanson

Addison, Lutheran Church of the Lakes – Steven E. Newberg

Adrian, St. Matthew – Daryl H. Etheridge

Blisseld, Blessed Savior – Daryl H. Etheridge

*Grass Lake, Grass Lake – Michael B. Hanson

* Mission

** Satellite Site

Organizational Matters - Page 4

West Region

#31 – Petoskey Circuit – Todd Brunworth, Visitor

Bellaire, Hope – Wade M. Seaver

Boyne City, Christ – Peter W. Elliott

Charlevoix, Bethany – Daniel R. Fulmer

Gaylord, Trinity – Todd J. Brunworth

Grayling, Mt. Hope –

Kalkaska, St. Paul –

Mancelona, St. Matthew –

Petoskey, Zion – Matthew A. Peters

#32 – Traverse City Circuit – Mark Berlin, Visitor

Benzonia, Our Savior – Michael G. Belinsky

Elk Rapids, Grace – James C. Redmann

Good Harbor, St. Paul – Robert W. Wurst, Jr. / John F. Wurst

Glen Arbor, Bethlehem –

Interlochen, Redeemer – Mark E. Berlin / Jason C. Bauer, SMP

Leland, Immanuel – Lawrence K. Matro

Traverse City, St. Michael – James L. Nihiser

Traverse City, Trinity – Robert M. Zagore / Charles W. Webb

#33 – Manistee Circuit – Ainslie Wagner, Visitor

Arcadia, Trinity – Theodore W. Beiderwieden

Cadillac, Emmanuel –Joel A. Hess

Ludington, Peace – John G. Hansen (SMP)

Manistee, Trinity – Dennis D. Rahn

Mesick, Faith – M. Robert Low (IIP)

Manistee, Norwalk –

Onekama, Trinity – Ainslie B. Wagner

Scottville, Our Saviour – James E. Schroeder

Wellston, Beautiful Savior –

Ludington, St. John – Thomas V. Boehne

Pentwater, Lighthouse –

#34 – Big Rapids Circuit – John Bookshaw, Visitor

Baldwin, Grace – Daniel H. Fienen

Big Rapids, St. Peter – John Bookshaw

Fremont, Redeemer – James A. Schouweiler

Mecosta, Chapel/Lakes – Paul H. Schneider

Reed City, Trinity –

White Cloud, Christ – William J. Hooper

#35 – Capitol Circuit – Timothy Olson, Visitor

Charlotte, First – Timothy W. Olson

Holt, Messiah – Thomas W. Vanderbilt

Holt, St. Matthew – Dean R. Poellet

Howell, Heart of the Shepherd – Galen E. Grulke / John A. Hile

Lansing, Living Word –

Lansing, Our Savior – William R. Wangelin

Lansing, Trinity – G. Travis Downs

Lansing, Good Shepherd – Roger K. Straub

Leslie, Grace Fellowship – Michael R. Martin

*Holt, Rehoboth –

*Lansing, Trinity Sudanese –

#36 – St. Johns Circuit – E. Anthony Sikora, Visitor

Carson City, Calvary – Robert V. Riggs

DeWitt, Hope – E. Anthony Sikora/Lance D. Klamer

East Lansing, Ascension – David C. Winningham

Fowler, St. Paul – Paul M. Clark

Haslett, St. Luke – David A. Davis / A. Trevor Sutton

Portland, St. Andrew – Edward W. Filter

St. Johns, St. Johns – Bryan R. Salminen / Steven M. Massey

St. Johns (Riley), St. Peter – Quentin T. Nuttmann

#37 – Tri-River Circuit – Joseph Fremer, Visitor

Belding, Holy Cross – Robert V. Wagner

Greenville, Mt. Calvary – Jeffrey M. Wilhelm

Howard City, Bethel – Steven N. Frentz

Ionia, St. John –

Lowell, Good Shepherd – Joseph Fremer

Sand Lake, Resurrection – Lee H. Zabrocki (IIP)

Stanton, Hope – Steven Voelker (EN)

#38 – Muskegon Circuit – Dennis Lassanske, Visitor

Conklin, Trinity – Mark A. Oswald

Montague, St. James – John W. Brooks

Muskegon, Our Redeemer – Robert J. Conradt

Norton Shores (Muskegon), St. Mark – Mark E. Gilson

Muskegon, Trinity – Paul C. Appold

Nunica, St. Luke – Dennis L. Lassanske (IIP)

Shelby, St. Stephen – Thomas W. Bye

Whitehall, Faith – James F. Eggert (IIP)

#39 – Holland Circuit – Christopher Boehnke, Visitor

Coopersville, Grace – Joel F. Hoyer

Spring Lake, Lakeshore Fellowship – Christopher M. Boehnke

Grand Haven, St. John – Dieter E. Haupt

Holland, Christ Our Savior –

Holland, Zion – Ryan A. Winningham

Spring Lake, St. Matthew – Michael M. Goers

West Olive, United –

#40 – Grand Rapids N. Central Circuit – Mark Love, Visitor

Ada (Grand Rapids), St. Matthew – Robert B. Appold

Alpine Twp, Family of Christ – Mark A. Bowditch

Grand Rapids, Immanuel – Craig L. Bickel

Grand Rapids, Messiah – Thomas W. Bartzsch

Grand Rapids, Mt. Olive – Kenneth J. Bomberger

Grand Rapids, Our Savior – David C. Fleming / North P. Sherrill

Grand Rapids, St. James – James H. Blain

Rockford, St. Peter – Mark W. Love

#41 – Grand Rapids SW Circuit – Scott Sommerfeld, Visitor

Caledonia, St. Paul – Gary L. Siefert (IIP)

Grandville, Bethel – Robert C. Weidmayer

Hudsonville, New Hope – David J. Rufner

Jenison, Holy Cross – Scott G. Sommerfeld

Jenison (Allendale), St. John – James E. Metcalf

Kentwood, St. Mark – Michael W. Wentzel

Middleville, Good Shepherd – Terry W. Kenitz

Byron Center, Journey In Faith –

#42 – Battle Creek Circuit – David Sidwell, Visitor

Albion, St. Paul – Dennis W. Matyas

Battle Creek, St. Mark – Bradley B. Hubbard

Battle Creek, Redemption – Karl Strenge

Battle Creek, St. Paul – Larry R. Gorlitz

Kalamazoo, Immanuel – David H. Sidwell

Kalamazoo, Zion – Timothy W. Seeber

**Kalamazoo, Solid Grounds (Kalamazoo, Zion) – Mark T. Couch

Marshall, Christ – David E. Boedecker

Marshall, Zion – Anthony R. Voltattorni

Paw Paw, Trinity – Eric A. Gledhill

Portage, St. Michael – Paul R. Naumann / Jason D. Toman, SMP

Three Rivers, St. Peter – Robert O. Bartz

Organizational Matters - Page 5

#43 – St. Joseph Circuit – Michael Roth, Visitor

Berrien Springs, Trinity – Douglas M. Adams

Bridgman, Immanuel – Jon D. Bendewald

Buchanan, St. Paul – Daniel S. Barz (SMP)

Cassopolis, St. Paul – Paul M. Doellinger

Coloma, Salem – Andrew P. Menz

Glendora (Buchanan), Trinity – Jonathan Liebich

Niles, St. Paul – Carl W. Bassett / Joseph T. Liss (SMP)

St. Joseph, Trinity – Michael J. Roth / Anthony J. Gerber

Sawyer, Trinity – Randy D. Lett

Stevensville, Christ – Philip G. Quardokus / Martin P. Measel

#44 – South Central Circuit – Aaron Chittick, Visitor

Burr Oak, St. John – Kurt P. Kuhlmann

Centreville, St. Paul – David A. Grimm

Centreville (Sturgis), Salem –

Coldwater, St. Paul – Aaron B. Chittick

Colon, St. Paul – David A. Grimm

Hillsdale, St. Paul – L. Daniel Johnson / Scott E. Johnson

Quincy, Prince of Peace – Robert C. Eickmann

Sturgis, Trinity – Russell A. Peterson / Calvin J. Kolzow, Jr.

Union City, Our Savior – David A. Dodge

* Mission

** Satellite Site

Organizational Matters - Page 6

Ministers of Religion - Ordained

Sole/Senior Pastors

Adams, Douglas M. – Trinity, Berrien Springs

Allwardt, William H. – Zion, Bay City

Andrzejewski, Darryl L. – Guardian, Dearborn

Appold, Paul C. – Trinity, Muskegon

Appold, Robert B. – St. Matthew, Grand Rapids

Arendell, Mark W. – Calvary, Lincoln Park

Arndt, Warren B. – Faith, Troy

Azzam, Timothy P. – Trinity, Oscoda

Bagnall, G. Stevens – Good Shepherd, Cass City

Bakker, Jonathon J. – Zion, Mount Pleasant

Ball, Joshua T. – St. Andrew, Memphis

Bartz, Robert O. – St. Peter, Three Rivers

Bartzsch, Thomas W. – Messiah, Grand Rapids

Bassett, Carl W. – St. Paul, Niles

Beck, Gary L. – St. Mark, Flint

Becker, D. Andrew – St. Paul, Farmington Hills

Behnke, Timothy J. – St. John, Brant

Beiderwieden, Theodore W. – Trinity, Arcadia

Belinsky, Michael G. – Our Savior, Benzonia

Bendewald, Jon D. – Immanuel, Bridgman

Benjamin, Scott E. – Resurrection, Detroit

Berlin, Mark E. – Redeemer, Interlochen

Bickel, Craig L. – Immanuel, Grand Rapids

Biermann, Todd A. – Faith, Grand Blanc

Bira, Clifford F. – Holy Cross, Flushing

Blain, James H. – St. James, Grand Rapids

Blythe, Richard J. – St. Paul, Trenton

Bode, Arthur J. – Bethlehem, Engadine/Grace, Germfask

Boedecker, David E. – Christ, Marshall

Boehne, Thomas V. – St. John, Ludington

Boehnke, Christopher M. – Lakeshore, Spring Lake

Boerger, Paul M. – Lamb of God, Flint

Bomberger, Kenneth J. – Mt. Olive, Grand Rapids

Bookshaw, John A. – St. Peter, Big Rapids

Bowditch, Mark A. – Family of Christ, Comstock Park

Brand, Timothy J. – Salem National, Westland

Brandt, Mark D. – St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

Brooks, John W. – St. James, Montague

Bruner, James R. – St. Paul, Millington

Brunworth, Todd J. – Trinity, Gaylord

Buchhorn, Michael G. – Zion, Auburn

Burhop, Charles B. – St. Barnabas, Sault Ste. Marie

Bye, Thomas W. – St. Stephen’s, Shelby

Cashmer, Jason D. – Christ the King, Southgate

Chinery, James D. – St. Martin, Birch Run

Chittick, Aaron B. – St. Paul, Coldwater

Clark, Paul M. – St. Paul, Fowler

Claus, Terry A. – Faith, Highland

Cloeter, Erik K. – Messiah, Clio

Conradt, Robert J. – Our Redeemer, Muskegon

Cordts, Frederick T. – St. John, Au Gres

Courson, Larry G. – Peace, Ann Arbor

Danowski, William F. – Evergreen, Detroit

Davenport, Dean M. – Christ Our Savior, Livonia

Davis, David A. – St. Luke, Haslett

DeMeritt, Carl F. Jr. – St. Thomas, Ann Arbor

Dent, Matthew T. – Bethlehem, Standish

DeVries, Phillip M. – Messiah, Saginaw

Dodge, David A. – Our Savior, Union City

Doellinger, Paul M. – St. Paul, Cassopolis

Doerner, Edward F. – Messiah, Midland

Downs, G. Travis – Trinity, Lansing

Draeger, Jeffrey G. – Our Redeemer, Washington

Dressler, Martin B. – Christ, Milford

Duerr, John M. – Hope, Warren

Dumbrille, Dean G. – Trinity, Fenton

Duncan, Randall S. – Living Word, Plymouth

Dusheke, Keith H. – Living Faith, Marine City

Eberhard, David – Historic Trinity, Detroit

Ekong, Eric I. – Trinity, Jackson

Eichinger, Kurt W. – Lord of New Life, Midland

Eickmann, Robert E. – Prince of Peace, Quincy

Eisinger, Alan P. – Holy Cross, Warren

Elliott, Peter W. – Christ, Boyne City

Engel, Brant A. – Christ the King, Flint

Erickson, James D. – Immanuel, Alpena

Etheridge, Daryl H. – St. Matthew’s, Adrian/Blessed Savior, Blisseld

Ferguson, Jack D. – Faith, Hawks

Fienen, Daniel H. – Grace, Baldwin

Filter, Edward W. – St. Andrew, Portland

Fischer, Thomas F. – Gethsemane, Rochester Hills

Fleming, David C. – Our Savior, Grand Rapids

Flory, Mark S. – St. Peter, Petersburg

Frechette, Jeffrey D. – Bethlehem, Roseville

Frentz, Steven N. – Bethel, Howard City

Fremer, Joseph – Good Shepherd, Lowell

Frusti, Todd I. – Trinity, Davison

Fulmer, Daniel R. – Bethany, Charlevoix

Gadeken, Robert G. – St. Michael, Richville

Gaertner, Evan P. – St. Paul, Hamburg

Geml, Michael A. – Redeemer, Jackson

Gilson, Mark E. – St. Mark, Muskegon

Gladden, Dietrick A. – St. Paul, Pontiac

Gledhill, Eric A. – Trinity, Paw Paw

Goers, Michael M. – St. Matthew, Spring Lake

Gorlitz, Larry R. – St. Paul, Battle Creek

Grenz, Greyson D. – Trinity, Wyandotte

Grifn, Marvin A. – St. Philip, Detroit

Grifth, Greg S. – Immanuel, Macomb

Grimm, Dale A. – Our Savior, Chelsea

Grimm, David A. – St. Paul, Centreville/St. Paul, Colon

Gruenhagen, Andrew D. – St. Michael, Wayne

Grulke, Galen E. – Heart of the Shepherd, Howell

Hales, Henry J. – St. John, Palms

Haller, Mark J. – St. Peter’s, Richmond

Haupt, Dieter E. – St. John, Grand Haven

Hauser, Paul A. – Zion, Hemlock

Heidt, Brian F. – St. Philip, Owosso

Heimsoth, Jeffrey E. – Trinity, Monroe

Helms, Steven C. – Holy Redeemer, Dryden

Herrod, J. Robert – First, Algonac

Herter, Paul W. – Hope, Adrian

Hess, Joel A. – Emmanuel, Cadillac

Hessler, William W. – Faith, Bridgeport

Hetzner, Mark W. – St. Thomas, Eastpointe

Hill, James M. – Lutheran City Ministries/Mt. Calvary/St. John, Detroit

Hoerr, Steven R. – St. Peter, Fair Haven

Hooper, William J. – Christ, White Cloud

Hoyer, Joel F. – Grace, Coopersville

Hubbard, Bradley B. – St. Mark, Battle Creek

Hutter, Erwin M. – Our Redeemer, Taylor

James, Asaph A. – East Bethlehem, Detroit

Jansen, Daniel L. – Faith Prescott

Johnson, L. Daniel – St. Paul, Hillsdale

Johnson, Randy L. – St. John, Cheboygan

Johnson, Russell D. – St. Luke, Clinton Twp.

Jones, Kevin C. – Immanuel, Bay City

Jung, David A. – St. John, Pinconning

Kaiser, John C. – St. Paul, Lapeer

Kassen, John E. – Living Word, Rochester

Keller, Walter A. – St. Paul, Sterling Hgts.

Kempin, Daniel A. – St. John, Midland

Kenitz, Terry W. – Good Shepherd, Middleville

Ketelsen, Joshua C. – Holy Cross, Onaway

Khan, Khurram M. – All Nations, Troy

Klemm, David R. – Peace, Shelby Twp.

Organizational Matters - Page 7

Koltz, Gary E. – Good Shepherd, Lake Orion

Korte, Michael R. – Bethlehem, Saginaw

Koy, Norman A. – Trinity, Utica

Krach, James M. – Our Savior, Gladwin

Krueger, James F. – Holy Cross, Saginaw

Kruse, Paul G. – Light of Christ, Marysville

Kuhlmann, Kurt P. – St. John, Burr Oak

Lemley, Keith H. – Crown of Life, Rochester Hills

Lett, Randy D. – Trinity, Sawyer

Lewis, Bertram B. Sr. – Tabernacle of Praise, Romulus

Liebich, Jonathan A. – Trinity, Buchanan

Loest, Mark A. – Immanuel, Saginaw

Llewellyn, Joseph J. – St. Paul, Hubbard Lake

Loewe, Timothy J. – Christ the King, Lambertville

Loree, Larry K., Jr. – Holy Ghost, Monroe

Loree, Larry K., Sr. – St. Peter, Kinde

Low, M. Robert – Faith, Mesick

Lucas, Bruce K. – Immanuel, Monroe

Lueke, Kenneth D. – Our Savior, Bad Axe

Lunneberg, Allen D. – Incarnate Word, Rochester Hills

Madson, Mark J. – Trinity, Port Huron

Majeski, Eric W. – Grace Fellowship, Romeo

Mandley, Jason L. – St. John, Hillman

Martin, Michael R. – Grace, Leslie

Matyas, Dennis W. – St. Paul, Albion

Meckes, Daniel C. – Faith, Bay City

Menz, Andrew P. – Salem, Coloma

Messer, Thomas C. – Peace, Alma

Metcalf, James E. – St. John, Jenison

Meyer, Edward A. – St. Mark, Saginaw

Mikkelson, Robert L. – Peace, Detroit

Milatz, Mark D. – Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton

Miller, Randy J. – Cross of Christ, Bloomeld Hills

Moldenhauer, Paul M. – St. Matthew, Walled Lake

Monson, Paul C. – St. Augustine, Troy

Morales, Eddie – Outer Drive Faith, Detroit

Morris, William L. – St. Peter, Hemlock

Morrison, Rodney L. – Hope, St. Helen

Mueller, Barry L. – Christ, New Baltimore

Muhle, Dean R. – St. Paul, Hale

Naumann, Paul R. – St. Michael, Portage

Neigh, Dennis J. – Good Shepherd, Ossineke / Faith, Harrisville

Nelson, Terry A. – Cross Of Christ, South Lyon

Neuendorf, Donald O. – St. Paul, Ann Arbor

Neujahr, Troy R. – Our Saviour, Hudson

Newberg, Steven E. – Lutheran Church of the Lakes, Addison

Newton, Steven M. – Grace, Canton

Nickel, Peter S. – Huntington Woods, Huntington Woods

Nihiser, James L. – St. Michael’s, Traverse City

Nuttmann, Quentin T. – St. Peter, St. John’s

Olson, Timothy W. – First, Charlotte

Oswald, Mark A. – Trinity, Conklin

Parent, Raymond D. – Redford, Detroit

Penhallegon, Philip W. – St. Paul, Milan

Peters, Matthew A. – Zion, Petoskey

Peterson, Russell A. – Trinity, Sturgis

Poellet, Dean R. – St. Matthew, Holt

Quardokus, Philip G. – Christ, Stevensville

Rahn, Dennis D. – Trinity, Manistee

Redmann, James C. – Grace, Elk Rapids

Reed, David H. – Immanuel, Sebewaing

Reese, Ryan D. – Trinity, Warren

Reith, Samuel B. – St. Paul, Sanford

Riddle, J. Derek – Peace, Rogers City

Riggs, Robert V. – Calvary, Carson City

Robinson, Richard E. – Holy Cross, Detroit

Rohwer, Gary E. – Atonement, Dearborn

Rolf, James E. – Hope, Linden

Roth, Michael J. – Trinity, St. Joseph

Rufner, David J. – New Hope, Hudsonville

Salminen, Bryan R. – St. John, St. Johns

Sarrault, Joel H. – St. John, Adrian

Schaedig, Michael W. – St. Luke, Harrison

Schaeffer, Kendall L. – St. Trinity, Clarkston

Schindel, Bryan K. – Cross & Resurrection, Ypsilanti

Schlak, Randall J. – Redeemer, Birmingham

Schleicher, John C. – Christ Our Savior, Holland

Schmidt, David P. – St. Paul, Royal Oak

Schmidt, Erik R. – Community, Flat Rock

Schneider, Keith A. – St. Michael, Rogers City

Schneider, Paul H. – Chapel of the Lakes, Mecosta

Schouweiler, James A. – Redeemer, Fremont

Schroeder, James E. – Our Saviour, Scottville

Schroeder, Thomas L. – Christ Our King, Saline

Schultz, Randall P. – Our Savior, Flint

Schultz, Roderick D. – Our Redeemer, Dearborn

Schultz, Ronald C. – Zion, Harbor Beach

Schwartz, John W. – Peace, Warren

Schwichtenberg, Marc N. – St. John, Rochester

Schwieger, Alan J. – Immanuel, St. Clair

Seaver, Wade M. – Hope, Bellaire

Seeber, Timothy W. – Zion, Kalamazoo

Sheldon, Barry C. – St. Matthew, Lexington

Sherouse, M. Samuel Jr. – Our Saviour, Armada

Sherry, David F. – Trinity, Bay City

Sidwell, David H. – Immanuel, Kalamazoo

Sikora, E. Anthony – Hope, DeWitt

Smith, Bradley A. – St. John, Fraser

Snider, Merelyn R. – Trinity, Pinckney

Sommerfeld, Scott G. – Holy Cross, Jenison

Speller, Chad M. – St. Stephen, Waterford

Spence, Kenneth M. – Greeneld Peace, Detroit

Stahl, Michael G. – Trinity-St. James, Munger

Starke, Stephen P. – St. John, Bay City

Steeh, Edward J. – St. John, (New Haven) Ray Twp.

Steele, Cameron K. – St. Paul, Caro

Stolarczyk, Steven M. – St. Paul, Unionville

Straub, John A. – Prince of Peace, Farmington Hills

Straub, Roger K. – Good Shepherd, Lansing

Strenge, Karl N. – Redemption, Battle Creek

Sundaradhas, Arul J. A. – Faith Tamil, Troy

Sutton, David J. – Our Savior, Marlette

Taylor, Kurt S. – St. John, New Boston

Teuscher, Michael L. – St. John/St. Peter, Kilmanagh/Bach

Theiss, Paul D. – St. Paul, Bay City

Thiel, Steven E. – Bethlehem, Lewiston

Thoms, Leo G. – St. John, Port Sanilac

Tino, Richard L. – Peace, Sandusky

Todd, Kelly D. – Christ, Goodrich

Travis, Howard S. – St. John, West Branch

Trinklein, Jonathan B. – Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp.

Ulm, David M. – Good Shepherd, Chestereld

Undlin, Paul J. – Hosanna-Tabor, Redford

Van Dellen, James H. – Prince of Peace, Ortonville

Vanderbilt, Thomas W. – Messiah, Holt

Vergin, Aaron H. – St. Mark’s, West Bloomeld

Vogeli, Mitchell R. – Nativity, St. Charles

Voigt, Eric W. – Immanuel, (Moltke) Rogers City

Voltattorni, Anthony R. – Zion, Marshall

Waddell, James A. – Faith, Ypsilanti

Wagner, Ainslie B. – Trinity, Onekama

Wagner, Robert V. – Holy Cross, Belding

Walsh, Jeffrey B. – St. Paul, Flint

Wangelin, William R. – Our Savior, Lansing

Warsinski, Larry A. – Immanuel, Wheeler

Weidmayer, Robert C. – Bethel, Grandville

Weis, Carl Wm. – Peace, Saginaw

Weiss, David E. – St. Timothy, Otisville

Wenskay, Lee C. – St. Paul, Pigeon

Wentzel, Michael W. – St. Mark, Kentwood

Werner, Paul G. – Living Hope of the Bay, Ray

Wilhelm, Jeffrey M. – Mt. Calvary, Greenville

Organizational Matters - Page 8

Associate Pastors

Assistant Pastors

SMP Pastors

Gerber, Anthony J. – Trinity, St. Joseph

Johnson, Andrew M. – St. Paul, Lapeer

Moyer, Thomas E. – Faith, Grand Blanc

Potts, Daniel A. – Trinity, Monroe

Barz, Daniel S. – St. Paul, Buchanan

Bauer, Jason C. – Redeemer, Interlochen

Casiglia, Joseph A. – Faith, Troy

Doede, Mark R. – Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Hansen, John G. – Peace, Ludington

Howard, Daniel C. – Hope, Warren

Liss, Joseph T. – St. Paul, Niles

Ramthun, Daniel W. – St. Stephen, Detroit

Tino, James C. – Peace, Sandusky

Webb, Charles W. – Trinity, Traverse City

Wolff, Paul A. – Emmanuel, Dearborn

Wurst, John F. – St. Paul, Cedar

Eggert, James F. – Faith, Whitehall

Holls, Joel M. – St. Paul, New Boston

Langewisch, John E. – Good Shepherd, Saginaw

Lassanske, Dennis L. – St. Luke, Nunica

Roper, R. William – Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Abatelli, Kirk W. – St. Paul, Millington

Adams, Caleb M. – St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

Arndt, Paul W. – Faith, Troy

Baseley, Joel R. – Emmanuel, Dearborn

Baye, Matthew D. – St. Peter, Macomb

Bayer, Robert F. – Christ Our Savior, Livonia

Bender, Gary L. – St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

Bollinger, Timothy R. – Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp.

Boos, Antonio C. – Faith, Troy

Boyer, Michael D. – Immanuel, Sebewaing

Bruns, Benjamin R. – St. Stephen, Waterford

Buckhahn, Charles F. – Bethlehem, Saginaw

Cashmer, Terry L. – Christ the King, Southgate

Culbertson, Tige A. C. – Messiah, Midland

Eden, Joel S. – Christ Our Savior, Livonia

Fairbairn, Christopher D. – St. Paul, Northville

Fenske, Shawn D. – Trinity, Utica

Flynn, Daniel J. – St. Luke, Ann Arbor

Gillaspie, Wesley S. – St. Michael, Richville

Grafe, Stephen D. – St. John, Rochester

Hanson, Michael B. – Trinity, Jackson

Heiden, Michael L. – Immanuel, Macomb

Hein, Matthew C. – St. Luke, Ann Arbor

Hemme, Seth R. – Zion, Auburn

Hile, John A. – Heart of the Shepherd, Howell

Hinz, Paul R. – Peace, Saginaw

Iqbal, Vincent – St. Paul, Battle Creek

Johnson, Scott E. – St. Paul’s, Hillsdale

Kaiser, Joel C. – St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

Khan, Farrukh M. – All Nations, Troy

Klamer, Lance D. – Hope, DeWitt

Kolzow, Calvin J. Jr. – Trinity, Sturgis

Krupsky, Justin A. – Trinity, Utica

Lambart, Kurt E. – St. Matthew, Westland

Makela, Matthew M. – St. John, Midland

Massey, Steven M. – St. Johns, St. Johns

Measel, Martin P. – Christ, Stevensville

Mehdi-Khan, Amer – All Nations, Troy

Merrill, John F. R. – St. Matthew, Walled Lake

Meyer, Craig M. – Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp.

Moyer, Jonathan J. – Faith, Grand Blanc

Nelson, Robert J. – St. Matthew, Walled Lake

Richard, Gary L. – Trinity, Clinton Twp.

Richert, Aaron M. – St. John, Fraser

Richert, Cary M. – Redeemer, Birmingham

Rossow, Justin P. – St. Luke, Ann Arbor

Scherbarth, Ray E. – Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Schultz, Joshua M. – Immanuel, Alpena

Seaver, Todd A. – Holy Ghost, Monroe

Sherrill, North P. – Our Savior, Grand Rapids

Sutton, A. Trevor – St. Luke, Haslett

Thompson, Bert A. – St. Luke, Clinton Twp.

Vogel, Benjamin W. – Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton

Wade, Jeffrey E. – St. John, New Boston

Wagener, Kenneth C. – St. Peter, Macomb

Weber, Kurt A. – Messiah, Midland

West, Brian D. – Trinity, Clinton Twp.

Wuggazer, Mark T. – St. Peter, Macomb

Yang, Lang – St. Michael, Richville

Rossow, David E. – NewLife, Swartz Creek

Scott, Robert G. – Faith, Grand Blanc

Tkac, Russell S. – Peace, Waterford

Toman, Jason D. – St. Michael, Portage

VanBriggle, Richard A. – St. Thomas, Eastpointe

Vieregge, Michael S. – Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Woodn, Stephen W. – Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Intentional Interim Pastors

Schilke, Stephen E. – Faith, Port Huron

Siefert, Gary L. – St. Paul, Caledonia

Stoll, Allen R. – Zion, Tawas City

Voll, Theodore E. – Pilgrim, Essexville

Zabrocki, Lee H. – Resurrection, Sand Lake

Williams, Rodger L. – Divine Shepherd, Ann Arbor

Wilson, Richard G. – Trinity, Minden City

Winningham, David C. – Ascension, East Lansing

Winningham, Ryan A. – Zion, Holland

Winter, William C. – St. John, Houghton Lake

Wise, Kenneth M. – Trinity, Clinton Twp.

Witte, Mark K. – Grace, Monroe

Wonderly, Daniel A. – Pilgrim, (Burton) Flint

Wurst, Robert W. – St. Paul, Cedar

Yops, Bradley J. – New Life Community, Swartz Creek

Young, Paul V. – Prince of Peace, Clare

Zagore, Robert M. – Trinity, Traverse City

Zeile, Richard A. – St. John, Taylor

Campus Pastors

Couch, Mark T. – Zion / WMU Campus, Kalamazoo

Organizational Matters - Page 9

Candidates

Gizynski, Richard G. – Oak Park

Grannis, Michael J. – Belleville

Martin, Frank H. – Carleton

Masih, Afzal – Grand Rapids

Murray, Daniel P. – Westland

Potter, Jeffrey R. – Kalispell, MT

Roland, Ronald B. – Chestereld

Talsma, Dale – Ft. Wayne, IN

Urvan, John R. – Eastlake, OH

Washington, Oliver G. – Detroit

District Administration

Kasper, Robert E. – Congregation Ministry Facilitator

Maier, David P. E. – District President

Walther, Galan D. – Congregation Ministry Facilitator

Wolfram, Richard J. – Congregation Ministry Facilitator

Other

Bodley, Christopher R. – MAL in Detroit for A2E

Dunseth, Thomas W. – Mill Neck Deaf Ministries, Mill Neck, NY

Essenburg, Steven J. – MAL to Mission, Detroit

Heise, Matthew W. – Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb

Hillenbrand, Richard P. – Frankenmuth

Rahn, Robert L. – Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb

Rockemann, Larry W. – Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb

Ruhl, Michael R. – Center for United States Missions, Pinckney

Foreign Missionaries

Erber, David M. – Nigeria

James, Roger B. – South Asia

Mahlburg, Steven C. – Asia (to be installed in March 2015)

Matro, Lawrence K. – Oceania

Rudowske, Richard C. – Botswana

Wiesenauer, Stephen C. – Asia

Lutheran High Schools

Cullen, D. Lee, Jr.

Lange, Thomas M.

McDonald, Gilbert K.

Mueller, John F.

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Bush, John L.

Penhallegon, Philip W.

Peterson, Ryan R.

Rathje, John R.

Schulz, Charles R.

Chaplains

Cox, Ronald L. – LCMS World Missions, Armed Forces Chaplain

Mueller, Peter L. – U.S. Army

Schinkel, John A. – Monroe

Stauffer, W. Roger – Midland

Townes, Richard A. – U.S. Navy

Wollberg, Jeffrey N. – Battle Creek

Inactive Status

Non-Candidates

Heiney, Timothy M. – Big Rapids

Krause, Daniel L. – Lake Ann

Maas, Korey – Hillsdale

McVey, Daniel J. – Howell

Prout, David L. – Troy

Richter, James F. – Belleville

Rockrohr, Carl E. – Ft. Wayne, IN

Schmitt, Frederick A. – Sterling Heights

Stephan, Luke F. – Ann Arbor

Ackerman, James L. – Warren

Adams, Curtis W. – Bay City

Ahlschwede, Dale C. – Birch Run

Allan, Kenneth H. – Portage

Allen, Michael S. – Essexville

Allmann, Robert F. – Merrill

AuBuchon, Stanley R. – Monroe

Aumann, Roger F. – Canton

Avers, Harold A. – Grosse Pointe Farms

Baerwolf, Robert D. – Evart

Emeriti

Bahr, Albert W. – Unionville

Balzer, James G. – Sturgis

Barkow, Roland R. – Three Rivers

Batsky, Thomas E. – St. Joseph

Bernthal, Kenneth G. – Gaylord

Besler, William – Alpena

Betke, Norman E. – Gladwin

Beyer, Charles E. – Bay City

Bickel, Eldor F. – Germantown

Boecler, Paul A. – Grand Rapids

Organizational Matters - Page 10

Boerger, Charles F. – Rochester

Boerger, John A. – Grand Ledge

Bogda, David W. – Three Rivers

Brammeier, Arnold H. – Detroit

Brazinsky, Thomas R. – Baroda

Brelje, Larry E. – Kalamazoo

Brinley, George W. – St. Johns

Brown, Robert E. – New Era

Brueckner, Peter R. – St. Clair Shores

Buckert, Mark P. – Marietta, GA

Burgess, David F. – Sterling Heights

Burow, E. Paul – Macomb

Carey, Ralph W. – Grandville

Chadwick, Robert L. – Grand Blanc

Clemons, Daniel F. – Alto

Collin, Richard W. – Evart

Cordes, Darowin E. – Manistee

Cottam, Bertrand J. – Grand Blanc

DeMeritt, Carl F. Jr. – Ypsilanti

Doroh, Gerhardt A. – Columbus

Edeneld, Harry N. – Brownstown

Eggers, Robert M. – Saginaw

Eichberger, Timothy M. – Port Huron

Eilers, Gregory J. – Port Hope

Elowsky, Earl W. – Hillman

Evanson, E. Dale – Waterford

Filbert, Bernhard W. – Louisville, KY

Fitzgerald, Michael N. – Frankenmuth

Fleming, James E. – Rochester Hills

Fluegge, Wilton H. – Macomb

Fritz, Jeffrey M. – Roseville

Fuhlbrigge, Karl A. – Monroe

Gatz, William A. – Jackson

Gerberding, Kieth A. – Southgate

Gerke, Robert A. – Grand Rapids

Gohn, David P. – Flat Rock

Grafe, William C. – Orchard Lake

Graupner, Herbert H. – Muskegon

Graves, K. Frank – Grand Rapids

Gray, Barton C. – Alpena

Grimm, Gerald E. – Macomb Twp.

Gruetzner, James M. – West Bloomeld

Guettler, Ronald H. – Royal Oak

Haenftling, James F. – Mancelona

Hagenow, Martin J. – Hemlock

Hakes, David E. – Reese

Hamilton, George O. – Zeeland

Headapohl, Gary D. – Garden City

Heckert, Jakob K. – Ann Arbor

Heins, John L. – Saline

Henneman, Harry C. – Algonac

Hensler, David H. – Clio

Herzog, John A. – Chestereld Twp.

Hinz, Clarence R. – Clinton Twp.

Hinze, Dennis A. – Clinton Twp.

Hoese, Terry E. – Grand Rapids

Hoesman, C. William – Frankenmuth

Hoft, Thees C. – Clinton Twp.

Hollender, David E. – Caro

Hoogerhyde, Richard S. – Newaygo

Huber, David G. – Plymouth

Janetzke, Douglas K. – Midland

Jungkuntz, Theodore R. – Ann Arbor

Kaarre, David M. – Williamsburg

Kast, Edward L. – Saginaw

Keat, James D. – Leslie

Kilmer, Eric S. – Marlette

Kilponen, Roger R. – Ann Arbor

Kinne, Lawrence A. – Farmington Hills

Kirchhoff, Donald G. – Ann Arbor

Kleimola, Dale M. – Jackson

Koehler, Charles J. – Traverse City

Koeppen, Robert D. – Midland

Koessel, Eugene H. – Roseville

Koke, Louis I. – Midland

Kopper, Glenn P. – Holt

Kostizen, Erwin – Highland

Krause, Fred C. – Trufant

Kroll, Micheal D. – East Lansing

Kromer, John C. – Mullett Lake

Krueger, Dale B. – Kalamazoo

Krugler, Richard A. – Rochester Hills

Kuhl, Charles W. – Sebewaing

Kuhn, Donald A. – Dundee

Laeder, Richard P. – Lansing

Larsen, Peter E. – Ann Arbor

Lochner, Daniel E. – Canadian Lakes

Loesel, Andrew E. – Pinconning

Lubeck, Thomas M. – Livonia

Lutz, Michael J. – Shelby Twp.

Maier, Paul L. – Kalamazoo

Mann, Dennis C. – Monroe

Mann, Robert H. – Port Huron

Marshall, Robert H. – Riverview

Melinat, Theodore C. – Pinconning

Merrell, William D. – Waterford

Merrill, John E. – Roseville

Monson, John R. – Troy

Mues, Robert D. – Grand Rapids

Mundt, Richard E. – Hemlock

Nehring, Gary L. – Albion

Neisch, Waldemar O. – Flushing

Otten, William H. – Rochester Hills

Otto, Rodney D. – Grand Rapids

Pankratz, Adolph W. – Stevensville

Panning, John F. – Holland

Paulson, Warren L. – Ypsilanti

Pug, Mark R. – Greenville

Pohanka, John C. – Midland

Pollatz, Paul A. – Garden City

Pollatz, Raymond R. Jr. – Stanwood

Ramthun, Marvin W. – Lapeer

Rauh, John W. – Wentzville, MO

Reich, Arthur W. – Goodrich

Reusch, Jon W. – West Bloomeld

Roberts, Robert R. – Bay City

Rossow, Richard H. – Prudenville

Ruediger, Paul G. – Rose City

Rynearson, Rodney R. – Frankenmuth

Sattelmeier, Glenn O. – Rochester Hills

Schemm, Milton R. – Troy

Schleicher, John C. – Austin, MN

Schoof, Armond D. – Monroe

Schreiber, John R. – Coopersville

Schroeder, Kenneth O. – Frankenmuth

Schroeder, Roy P. – East Lansing

Schudlich, Gerald E. – Manistee

Schultz, Robert J. – Freeland

Schulz, Michael P. – Oxford

Seng, Dan L. – Battle Creek

Shackell, Maurice G. – Marshall

Shuta, Richard J. – Ann Arbor

Smith, Robert W. – Frankenmuth

Spaeth, David M. – Alpena

Stahlhut, Stephen C. – Linden

Staudacher, Theodore L. – Lake Leelanau

Stier, Lewis W. – St. Clair Shores

Sting, Raymond P. – Cass City

Teske, Walter W. – Ludington

Thomas, Raymond K. – Jackson

Traugott, Frederick W. – Macomb

Trosien, Carl F. – Hemlock

Turanski, Ted N. – Lake City

Turner, James W. – Farmington Hills

Organizational Matters - Page 11

Veitengruber, Donald P. – Greenville

Verity, Timothy M. – Grand Rapids

Vinecourt, Bruce E. – Lambertville

Wachholz, Dean C. – Saline

Waidelich, Carl W. – Rochester

Wargo, Paul E. – Harsens Island

Weber, James E. – Frankenmuth

Wendt, Ernest C. – Fenton

Wentzel, Wayne H. – Grand Blanc

Wernecke, John W. – Bay City

Westphal, Leroy R. – Midland

White, Harry W. – Birch Run

Witt, Lynn F. – Lexington

Witto, Lawrence E. – Fenton

Wuggazer, Duane T. – Rochester Hills

Zeile, Theodore A. – Frankenmuth

Zielke, Kenneth E. – Coldwater

Zimmerman, Mark E. – Spring Lake

Zimmerman, Russell E. – Bay City

Organizational Matters - Page 12

Adams, Caleb M. (St. Louis) to Associate Pastor, St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

Appold, Paul C. (Northern Illinois District) to Pastor, Trinity, Muskegon

Bartz, Robert O. (Northern Illinois District) as Emeritus

Barz, Daniel (Ft. Wayne) to SMP Pastor, St. Paul, Buchanan

Becker, D. Andrew (Kansas District) to Pastor, St. Paul, Farmington Hills

Behnke, Timothy J. (Ohio District) to Pastor, St. John, Brant

Blythe, Richard J. (Missouri District) to Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Trenton

Bodley, Christopher R. (Florida-Georgia District) to Missionary-at-Large in Detroit for A2E

Bruns, Benjamin (English District) to Associate Pastor, St. Stephen, Waterford

Bye, Thomas W. (South Wisconsin District) to Pastor, St. Stephen’s, Shelby

Chittick, Aaron B. (St. Louis) to Pastor, St. Paul, Coldwater

Cottam, Bertrand J. (English District) as Emeritus

Dent, Matthew T. (English District) to Pastor, Bethlehem, Standish

Doede, Mark R. (St. Louis) to SMP Pastor, Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Dressler, Martin B. (St. Louis) to Pastor, Christ, Milford

Dusheke, Keith H. (Nebraska District) to Pastor, Living Faith, Marine City

Eden, Joel S. (St. Louis) to Associate Pastor, Christ Our Savior, Livonia

Eggert, James F. (Florida-Georgia District) to Assistant Pastor, Trinity, St. Joseph

Ekong, Eric I. (St. Louis) to Senior Pastor, Trinity, Jackson

Fienen, Daniel H. (Central Illinois District) to Pastor, Grace, Baldwin

Fulmer, Daniel R. (Florida-Georgia District) to Pastor, Bethany, Charlevoix

Gerber, Anthony J. (St. Louis) to Assistant Pastor, Trinity, St. Joseph

Gizynski, Richard G. (Northern Illinois District) as Candidate

Gladden, Dietrick A. (St. Louis) to Sole Pastor, St. Paul, Pontiac

Gledhill, Eric A. (Missouri District) to Senior Pastor, Trinity, Paw Paw

Grannis, Michael J. (Minnesota South District) as Candidate

Grifn, Marvin A. (Atlantic District) to Sole Pastor, St. Philip, Detroit

Heiden, Michael L. (St. Louis) to Associate Pastor, Immanuel, Macomb

Hein, Matthew C. (North Wisconsin District) to Associate Pastor, St. Luke, Ann Arbor

Heiney, Timothy M. (Kansas District) to Missionary in Guinea, West Africa

Holls, Joel M. (English District) to IIP, St. Paul, New Boston

Hooper, William J. (St. Louis) to Sole Pastor, Christ, White Cloud

Howard, Daniel C. (St. Louis) to SMP Pastor, Hope, Warren

Hubbard, Bradley B. (North Wisconsin District) to Senior Pastor, St. Mark, Battle Creek

Johnson, Andrew M. (St. Louis) to Assistant Pastor, St. Paul, Lapeer

Johnson, Russell D. (Southern Illinois District) to Senior Pastor, St. Luke, Clinton Twp.

Johnson, Scott E. (Ft. Wayne) to Associate Pastor, St. Paul’s, Hillsdale

Kenitz, Terry W. (Nebraska District) as Emeritus

Klamer, Lance D. (Ft. Wayne) to Associate Pastor, Hope, DeWitt

Koltz, Gary E. (St. Louis) to Pastor, Good Shepherd, Lake Orion

Krach, James M. (Southeastern District) to Pastor, Our Savior, Gladwin

LeClair, Edward P. (St. Louis) to Pastor, St. Peter’s, Three Rivers

Liebich, Jonathan (New England District) to Pastor, Trinity, Buchanan

Liss, Joseph T. (Ft. Wayne) to SMP Pastor, St. Paul, Niles

Llewellyn, Joseph J. (St. Louis) to Pastor, St. Paul, Hubbard Lake

Maas, Korey (Pacic Southwest District) as Candidate

Mackowiak, John E. (Florida-Georgia District) to IIP, St. Paul, New Boston

Madson, Mark J. (St. Louis) to Pastor, Trinity, Port Huron

Mann, Dennis C. (Ohio District) as Emeritus

Massey, Steven M. (Pacic Southwest District) to Associate Pastor, St. Johns, St. Johns

Matyas, Dennis W. (St. Louis) to Pastor, St. Paul, Albion

Meyer, Jonathan D. (Indiana District) as Candidate

Miller, Randy J. (Mid-South District) to Pastor, Cross of Christ, Bloomeld Hills

Moyer, Thomas E. (Southern Illinois District) to Assistant Pastor, Faith, Grand Blanc

Murray, Daniel P. (Ohio District) as Candidate

Nemec, Donald (Wyoming District) to Drummond Island, Drummond Island

Nuttmann, Quentin T. (Kansas District) to Pastor, St. Peter, St. John’s

Peters, Matthew A. (Ohio District) to Pastor, Zion, Petoskey

Peterson, Russell A. (English District) to Senior Pastor, Trinity, Sturgis

Peterson, Ryan R. (Missouri District) to Campus Pastor at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Potts, Daniel A. (St. Louis) to Assistant Pastor, Trinity, Monroe

Rathje, John R. (Missouri District) to Dean of Students at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Richard, Gary L. (Ohio District) to Associate Pastor, Trinity, Clinton Twp.

Riddle, J. Derek (Central Illinois District) to Pastor, Peace, Rogers City

Riggs, Robert V. (Ohio District) to Pastor, Calvary, Carson City

Rockemann, Larry W. (Northern Illinois District) to Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb

Ministers of Religion - Ordained Roster Changes

Pastors Who Entered the District

March 2012 - March 2015

Organizational Matters - Page 13

Changes Within the District

Rolf, James E. (Ft. Wayne) to Pastor, Hope, Linden

Rossow, David E. (Ft. Wayne) to SMP Pastor, NewLife, Swartz Creek

Rossow, Justin P. (Texas District) to Associate Pastor, St. Luke, Ann Arbor

Schultz, Joshua M. (Ft. Wayne) to Associate Pastor, Immanuel, Alpena

Schultz, Robert J. (IIP, Nativity, St. Charles) to IIP, Emmanuel, Britton

Schwichtenberg, Marc N. (Northern Illinois District) to Senior Pastor, St. John, Rochester

Scott, Robert G. (Ft. Wayne) to SMP Pastor, Faith, Grand Blanc

Seaver, Todd A. (English District) to Associate Pastor, Holy Ghost, Monroe

Stier, Lewis W. (Indiana District) as Candidate

Sutton, A. Trevor (St. Louis) to Assistant Pastor, St. Luke, Haslett

Sutton, David J. (Ft. Wayne) to Pastor, Our Savior, Marlette

Tino, James C. (Florida/Georgia District) to Assistant Pastor, Peace, Sandusky

Tkac, Russell S. (Ft. Wayne) to SMP Pastor, Peace, Waterford

Toman, Jason D. (St. Louis) to SMP Pastor, St. Michael, Portage

Townes, Richard A. (South Dakota District) to U.S. Navy Chaplain

VanBriggle, Richard A. (St. Louis) to SMP Pastor, St. Thomas, Eastpointe

Vanderbilt, Thomas W. (Mid-South District) to Pastor, Messiah, Holt

Vergin, Aaron H. (Ft. Wayne) to St. Mark’s, West Bloomeld

Vieregge, Michael S. (St. Louis) to SMP Pastor, Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Vogeli, Mitchell R. (St. Louis) to Pastor, Nativity, St. Charles

Wade, Jeffrey E. (St. Louis) to Associate Pastor, St. John, New Boston

West, Brian D. (Texas District) to Associate Pastor, Trinity, Clinton Twp.

Wurst, John F. (Minnesota North District) as Candidate

Adams, Douglas M. (Pastor, Emmanuel, Britton) to Pastor, Trinity, Berrien Springs

Bagnall, G. Stevens (Senior Pastor, St. Luke, Clinton Twp.) to Pastor, Good Shepherd, Cass City

Bakker, Jonathon J. (Associate Pastor, Zion, Mt. Pleasant) to Senior Pastor, Zion, Mt. Pleasant

Bartz, Robert O. (Emeritus) to Pastor, St. Peter, Three Rivers

Blythe, Richard J. (Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Trenton) to Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Trenton

Boerger, Paul M. (IIP, Lamb of God, Flint) to Pastor, Lamb of God, Flint

Bush, John L. (Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Trenton) to Director of Donor Relations, Concordia University Ann Arbor

Carrier, John S. (Pastor, Trinity, Port Huron) to IIP, Family of Christ, Imlay City

Collin, Richard W. (Emeritus) to IIP, Christ, White Cloud

Cox, Ronald L. (Pastor, Lighthouse, Pentwater) to Chaplain, LCMS World Missions to the Armed Forces

Cullen, D. Lee (Pastor, St. Paul’s, New Boston) to Principal/Teacher, Lutheran High School South, Newport

DeMeritt, Carl F. (IIP, Trinity, Monroe) to IIP, St. Mark, Brooklyn

Doroh, Gerhardt A. (Emeritus) to Vacancy Pastor, Living Faith, Marine City

Dunseth, Thomas W. (MAL – Deaf Ministry) to Mill Neck Deaf Ministries, Mill Neck, NY

Eggert, James F. (Assistant Pastor, Trinity, St. Joseph) to IIP, Faith, Whitehall

Eickmann, Robert E. (Candidate) to Pastor, Prince of Peace, Quincy

Erickson, James D. (Associate Pastor, Immanuel, Alpena) to Senior Pastor, Immanuel, Alpena

Grafe, Stephen D. (Pastor, Messiah, Holt) to Associate Pastor, St. John, Rochester

Grannis, Michael J. (Candidate) to Pastor, Berea, Detroit

Grifth, Greg S. (Associate Pastor, Immanuel, Macomb) to Senior Pastor, Immanuel, Macomb

Haller, Mark J. (Senior Pastor, St. Peter’s, Eastpointe) to Pastor, St. Peter’s, Richmond

Heimsoth, Jeffrey E. (Pastor, St. Peter, St. Johns) to Administrative Pastor, Trinity, Monroe

Heise, Matthew W. (Missionary to Russia) to Executive Director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb

James, Roger B. (Pastor, Zion, Marshall) to Missionary, South Asia, LCMS World Missions

Johnson, Randy L. (MAL, New Buffalo Mission) to Pastor, St. John, Cheboygan

Kenitz, Terry W. (Emeritus) to Pastor, Good Shepherd, Middleville

Khan, Amer M. (Administrative Pastor, All Nations, Troy) to Associate Pastor, All Nations, Troy

Khan, Khurram M. (Associate Pastor, All Nations, Troy) to Administrative Pastor, All Nations, Troy

Laeder, Richard P. (Emeritus) to IIP, St. John, Ionia

Lambart, Kurt E. (Senior Pastor, St. Matthew, Westland) to Associate Pastor, St. Matthew, Westland

Lange, Thomas M. (Candidate) to Lutheran High School Westland, Westland

Langewisch, John E. (Associate Pastor, Messiah, Midland) to IIP, St. Peter, Richmond

Langewisch, John E. (IIP, St. Peter, Richmond) to IIP, Good Shepherd, Saginaw

Lassanske, Dennis L. (Emeritus) to IIP, St. Luke, Nunica

Lett, Randy D. (Associate Pastor, St. Peter, Richmond) to Pastor, Trinity, Sawyer

Loesel, Andrew E. (Emeritus) to IIP, St. Paul, Hubbard Lake

Loree, Jr., Larry K. (Pastor, Holy Ghost, Monroe) to Administrative Pastor, Holy Ghost, Monroe

Loree, Sr., Larry K. (Pastor, St. Stephen, Shelby) to Pastor, St. Peter, Kinde

Mackowiak, John E. (Non-Candidate) to IIP, Our Savior, Lansing

Makela, Matthew M. (Assistant Pastor, St. John, Midland) to Associate Pastor, St. John, Midland

Mikkelson, Robert L. (Emeritus) to Pastor, Peace, Detroit

Moritz, Ronald C. (IIP, Trinity, Paw Paw) to IIP, Zion, Petoskey

Morris, William L. (Administrative Pastor, Immanuel, Alpena) to Senior Pastor, St. Peter, Hemlock

Martin, Michael R. (Chaplain, Lansing) to Pastor, Grace, Leslie

Penhallegon, Philip W. (Concordia University Ann Arbor) to Pastor, St. Paul, Milan

Reith, Samuel B. (Senior Pastor, Zion, Mt. Pleasant) to Pastor, St. Paul, Sanford

Organizational Matters - Page 14

Richert, Aaron M. (Lutheran High School Northwest) to Associate Pastor, St. John, Fraser

Robinson, Richard E. (Candidate) to Pastor, Holy Cross, Detroit

Roper, R. William (IIP, Trinity, Monroe) to IIP, St. Peter, St. Johns

Roper, R. William (Emeritus) to IIP, Our Shepherd, Birmingham

Schilke, Stephen E. (Emeritus) to IIP, Trinity, Port Huron

Schilke, Stephen E. (Emeritus) to IIP, Faith, Port Huron

Schmidt, David P. (Associate Pastor, St. John’s, New Boston) to Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Royal Oak

Schmidt, Erik R. (Associate Pastor, Community, Flat Rock) to Administrative Pastor, Community, Flat Rock

Schneider, Keith A. (Emeritus) to Pastor, St. Michael, Rogers City

Schroeder, Martin L. (IIP, St. Mark, Battle Creek) to IIP, St. Mark, Kentwood

Schultz, Ronald C. (Senior Pastor, Grace, Monroe) to Pastor, Zion, Harbor Beach

Siefert, Gary L. (Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Battle Creek) to IIP, St. Paul, Caledonia

Sikora, E. Anthony (Sole Pastor, Hope, DeWitt) to Senior Pastor, Hope, DeWitt

Smith, Bradley A. (Associate Pastor, St. John, Fraser) to Senior Pastor, St. John, Fraser

Solum, David R. (Assistant Pastor, Chapel of the Lakes, Mecosta) to Associate Pastor, Chapel of the Lakes, Mecosta

Speller, Chad M. (Project Compassion) to Pastor, St. Stephen, Waterford

Spence, Kenneth M. (Candidate) to Pastor, Greeneld Peace, Detroit

Stoll, Allen R. (Emeritus) to IIP, Zion, Tawas City

Sutton, A. Trevor (Assistant Pastor, St. Luke, Haslett) to Associate Pastor, St. Luke, Haslett

Van Dellen, James H. (Emeritus) to Pastor, Prince of Peace, Ortonville

Verity, Timothy M. (Grand Rapids) to IIP, Trinity, Reed City

Voll, Theodore E. (Emeritus) to IIP, Pilgrim, Essexville

Voltattorni, Anthony R. (Pastor, Bethlehem, Standish) to Pastor, Zion, Marshall

Waddell, James A. (Non-Candidate) to Pastor, Faith, Ypsilanti

Wagener, Kenneth C. (Associate Pastor, St. Peter, Macomb) to Senior Pastor, St. Peter, Macomb

Walsh, Jeffrey B. (Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Flint) to Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Flint

Wangelin, William R. (Associate Pastor, Holy Cross, Jenison) to Senior Pastor, Our Savior, Lansing

Weidmayer, Robert C. (Assistant Pastor, Bethel, Grandville) to Sole Pastor, Bethel Grandville

Wentzel, Michael W. (Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Ann Arbor) to Senior Pastor, St. Mark, Kentwood

Winningham, Ryan A. (Associate Pastor, Zion, Holland) to Senior Pastor, Zion, Holland

Witte, Mark K. (Associate Pastor, Grace, Monroe) to Senior Pastor, Grace, Monroe

Wolff, Paul A. (Non-Candidate) to Assistant Pastor, Emmanuel, Dearborn

Wuggazer, Mark T. (Assistant Pastor, Redeemer, Birmingham) to Associate Pastor, St. Peter, Macomb

Wurst, John F. (Candidate) to Assistant Pastor, St. Paul, Cedar

Wurst, Robert W. (Sole Pastor, St. Paul, Cedar) to Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Cedar

Yops, Bradley J. (Sole Pastor, NewLife Community, Swartz Creek) to Senior Pastor, NewLife Community, Swartz Creek

Young, Paul V. (Emeritus) to Pastor, Prince of Peace, Clare

Transferred to Other Districts

Adler, David L. (Candidate) to Texas District

Astrowski, Leonard A. (Pastor, Grace, Fairgrove) to Central Illinois District

Athey, James B. (Candidate) to North Wisconsin District

Barber, Robert G. (Candidate) to Northwest District

Bennett, Robert H. (Administrative Pastor, Trinity, Reese) to Indiana District

Carrier, John S. (IIP, Family of Christ, Imlay City) to Nebraska District

Creeden, Anthony M. (Associate Pastor, Christ Our Savior, Livonia) to Rocky Mountain District

Daniel, David E. (Pastor, United in Christ, Flint) to Northern Illinois District

Fandrey, James E. (Executive Director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb) to Nebraska District

Ferry, Charles D. (Pastor, St. Mark, West Bloomeld to English District

Giger, Scott W. (Associate Pastor, St. Luke, Ann Arbor) to Indiana District

Gnewuch, Carl M. (Senior Pastor, Our Shepherd, Birmingham) to Southeastern District

Gray, Roosevelt (Mission Director, Michigan District, Ann Arbor) to Missouri District

Hahn, Daniel A. (Senior Pastor, Immanuel, Sebewaing) to Eastern District

Hoover, Chad E. (Pastor, St. Paul, Kalkaska) to Indiana District

Hopkins, Paul G. (Pastor, St. Michael, Rogers City) to Central Illinois District

Jorg, R. Blaine (SMP Pastor, Faith, Whitehall) to Eastern District

Kaufmann, Reinald W. (SMP Pastor, Living Word, Plymouth) to English District

Koschmann, Nicholas W. (Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Trenton) to Northwest District

Lahrman, William C. (Pastor, St. Luke, Nunica) to Indiana District

LeClair, Edward P. (Pastor, St. Peter, Three Rivers) to Missouri District

Lorenz, Gregory M. (Associate Pastor, St. Peter, Macomb) to Texas District

Love, Mark W. (Pastor, St. Peter, Rockford) to Ohio District

Mackowiak, John E. (IIP, Our Savior, Lansing) to Florida-Georgia District

Mackowiak, John E. (IIP, St. Paul, New Boston) to Indiana District

Maske, Steven R. (Senior Pastor, St. Paul, Flint) to Northern Illinois District

McCloskey, David A. (Non-Candidate) to SELC District

Meyer, John W. (Emeritus) to Nebraska District

Meyer, Jonathan D. (Candidate) to Texas District

Meyer, Mel M. (IIP, Trinity, Berrien Springs) to Indiana District

Moritz, Ronald C. (IIP, Zion, Petoskey) to Minnesota South District

Morris, George W. (Associate Pastor, Faith, Bay City) to Minnesota North District

Organizational Matters - Page 15

Inactive

Inactive – Candidate Status

Athey, James B. (Charlevoix) 9/30/2012

Barber, Robert G. (Byron Center) 6/30/2012

Gorlitz, Larry R. (St. Cloud, MN) 4/28/2013

Grannis, Michael J. (Belleville) 1/9/2015

Martin, Frank H. (Carleton) 11/25/2012

Masih, Afzal (Grand Rapids) 3/31/2012

Potter, Jeffrey R. (Reed City) 2/9/2013

Washington, Oliver G. (Detroit) 3/26/2012

Mullen, Nicholas A. (Associate Pastor, St. Matthew, Grand Rapids) to Northern Illinois District

Northend, William A. (Associate Pastor, Faith, Grand Blanc) to California/Nevada/Hawaii District

Olsen, Roy C. (Associate Pastor, Our Savior, Lansing) to Indiana District

Pape, Richard E. (Emeritus) to Eastern District

Putz, David L. (Pastor, St. Peter, Kinde) to Indiana District

Ransdell, Charles E. (Pastor, Faith, Port Huron) to Southeastern District

Rippy, Sean L. (Candidate) to Northwest District

Roemke, James A. (Pastor, Good Shepherd, Middleville) to South Wisconsin District

Ross, Daniel C. (Associate Pastor, Good Shepherd, Saginaw) to Kansas District

Schroeder, Martin L. (IIP, St. Mark, Kentwood) to Southeastern District

Schultz, Jeremy J. A. (Pastor, St. Paul, Royal Oak ) to Missouri District

Smith, Kelly D. (Pastor, St. Mark, Brooklyn) to California/Nevada/Hawaii District

Solum, David R. (Associate Pastor, Chapel of the Lakes, Mecosta) to Indiana District

Werth, Luther A. (Emeritus) to California/Nevada/Hawaii District

Westra, John (Emeritus) to Northern Illinois District

Williamson, Kenneth L. (Pastor, Calvary, Carson City) to Northwest District

Wright, Larry D. (Pastor, Our Savior, Midland) to Indiana District

Yakimow, Scott E. (Candidate) to Northwest District

Zwonitzer, Rodney E. (Senior Pastor, Emmanuel, Dearborn) to Missouri District

Inactive – Non-Candidate Status

Doenges, Joseph C. (St. Clair) 2/10/2013

Heiney, Timothy M. (Big Rapids) 1/6/2015

Krause, Daniel L. (Lake Ann) 8/13/2013

Maas, Korey D. (Hillsdale) 4/9/2014

McCloskey, David A. (Harbor Beach) 9/30/2012

Prout, David L. (Troy) 7/31/2013

Richter, James F. (Belleville) 12/31/2014

Rockrohr, Carl E. (Ft. Wayne, IN) 1/5/2015

Inactive – Emeritus

Adams, Curtis W. (Coldwater) 11/30/2012

Allen, Michael S. (Essexville) 7/26/2013

Baerwolf, Robert D. (Evart) 8/30/2013

Batsky, Thomas E. (St. Joseph) 10/8/2013

Bogda, David W. (Three Rivers) 8/15/2012

Brazinsky, Thomas R. (Baroda) 9/30/2012

Buckert, Mark P. (Saginaw) 12/31/2014

Burgess, David F. (Sterling Heights) 4/30/2014

Clemons, Daniel F. (Alto) 6/30/2014

Collin, Richard W. (Manton) 4/27/2014

DeMeritt, Carl F. (Ypsilanti) 8/31/2014

Doroh, Garhardt A. (Columbus) 12/8/2013

Eilers, Gregory J. (Port Hope) 6/30/2014

Fitzgerald, Michael N. (Frankenmuth) 5/6/2012

Gatz, William A. (Jackson) 7/29/12

Gerke, Robert A. (Grand Rapids) 5/31/2013

Gohn, David P. (Flat Rock) 8/1/2012

Hoft, Thees C. (Clinton Twp.) 10/15/13

Hoogerhyde, Richard S. (Newaygo) 7/31/2012

Kilmer, Eric S. (Marlette) 7/29/2012

Kilponen, Roger R. (Ann Arbor) 10/31/2014

Koehler, Charles J. (Traverse City) 9/3/2014

Kopper, Glenn P. (Hudsonville) 2/28/2013

Kroll, Michael D. (East Lansing) 12/31/2012

Laeder, Richard P. (Lansing) 12/11/2013

Lassanske, Dennis L. (Muskegon) 6/30/2012

Loesel, Andrew E. (Pinconning) 9/2/2014

Lubeck, Thomas M. (Livonia) 6/30/2014

Lutz, Michael J. (Shelby Twp) 7/29/2013

Marshall, Robert H. (Riverview) 1/26/2015

Merrell, William D. (Waterford) 1/6/2013

Mikkelson, Robert L. (Herron) 12/31/2012

Mundt, Richard E. (Hemlock) 8/31/2014

Pape, Richard E. (Milford) 8/31/2012

Pug, Mark R. (Greenville) 1/12/2013

Pollatz, Paul A. (Garden City) 5/1/2013

Reusch, Jon W. (West Bloomeld) 5/6/2013

Roper, R. William (Jackson) 2/23/2014

Schilke, Stephen E. (Bay City) to Emeritus 7/28/2013

Schleicher, John C. (Austin, MN) 3/31/2015

Organizational Matters - Page 16

Schreiber, John R. (Coopersville) 6/8/2014

Schultz, Robert J. (Freeland) 5/31/2014

Schulz, Michael P. (Oxford) 7/31/2014

Shuta, Richard J. (Ann Arbor) 6/30/2012

Stahlhut, Stephen C. (Linden) 5/23/2013

Stier, Lewis W. (St. Clair Shores) 2/17/2015

Sting, Raymond P. (Cass City) 11/7/2013

Trosien, Carl F. (Hemlock) 6/29/2014

Verity, Timothy M. (Grand Rapids) 12/8/2014

Voll, Theodore E. (West Branch) 1/5/2014

Wernecke, John W. (Bay City) 3/26/2014

Westra, John (Holland) 8/31/2012

Young, Paul V. (Beaverton) 7/31/2013

Resigned From Roster

Becerra, Roberto A. (Sawyer) 5/6/2013

Doenges, Joseph C. (St. Clair) 1/28/2014

Fanning, Corliss A. (Bloomeld Hills) 7/24/2014

Golec, James E. (Sterling Heights) 1/28/2014

Kenny, Douglas G. (Petoskey) 11/5/2012

Knoerr, Rodney H. (Marshall) 3/27/2014

Sgambelluri, Carlo A. (West Branch) 6/26/2013

Reinstated To Roster

Rippy, Sean L. (Boise, ID) 9/18/2012

Removed From Roster

Ajak, Simon A. (Lansing) 3/25/2014

Stadelman, Alan R. (Lansing) 7/12/2012

Called To Glory

Dostert, William A. (Mears) 1/2/2015

Etzel, Lenhart E. (Flint) 5/29/2012

Goltz, Gordon K. (Grand Rapids) 7/6/2013

Grifn, Mark A. (Detroit) 4/18/13

Grother, Louis W. (Kalamazoo) 7/12/2014

Harms, Gerald E. (Grand Blanc) 11/22/2014

Long, Stephen F. (Milford) 12/3/2013

Mabry, Gilbert R. (Daly City, CA) 2/15/2014

Molzan, Harold G. (Rogers City) 12/7/2013

Narr, Edwin J. (Macomb) 12/13/13

Neff, Karl M. (West Branch) 1/12/2013

Pohl, Wayne A. (Green Valley, AZ) 10/21/2014

Pool, Charles H. (Cedar) 4/23/2014

Prouty, Albert I. (Taylor) 11/7/2012

Richert, Paul O. (Ann Arbor) 10/8/2013

Ritter, Donald A. (Mancelona) 3/16/2013

Rossow, Herman E. (Prudenville) 12/9/2014

Rudow, Eugene C. (Shelby Twp.) 4/30/2013

Ruhl, Lorne C. (Troy) 6/3/2013

Schutt, Charles K. (Clinton Twp.) 5/21/2014

Speckman, Timothy R. (Flint) 2/1/2013

Stier, Lewis W. (St. Clair Shores) 2/17/2015

Tyvela, Leslie D. (Bay City) 2/2/2015

Unger, Ralph E. (Warren) 6/13/14

Voorhees, David L. (Lansing) 5/20/2013

Winkler, Wilbert D. (Chestereld) 3/13/2014

Zehnder, Ronald R. (Ypsilanti) 1/27/2014

Zimmerman, Paul A. (Traverse City) 1/28/14

Congregations Added

Blisseld, Blessed Savior (5/19/2013)

Brant, St. John (8/4/2013)

Pontiac, St. Paul (5/19/2013)

Congregations Disbanded

Canton, Christ the Good Shepherd (8/29/2012)

Detroit, Redemption (9/15/2013)

Flat Rock, New Hope (11/25/2012)

Grand Rapids, Redeemer (12/30/12)

Hazel Park, New Life (1/30/2015)

Paradise, Paradise (2/28/2011)

Congregations Merged

Peace, Flint and Redeemer, Flint to become Lamb of God, Flint (9/30/2012)

Redeemer, Saginaw and Messiah, Saginaw to become Messiah, Saginaw (11/5/2013)

Satellites Added

Paradise, Paradise, Satellite of Trinity, Newberry (2/28/2011)

Organizational Matters - Page 17

Ministers of Religion - Ordained Anniversaries

In 2013

75 Years

Louis W. Grother

Theodore A. Zeile

60 Years

William C. Grafe

John F. Panning

Ronald R. Zehnder

50 Years

Charles E. Beyer

David E. Hakes

Jakob K. Heckert

Theodore R. Jungkuntz

Theodore C. Melinat

Lawrence E. Witto

40 Years

William H. Allwardt

George W. Brinley

Gilbert K. McDonald

Richard E. Mundt

Robert R. Roberts

Keith A. Schneider

Michael P. Schulz

William C. Winter

25 Years

Robert G. Barber

Arthur J. Bode

Paul M. Clark

Ronald L. Cox

Jeffrey G. Draeger

Roosevelt Gray, Jr.

Richard S. Hoogerhyde

Kevin C. Jones

Barry L. Mueller

Joel H. Sarrault

Bradley A. Smith

Kenneth M. Wise

Paul V. Young

In 2014

60 Years

Adolph W. Pankratz

50 Years

James F. Haenftling

John W. Rauh

Glenn O. Sattelmeier

Richard J. Shuta

Donald P. Veitengruber

40 Years

Thees C. Hoft

Douglas K. Janetzke

Glenn P. Kopper

John E. Langewisch

R. William Roper

Stephen C. Stahlhut

25 Years

Joel R. Baseley

Scott E. Benjamin

Thomas V. Boehne

Michael G. Buchhorn

Edward W. Filter

Eric S. Kilmer

Mark A. Loest

Frank H. Martin

Daniel C. Meckes

Kendall L. Schaeffer

Jeffrey N. Wollberg

In 2015

60 Years

Roy P. Schroeder

Maurice G. Shackell

50 Years

Robert D. Baerwolf

Arnold H. Brammeier

Erwin Kostizen

Charles W. Kuhl

Peter E. Larsen

William H. Otten

40 Years

Dieter E. Haupt

Daniel E. Lochner

James C. Redmann

John C. Schleicher

Theodore E. Voll

25 Years

Todd A. Biermann

Mark A. Bowditch

Daniel F. Clemons

James D. Keat

Terry W. Kenitz

Micheal D. Kroll

Larry K. Loree, Sr.

Carl E. Rockrohr

Richard H. Rossow

Randall J. Schlak

Richard C. Wilson

Organizational Matters - Page 18

Ofcers

Boards and Committees

1. Charles B. Burhop

2. Jason L. Mandley

3. Dean R. Muhle

4. Michael W. Schaedig

5. Michael G. Buchhorn

6. William H. Allwardt

7. Kenneth D. Lueke

8. Michael S. Allen

9. Robert G. Gadeken

10. William W. Hessler

11. Erik K. Cloeter

12. Dean G. Dumbrille

13. John C. Kaiser

14. Gerhardt A. Doroh

15. Edward J. Steeh

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President (2016)

1st Vice-President: Rev. Herbert C. Mueller, Jr. (2016)

2nd Vice-President: Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe, Jr. (2016)

3rd Vice-President: Rev. Daniel Preus (2016)

4th Vice-President: Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray (2016)

5th Vice-President: Rev. Nabil S. Nour (2016)

6th Vice-President: Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn (2016)

Secretary: Rev. Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig (2016)

Chief Administrative Ofcer: Mr. Ronald P. Schultz (Appointed)

Chief Financial Ofcer: Mr. Jerald C. Wulf (Appointed)

Chief Mission Ofcer: Rev. Kevin D. Robson (Appointed)

Michigan District

Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President (2015)

1st Vice-President: Rev. Mark D. Brandt (2015)

2nd Vice-President: Rev. Donald O. Neuendorf (2015)

Secretary: Rev. David H. Reed (2015)

3rd Vice-President: Rev. David A. Davis (2015)

4th Vice-President: Rev. John M. Duerr (2015)

Treasurer: Mr. William H. Young

Michigan District Circuit Counselors

(2015)

16. Craig M. Meyer

17. Kendall L. Schaeffer

18. Cary M. Richert

19. John E. Merrill

20. Steven J. Essenburg

21. Eddie Morales

23. Erwin M. Hutter

24. Bruce K. Lucas

25. Randy S. Duncan

26. Terry A. Nelson

27. Dean M. Davenport

28. Jakob K. Heckert

29. Larry G. Courson

30. Joel H. Sarrault

31. Todd J. Brunworth

32. Mark E. Berlin

33. Ainslie B. Wagner

34. John A. Bookshaw

35. Timothy W. Olson

36. E. Anthony Sikora

37. Joseph Fremer

38. Dennis L. Lassanske

39. Christopher M. Boehnke

40. Mark W. Love

41. Scott G. Sommerfeld

42. David H. Sidwell

43. Michael J. Roth

44. Aaron B. Chittick

Region

Metro East:

Metro West:

North & East:

West:

Board of Directors

Region

Metro East: (2018)

West: (2018)

Metro West: (2015)

North & East: (2015)

Ordained

Norman A. Koy

Craig L. Bickel

Paul M. Moldenhauer

Paul D. Theiss

Commissioned

Natalie A. Haupt

Richard C. Krueger

Harvey M. Schmit

Eric Hagenow

Laypersons

Stephen R. Boergert

Ruth E. Martin

Christine Chauvin

Dale Gust

Williard C. Ducharme

John C. Raffel

Duane A. Renken

Larry A. Bauermeister

Church Extension Fund Board of Trustees

Ordained

Robert Appold (2015)

Joel F. Hoyer (2018)

Commissioned

Julian Petzold (2015)

Laypersons

Joseph R. Carabell (2015)

David C. C. Eberhard (2018)

Timothy H. Haberling (2018)

Jeffrey T. Roscoe (2018)

James R. Saaleld (2015)

David C. Vallie (2015)

Staff

Ronald L. Steinke, President & CEO

Paul Wills, VP for Marketing

John Bates, VP & CFO

2015 Convention Nomination Committee

Ordained

Thomas F. Fischer

Daryl L. Andrzejewski

Paul R. Hinz

Scott G. Sommerfeld

Commissioned

Terry M. Davis

Steven A. Schwecke

Eric R. Smith

Susan L. Truog

Laypersons

Phillip Fluegge

Philip M. Krauss II

John W. Nutzmann

Karla M. Woell

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support

Ordained

Gary L. Beck

Ryan R. Peterson

Daniel W. Ramthun

David J. Rufner

Bryan R. Salminen

Richard J. Wolfram

Laypersons

Christie Hansard

Kathy A. Krause

Amanda Neumeyer

Jennifer Rumberger

Commissioned

Gregory S. Arnett

Beverly Koch

Ex-Ofcio

Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier

Organizational Matters - Page 19

District Standing Committees

Stewardship Committee: Mr. Ronald Chewning, Rev. John M. Duerr, Rev. Daniel C. Meckes, Rev. R. William Roper,

Rev. Stephen E. Schilke

Education Committee: Ms. Janet LaRocque, Mr. Dan Burk, Mr. David Waltz, Mr. Julian Petzold, Ms. Lisa Singleton,

Mr. Roger Wolter, Mr. Greg Johnson, Mr. Matt Couser, Ms. Jen Enge, Mr. Rich Schumacher,

Ms. Cindy Brown, Ms. Paula Ceplecha, Mr. Steve Meseke

District Committees

Endowment Advisory Council: Mr. John Bates, Mr. Stephen Boergert, Rev. John Bush, Mr. Michael Greve, Mr. Adam Heinlein,

Mr. Jack Keller, Mrs. Bonnie Mann Non-Voting Members: Mr. Chad Woltemath, Mr. Raymond Zavada

Junior High Gathering Planning Committee: Mr. James Anderson, Mr. Luke Esselman, Mrs. Kristin Hardy, Ms. Brenda Heissenbuettel,

Mrs. Kimberly Holdeman, Mrs. Rachel Hinz, Mrs. Terri Kober, Mrs. Michelle Kranz, Mrs. Dawn Rupe

Senior High Gathering Planning Committee: Mr. James Anderson, Rev. James Bruner, Mrs. Deb Fall, Mrs. Kristen Hardy, Mr. Seth Hinz,

Mrs. Mary Koboldt, Mr. Keith Minda, Dr. Sara Pendleton, Mrs. Jennifer Rossi, Mrs. Stephanie Rummel,

Rev. Bill Yonker

Lutheran Adult Gathering Planning Committee:

Dan and Patti Bogema, Rev. David and Sallie Davis, Dennis and Miriam Sohn, Dan and Lara Stoelting,

Ron and Peggy Steinke, Keith and Kim Waller

Principal’s Planning Committee: Mr. David Waltz, Mr. Daniel Stoelting, Mr. Dan Burk, Mrs. Dawn States, Mrs. Kathi Pearson,

Mr. Jonathan Kamin

School Accreditation Committee: Mrs. Janet LaRocque, Mrs. Cynthia Brown, Mr. Paul Looker, Mr. David Dembeck, Mr. David Kusch,

Mr. Timothy Frusti, Mrs. Barbara Eisenman, Mr. David Waltz, Mr. Brian Young, Mr. Julian Petzold

Early Childhood Cabinet: Mrs. Judy Williams, Mrs. Kelley Fehn, Mrs. Deborah McDonald, Mrs. Kathleen Prusak,

Mrs. Dawn States, Mrs. Kathi Pearson, Mrs. Dina Matasovsky, Mrs. Kathryn Harteld,

Ms. Jennifer Welch

State Basketball Committee: Mr. Tim Siekmann, Mr. Jeff Young, Mr. David King, Mr. Mark Schiefer, Mr. Joel Neumeyer,

Mr. Scott Neumeyer, Mr. Dennis Neumeyer, Mr. Jim Bunkelmann

State Track Committee: Mr. John Boldt, Mrs. Jessica Carter, Mr. Jerry Monroe, Mr. Kurt Hofmeister, Mr. Tim Siekmann

Finance Committee: Mr. Larry Bauermeister, Rev. David Maier, Mrs. Ruth Martin, Rev. Paul Moldenhauer, Dr. Harvey Schmit,

Mr. Chad Woltemath, Mr. William Young

Commission on Deacon Qualication

District Reconcilers

New/Revised Constitution Committee

Rev. Arnold H. Brammeier

Mr. Richard Carolan

Mr. James Garber

Rev. Theodore Voll, Chairman

District Legal Council

Mr. Dana Dever

Ordained

Rev. Todd Frusti

Rev. Dr. Robert Kasper, Advisory

Rev. Dr. Robert Schultz, Advisory

Ordained

Rev. Harry Edeneld

Rev. Terry E. Hoese

Laypersons

Mrs. Christine Brown

Mr. Walter W. Storm, Secretary/Treasurer

Laypersons

Mr. Duane F. Nagel

Mr. Duane A. Renken

Commissioned

Mr. Dale Vorwerk

H. James Boldt, Chairman

Organizational Matters - Page 20

Ofce of the President

Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President

Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper, Asst. to the President – Congregation Ministries / Ministry Support

Rev. Harry C. Henneman, Call List Support

Julie Strobl, Executive Asst. to the President

Laurie Brown, Administrative Asst. – President’s Ofce

Julie Nielsen-Schmidt, Chaplain – University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor

Barbara Laughlin Adler, Archivist – Zimmerman Library

Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E) Urban Ministry Initiative

Rev. Christopher Bodley, Missionary-at-Large in Detroit for A2E

Rev. Steven Essenburg, Missionary-at-Large in Detroit

Worker Care

Rev. Bryan Salminen, Ph.D., L.P.C., L.M.F.T – Director of Worker Care

Congregation Ministries

Rev. Dr. Richard J. Wolfram, Asst. to the President – Congregation Mission and Ministries, North Zone / Stewardship Ministries

Rev. Galan D. Walther, Asst. to the President – Congregation Mission and Ministries, Southwest and Thumb Zones / Family Ministries

Jennifer Rumberger, Administrative Asst. – Congregation Mission and Ministries / Call Lists and Commissioned Workers

Dawn Marone, Administrative Asst. – Congregation Mission and Ministries

Mr. J. Chuck Anderson – Youth Support

Lutheran Day Schools

Bruce Braun, Asst. to the President – Superintendent of Schools

Carol Williams, Administrative Asst. – Schools

Communications

Debby Fall, Asst. to the President – Communications

Seth Hinz, Asst. to the President – Web / Media Director

Elisa Schulz, Staff Writer / Copy Editor

Development

Ray Zavada, Asst. to the President – Development

Michael D. Beens, Administrative Asst. – Development / Art Director

Business/Finance

Chad Woltemath, Asst. to the President – Business / Finance

Donna Conrad, Administrative Asst. – Business / Finance

Debra Cameron, Event Coordinator / Accountant

Staff

Organizational Matters - Page 21

* Anderson, G. Peter – Alpena, Immanuel

* Backus, Traci L. Fulghum – Holt, St. Matthew

* Baerwolf, Paul R. – Dearborn, Emmanuel

* Bahr, Joel M. – Kentwood, St. Mark

Bender, Michael H. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Bird, Terry L. Smith – Saint Joseph, Trinity

* Blomquist, Barry E. – Grand Rapids, Our Savior

* Bringold, Levi R. – Reese, Trinity

Britton, John W. – Port Huron, Trinity

* Brown, Cynthia A. Haller – Harbor Beach, Zion

* Buck, Mary Lynn McNally – Flint, St. Paul

Burk, Daniel R. – Southgate, Christ the King

* Butler, Harmon R. Jr. – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Ceplecha, Paula I. North – Port Hope, St. John

Dummann, Matthew D. M. – Dearborn, Guardian

Enge, Jennifer A. Keefer – Bay City, St. John

* Feenstra, Bradley D. – Muskegon, Trinity

Frusti, Timothy M. – Jackson, Trinity

* Hagenow, Eric M. – Hemlock, St. Peter

* Hambaum, Patricia S. Stange – Marlette, Our Savior

* Heins, Eric J. – Lake Orion, Good Shepherd

* Hoeft, Stacy J. McGhee – Rochester, Living Word

Johnson, Gregory K. – Portage, St. Michael

* Kaiser, David A. – Sebewaing, Immanuel

* Kamin, Jonathan M. – Saginaw, Immanuel

Kopper, Jill M. – Shelby Township, Peace

Kosman, Paul K. – Sturgis, Trinity

Hoch, Robert M. – Macomb, St. Peter

Kowalke, Julie A. – Utica, Trinity

* Williams, Allan A. – Macomb, Immanuel

* Indicates principal/teacher or assistant principal/teacher

Abraham, Rachel M. – Bay City, St. Paul

Alderson, John – Dearborn, Guardian

Anders, Brian L. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Anderson, Jean E. Behrens – Alpena, Immanuel

Anderson, Lisa M. Klute – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Angott, Donna L. Renkert – Utica, Trinity

Annas, Michelle L. Platts – Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Armstrong, Kathryn P. – Monroe, Holy Ghost

Baarck, Stephanie L. Kroeger – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Ball, Rebecca L. Bierlein – Bay City, Immanuel

Balzer, JoAnn Grote – Sturgis, Trinity

Barnes, Susan M. – Macomb, Immanuel

Barrie, Pamela M. A. Wilson – Alpena, Immanuel

Bauer, Todd D. – Rochester, St. John

Bauer, Nancy K. Kiel – Bay City, St. John

Bean, Christina L. Silvey – Utica, Trinity

Becker, Kimberle L. Wright – Lansing, Our Savior

Beckman, Katherine S. Krieger – Sawyer, Trinity

Bernau, Jonathan P. – Bay City, St. John

Berns, Nancy E. Jung – Monroe, Trinity

Bierlein, Mary B. Bauer – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Blackwell, Judith J. Radthke – Dearborn, Emmanuel

Blickensdorf, Jennifer L. – Macomb, Immanuel

Block, Michelle R. Nielsen – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Ministers of Religion - Commissioned

District Administration

Braun, Bruce N. – Ann Arbor, Assistant to the President – Superintendent of Schools

Principals

Assistant Principals

Educators in Lutheran Elementary Schools and Early Childhood Centers

March 8, 2012 to March 9, 2015

Kusch, David S. – Farmington Hills, St. Paul’s

* LaRocque, Janet E. – Bay City, Zion

Lucas, Cindy L. Doede – Monroe, Trinity

* Massey, Bradley R. – Big Rapids, St. Peter’s

McLoughlin, Janet M. Wooden – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Neumeyer, Dennis K. – Bay City, St. Paul

Neumeyer, Joel K. – Macomb, Immanuel

* Otto, Brenda L. – Midland, St. John’s

Pahlkotter, Henry G. II – Saginaw, Peace

Palka, Susan E. McCreadie – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Pehlke, Todd M. – Rochester, St. John

Petzold, Julian H. – Clinton Township, Trinity

* Pidsosny, Mary L. Fenske – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

* Rudick, Annette K. – Bay City, Immanuel

* Schalk, Linda S. Hopp – Rogers City, St. John

Singleton, Lisa A. – Grand Rapids, St. James

Stoelting, Daniel D. – Richville, St. Michael’s

* Sturgess, Jacqueline M. Montabeau – Eastpointe, St. Thomas

* Sturm, Raymond T. – Lapeer, St. Paul

* Thompson, Adrienne A. – New Boston, St. John

Tomashewsky, Andrew C. – Bay City, Faith

Vieregge, Keith L. – Clinton Township, St. Luke

Waltz, David E. – Fraser, St. John

* Wedde, Deborah D. Keller – Berrien Springs, Trinity

Weiss, Jared L. – Northville, St. Paul

* Wolter, Roger W. – Saginaw, Holy Cross

Bobowski, Benjamin – Lansing, Our Savior

Boldt, John P. – Monroe, Trinity

Bolt, Jonathan M. – Rochester, Living Word

Bouma, Mari-Beth Ingalls – Grand Rapids, Immanuel

Bower, Greta L. Cutter - Belleville, Open Arms

Brand, Susan L. Gibson – Traverse City, Trinity

Brandimore, Layna M. Schneider – Saginaw, Peace

Brandt, Susan R. – Saginaw, Bethlehem

Brenner, Mark D. – Bay City, St. John

Briggs, Cynthia M. – Reese, Trinity

Bronner, Jill J. Stamm – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Brooks, Jacquelin R. Walsh – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Brown, Erika P. Heimsoth – Holt, St. Matthew

Brown, Mark A. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Brunk, Donna J. – Utica, Trinity

Buchinger, Steven L. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Bunke, James E. – Sebewaing, Immanuel

Bunkelman, James O. – Monroe, Trinity

Carlton, Ruth M. Kell – Milford, Christ

Case, Susan G. Grau – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Celmer, Katrina L. – Fraser, St. John

Chaiser, Elizabeth A. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Chaplin, Heidi U. Klemm – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Childers, Frances M. Cashmer – Southgate, Christ the King

Organizational Matters - Page 22

Clark, Dennis W. – Port Huron, Trinity

Contreras, Andrew J. – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Cowan, Beth A. – Muskegon, Our Redeemer

Crawford, Jolene L. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Croucher, Sarah R. Steffe – Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Daniell, Sheri L. Gross – Lake Orion, Good Shepherd

Davis, Kathryn R. Koenig – New Boston, St. John

Davis, Leanne S. Schlaefke – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Decheim, Sandra E. Niemi – Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Degg, Pamela J. Drzyzga – Bay City, Zion

DeLage, Deborah L. Knight – Southgate, Christ the King

Delmotte, Karen M. Reichenbach – Utica, Trinity

Dembeck, David E. – Macomb, St. Peter

DeVoy, Tanya M. Walsh – Macomb, Immanuel

Dickinson, Matthew T. – Traverse City, Trinity

Dickinson, Melinda S. Bathke – Traverse City, Trinity

Diroff, Jayne K. Kregel – Monroe, Holy Ghost

Dockery, Daniel L. – Traverse City, Trinity

Donal, Karyn M. – Farmington Hills, St. Paul’s

Draves, Thomas J. – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Drinan, Lori J. Weir – Saginaw, Peace

Drinane, Nicole R. Lovasz – Southgate, Christ the King

Dunsmore, Sharon K. Bruns – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Durham, Darci – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Earley, Karen L. Gross Wolgast – Hemlock, St. Peter

Erd, Rebecca L. Difatta – Southgate, Christ the King

Eisenman, Barbara M. Kade – Dearborn, Guardian

Eising, Christina E. Guettler – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Emington, Stephanie J. – Conklin, Trinity

Engelbrecht, Rachael A. Paterick – Lansing, Our Savior

Engelhard, Cynthia M. Elston - Unionville, St. Paul

Erfourth, Lee E. – Jackson, Trinity

Erlenbeck, Jill A. Sherman – Bay City, Immanuel

Ernst, Timothy L. – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Etheridge, Kimberly D. – Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Evola, Julia C. Jankauskas – Macomb, St. Peter

Eyster, Carol M. Simmons – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Eyster, Timothy K. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Faerber, Janise M. Lehl – New Boston, St. John

Fahlsing, Gloria D. – Jackson, Trinity

Faszholz, Mark A. – Utica, Trinity

Fehn, Kelley J. Werdeman – Hemlock, St. Peter

Fehn, Lynn A. Knoll – Saginaw, Good Shepherd

Felten, Daniel L. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Fisk, Katrina A. Blackwell – Manistee, Trinity

Frobel, David P. – Rochester, St. John

Frusti, Kathleen H. Robertson – Jackson, Trinity

Fuller, Lynne E. Erikson – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Gakstatter, Kari S. Streeter – Bay City, Immanuel

Gallagher, Megan J. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Garcia, Justin N. – Bay City, St. Paul

Garrabrant, Rachel A. Richert – Utica, Trinity

Gehrs, Kathleen A. Sandfort – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Genthner, Clinton F. – Jackson, Trinity

Geyer, Stephen H. – Flint, St. Paul

Glumm, Julie K. Boes – Bay City, Zion

Godbold, Ellen E. Stamm – Kentwood, St. Mark

Grage, Glenn G. – Bay City, Faith

Grams, Susan E. Ripke – Fraser, St. John

Greer, Theresa M. Rosace – New Boston, St. John

Greve, Karen L. Faszholz – Macomb, Immanuel

Greve, Wendy F. Fischer – Lansing, Our Savior

Grimm, Ellen K. Dedert – Montague, St. James

Grimpo, R. Dwain – Bay City, Faith

Grothaus, Timothy A. – Rochester, St. John

Gruenhagen, Heather S. Thomson – Wayne, St. Michael

Grupe, Michele S. Rebant – Utica, Trinity

Gulliver, Holly A. – Saginaw, Peace

Gust, Clara F. Gaffke – Port Hope, St. John

Hackbarth, Tracey J. Norenberg – Monroe, Trinity

Hagenow, Margaret A. Schroeder – Hemlock, St. Peter

Hansell, Christopher G. – New Boston, St. John

Harris, Dawn M. – Utica, Trinity

Harris, Valerie J. – Utica, Trinity

Harteld, Kathryn J. Sattler – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Hauser, Briana L. McCray – Saginaw, Peace

Havers, Brenda E. Krzyske – Utica, Trinity

Hawkins, Wendy A. – Utica, Trinity

Hecht, Annie R. Buchanan – Portage, St. Michael

Heck, David P. – Utica, Trinity

Heck, Zonna L. King – Big Rapids, St. Peter’s

Hegenauer, Diane L. Heyl – Wayne, St. Michael

Heinert, Karla S. – Dearborn, Guardian

Heissenbuettel, Monica M. Frank – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Helmreich, Harry J. – Traverse City, Trinity

Hempel, Ruth R. Dornfeld – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Hermann, Randi S. Rush – Southgate, Christ the King

Hildebrand, Laura A. Giger – Stevensville, Christ

Hilsabeck, Janet E. Roberts – Macomb, Immanuel

Hindenach, Deanna J. Brill – Paw Paw, Trinity

Hoch, Judith L. Bohl – Alpena, Immanuel

Hoeft, James M. – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Hoeft, Karen R. Ging – Westland, St. Matthew

Holtzen, Richard O. – Monroe, Trinity

Holzer, Katie A. Hermann – Southgate, Christ the King

Hyslop, Dora J. Pingel – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Jackemeyer, Susan E. Oberhaus – Stevensville, Christ

Jackson, Kristen M. Nagy Heyniger – New Boston, St. John

Jacques, Krista E. Pfeiffer – Macomb, Immanuel

Jammer, Bonnie M. – Auburn, Zion

Janetzke, Kristen S. Billig – Rochester, Living Word

Jaremba, Marcia S. Sonnenberg – Flint, St. Paul

Johnson, Andrea E. – Macomb, St. Peter

Jones, Amanda R. Kaijala – Flint, St. Paul

Jones, Katherine A. Schafer – Holt, St. Matthew

Jones, Leah M. Schiefer – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Kaiser, Erika J. Goebel – Sebewaing, Immanuel

Kaschube, Elizabeth M. Ueckert – Muskegon, Trinity

Keinath, Julie L. Hooper – Millington, St. Paul

Keinath, Kay A. VanPetten – Millington, St. Paul

Keller, Michael T. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Kelly, Kimberly A. – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Kern, Kimberly L. – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Keup, Aaron W. – Reed City, Trinity

Keup, Joel A. – Saginaw, Peace

Kirchenberg, Mark R. – Manistee, Trinity

Kirchhoff, David W. – Macomb, Immanuel

Kitzman, Laura A. Benson – Northville, St. Paul

Klauer, Susan E. Goebel – Millington, St. Paul

Klausmeier, Veronica M. Danne – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Koboldt, Mary E. Dietzel – Saginaw, Peace

Kohn, Dawn M. Rudnick – Grand Haven, St. John’s

Kolberg, Deborah L. Ziebart – Grand Haven, St. John’s

Konkel, Lynnette s. Jensen – Southgate, Christ the King

Kooi, Patti J. Walter – Grand Haven, St. John’s

Korbely, Marie A. Engelhardt – Fraser, St. John

Koschmann, Mark E. – Midland, St. John’s

Kosmatka, Amy B. Kosmatka Swim – Macomb, St. Peter

Krause, Beth E. Appold – Lansing, Our Savior

Krause, Jennifer L. Dietrich – Richville, St. Michael’s

Krc, Mary E. – Saginaw, Holy Cross

Kressbach, Frederick M. – Macomb, Immanuel

Krieger, Ruth A. Dubke – Berrien Springs, Trinity

Kundinger, Debra J. Bach – Sebewaing, Immanuel

Kurien, Rebekah L. Bullock – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

LaFontaine, Cindy R. Havemeier – Grand Blanc, Faith

Lanning, Chantal M. Kulczycki – Shelby Township, Peace

Latin, Keri M. Urban – Reed City, Trinity

Laux, Elizabeth A. Krenz – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Leidecker, Karla J. Thanepohn – Eastpointe, St. Peter‘s

Lewis, Lori J. Kell – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Lindenfelser, Lynn M. Duhl – Dearborn, Guardian

List, Vicky L. Schreiner – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Lockhart, Susan J. Smith – Utica, Trinity

Organizational Matters - Page 23

Lucas, John K. – Utica, Trinity

Lyon, David R. – China, Shanghai, Concordia International

Machemer, Susan M. Teske – Fraser, St. John

Mackie, Ruth E. Garchow – Conklin, Trinity

Makowski, Rebecca L. – Saginaw, Peace

Manthei, Gregory W. – New Boston, St. John

Marshall, Lisa M. Gilchrist – Holt, St. Matthew

Martin, Kathy A. – Bay City, Zion

Matasovsky, Dina C. Cristante – Wayne, St. Michael

Mazur, Tammy E. – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

McClatchey, Rita I. Simanis – Royal Oak, St. Paul

McCollister, Allison M. Drake – Northville, St. Paul

McDonald, Andrea M. Armstrong Ott – Saginaw, Peace

McDonald, Deborah M. Crosby – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

McGrath, Janis M. Movsesian – Fraser, St. John

McQueen, Carla J. Wardin – Hemlock, St. Peter

Meckes, Hannah K. Maske – Bridgeport, Faith (Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz)

Meier, Jessica L. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Meier, Roger E. – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Meier, William F. – Midland, St. John’s

Mills, Ellen K. Baker – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Milz, Carolyn E. – Monroe, Trinity

Moehring, Mary M. Bahr – Manistee, Trinity

Monroe, Kelly M. Muehlbrandt – Fraser, St. John

Moon, Kathryn J. Schlieger – Flint, St. Paul

Mueller, Dawn M. Klein – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Myers, Paula M. Heddle – Utica, Trinity

Nelson, Gary R. – Rochester, St. John

Neumeyer, Karen B. Koenig – Rochester, St. John

Neumeyer, Sarah – Shelby Township, Peace

Neumeyer, Scott R. – Saginaw, Peace

Newton, LaRayne S. Stanek – Richville, St. Michael’s

Nimtz, Wendy E. Blus – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Noel, Marie A. Fetterer – Northville, St. Paul

Novak, Julie M. Spurgat – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Olsen, Matthew W. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

O’Meara, Elizabeth E. Plaehn – Macomb, Immanuel

Ott, Donna J. Paris – Saginaw, Peace

Otto, Jane M. – Macomb, St. Peter

Palm, Lori A. Montney – Flint, St. Paul

Palmreuter, David W. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Paluch, Beth A. Hesterman – Muskegon, Trinity

Parks, Trevor A. – Saginaw, Bethlehem

Pearson, Kathryn L. Kraai – Richville, St. Michael’s

Pettibone, Katherine L. – Macomb, Immanuel

Petzold, Christina C. Schoenknecht – Saginaw, Immanuel

Pfeiffer, Ann M. Kaiser – Westland, St. Matthew

Pfund, Jonathan D. – Rochester, St. John

Piasecki, Allison J. Leach – Macomb, Immanuel

Pichan, Thomas A. – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Pierce, Deborah A. – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Pifer, Christine A. Gentz – Eastpointe, St. Thomas

Pike, Kamie L. Reinbold – Reese, Trinity

Pittman, Janel D. – Saginaw, Peace

Priehs, Warren W. – Shelby Township, Peace

Prusak, Kathleen A. Hollman – Clinton Township, St. Luke

Quade, Karen J. – Rogers City, St. John

Rapson, Andrea K. Beck – Harbor Beach, Zion

Rasmussen, Sarah E. – Bay City, Faith

Rathje, Lynda L. Scarr – Port Huron, Trinity

Rauschert, Cynthia K. Appold – Bay City, St. John

Reck, Jennifer D. Glahn – Muskegon, Trinity

Reinert, Daniel M. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Reinhardt, Karen S. Krohe – New Boston, St. John

Revard, Stephanie R. Weldon – Saginaw, Holy Cross

Richardson, Brenda C. Koglin – Clinton Township, St.Luke

Ritz, Wanda L. – Macomb, St. Peter

Roberts, Gerald M. – Grand Rapids, Our Savior

Roedel, Martin O. – Farmington Hills, St. Paul’s

Rolf, Cheryl J. Hahn – Troy, St. Augustine

Rosentreter, Kathy E. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Rossi, Jennifer S. Haglund – Saginaw, Peace

Rudolph, Erin L. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Saleska, Candice O. Noelker – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Samsell, Christopher N. – Bay City, Immanuel

Sankey, Margaret A. Orman – Dearborn, Guardian

Sarkkinen, Amy A. – Sturgis, Trinity

Schafer, Joyce L. Unverfehrt – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Schaffer, Joel P. – New Boston, St. John

Schamber, Bonnie L. Struck – Unionville, St. Paul

Scheeres, Maribeth – Farmington Hills, St. Paul’s

Scheiwe, Wendy A. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Schettenhelm, Karla J. Witt – Livonia, Christ Our Savior

Schiefer, Mark T. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Schilling, Rebecca A. Massel – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Schilling, Timothy R. – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Schmit, Steven P. – Fraser, St. John

Schnack, Deborah G. – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Schoenherr, Barbara I. Jammer – Auburn, Zion

Schoenknecht, Paul R. – Millington, St. Paul

Schroeder, Samantha J. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Schwaegerle, Judy L. – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Seibel, Diane L. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Sellers, Tammy L. – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Shaffer, John O. – Rochester, St. John

Sheppard, Loren K. Popke – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Siekmann, Timothy C. – Utica, Trinity

Sievert, David R. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Singer, Connie L. Ziegler – Millington, St. Paul

Smith, Mary-Bethany A. Atkins – Bay City, St. John

Smith, Kyle J. – Saginaw, Immanuel

Snyder, Brigid A. – Utica, Trinity

Spanos, Esther M. Giese – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Springer, Joel W. – Rochester, Living Word

Stanley, Lisa S. – Bay City, St. Paul

Stathakis, Carol B. Schnake – Macomb, St. Peter

Steffens, Heather A. Dorn – Saint Joseph, Trinity

Stockmeyer, Heidi M. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Streeter, Kim E. – Macomb, St. Peter

Streing, Jessica L. – Midland, St. John’s

Stresman, Kevin D. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Swazey, Angela N. Kelly – Fraser, St. John

Tapling, Rachel E. Roth – Shelby Township, Peace

Thomas, Terri M. Smith – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Toman, Laura K. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Topel, Matthew – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Topel, Wendy S.C. VanBreda – Fraser, St. John

Trinklein, Susan M. Blattner – Shelby Township, Peace

Tucker, Lori D. Hegler – Saginaw, Bethlehem

Twork, Clara J. – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Ulmer, Laurie L. Bonzchowski – Stevensville, Christ

Valente, Elizabeth A. Mooney – Jackson, Trinity

Voelz, Robert T. – Southgate, Christ the King

Wahl, Courtney L – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Walter, Teresa I. Holle – Millington, St. Paul

Walters, Paulette E. – Sturgis, Trinity

Wargo, Nicole N. Hurttgam – Macomb, St. Peter

Wascher, Charridan A. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Wascher, Erin M. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Washburn, Debra S. Kohler – Macomb, St. Peter

Webb, Neil F. – Big Rapids, St. Peter’s

Weber, Carol A. Kamasis – Millington, St. Paul

Wegener, LuAnne S. – Auburn, Zion

Weidner, Christina M. Hile – Reese, Trinity

Weiss, Muriel J. Pingel – Saginaw, Immanuel

Weiss, Stephanie D. – Harbor Beach, Zion

Weiss, Theodore P. – Sebewaing, Immanuel

Welch, Jennifer J. – Grand Rapids, Immanuel

Wentzel, Anne C. – Kentwood, St. Mark

Werschky, Sharon L. Schnitker – Sebewaing, Immanuel

Wesenberg, Deborah L. Galford – Utica, Trinity

Weston, Amy J. Osborne – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Wheeler, Julie A. Bittner – Reese, Trinity

White, Pamela K. Ochs – Alpena, Immanuel

Organizational Matters - Page 24

Williamson, Katie L. Widstrand – Warren, Peace

Winston, Valerie J. – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Wisnieski, Rebecca R. Rosso – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Witchger, Ann G. Gerstacker – Saginaw, Peace

Wyman, Kelly A. Blomstrom – Bay City, St. Paul

Yoder, Jennifer A. Gremel – Unionville, St. Paul

Young, Courtney A. Campbell – Stevensville, Christ

Zeddies, Michael F. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Lutheran High School Association of Greater Detroit

Looker, Paul J. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association of Greater Detroit

Meseke, Steven D. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association of Greater Detroit

Principals in Lutheran High Schools

Assistant Principals in Lutheran High Schools

Educators in Lutheran High Schools

Brandt, John M. – Saginaw, Valley Lutheran High School

Garrabrant, Steven A. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Reincke, John M. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Schwecke, Steven A. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

* Hardy, Timothy D. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

* McDonald, Ian K. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

* Wade, Kevin A. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

* Indicates Assistant Principal/Teacher

Angers, Kristine A. Martz – Wyoming, West Michigan Lutheran High

Blake, Jennifer L. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Brandt, John E. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Brown, David C. – Newport, Lutheran High South

Cooper, Amy M. Morton – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Cooper, Benjamin P. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Davis, Jeffrey M. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Doyle, Barbara E. Stoll – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Dumar, John E. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Ebel, William H. Jr. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Eschmann, Paul D. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Faszholz, Gary W. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Felten, Mark G. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Ferguson, Steven J. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Fink, Kelly L. Wiegand – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Frank, Jon D. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Grobelny, Cheryl A. Hoscheit – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Guenther, Douglas D. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Guse’, Paul B. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Gutenkunst, Gary A. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Hardies, Michael A. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Haupt, Natalie A. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Hinck, John T. – Westland, St. Matthew

Hofmeister, Kurt R. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Horvath, Brian R. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Jagoda, Pamela J. Mendieta – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Jordan, Sharon B. Berry – Newport, Lutheran High South

Justice, Donald C. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Keller, Connie J. Witt – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Kleine, Racheal A. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Kratz, Dean E. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Meyer, David J. – Wyoming, West Michigan Lutheran High

Meyers, Lisa H. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Mueller, Lindsay E. Meyer – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Noelker, James E. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Pollatz, Brian M. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Prechel, Dennis O. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Rochlitz, David W. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Roekle, Thomas H. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Rogers, Randall J. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Ruth, David G. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Schaidt, Lauren A. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Schlak, Stephanie M. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Schlump, Alex – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Schuetz, Christina Strauchman – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Smith, Eric R. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Sprow, Keith R. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Stahlecker, Karla M. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Thompson, Steven L. – Wyoming, West Michigan Lutheran High

Topel, Timothy L. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Unger, Allison M. Meineke – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Unger, Daniel E. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Unger, Michael E. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Vincent, Heath D. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

von der Lage, Ruth Ann Meseke – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Weber, Karlton R. – Rochester Hills, Lutheran High Northwest

Weilnau, Jeanette N. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Wesley, Ryan E. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Winter, Elizabeth A. Turanski – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Wolf, Charles H. – Macomb, Lutheran High North

Wyly, Jeaneen T. – Westland, Lutheran High Westland

Zill, Steven E. – Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High

Organizational Matters - Page 25

Directors of Christian Education

Deaconesses

Parish Assistants

Lay Ministers

Directors of Family Life

Special Ministries

Directors of Parish Music

Anderson, James C. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Arnett, Gregory S. – Caro, St. Paul

Auger, Robert G. – Bad Axe, Our Savior

Bira, Carolyn I. Spatz – Flushing, Holy Cross

Brown, David E. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Busse, Donald R. – Trenton, St. Paul

Chapman, Darius M. – Macomb, St. Peter

Esselman, Luke M. – Coopersville, Grace

Furr, Ruth C. Smeeding – Saginaw, Holy Cross

Grannis, Kristy M. Abel – Belleville, Open Arms

Grube, Aaron E. – Kalamazoo, Zion

Hausch, Michael F. – Hamburg, St. Paul

Hollman, Linda M. Kirchner – Livonia, Christ Our Savior

Bielby, Sara M. – Monroe, Immanuel

Engelking, Cynthia L. – Richmond, St. Peter’s

Johnson, Rebecca E. Rockrohr – Hillsdale, St. Paul’s

Longmire, Sarah A. – Traverse City, Trinity

McCain, Jean A. Geipel – Auburn, Grace

Schultz, Sarah M. – Traverse City, Trinity

Chester, Thomas B. – Haslett, St. Luke

Krueger, Richard C. – Grand Rapids, Messiah

Tedesco, Kimberly J. Richalt – Lapeer, St. Paul

Seehafer, Tyler N. – Utica, Trinity

Easterday, Paul R. – Ann Arbor, St. Luke

Gleim, Laura M. – Millington, St. Paul

Kittleman, Joshua B. – Shelby Township, Peace

Kral, John T. – Shelby Township, Shepherd’s Gate

Leeds, Ashleigh N. – Muskegon, Trinity

Ashley, Jeremy R. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Aughe, Kent J. – Huntington Woods, Huntington Woods

Baughman, Terry A. – Waterford, St. Stephen

Bickel, Randall J. – Birch Run, St. Martin

Bode, Timothy A. – Southgate, Christ the King

Carrier, Lori J. Grimshaw – Flint, St. Mark

Colley, Ann M. Fisher – Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Faith, Scott M. – Muskegon, St. Mark

Fanta, Amy L. Carrier – Roseville, Octane Ministry

Geikas, Sarah M. Kaufman – Bay City, Immanuel

Hohnstadt, Rebecca S. – Warren, Holy Cross

Hooper, Susan L. Repp – Grand Blanc, Faith

Horak, John B. – Lansing, Our Savior

Johnson, Christine A. Eberhard – Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Karlin, Daniel W. – Utica, Trinity

Kernstock, Patricia J. – Utica, Trinity

Klages, Kenneth J. – Saginaw, Peace

Koch, Beverly J. – Rochester, St. John

Chaveriat, Charles A. – Richville, St. Michael’s

Hilker, Johanna L. – Saginaw, Holy Cross

Hoehne, Matthew J. – Livonia, Christ Our Savior

Hyslop, Scott M. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Peters, Mark G. – Leland, Immanuel

Schimm, Alisha D. Bohnert – Midland, St. John’s

Hueseman, James I. – Jenison, Holy Cross

Oldenburg, Craig S. – Gowen, Camp Concordia

Otrhalik, Kevin D. – Paw Paw, Trinity

Rupe, Dawn M. Ruelle – Saline, Christ Our King

Schoepp, Mark L. – Gladwin, Our Savior

Schultz, David M. – Bay City, St. Paul

Schutt, Kim D. – Trenton, St. Paul

Stark, Debora A. – Midland, St. John’s

Steinke, Eric D. – Adrian, St. John‘s

Welte, John A. – Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Wilson, Steven R. – Big Rapids, St. Peter’s

Zielke, Adolph E. – Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Longden, Daniel R. – Charlotte, First

Marshall, Margarett I. E. – Bloomeld Hills, Cross Of Christ

Meinert, Rose E. – Flint, St. Mark

Ribar, Vicki L. Booker – Fenton, Trinity

Kolb, Arlene C. – Troy, Faith

Kruger, Nancy E. – Macomb, Immanuel

Krupsky, Harold K. – Troy, Faith

Kwapis, Nicholas A. – Rochester, St. John

Machemer, Melvin A. – Fraser, St. John

Matthias, John W. – Detroit, Peace

McNeil, David A. – Saline, Christ Our King

Miller, Tammy L. Wendland – Waterford, St. Stephen

Milz, G. David – Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Minda, Keith A. – Saginaw, Peace

Mol, James M. – Flint, St. Mark

Mueller, Scott R. – Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Nimtz, Mark A. – Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Paul, Gregory L. – Royal Oak, St. Paul

Pawlitz, Gary L. – Macomb, Immanuel

Sheldon, David A. – Utica, Trinity

von Fange, Susan D. – Clinton Township, Trinity

Wieneke, Lori S. MacKay – Grand Rapids, St. Matthew

Organizational Matters - Page 26

Lutheran Special Education Ministries

Schneider, Janis E.

Schumacher, Linda L. Laux

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Candidates

Emeriti

Non-Candidates

Christopher, Steven L.

Chuhran, Kyle B.

Freudenburg, Benjamin F.

Jones, Karen B. Peterson

Kalmes, Michael W.

Arrick, Mary S. Petzold

Bierlein, Heather M. Shirley

Bringer, David J.

Fish, Sarah E.

Genig, Dennis K.

Genthner Jr., Richard G.

Gibson, Debra S.

Havrilcsak, Laura A. Hart

Hoeft, Terry L.

Kayser, Doris A.

Klamer, Melissa J. Gunlock

Arrick, Mary S. Petzold

Bierlein, Heather M. Shirley

Bringer, David J.

Fish, Sarah E.

Adams, Joyce A. Schmidt

Adler, Barbara J. Laughlin

Allen, Ronald M.

Altevogt, Lester L.

Argue, Joanne R. Prudek

Attenberger, David F.

Aubuchon, Barbara A. Hoeft

Aufdemberge, Erwin J.

Aufdemberge, Theodore P.

Bailey, Bonnie L. Banash

Beardsley, Ronald L.

Behm, Constance R. Rengstorf

Bartok, Kimberly J. Reimann

Baye, Megan E. Tindall

Berthold, Ann L. Williams

Biermann, Heather L.

Choroba, Katherine J. Kuhl Poisson

Clark, Mary E. Williams

Davis, Elizabeth I. MacKenzie

Demo, Maida R. Sevon

DeVries, Kristi K.

Dopp, Sherry E. Eggert

Duclos, Rebecca L. Arnholt

Ebel, Anne M. Frank

Enge, Heidi A. Seiter

Felten, Jolyn R. Daenzer

Feustel, Stefanie E. Davey

Forster, Jonathan D.

Garcia, Adan C.

Gerken, Terri N. Neer

Gledhill, Kristin A. Arthurton

Goers, Bethany L. Ketcher

Grays, Jean M. Overgaard

Grenz, Melinda S.

Grifn, Shirley A. Grayson

Gruber, Mary M. Janssens

Grueber, David J.

Hardy, Kristin E. Hirt

Looker, Mark S.

McKinney, Robert D.

Moro, Martin L. III

Refenes, James L.

Sankey, Thad J.

Kleimola, David A.

Krone, James R.

Morris, Cheryl J.

Newell, Johanna F. Eschmann

Newman, Kimberly A. LaBine

O’Boyle, Sharilyn M. Specht

Pendley, David W.

Reiser, Sandra K.

Rockrohr, Deborah L. Roth

Schimm, Naomi R. Rush

Bender, Edgar L.

Bergant, Virginia A. Albers

Bergkoetter, Molly A. Schechte

Beringer, Daniel W.

Beringer, Gloria L. Gehner

Beyer, Marilyn A.

Bickel, Elaine C. Petzold

Bishop, Mary J. Lutz

Blake, Sharon E. Rachow

Block, Marajean A. Palmreuter

Block, Richard A.

Boldt, Harold James

Brauer, Ethan R.

Brautnick, Janice M. McGorman

Bremer, David A.

Bresemann, Linda G. Houren

Heissenbuettel, Brenda M.

Hessler, Lindsey S. Raney

Hinz, Rachel G. Cousino

Holtzen, Mary K. Garchow

Howard, Kelly L.

Johnson, Emily D. Chapman

Jung, Christopher D.

Kaelberer, Jay A.

Kasper, Deborah L. Brandt

Kirchhoff, Susan K. Smith

Lemke, Jane E.

Lovett, Jillian K. McNally

Lyvere, Gary D.

McLoughlin, Mark E.

Mehltretter, Andrew W.

Merz, Jessica L. Stoltenberg

Meyer, Katherine M. Davis

Meyer, Kelly M. Grabarczyk

Miller, Jennifer A.

Moilanen, Karen K. Hemming

Mueller, Walter O.

Nieman, Emilee R.

Niska, Heidi A. Bowman

Oldenburg, Mary K. Brown

Phillips, Anne M. Hoft

Schmit, Harvey M.

Schumacher, Joshua S.

Skov, Neil M.

Weisenbach, Janice L. Dove

Schnack, John C.

Seguin, Kathleen J. Auch

Smith, Jennifer M. Schaedig

Topham, Roxanne S. Schmerheim

Vicari, Matthew V.

Wade, Christine L. Koenig

Webb, Angela D. Eisman

Weiss, Rebecca A. Lenenbauer

Wolfe, Emily C. Gau

Young, Kathryn J. Grush

Bresemann, Perry A.

Bruenger, A. Kenneth

Buchinger, Lori A. Haines

Campbell, Gary H.

Carlson, Sandra L. Gresham Mendians

Carroll, Dorothy M. Bartusch

Christian, Robert J.

Christiansen, Alfred O.

Conger, Norene J. Hass

Covell, Mary A. Hein

Daenzer, Katherine L. Hoops

Danz, Shirley M. Walenter

Davis, Terry M.

Dean, Karen A. Werth

DeMeyere, Roger

Dickhudt, Robert J.

Ristow, Beth A. Aufdemberge

Rohde, Molly J. Helmreich

Sankey, Brent T.

Schaedig, Kelli R.

Scheske, Melissa M.

Schmidt, Kurt E.

Schmit, Abigail R. Werner

Schurig, Kathy A. Fritz

Smith, Gail H. Graham

Spencer, Jesseca L. Starr

Steffens, Carl M.

Stevenson, Jennifer R. O’Connell

Tomashewsky, Suzanne B. Birkholz

Toth, Annalisa J. Winget

Troxel, Christopher D.

Van Zweden, Kelli M. Gronevelt

Vincent, Rebecca C. Timm

Vogel, Meghan K. Mahler

Wagner, Erin R. St. Bernard

Wangelin, Kristin J.

Wells, Timothy M.

Wenzel, Pamela B.

Wills, Paul R.

Wright, Jonathan K.

Zink, Charlene J. Little

Organizational Matters - Page 27

Difatta, David C.

Doebler, Lynda M.

Dohrmann, Aaron C.

Dohrmann, Jane M. Bergman

Dressler, Ronald L.

Dubke, Darwin C.

Dunklau, Edward H.

Dunklau, Linda J. Bork

Eckert, Lorraine R. Kissau

Edeneld, Marilyn J. Kluck

Eisman, Kathleen S. Ott

Erber, Glenn R.

Farrand, Thomas J.

Fechik, Carol A. Voss

Finkel, Linda L. Callender

Fisceri, Darlene N. Behling

Fischer, Karen E. Murphy

Fish, Dale W.

Fischer, Dennis H.

Florip, Eunice E. Merz

Frank, George C.

Fredrich, Peter D.

Freudenburg, Curtis C.

Fricke, John M.

Gallagher, John J.

Gallert, Frederick D.

Gast, Carolyn R. Fischer

Gast, Frederick J.

Geil, Jean R. Hendrich Sundell

Gengler, Constance C. Koester

Gerds, Fredrick A.

Gerlach, Eileen K. Altenburg

Gerlach, John W.

Germeroth, Paul L.

Gibson, Lisette L. Lueker

Gierach, Raymond C.

Gioe, Christopher M.

Gioe, Louise E. Scheueman

Glotzhober, Alyce K. Kraepel

Goehmann, Rodney P.

Goetz, Lois A. Mortensen

Green, Sheila M. Patchett

Gremel, Bruce A.

Grese, Susan J. Turner

Gresens, Walter F.

Grigg, Pauline E. Schoenfeld

Groll, David H.

Grupe, Elizabeth F. Reinboth

Grupe, Larry R.

Guenther, Vernon C.

Gugel, Ruth E. Krengel

Hackbarth, Richard O.E.

Haegele, Dennis F.

Hall, Carl G.

Hanke, Elsie C. Hesemann

Hass, Kenneth E.

Headapohl, Virginia A. Randall

Helmreich, Christine A. Studt

Hilken, John C.

Himmler, Marvin M.

Hiske, Beverly G.

Hoch, Arthur G.

Hoerauf, Karen F. Strickert

Hollrah, Deanna S.

Holste, Herman M.

Hopp, Jerry L.

Hurd, James A.

Hurd, Loraine K. Einspahr

Kacmar, Dawn S. Gerike

Kaiser, Roy G.

Karsten, Beverly M. Wegner

Kaschinske, Kenneth A.

Kell, Delmar A.

Kell, Luther P.

Kell, Mary L. Brubaker

Kempff, Elna M.

Kern, Bonnie L. Leidel

Kern, Dennis L.

Kern, Loretta L. Gehrke

Kern, Stuart C.

Keup, Karen L. Von Behren

Keup, Ronald W.

Klausmeier, Caroline L. Hartwig

Klintworth, Kathryn G. Kunkel

Klug, David H.

Knopp, Allen M.

Knuth, Fred F.

Kohtz, Roger O.

Kosmatka, Bruce J.

Kovtun, George G.

Krach, George M.

Krause, Alan C.

Krause, Sandra L. Grousnick

Krone, Shirley M. Miller

Krone, Walter K.

Kruse, Lavern R.

Kugler, Colleen J. Klahn

Kurth, Ruth J.

Kurtz, Nancy C. Bromund

Kuschmann, Margie A. Linder

Kuschmann, Helmut P.

Kuske, Mary E. Moll

Kutz, Cathy A. Gerds

Kutz, John C.

Laeder, Leroy D.

Lanning, Joyce A. Owen

Laubsch, Terry J.

Leatzow, Edward A.

Leidecker, Shirley A.Hantak

Leidich, Roy E.

Leinberger, David W.

Lemke, George F.

Lenghart, Susan M. Mitchell

Lienau, Jane E. Mund

List, Rose M. Sachtleben

Locke, George M.

Lockhart, Carol E. Jennejahn

Lockhart, John W.

Loomans, Lowell A.

Louden, Sandra J

Mahler, Richard J.

Mahler, William A.

Marino, Quentin M.

Marxhausen, Gary P.

Masengarb, Virginia R. Ungrodt

Matzke, Sally L. Ebert

McNally, Brian D.

McNeeley, Mark E.

Meinert, Robert W.

Merrill, Kenlyn S. Weller

Meyer, David J.

Meyers, Anita G. Steufert

Michael, Patricia M. Sadlon

Miles, Robert G.

Miller, Herman F.

Milnikel, Jenifer J. Engel

Moehring, David P.

Moerer, Lucille P.

Mohlenhoff, Richard W.

Mohlenhoff, William H.

Moldenhauer, Herbert C.

Moritz, Lorelle R. Baumgart

Muck, Susan K. Thumm

Mueller, Robert K.

Muhl, Carol M. Anderson

Naber, Darrell H.

Nelson, Geraldine E. Menth

Neuhart, Norma D.

Neu, Coral L.

Neumann, Gary J.

Neumeyer, Marsha J. Jastram

Nieman, Anna E. Kanning

Nieman, Lenore K. Kelly

Nightlinger, Cathy J.

Nihiser, Jane A. Wollenburg

Nobili, Linda D. Davidson

Nobis, Judy A. Hospodar

Nobis, Lloyd B.

Olson, John R.

Opel, Edgar L.

Opel, Robert Warren

Otto, Phyllis F. Foreman

Pagano, MaryAnn Sembach

Pagels, Doris E. Meyermann

Pagels, James D.

Pakkala, Deborah L. Falck

Palmer, Rachel M.

Pankow, Shirley M. Mosch

Paselk, Renate E. Erhardt

Pauli, Elaine E.

Pawlitz, Carol J. McCollum

Pedersen, Fred R.

Pfannkuch, Darrell L.

Pickelman, Maureen R.

Pickelmann, Henry M.

Pittman, Eric G.

Priehs, Warren F.

Primeau, Douglas A.

Priskorn, Gary J.

Quade, Gene W.

Rademacher, JoAnn A. Zimmerman

Randall, Sally A. Barry

Rankin, Patricia A. Alderman

Rashid, Janet M. Schott

Rawson, Kathleen N. Glade

Riske, Ralph H.

Rodriguez, Teresita Pedmaja

Rockensuess, Sr., Larry H.

Roggatz, George R.

Rolf, Elda C. Elbert

Romp, Wilbert F.

Roth, Carlyn J. Hodde

Roth, James A.

Roth, Leslie D.

Rudick, Barbara A. Klug

Samsell, Alva L.

Sandor, Donald R.

Schafer, Robert D.

Scheiwe, Jean R. Rodammer

Scheiwe, Warren A.

Schempf, Richard H.

Scherer, Ronald D.

Schiemann, Kathleen R. Wardin

Schilling, Raymond L.

Schley, Margaret J. Trautman

Schmid, Erna I. Baehr

Schmidt, Dennis M.

Schmidt, Paul M.

Schmidt, Sandra J. Toennies

Schmitt, Kristine E. Halon

Schmucker, Calvin F.

Schollmeyer, Robert C.

Schroeder, Dorothy J. Succop

Schroeder, Kenneth W.

Schuck, Kathleen A. Alatalo

Schultz, Patricia A. Nagel

Organizational Matters - Page 28

Schultz, Robert L.

Schumacher, James L.

Schuster, Phil

Sebold, Marcia L. Mueller

Sheldon, Ernest L.

Siefker, Dorothy I. Lemkel

Siefker, Roy D.

Smith, Alice E. Kratt

Smith, James F. Jr

Sohn, Miriam L. Sattelmeier

Sonntag, Connie L. Kundinger

Spaeth, Carol R. Kionka

Standiford, Nancy L. Fahl

Steffens, Mark C.

Stevenson, Betty J. Potts

Stoll, Janet L. Johnson

Storck, Charles L.

Stordahl, Jean A. Weigt

Strang, Donna J. Reidenbach

Strang, William J.

Stresman, Kenneth C.

Stresman, Shirley M. Koeppen

Strohacker, Charles J.

Sturmfels, John H.

Sundermann, Dianne S.

Sutter, Irene T.

Taggart, Linda J. Lapinsky

Taylor, Marcia D.

Thunder-Haab, Keturah A. Thunder

Tiedje, Norman A.

Todt, John H.

Topel, Stanley R.

Trinklein, Rebecca M.

Truog, David J.

Truog, Susan L. Carroll

Van Dellen, Carol A. Harriman

Vanick, Edward W.

Vogtmann, Janet L. Roth

Volz, Karen R. Nitz

Von Behren, Erich W.

Von Fange, Erich A.

Vorwerk, Dale H.

Waak, LeMoyne D.

Waak, Vera C. Lovercamp

Wallace, Shirley M. Eggerding

Walz, Christine J.

Ward, Donna J. Feltner

Warnick, Harriet H. Lange

Warnick, Howard J.

Watson, Marie C. Buvelot

Weier, Kent G.

Wegener, Thomas L.

Weismantel, Paul O.

Weiss, Lori A.

Wellander, Ronald E.

Werderman, Amy L. Rohde

Westendorf, Karen S. Renkert

Wiersig, Christine C. AuBuchon

Wiersig, W. Dan

Wilke, Nancy E.

Wilks, Myril A.

Williams, Elizabeth V.

Williams, Judy E. Harmoning

Willis, Linda J. Eller

Winter, Paul G.

Winterstein, Charles A.

Witte, Lucie E. Stelter

Wittig, Evelyn D. Sell

Wittrock, John H.

Wood, Janice M.

Wrase, William R.

Wrobleski, Richard E.

Wuertz, Duane W.

Yelden, Susan I.

Young, Brian A.

Zappitell, Kathleen M. Gerber

Zehnder, James W.

Zehnder, Wilma Sherrill Moeckei

Zessin, Catherine E.

Organizational Matters - Page 29

Ministers of Religion - Commissioned Roster Changes

March 8, 2012 to March 9, 2015

Entered the District Through Graduation or Colloquy

Newly Rostered Directors of Christian Education

Newly Rostered Deaconesses

Newly Rostered Directors of Family Life

Armstrong, Kathryn P. (Chicago) to Monroe, Holy Ghost

Asiala, Douglas A. (Cq. Ann Arbor) Saint Johns, St. Peter

Baringer, Todd (Cq. Chicago) to Saint Joseph, Trinity

Barnes, Susan M. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Macomb, Immanuel

Barth, Rachael E. (Mequon) to Alpena, Immanuel

Bobowski, Benjamin (Mequon) to Lansing, Our Savior

Briggs, Cynthia M. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Reese, Trinity

Brown, Erika P. Heimsoth (Ann Arbor) to Holt, St. Matthew

Butler, Harmon R. Jr. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Royal Oak, St. Paul

Chasier, Elizabeth A. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Clinton Township, Trinity

Drinane, Nicole R. Lovasz (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Southgate, Christ the King

Emington, Stephanie J. (Mequon) to Conklin, Trinity

Fink, Kelly L. Wiegand (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association

Gakstatter, Kari S. Streeter (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Bay City, Immanuel

Glumm, Julie K. Boes (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Bay City, Zion

Harris, Dawn M. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Utica, Trinity

Kamin, Jonathan M. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Saginaw, Immanuel

Keller, Michael T. (Chicago) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Kern, Hans H. (St. Paul) to Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Krc, Mary E. (Seward) to Saginaw, Holy Cross

Lockhart, Susan J. Smith (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Utica, Trinity

Lucas, John K. (Ann Arbor) to Utica, Trinity

Makowski, Rebecca L. (Ann Arbor) to Saginaw, Peace

McDaniel, Jennifer R. (Irvine) to Macomb, St. Peter

Meckes, Hannah K. Maske (Chicago) to Bridgeport, Faith (to serve at St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth)

Meier, William F. (Mequon) to Midland, St. John’s

Milz, Carolyn E. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Monroe, Trinity

Neumeyer, Sarah (Ann Arbor) to Shelby Township, Peace

Noelker, James E. (Mequon) to Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association

Parks, Trevor A. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Saginaw, Bethlehem

Pettibone, Katherine L. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Macomb, Immanuel

Pittman, Janel D. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Saginaw, Peace

Richardson, Brenda C. Koglin (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Clinton Township, St. Luke

Rudolph, Erin L. (Saint Paul) to Clinton Township, Trinity

Schimm, Naomi (Chicago) to Bay City, Zion

Schlak, Stephanie M. (Ann Arbor) to Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association

Schmit, Steven P. (Ann Arbor) to Rogers City, St. John

Schroeder, Samantha J. (Chicago) to Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Sluis, Elizabeth M. (Chicago) to Berrien Springs, Trinity

Stahlecker, Karla M. (Seward) to Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High School

Thompson, Adrienne A. (Cq. Mequon) to New Boston, St. John

Vincent, Heath D. (Cq. Ann Arbor) to Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High School

Walsh, Jacquelin B. (Ann Arbor) to Belleville, Open Arms

Wascher, Erin M. (Chicago) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Yoder, Jennifer A. Gremel (Cq. Ann Arbor) to St. Paul, Unionville

Zeddies, Brooke R. (Chicago) to New Boston, St. John

Furr, Ruth C. Smeeding (Seward) to Saginaw, Holy Cross

Engelking, Cynthia L. (Fort Wayne) to Richmond, St. Peter’s

Johnson, Rebecca E. Rockrohr (Chicago) to Hillsdale, St. Paul’s

Leeds, Ashleigh N. (Ann Arbor) to Muskegon, Trinity

Marshall, David P. (Ann Arbor) to Ypsilanti, Cross & Resurrection

Marshall, Margarett I. E. (Ann Arbor) to Ypsilanti, Cross & Resurrection

Meinert, Rose E. (Ann Arbor) to Flint, St. Mark

Ribar, Vicki L. Booker (Ann Arbor) to Fenton, Trinity

Schmit, Abigail R. Werner (Ann Arbor) to Rogers City, Peace

Newly Rostered Directors of Parish Music

Bohnert, Alisha D. (Seward) to Midland, St. John’s

Hilker, Johanna L. (Irvine) to Saginaw, Holy Cross

Organizational Matters - Page 30

Transferred from Other Districts

Anderson, G. Peter (Northwest District) to Alpena, Immanuel

Anderson, Jean E. Behrens (Northwest District) to Alpena, Immanuel

Arrick, Mary S. Petzold (North Wisconsin District) as Candidate

Ashley, Jeremy R. (Minnesota South District) to Clinton Township, Trinity

Ball, Rebecca L. Bierlein (Eastern District) to Bay City, Immanuel

Bernau, Jonathan (Minnesota South District) to Bay City, St. John

Bird, Terry L. Smith (Missouri District) to St. Joseph, Trinity

Bishop, Mary J. Lutz (English District) as Emeritus

Blake, Jennifer L. (North Wisconsin District) to Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Lutheran High School

Britton, John W. (Northern Illinois District) to Port Huron, Trinity

Celmer, Katrina L. (English District) to Fraser, St. John

Christopher, Steven L. (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Crawford, Jolene L. (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) to Richville, St. Michael’s

Duclos, Rebecca L. Arnholt (Kansas District) to Lansing, Our Savior

Dummann, Matthew D. M. (Atlantic District) to Dearborn, Guardian

Durham, Darci (Ohio District) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Engelbrecht, Rachael A. Paterick (Missouri District) to Lansing, Our Savior

Engelhard, Marissa J. (English District) as Candidate

Faszholz, Mark A. (Missouri District) to Utica, Trinity

Fulmer, Marsha (Florida-Georgia District) as Non-Candidate

Gledhill, Kristin A. Arthurton (Missouri District) as Non-Candidate

Grams, Susan E. Ripke (English District) to Fraser, St. John

Grannis, Kristy M. Abel (Minnesota South District) to Belleville, Open Arms

Grenz, Melinda S. Scott (Northern Illinois District) as Non-Candidate

Grifn, Shirley A. Grayson (Atlantic District) as Non-Candidate

Grube, Aaron E. (Central Illinois District) to Kalamazoo, Zion

Hiske, Beverly G. (Southeastern District) as Emeritus

Hoffman, Tabitha M (Oklahoma District) to Fraser, St. John

Hohnstadt, Rebecca S. (Missouri District) to Warren, Holy Cross

Howard, Kelly L. (Kansas District) as Candidate

Jankauskas, Julie C. (Missouri District) to Macomb, St. Peter

Jenicek, Rebecca D. (Northwest District) to Holt, Messiah

Johnson, Andrea E. (Southern Illinois District) to Macomb, St. Peter

Johnson, Emily D. Chapman (Missouri District) as Candidate

Kayser, Doris A. (Minnesota South District) as Candidate

Longmire, Sarah A. (English District) to Traverse City, Trinity

Louden, Sandra J. (English District) as Emeritus

Lovett, Jillian K. McNally (Ohio District) as Non-Candidate

Mackie, Ruth E. Garchow (Minnesota South District) to Conklin, Trinity

Meier, Jessica L Denninger (Southeastern District) to Walled Lake, St. Matthew

Miller, Jennifer A. (Mid-South District) as Non-Candidate

Moritz, Joel W. (Northern Illinois District) to Paw Paw, Trinity

Moritz, Lorelle R. Baumgart (Northern Illinois District) as Emeritus

Nash, Patricia L. Barnhill (Indiana District) as Non-Candidate

Nieman, Emilee R. (Minnesota South District) as Non-Candidate

Noel, Marie A. Fetterer (Ohio District) as Candidate

Oldenburg, Craig S. (Rocky Mountain District) to Gowen, Camp Concordia

Oldenburg, Mary K. Brown (Rocky Mountain District) as Non-Candidate

Pahlkotter, Henry G. II (Minnesota South District) to Saginaw, Peace

Pehlke, Todd M. (North Wisconsin District) to Rochester, St. John

Petzold, Christina C. Schoenknech (North Wisconsin District) to Saginaw, Immanuel

Rasmussen, Sarah E. (Northern Illinois District) to Bay City, Faith

Reiser, Sandra K. (South Wisconsin District) as Candidate

Sankey, Brent T. (Florida-Georgia District) as Candidate

Sankey, Margaret A. Orman (Florida-Georgia District) to Dearborn, Guardian

Sankey, Thad J (Nebraska District) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Scheele, Dean M. (Minnesota South District) to Bay City, St. Paul

Schmitz, Mary L. Bergoldt Johnson (Mid-South District) as Non-Candidate

Schumacher, Joshua S. (Pacic Southwest District) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Schuster, Phil (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) as Emeritus

Scott, Aaron M. (South Wisconsin District) to Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Steinke, Eric D. (Indiana District) as Candidate

Wade, Christine L. Koenig (Missouri District) to Candidate

Webb, Angela D. Eisman (Pacic Southwest District) as Candidate

Weiss, Lori A. (Minnesota North District) as Emeritus

Weiss, Rebecca A. Lenenbauer (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) as Candidate

Weiss, Theodore P. (California-Nevada-Hawaii District) to Sebewaing, Immanuel

Winterstein, Charles A (Mid-South District) as Emeritus

Young, Kathryn J. Grush (English District) as Candidate

Organizational Matters - Page 31

Transferred Within the District

Barz, Daniel S. (Non-Candidate) to Buchanan, St. Paul (Ordained)

Baughman, Terry A. (Lake Orion, Good Shepherd) to Waterford, St. Stephen

Blackwell, Judith J. Radthke (Candidate) to Dearborn, Emmanuel

Block, Michelle R. Nielsen (Non-Candidate) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Bronner, Jill J. Stamm (Candidate) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Brooks, Jacquelin R. Walsh (Belleville, Open Arms) to Royal Oak, St. Paul

Burk, Daniel R. (Holt, St. Matthew) to Southgate, Christ the King

Chester, Thomas B. (Kentwood, St. Mark) to Haslett, St. Luke

Chuhran, Kyle B. (Macomb, St. Peter) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Contreras, Andrew J (Richmond, St. Peter’s) to Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Dunsmore, Sharon K. Bruns (Candidate) to Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Erlenbeck, Jill A. Sherman (Candidate) to Bay City, Immanuel

Etheridge, Kimberly D. (Candidate) to Brighton, Shepherd of the Lakes

Fahlsing, Gloria D. (Flint, St. Paul) to Jackson, Trinity

Felten, Daniel L. (Bridgeport, Faith) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Fischer, Melinda A. Wiersig (Candidate) to Clinton Township, St. Luke

Gallagher, Megan J. (Shelby Township) to Clinton Township, Trinity

Garrabrant, Rachel A. Richert (Non-Candidate) to Utica, Trinity

Geyer, Stephen H. (Waterford, St. Stephen) to Flint, St. Paul

Godbold, Ellen E. Stamm (Candidate) to Kentwood, St. Mark

Gruber, Mary M. Janssens (New Boston, St. John) to Monroe, Trinity

Hambaum, Patricia S. Stange (Candidate) to Richmond, St. Peter

Hambaum, Patricia S. Stange (Richmond, St. Peter) to Marlette, Our Savior

Hansell, Christopher G. (Candidate) to New Boston, St. John

Heinert, Karla S. (Waterford, St. Stephen) to Dearborn, Guardian

Heins, Eric J. (Monroe, Holy Ghost) to Lake Orion, Good Shepherd

Heissenbuettel, Monica M. Frank (Non-Candidate) to Ann Arbor, St. Paul

Hempel, Ruth R. Dornfeld (Northville, St. Paul) to Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Hempel, Ruth R. Dornfeld (Candidate) to Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Hildebrand, Laura A. Giger (Candidate) to Stevensville, Christ

Hilsabeck, Janet E. Roberts (Clinton Township, St. Luke) to Macomb, Immanuel

Howard, Kelly L. (Candidate) to Fraser, St. John

Hueseman, James I. (Gladwin, Our Savior) to Jenison, Holy Cross

Jordan, Sharon B. Berry (Southgate, Christ the King) to Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association

Kaiser David A. (Millington, St. Paul) to Sebewaing, Immanuel

Kaiser, Erika J. Goebel (Millington, St. Paul) to Sebewaing, Immanuel

Kaschube, Elizabeth M. Ueckert (Candidate) to Muskegon, Trinity

Kitzman, Laura A. Benson (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) to Northville, St. Paul

Klauer, Susan E. Goebel (Richmond, St. Peter’s) to Millington, St. Paul

Kosmatka, Amy B. Kosmatka Swim (Saint Joseph, Trinity) to Macomb, St. Peter

Kwapis, Nicholas A. (Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association) to Rochester, St. John

Lanning, Chantal M. Kulczycki (Flint, St. Paul) to Shelby Township, Peace

Leidecker, Karla J. Thanepohn (Non-Candidate) to Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Marshall, Margarett I. E. (Cross & Resurrection, Ypsilanti) to Bloomeld Hills, Cross Of Christ

Massey, Brandley R. (Ann Arbor, St. Paul) to Big Rapids, St. Peter’s

McCollister, Allison M. Drake (Candidate) to Northville, St. Paul

McDonald, Deborah M. Crosby (Rochester, Living Word) to Birmingham, Our Shepherd

Mueller, Scott R. (Bridgeport, Faith) to Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz

Myers, Paula M. Heddle (Candidate) to Utica, Trinity

Neumeyer, Dennis K. (Emeritus) to Bay City, St. Paul

Neumeyer, Karen B. Koenig (Waterford, St. Stephen) to Rochester, St. John

Newton, LaRayne S. Stanek (Candidate) to Richville, St. Michael’s

Noel, Marie (Candidate) to Northville, St. Paul

O’Boyle, Sharilyn M. Specht (Non-Candidate) to Warren, Peace

Otto, Brenda L. (Candidate) to Midland, St. John’s

Peters, Mark G. (Candidate) to Leland, Immanuel

Pidsosny, Mary L. Fenske (Non-Candidate) to Eastpointe, St. Peter’s

Prusak, Kathleen A. Hollman (Dearborn, Emmanuel) to Monroe, Holy Ghost

Prusak, Kathleen A. Hollman (Monroe, Holy Ghost) to Clinton Township, St. Luke

Reck, Jennifer D. Glahn (Candidate) to Muskegon, Trinity

Rolf, Cheryl J. Hahn (Rochester, Living Word) to Troy, St. Augustine

Rolf, James E. (Non-Candidate) to Linden, Hope (Ordained)

Rudick, Annette K. (Auburn, Grace) to Bay City, Immanuel

Schmit, Harvey M. (Wayne, St. Michael) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Schmit, Steven P. (Rogers City, St. John) to Fraser, St. John

Schultz, Sarah M. (Clarkston, St. Trinity) to Traverse City, Trinity

Schumacher, Linda L. Laux (Macomb, St. Peter) to Farmington Hills, Lutheran Special Education Ministries

Schwaegerle, Judy L. (Candidate) to Redford, Hosanna-Tabor

Sheppard, Loren K. Popke (Farmington Hills, Lutheran Special Education Ministries) to Farmington Hills, St. Paul

Steinke, Eric D. (Candidate) to Adrian, St. John’s

Organizational Matters - Page 32

Stockmeyer, Heidi M. (Non-Candidate) to Clinton Township, Trinity

Tomashewsky, Suzanne B. Birkholz (Candidate) to Non-Candidate

Trinklein, Susan M. Blattner (Candidate) to Shelby Township, Peace

Unger, Daniel E. (Fraser, St. John) to Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association

Vieregge, Keith L. (Candidate) to Clinton Township, St. Luke

Vogeli, Mitchell R. (Non-Candidate) to Ordained

Weisenbach, Janice L. Dove (Emeritus) to Ann Arbor, Concordia University

Weiss, Jared L. (Shelby Township, Peace) to Non-Candidate

Weiss, Jared L. (Non-Candidate) to Northville, St. Paul’s

Wentzel, Anne C. (Non-Candidate) to Kentwood, St. Mark

Williamson, Katie L. Widstrand (Non-Candidate) to Warren, Peace

Transferred to Other Districts

Abraham, Caleb J.G. (Hemlock, St. Peter) to Florida-Georgia District

Abraham, Emily J. DeBoer (Hemlock, St. Peter) to Florida-Georgia District

Anderson, Emily J. Rausch (Ann Arbor, St. Paul) to Ohio District

Arrick, Mary S. Petzold (Candidate) to North Wisconsin District

Bach, Elinor (Grand Rapids, Immanuel) to Northern Illinois District

Baringer, Brooke A. Kabobel (Candidate) to Mid-South District

Baringer, Todd R. (Saint Joseph, Trinity) to Mid-South District

Beethe, Ivan R. (Candidate) to North Wisconsin District

Boehm, Jerry R. (Emeritus) to Northern Illinois District

Bornheimer, Alyssa A. Healy (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) to Indiana District

Bornheimer, Stephen (Candidate) to Indiana District

Brockberg, Kevin H. (Non-Candidate) to Florida-Georgia District

Burroughs, Daniel R. (Emeritus) to Missouri District

Corker, Lynn N. (Candidate) to Northern Illinois District

Dahlke, Dorothy H. (Emeritus) to Minnesota South District

Dahn, Mary L. Schleicher (Emeritus) to Texas District

Elmshauser, Laura A. (Clinton Township, Trinity) Florida-Georgia District

Engelhard, Marissa J. (Candidate) to Texas District

Ferry, Cheryl L. Mueller (Non-Candidate) to English District

Fischer, Karen K. Nemetz (Waterford, St. Stephen) to Northern Illinois District

Fischer, Melinda A. Wiersig (Clinton Township, St. Luke) to Southern Illinois District

Gnewuch, Cynthia A. Nerge (Candidate) to Southeastern District

Grim, Rebecca R. (Port Hope, St. John) to Indiana District

Kern, Hans H. (Candidate) to Minnesota South District

Hauser, Arlene J. Maier (Emeritus) to South Wisconsin District

Hauser, Ronald L. (Emeritus) to South Wisconsin District

Henwood, Jane D. Coomer (Emeritus) to Indiana District

Hibbard, Mary Anne (Utica, Trinity) to Ohio District

Hoffman, Tabitha M. (Non-Candidate) to Minnesota South District

Holdeman, Kimberly S. Frieling (Candidate) to Texas District

Janetzke, Emily L. Bluege (Non-Candidate) to Central Illinois District

Jenicek, Rebecca D. (Candidate) to Northwest District

Kratz, Joshua R. (Macomb, Lutheran High North) to Indiana District

Krueger, Stephanie D. Walther (Non-Candidate) to South Wisconsin District

Kumm, David H. (Sebewaing, Immanuel) to Ohio District

Landskroener, Ellen A. Schlueter (Non-Candidate) to Ohio District

Landskroener, James A. (Lansing, Our Savior) to Ohio District

Love, Diane K. Ryherd (Candidate) to Ohio District

Maske, Andrea J. Rampert (Candidate) to Northern Illinois District

McDaniel, Jennifer R. (Macomb, St. Peter) to Pacic Southwest District

Meyer, Kevin E. (Auburn, Zion) to South Wisconsin District

Meyer, Shannon E. McClure (Macomb, Immanuel) to Mid-South District

Moritz, Joel W. (Paw Paw, Trinity) to Northern Illinois District

Muehl, Ashley R. (Lansing, Our Savior) to Indiana District

Nelson-McKenzie, Kristen (Waterford, St. Stephen) to Florida-Georgia District

Norman, Emily M. (Non-Candidate) to Southeastern District

Oechsner, Heather A. Locke (Non-Candidate) to Northwest District

Odinga, Ardith A. Gerken (Emeritus) to Texas District

Odinga, Michael D. (Emeritus) to Texas District

Oechsner, Bryan P. (Macomb, Lutheran High North) to Northwest District

Pickelmann, Jonathon H. (Midland, St. John’s) to South Wisconsin District

Prange, Sherry L. Hoffherr (Reed City, Trinity) to Southern Illinois District

Reick, Myron H. (Rochester, Living Word) to Nebraska District

Reick, Sandra L. Krey (Candidate) to Nebraska District

Reinbold, Tricia K. Mallory (Non-Candidate) to Nebraska District

Reiser, Sandra K. (Candidate) to South Wisconsin District

Robbins, Nathan P. (Ann Arbor, Concordia University) to Texas District

Rosin, Michael P. (Southgate, Christ the King) to Indiana District

Organizational Matters - Page 33

Rottermond, Linda I. (Emeritus) to Texas District

Scheele, Dean M. (Bay City, St. Paul) to Minnesota South District

Scheiderer, Paul M. (Clinton Township, St. Luke) to Indiana District

Scheuer, James A. (Candidate) to South Wisconsin District)

Schmitz, Mary L. Bergdolt Johnson (Richmond, St. Peter’s) to Mid-South District

Schultz, Jeremy J. (Bay City, Immanuel) to South Wisconsin District

Scott, Aaron (Redford, Hosanna-Tabor) to Indiana District

Sluis, Elizabeth M. (Berrien Springs, Trinity) to Northern Illinois District

Smith, Kimberly D. Page (Candidate) to Mid-South District

Steinke, Laurie J. Callies (Candidate) to Florida-Georgia District

Thomas, Jean G. (Emeritus) to Minnesota South District

Thompson, Judy C. Hilken (Emeritus) to English District

Vanneste, Sarah F. (Non-Candidate) to Ohio District

Vogt, Melissa M. (Macomb, St. Peter) to Indiana District

Volkman, Heather D. (Candidate) to South Wisconsin District

Wallace, Jeffery L. (Stevensville, Christ) to Indiana District

Watson, Elizabeth A. (Montague, St. James) to Iowa District West

Werner, Mark A. (Non-Candidate) to North Wisconsin District (Ordained)

Winterstein, Charles A. (Emeriti) to Mid-South District

Wolf, Matthew T. (Ann Arbor, Concordia University) to South Wisconsin District

Wold, Joshua D. (Saint Joseph, Trinity) to Northern Illinois District

Wrege, Thomas W. (Utica, Trinity) to Texas District

Young, Kathryn J. Grush (Candidate) to English District

Zeddies, Brooke R. (New Boston, St. John’s) to Missouri District

INACTIVE

Inactive – Candidate Status

Arrick, Mary S. Petzold (Flint, St. Paul) – 06/08/2012

Baringer, Brooke A. Kabobel (Saint Joseph, Trinity) – 12/01/2013

Beethe, Ivan R. (Conklin, Trinity) – 06/17/2013

Bierlein, Heather M. Shirley (Auburn, Grace) – 06/15/2014

Bornheimer, Stephen (Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association) – 07/24/2013

Bringer, David J. (Millington, St. Paul) – 08/02/2012

Corker, Lynn N. (Non-Candidate) – 01/20/2014

Elmshauser, Laura A. (Clinton Township, Trinity) – 06/15/2013

Gau, Emily C. (Macomb, Immanuel) – 08/14/2012

Genig, Dennis K. (Ann Arbor, Concordia University) – 10/18/2013

Gibson, Debra S. (Waterford, St. Stephen) – 06/22/2012

Gnewuch, Cynthia A. Nerge (Birmingham, Our Shepherd) – 08/15/2014

Hansell, Christopher G. (Bay City, Immanuel) – 09/03/2012

Havrilcsak, Laura A. Hart (Flint, St. Paul) – 10/20/2014

Hempel, Ruth R. Dornfeld (Eastpointe, St. Peter’s) – 06/15/2014

Hildebrand, Laura A. Giger (Saint Joseph, Trinity) – 10/19/2012

Hoeft, Terry L. (Royal Oak, St. Paul) – 07/31/2014

Holdeman, Kimberly S. Frieling (Monroe, Grace) – 12/07/2012

Jenicek, Rebecca D. (Holt, Messiah) – 10/03/2014

Kaschube, Elizabeth M. Uekert (Spring Lake, St. Matthew) – 12/16/2012

Kern, Hans H. (Eastpointe, St. Peter’s) – 01/07/2013

Kleimola, David A. (Clinton Township, St. Luke) – 09/29/2013

Krone, James R. (Farmington Hills, Lutheran Special Education Ministries) – 01/01/2015

McReynolds, Nicole E. (Reed City, Trinity) – 10/18/2012

Newell, Johanna F. Eschmann (Eastpointe, St. Peter’s) – 05/30/2014

Newman, Kimberly A. LaBine (Clinton Township, St. Luke) – 11/14/2014

O’Boyle, Sharilyn M. Specht (Warren, Peace) – 06/30/2014

Pendley, David W. (Midland, Messiah) – 12/31/2014

Reick, Sandra L. Kray (Rochester, Living Word) – 09/01/2014

Rockrohr, Deborah L. Roth (LCMS World Mission, St. Louis) – 09/06/2014

Schimm, Naomi R. Rush (Bay City, Zion) – 08/14/2013

Schwaegerle, Judy L. (Westland, St. Matthew) – 06/30/2014

Seguin, Kathleen J. Auch (Clinton Township, St. Luke) – 11/01/2014

Smith, Jennifer M. Schaedig (Saginaw, Immanuel) – 12/31/2013

Volkman, Heather D. (Port Huron, Trinity) – 09/01/2012

Zahnow, Sarah E. Fish (Bay City, Zion) – 08/15/2012

Organizational Matters - Page 34

Inactive – Emeriti Status

Behm, Constance R. Rengstorf (Grand Haven, St. John’s) – 08/15/2013

Beringer, Daniel W. (Sebewaing, Immanuel) – 06/30/2013

Beringer, Gloria L. Gehner (Sebewaing, Immanuel) – 06/30/2014

Bickel, Elaine C. Petzold (Millington, St. Paul) – 06/30/2014

Bremer, David A. (Saint Johns, St. Peter) – 07/31/2012

Bresemann, Linda G. Houren (Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz) – 06/30/2013

Bresemann, Perry A. (Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz) – 12/31/2013

Campbell, Gary H. (Saginaw, Peace) – 07/31/2012

Christian, Robert J. (Macomb, Immanuel) – 06/30/2014

Dressler, Ronald L. (Saginaw, Bethlehem) – 06/30/2014

Dohrmann, Jane M. Bergman (Reese, Trinity) – 06/30/2014

Dunklau, Linda J. Bork (Macomb, St. Peter) – 06/20/2012

Eisman, Kathleen S. Ott (Bay City, St. Paul) – 07/30/2013

Farrand, Thomas J. (Stevensville, Christ) – 06/30/2014

Fechik, Carol A. Voss (Paw Paw, Trinity) – 06/30/2014

Fischer, Karen E. Murphy (Macomb, St. Peter) – 06/30/2012

Fish, Dale W. (Bay City, St. John) – 07/01/2012

Gallagher, John J. (Muskegon, Trinity) – 06/15/2013

Gallert, Frederick D. (Grand Rapids, Our Savior) – 06/30/2014

Gierach, Raymond C. (Rochester Hills, Lutheran High School Association) – 06/30/2014

Gioe, Louise E. Scheueman (Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz) – 06/14/2013

Goehmann, Rodney L. (Candidate) – 12/23/2013

Goetz, Lois A. Mortensen (Macomb, Immanuel) – 06/30/2014

Grese, Susan J. Turner (Concordia University, Ann Arbor) – 05/27/2014

Hall, Carl G. (Northville, St. Paul) – 08/03/2012

Hass, Kenneth E. (Non-Candidate) – 01/21/2013

Hoch, Arthur G. (Alpena, Immanuel) – 06/30/2012

Hoerauf, Karen F. Strickert (Fraser, St. John) – 06/30/2014

Kern, Dennis L. (Stevensville, Christ) – 11/01/2012

Keup, Karen L. Von Behren (Saginaw, Bethlehem) – 06/15/2012

Keup, Ronald W. (Saginaw, Bethlehem) – 06/15/2012

Klug, David H. (Non-Candidate) – 04/07/2014

Koerschen, James M. (Shanghai, China, Concordia International) – 07/31/2012

Kovtun, George G. (Richmond, St. Peter’s) – 07/31/2012

Krone, Walter K. (Dearborn, Guardian) – 07/31/2012

Kruse, Lavern R. (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) – 12/31/2012

Lenghart, Susan M. Mitchell (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) – 06/15/2013

McNally, Brian D. (Mount Calvary, Detroit) – 02/03/2013

McNeeley, Mark E. (Eastpointe, St. Peter’s) – 12/01/2013

Michael, Patricia M. Sadlon (Berrien Springs, Trinity) – 06/05/2013

Miles, Robert G. (Bay City, Luth Child & Family Life) – 06/30/2012

Milnikel, Jenifer J. Engel (Saint Joseph, Trinity) – 06/21/2012

Moehring, David P. (Manistee, Trinity) – 06/30/2014

Mueller, Robert K. (Saginaw, Peace) – 06/30/2013

Nelson, Geraldine E. Menth (Alpena, Immanuel) – 07/01/2012

Neu, Coral L. (Candidate) – 03/24/2013

Neumeyer, Dennis K. (Saginaw, Immanuel) – 07/01/2012

Neumeyer, Marsha J. Jastram (Saginaw, Immanuel) – 07/01/2012

Nieman, Lenore K. Kelly (Fraser, St. John) – 09/01/2012

Nobili, Linda D. Davidson (Rochester, St. John) – 10/31/2014

Nobis, Judy A. Hospodar (Kentwood, St. Mark) – 06/15/2013

Odinga, Ardith A. Gerken (Saginaw, Holy Cross) – 06/30/2013

Paselk, Renate E. Erhardt (Macomb, St. Peter) – 06/15/2014

Pickelmann, Henry M. (Bay City, Trinity) – 06/30/2012

Priskorn, Gary J. (Birmingham, Redeemer) – 06/30/2012

Rademacher, JoAnn A. Zimmerman (Dearborn, Guardian) – 06/30/2014

Rankin, Patricia A. Alderman (Saginaw, Holy Cross) – 06/30/2014

Riske, Ralph H. (Auburn, Zion) – 06/30/2014

Rodriguez, Teresita Pedmaja (Detroit, Missionary at Large to Hispanic) – 09/15/2012

Schafer, Robert D. (Rochester, St. John) – 12/13/2013

Schmitt, Kristine E. Halon (Lapeer, St. Paul) – 06/14/2013

Sebold, Marcia L. Mueller (Dearborn, Guardian) – 06/30/2014

Siefker, Dorothy I. Lemke (Northville, St. Paul) – 06/15/2013

Siefker, Roy David (Detroit, Detroit Urban) – 12/31/2012

Sohn, Miriam L. Sattelmeier (Lansing, Our Savior) – 06/30/2014

Sonntag, Connie L. Kundinger (Bay City, Faith) – 06/15/2012

Stevenson, Betty J. Potts (Walled Lake, St. Matthew) – 06/15/2012

Stordahl, Jean A. Weigt (Muskegon, Trinity) – 06/15/2013

Strohacker, Charles J. (Stevensville, Christ) – 06/30/2014

Taggart, Linda J. Lapinsky (Eastpointe, St. Thomas) – 06/15/2013

Organizational Matters - Page 35

Thomas, Jean G. (Hemlock, St. Peter) – 06/15/2013

Thompson, Judy C. Hilken (Eastpointe, St. Peter’s) – 06/14/2013

Trinklein, Rebecca M. (Bay City, Immanuel) – 06/15/2014

Truog, David J. (Big Rapids, St. Peter’s) – 06/30/2013

Van Dellen, Carol A. Harriman (Waterford, St. Stephen) – 07/10/2012

Vanick, Edward W. (Eastpointe, St. Thomas) – 06/15/2013

Volz, Karen R. Nitz (Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz) – 06/30/2014

Walz, Christine J. (Richmond, St. Peter’s) – 06/30/2012

Watson, Marie C. Buvelot (Saint Joseph, Trinity) – 08/15/2014

Westendorf, Karen S. Renkert (Utica, Trinity) – 06/15/2014

Wiersig, Christine C. AuBuchon (Farmington Hills, St. Paul’s) – 08/15/2013

Wilke, Nancy E. (Richville, St. Michael’s) – 06/30/2014

Wilks, Myril A. (Shelby Township, Peace) – 08/15/2012

Williams, Judy E. Harmoning (Clinton Township, Trinity) – 12/31/2012

Yelden, Susan I. (Non-Candidate) – 03/18/2013

Reinstated to the Roster

School Openings

School Closings

Resigned from Roster

Removed from Roster

Called to Glory

Bronner, Jill J. Stamm – 11/25/2013

Etheridge, Kimberly D. – 11/24/2014

Genthner Jr., Richard G. – 02/24/2014

Greve, Wendy F. Fischer – 09/18/2012

Love, Diane K. Ryherd – 02/24/2014

Maske, Andrea J. Rampert – 09/23/2014

Ann Arbor, St. Thomas – 07/09/2012

Auburn, Grace – 06/30/2014

Cheboygan, St. John – 08/18/2014

Hemlock, Zion – 09/14/2012

Adams, Robyn L. Wyckhuys – 04/26/2013

Beach, Sharon R. Schmaltz – 06/07/2013

Bublitz, Kimberly A. Doyen – 01/31/2014

Burmeister, Nathaniel J. – 12/24/2013

Fabbro, Ruth H. Kast – 07/23/2012

Fielitz, Jane L. Wagner – 02/10/2015

Fritsch, Kregg C. – 08/07/2014

Gammon, Christina L. Simon – 08/21/2014

Hoeft, Rebekah J. Holmes – 02/11/2013

Asiala, Douglas A. – 02/02/2015

Azzopardi, Karie R. – 03/02/2015

Barth, Rachael E. – 06/30/2014

Bartzsch, Daina – 03/12/2013

Boots, Cynthia F. – 04/09/2014

Christie, Linda K. Klausmeier – 04/09/2014

Faerber, Mark E. – 03/12/2013

Fulmer, Marsha J. – 03/02/2015

Gaubatz, Julie A. Guenther Davis – 02/17/2015

Gilson, Laura M. – 04/19/2012

Hand, Marsha J. Meyer – 03/12/2013

Harris, Rachel M. Bremer – 04/09/2014

Heins, II, Ronald O. – 03/02/2015

Hoelter, Stephen W. – 03/12/2013

Knudsen, Kristie J. Alexander – 02/27/2013

Bassett, Leonard E. – 12/12/2014

Bergoldt, Mary L. Bergoldt Johnson Schmitz – 01/14/2014

Dallmann, LaVerne M. Voigt – 08/20/2012

Grueber, Susan E. Klein – 06/18/2013

Koerschen, James M. – 07/17/2014

Krause, David L. – 02/13/2013

Masengarb, David G. – 11/16/2012

Morris, Cheryl J. – 11/24/2014

Newton, LaRayne S. Stanke – 02/19/2013

Reck, Jennifer D. Glahn – 09/18/2012

Scheuer, James A. – 02/19/2013

Smith, Kimberly D. Page – 05/05/2014

Vicari, Matthew V. – 02/13/2015

Munger, Trinity-St. James – 06/06/2012

Shelby Township, Shepherd’s Gate – 05/21/2014

Waterford, St. Stephen – 06/06/2012

Kayser, Jennifer M. DeMeritt – 08/14/2013

Kruse, Ruth A. Warsinske – 11/30/2012

Lanthier, Elizabeth A. Schoen – 04/05/2012

McPherson, Norman G. – 12/17/2012

Peters, Kathryn R. – 03/04/2015

Rebeck, Christine J. Cheskey – 04/09/2014

Wesley, Amanda L. Hohnstadt – 08/25/2013

Winterstein, Alecia M. – 04/05/2012

Lange, Beth L. – 03/12/2013

Major, Cynthia C. Schluckbebier – 03/12/2013

Marshall, David P. – 03/02/2015

Marzluft, Debra M. – 03/02/2015

Maske, Andrea J. Rampert – 04/09/2014

McCabe, Llisa L. Anderson-Vie – 04/19/2012

McReynolds, Nicole E. – 04/09/2014

Nash, Patricia L. Barnhill – 03/02/2015

Nieman, Dale W. – 01/14/2013

Nocella, Larry A. Jr. – 04/09/2014

Polonkey, Stephanie M. – 04/19/2012

Rolf, Michelle P. – 01/14/2013

Torreson, Rodney T. – 01/25/2013

Wargo, Andrew A. – 01/07/2015

Porisch, Byron D. – 11/17/2013

Reitmeyer, Royce J. – 04/16/2013

Richert, Alvin M. – 11/06/2014

Schultz, Lloyd N. – 11/17/2014

Stevens, Joanne M. Toensing – 08/20/2013

Straub, Carl G. – 06/07/2014

Wondrasch, Ruth M. – 07/30/2014

Organizational Matters - Page 36

Ministers of Religion - Commissioned Anniversaries

In 2012

50 Years

Boldt, H. James

Dubke, Darwin C.

Grupe, Larry R.

Kell, Delmar A.

Locke, George M.

Pankow, Shirley M. Mosch

Roth, James A.

Sandor, Donald R.

Tiedje, Norman A.

Todt, John H.

40 Years

Beringer, Daniel

Campbell, Gary H.

Fisceri, Darlene N. Behling

Freudenburg, Benjamin F.

Gengler, Constance C. Koester

Greve, Wendy F. Fischer

Hall, Carl G.

Kern, Dennis L.

Klausmeier, Caroline L. Hartwig

Seibel, Diane L.

Thomas, Jean G.

Unger, Michael E.

25 Years

Arnett, Gregory S.

Bender, Michael H.

Bickle, Randall J.

Ceplecha, Paula I. North

Chester, Thomas B.

Delmotte, Karen M. Reichenbach

Ebel, William H. Jr.

Finkel, Linda L. Callender

Frobel, David P.

Gnewuch, Cynthia A. Nerge

Hooper, Susan L. Repp

Hyslop, Scott M.

Kern, Kimberly L.

Kressbach, Frederick M.

Massey, Bradley R.

Meyers, Lisa H.

Myers, Paula M. Heddle

Otrhalik, Kevin D.

Pfund, Jonathan D.

Pollatz, Brian M.

Prange, Sherry L. Hoffherr

Reinhardt, Karen S. Krohe

Stoelting, Daniel D.

Thompson, Steven L.

Topel, Wendy S.C. VanBreda

Williams, Judy H. Harmoning

Wood, Janice M.

In 2013

50 Years

Grigg, Pauline E. Schoenfeld

Holste, Herman M.

Krause, Alan C.

Pagels, James D.

Waak, Vera C. Lovercamp

40 Years

Bickel, Elaine C. Petzold

Doebler, Lynda M.

Kratz, Dean E.

Kruse, Lavern R.

McDonald, Ian K.

Moehring, David P.

Pagels, Doris E. Meyermann

Reick, Myron H.

Schiemann, Kathleen R. Wardin

Voelz, Robert T.

25 Years

Aughe, Kent

Conger, Norene J. Hass

Fritsch, Kregg C.

Gusé, Paul B.

Hempel, Ruth R. Dornfeld

Machemer, Susan M. Teske

Oldenburg, Craig S.

Sellers, Tammy L.

Sievert, David R.

Weber, Carol A. Kamasis

In 2014

50 Years

Frank, George C.

Gerds, Fredrick A.

Schmidt, Paul M.

40 Years

Allen, Ronald M

Attenberger, David F.

Brown, David C.

Dean, Karen A. Werth

Dunklau, Linda J. Bork

Gast, Frederick J.

Geyer, Stephen H.

Grimpo, R. Dwain

Hanke, Elsie C. Hesemann

Hass, Kenneth E.

Headapohl, Virginia A. Randall

Hinck, John T.

Karsten, Beverly M. Wegner

Kratz, Dean E.

Looker, Mark S.

McQueen, Carla J. Wardin

Meyers, Anita G. Steufert

Priehs, Warren W.

Quade, Karen J.

Rademacher, JoAnn A. Zimmerman

Riske, Ralph H.

Schiefer, Mark T.

Shaffer, John O.

Strang, William J.

Strohacker, Charles J.

Taggart, Linda J. Lapinsky

Ward, Donna J. Feltner

Werderman, Amy L. Rohde

Wilke, Nancy E.

25 Years

Brandt, Susan R.Senske

Gugel, Ruth E. Krengel

Helmreich, Christine A. Studt

Kowalke, Julie A.

Kugler, Colleen J. Klahn

Kurth, Ruth J.

Merrill, Kenlyn S. Weller

Moritz, Lorelle R. Baumgart

Nobis, Lloyd B.

Ott, Donna J. Paris

Rudick, Annette K.

Schettenhelm, Karla J. Witt

Smith, Mary-Bethany A. Atkins

Tedesco, Kim J. Richwalt

Toman, Laura K.

Welte, John A.

Werschky, Sharon L. Schnitker

Table of Contents

Circuit Visitors’ Reports ..................................................1

District Critical Target #1 – Great Commission Ministry

A2E Ministry ....................................................40

Campus Ministry ................................................40

New Mission & Ministry Starts .....................................40

Rural Ministry ...................................................42

Social Media Ministry ............................................42

District Critical Target #2 – Great Compassion Ministry

Blind and Deaf Ministry ...........................................44

Chaplaincy .....................................................44

Disaster Response ...............................................44

Parish Nurse Health Ministry ......................................44

Prison Ministry ..................................................45

District Critical Target #3 – Healthy Congregations

Church Extension Fund ...........................................47

Congregation Mission and Ministries Department .....................48

Communications Department ......................................49

 CommissiononDeaconQualication ................................50

Development Department .........................................51

Endowment Fund ................................................52

Family Life Ministry ..............................................53

Intentional Interim Ministry ........................................54

Lutheran Day Schools Department ..................................55

Michigan District Archives .........................................55

Stewardship Committee ..........................................56

District Critical Target #4 – Healthy Church Workers

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support .......................58

Sower’s Fund ...................................................58

Student Aid .....................................................58

Section 2 - District Reports

District Reports - Page 1

Circuit Visitors’ Report

Circuit #1 – Mackinaw Straits Circuit

Rev. Charles Burhop – Circuit Visitor

St. John, Cheboygan – Rev. Randy Johnson

Baptized Membership – 278

Communicant Membership – 239

Average Worship Attendance – 129

Redeemer, DeTour Village

Baptized Membership – 10

Communicant Membership – 10

Average Worship Attendance – 11

Drummond Island, Drummond Island – Rev. Donald Nemec

Baptized Membership – 138

Communicant Membership – 100

Average Worship Attendance – 50

Bethlehem, Engadine – Rev. Arthur Bode

Baptized Membership – 141

Communicant Membership – 128

Average Worship Attendance – 62

Grace, Germfask – Rev. Arthur Bode

Baptized Membership – 113

Communicant Membership – 89

Average Worship Attendance – 48

Faith, Hawks – Rev. Jack Ferguson

Baptized Membership – 102

Communicant Membership – 96

Average Worship Attendance – 33

St. Paul, Kinross

Baptized Membership – 18

Communicant Membership – 16

Average Worship Attendance – 13

Immanuel, Rogers City – Rev. Eric Voigt

Baptized Membership – 214

Communicant Membership – 183

Average Worship Attendance – 64

Trinity, Newberry

Baptized Membership – 153

Communicant Membership – 51

Average Worship Attendance – 45

Trinity, Newberry also has a satellite site in Paradise, MI.

Holy Cross, Onaway – Rev. Joshua Ketelsen

Baptized Membership – 218

Communicant Membership – 129

Average Worship Attendance – 75

Peace, Rogers City – Rev. J. Derek Riddle

Baptized Membership – 441

Communicant Membership – 344

Average Worship Attendance – 156

St. John, Rogers City

Baptized Membership – 593

Communicant Membership – 533

Average Worship Attendance – 128

St. Michael, Rogers City – Rev. Keith Schneider

Baptized Membership – 332

Communicant Membership – 256

Average Worship Attendance – 82

St. Barnabas, Sault Ste. Marie – Rev. Charles Burhop

Baptized Membership – 89

Communicant Membership – 54

Average Worship Attendance – 34

Trout Lake, Trout Lake

Baptized Membership – 17

Communicant Membership – 15

Average Worship Attendance – 8

Circuit #2 – Alpena Circuit

Rev. Jason Mandley, Circuit Visitor

Circuit #2 of the Michigan District geographically includes

the counties of Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency and Oscoda.

The circuit is very diverse, having congregations that are over

125 years old as well as new mission starts. There are congre-

gations in small cities, small towns and rural areas. The

circuit includes one of the largest Lutheran congregations in

Northern Michigan, as well as congregations that worship 25

or less on a weekend. Yet all are committed to reaching out

with the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucied.

Immanuel, Alpena: The Rev. James Erickson serves

Immanuel as Senior Pastor and the Rev. Joshua Schultz, a

2014 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort

Wayne, serves as Associate Pastor. Mr. Alfred Kersten was

installed as Deacon in March of 2014 to oversee senior

outreach ministry and assist with pastoral care and visitation.

Currently, Immanuel conducts weekly worship services in six

facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living centers,

and senior living complexes. A director of technology, Ryan

West, was added to the staff in 2013 and continues to imple-

ment new opportunities for ministry. Immanuel is active

in other community outreach endeavors including local

radio ministry, local newspaper columns, and streaming its

worship services on its website and on Facebook. Immanuel’s

Lutheran elementary school continues to be an outreach with

an expanding all-day preschool with after-school child care.

Six full-time teachers and one part-time teacher make up

the staff, along with Principal G. Peter Anderson. Immanuel

also has a very active youth ministry for those in junior or

senior high. A large number of discipleship Bible study

opportunities on a variety of days, at various times of day, at

several locations around Alpena remain the main emphasis.

The studies are taught by the pastors, the deacon, and other

laymen of the parish. As the largest congregation of circuit

#2, Immanuel values a cooperative and close relationship

District Reports - Page 2

with all the pastors and congregations of the circuit.

Faith, Harrisville: Faith Lutheran Church of Harrisville,

Michigan was established in 1992 as an outreach of Trinity,

Oscoda. The current pastor, the Rev. Dennis Neigh, serves

a dual parish arrangement between Faith, Harrisville and

Good Shepherd, Ossineke. Pastor Neigh rst served Faith

as a deacon from 2000 to 2008 and then served as pastor

from 2008 to the present. They have a membership of 25

and worship an average of 15 weekly. In the past year, Faith

began a “Grief Share” ministry to help hurting individuals

from the community through the grieving process.

St. John’s Hillman: Saint John’s Lutheran Church is located

seven miles north of the village of Hillman in the north-

east portion of Montmorency County. The church has been

pastored by the Rev. Jason Mandley since 1999. Although

located outside of town, the congregation makes a strong

effort to be a visible and signicant part of the Hillman

community. St. John’s opened an early childhood center in

2004 and it has served as an outreach to the community with a

signicant number of non-members being enrolled. St. John’s

has opened its facilities to community groups such as Hillman

Little League, 4H, and the Hillman Fire Department to have

fundraisers. We also conduct a worship service at the local

nursing home twice a month, and the service is attended by

both Lutherans and non-Lutherans. St. John’s celebrated its

125 anniversary in 2013. The celebration theme was “Alive

in Christ Since 1888,” with the theme verse of Psalm 90:1:

“Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.”

The three services were entitled “Our Past,” “Our Present,”

and “Our Future.” St. John’s looks forward to reaching out

with the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the next 125 years.

St. Paul, Hubbard Lake: St. Paul will celebrate its 125th

anniversary in 2019. Pastor Mikkelson retired in 2012, and

the congregation was served by the Rev. Andrew Loesel and

Rev. David Spaeth during its vacancy. After purchasing the

school in Hubbard Lake, St. Paul began building its sanc-

tuary in 2012. The building was completed in March of

2013, and the rst service was held on Good Friday (March

29). The narthex and new sanctuary were dedicated on May

5, 2013. The church called a candidate from the Seminary,

and on July 13, 2014, Rev. Joseph Llewellyn was installed

at St. Paul. Over the last two years, St. Paul has seen growth

both spiritually and in its attendance numbers. The congre-

gation is focusing on its evangelism, community outreach,

member activation, and living out its mission of proclaiming,

teaching, and reecting the light of Christ to the world.

Bethlehem, Lewiston: We began our triennium with a

congregation-wide campaign using the Purpose-Driven

Life materials. The program enabled us to inaugurate a cell

group Bible study ministry with six cell groups, four of

which are still going. Over the next 18 months we worked

with our CMMF, Rev. Rick Wolfram, to discover and dene

our core values, purpose statement, and mission. This past

summer we went through a process to help us relearn how to

share the Gospel in a way that connects with contemporary

culture using the Irresistible Evangelism materials. Doing

so has enabled us to reinstate our Board of Evangelism and

start looking for ways to reach out with the Good News of

Jesus Christ in ways that coincide with the felt needs of our

community. We are ending this triennium by making prepa-

rations to celebrate Bethlehem’s 75th anniversary.

Living Water, Mio: “Beautiful in elevation … in the far

north” (Psalm 48) is also a place for worship, even Living

Water Lutheran Church, Mio, Michigan. The sanctuary is on

Fourth Street, on the near right when traveling north through

town, just ahead of the river crossing. The congregation

was founded in 1999 according to the hope as confessed by

the Apostle Paul: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is

the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”

(Romans 1:16). It is that confession, and everything upon

which it rests, that has us study and teach according to our

Lutheran Confessions, our own Small Catechism and the

Augsburg Confession. Not lost on visitors either when “The

AuSable” comes into view is the recollection that visitors

to Phillipi had come to notice that “prayer was made” while

gathered at a riverside in that city. Gatherings, too, are made

at Living Water, and its members are glad to welcome all

who may come by, stop in, and to worship.

Good Shepherd, Ossineke: Good Shepherd was estab-

lished in 1989 as an outreach of Immanuel, Alpena. The

current pastor, Rev. Dennis Neigh, has served this congre-

gation since 2008 in a dual parish with Faith, Harrisville.

Good Shepherd is the larger of the two congregations, with

an average worship attendance of 40-45 weekly. Recent

years have seen a “Grief Share” ministry develop at Good

Shepherd. Over 150 people have been helped through this

support ministry in the past three years. We celebrated our

25th anniversary in 2014 with a worship service and dinner.

Worship was led by our current pastor, Pastor Neigh, and

three former pastors of Good Shepherd; Pastor Jim Erickson

of Immanuel, Alpena was the preacher for the day. Flooring

materials were replaced in the sanctuary, fellowship hall,

kitchen, and ofces to prepare for this joyful event.

St. Paul, Posen: “Where two or three are gathered in My

name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

These words are true of St. Paul, Posen. St. Paul is a small

but dedicated congregation located about six miles east of

Alpena in a country setting. A group of 10 to 20 people each

week call St. Paul, Posen their spiritual home and make the

journey into the country to worship at this congregation

founded in 1873. The congregation is served by the Rev.

David Spaeth since 2007. Despite the challenges being

faced, St. Paul’s is determined to keep witnessing the Gospel

message as long as the Lord enables them to do so.

Circuit #3 – Timberline Circuit

Rev. Dean R. Muhle, Circuit Visitor

The Timberline Circuit is located on the east side, along

Lake Huron and above the Thumb area. After the last District

Convention the Circuit was reshaped to seven congrega-

tions. Bethlehem, Standish was placed into the Gladwin

Circuit. The Timberline and the Gladwin Circuit work

together and hold their Winkels together on the last Tuesday

District Reports - Page 3

of each month, with break during the summer months. Some

of the congregations have a group called “Quiz Kids”, where

the 5th-12th grade students study portions of the Bible and

then the teams are quizzed against each other. St. John,

Pinconning is also active in this.

St. John, Au Gres: God’s Word has been proclaimed and the

Sacraments have been administered. The congregation has

been served by Rev. Fred Cordts. Since the last convention,

the congregation has nished a sanctuary, which was dedi-

cated in December of 2012.

St. Paul’s, Hale: God’s Word has been proclaimed and the

Sacraments have been administered. The congregation has

been served by Rev. Dean Muhle since 2001. The congrega-

tion has been serving God and the community for 80 years.

Trinity, Oscoda: God’s Word has been proclaimed and the

Sacraments have been administered. The congregation has

been served by Rev. Timothy Azzam for the last 10 years.

Good News, Whittemore: God’s Word has been proclaimed

and the Sacraments have been administered. The congrega-

tion has been served by Deacon Jack Rohn for many years.

Deacon Kenneth David was helping there, but had to step

down in 2013 because of family health reasons. Deacon Jim

Adams is now helping in a half-time position.

Faith, Prescott: God’s Word has been proclaimed and the

Sacraments have been administered. The congregation is

served by Rev. Daniel Jansen. He is very instrumental in the

Quiz Kids with JoAnn Rohn from Good News.

Our Savior, Glennie: God’s Word has been proclaimed and

the Sacraments have been administered. The congregation is

served by Rev. Paul Ruediger. Our Savior is in a partnership

with Living Water, Mio (#2 – Alpena Circuit).

Zion, Tawas: God’s Word has been proclaimed and the

Sacraments have been administered. The congregation was

served by Rev. Steven Mahlburg for many years until he

took a call in October, 2014. The congregation is now served

by Rev. Allen Stoll as an Intentional Interim Minister since

January of 2015.

God is still faithful and is blessing us with the message of

Jesus and His cross.

Circuit #4 – Gladwin

Rev. Michael Schaedig, Circuit Visitor

The Gladwin Circuit is made up of seven congregations

located in the gateway to the Northern Counties of the

Lower Peninsula. We minister, we serve, and we play with

great thanks to God as we welcome the people of God who

seek relaxation from the faster pace of the metropolitan areas

‘down below.’

The Congregations of the Gladwin Circuit are as follows:

Prince of Peace, Clare: After being faithfully served by Rev.

Ted Voll as Intentional Interim Pastor, Prince of Peace called

and installed Rev. Paul Young as pastor on January 12, 2014.

Prince of Peace continues to be determined to reach out to

the Clare area, striving to grow and be a bold witness to the

Gospel.

Our Savior, Gladwin: Our Savior Lutheran Church was

served by Rev. Richard Rossow until October 12, 2012,

when Rev. Jim Krach was installed as pastor. When Jim

Hueseman accepted a call, Tyler Schlitzkus began leading

the youth ministry. The congregation continues to focus on

family ministry and, with the advent of new equipment and

much congregational support, under the leadership of Rev.

Krach, the ministry continues to thrive.

Bethlehem, Standish: Bethlehem is new in the Gladwin

Circuit. The congregation has been a welcome addition.

When Rev. Anthony Voltattorni accepted a call to Marshall,

Rev. Curt Adams faithfully served the vacancy. Rev.

Matthew Dent accepted the call to be Bethlehem’s Pastor in

January 2014. He continues to serve them well.

Hope, Saint Helen: Hope, Saint Helen is served by Rev.

Rodney Morrison, who has celebrated his seventh year as

pastor this spring. The congregation has a vibrant evange-

lism mindset and is continually looking for ways to serve

and spread the Gospel to the people of Saint Helen.

St. John, West Branch: St. John is served by Rev. Howard

Travis and continues to grow, offering two traditional

services per week. Since the beginning of 2015, St. John has

welcomed six children into our Father’s kingdom through

Holy Baptism. There are four more scheduled over the next

four months as young families wait for their arrivals. Praise

God for His provision of life! In January, St. John held a free

food giveaway. More than 300 families received the much-

needed food. The congregation is planning, God willing,

three more giveaways this year.

St. John, Houghton Lake: Rev. William Winter has served as

St. John’s pastor for over 39 years and is still going strong.

His love of the Gospel is reected in the congregation’s life

as they show their love to the surrounding community. In

the last triennium, St. John has taken advantage of prop-

erty purchased outside of town. The “Garden of Eaten’” is

annually planted and supports “Project H.O.P.E.” There is

also Outdoor Worship, a Family Fun Fest, and an archery

program called “Centershot.” St. John has also become the

host congregation for the Roscommon County Right to Life.

St. Luke, Harrison: St. Luke is served by Rev. Michael

Schaedig, a second career pastor, who was installed in 2003.

St. Luke is a strong supporter of mission work both home

and abroad.

Closing words: The congregations of the Gladwin Circuit,

in spite of extremely difcult economic conditions, continue

to do well. We have been blessed to have two retired pastors

who are willing to serve in various ways—Rev. Richard

Rossow and Rev. Ted Voll.

District Reports - Page 4

The Circuit meets in Winkel monthly with the neighboring

Timberline Circuit. We meet to celebrate the Word and

receive Holy Communion.

God has truly blessed the Michigan District and the Gladwin

Circuit. We give Him thanks, great praise, and all the glory!

Circuit #5 – Midland

Rev. Michael Buchhorn, Circuit Visitor

During the last triennium the congregations of Circuit 5

have continued to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to

the people of the Midland area and beyond in a variety of

ministry settings. This has been a time of transition for many

of the circuit congregations through changes in pastoral

leadership. Ministry highlights for the area include the

following:

Peace, Alma continues to provide ministry to the people of

the community of Alma.

Grace, Auburn is in the midst of transition. The congrega-

tion closed its parochial school at the end of the 2013-14

school year. In early 2015, they bid farewell to Rev. David

Reed after 24 years of ministry at Grace. The congregation is

eagerly looking forward to seeing what God has in store for

the next phase of its history.

Zion, Auburn has been serving the people of Beaver

Township for 127 years and is presently blessed with a

growing preschool and excellent day school.

Lord of New Life, Midland celebrated the construction of

a new worship facility. The ground breaking took place on

December 1, 2013. The rst service was held on August 24,

2014, and the church was dedicated on September 27, 2014.

St. John, Marion Springs was welcomed into the Lutheran

Church - Missouri Synod on August 4th, 2013. The congre-

gation had previously been an independent Lutheran

congregation.

Messiah, Midland is known for its innovative ministries

which connect to the Bullock Creek and Midland communi-

ties. It continues to run two coffeehouses and opened His

Hands Auto Care, a licensed auto repair facility for those

who cannot afford to have their cars repaired.

Our Savior, Midland is in a time of pastoral transition. It

continues to provide Word and Sacrament ministry and is

known for its Blind and Low Vision ministry.

St. John, Midland continues to provide excellent ministry

to the people of Midland and is blessed with an excellent

school and preschool.

Zion, Mt. Pleasant has been mightily blessed in its mission

to convey God’s love to all people through the Means of

Grace. Their preschool has experienced ongoing enroll-

ment near capacity. Highlights of the past three years include

celebrating Zion’s 125th anniversary in 2014 and completely

paying off their building mortgage in early 2015.

CMU Chapel, Mt. Pleasant – The campus ministry at Christ

The King Lutheran Chapel continues to be an outpost for

robust witness of Christ’s grace and mercy for the university

community. The ministry to international students, Muslim

in particular, has taken off in the past few years with a huge

increase in the number of Muslim students with whom we

are in contact.

St. Paul, Sanford rejoiced to complete a pastoral transition.

Following the retirement of Rev. Paul Young, Rev. Sam

Reith accepted the congregation’s call and was installed

in 2014. The congregation looks forward to continuing its

ministry to the people in and around Sanford.

Immanuel, Wheeler provides quality ministry to the people of

Wheeler and has completed a number of improvement proj-

ects to their facility which demonstrate their love for the Lord.

While in a variety of settings, from rural to small city, the

congregations of circuit 5 continue to seek ways to connect

with their communities and to live out their identity as loved

and compassionate communities in Christ.

Circuit #6 – Bay City Circuit

Rev. Bill Allwardt, Circuit Visitor

Greetings from our eight churches, which include six

churches in Bay City: Faith, Immanuel, St. John (Amelith),

St. Paul (Frankenlust), Trinity (Monitor), and Zion, as well as

Pilgrim, Essexville and St. John, Pinconning.

Under God’s grace, Faith, Bay City continues to grow people

of FAITH – “Followers Actively Involved in Teaching and

Telling of Him (Christ Jesus).” Our Lutheran day school

has been blessed with an increased enrollment each year of

this past triennium, and we value our continued association

membership with Valley Lutheran High School, Saginaw.

We identied two areas of increased ministry emphasis: (1)

youth and young adult ministry and (2) mission outreach

(locally by partnering with Wellspring Lutheran Services

– “Together with Impact”; regionally with Family of God

Lutheran Church, Detroit). In the Fall of 2014, we began a

process to re-identify our core values.

Immanuel, Bay City was privileged to celebrate 150 years of

ministry for both the church and school. Thanks be to God!

We were able to partner with Zion, Bay City to share Ms. Jan

LaRocque as a part-time principal, a model which is being

studied for use by other ministries within the District. We

were pleased to call Ms. Annette Rudick to serve as our full-

time principal/teacher, Mrs. Kari Gakstatter as our 4th grade

teacher, Mrs. Jill Erlenbeck as our 3rd grade teacher, and

Mrs. Rebecca Ball as 5th grade teacher. Mrs. Char Walde

announced her plans to retire from teaching, completing

30 years of service. Immanuel Learning Center (day care)

opened its doors last August providing a quality Christian

environment for ages newborn to preschool. Our school

District Reports - Page 5

completed accreditation and continues to offer excellence in

Christian education to 102 enrolled students. In February of

2015, it pleased Almighty God to call unto Himself in heaven

the soul of the Reverend Leslie Tyvela. “Pastor T” served the

congregation for 37 years, retired in 2009 and was active as

pulpit supply for area congregations. In these exciting and

challenging times, it is wonderful to see how God has richly

blessed and continues to lead Immanuel Lutheran Church

and School into areas of service.

Pilgrim, Essexville continues to reach out to the commu-

nity and the world with the Gospel. The most signicant

event in the past three years is the retirement of Pastor Carl

Trosein after 28 years of faithful service. The congregation

is currently working its way through the intentional interim

ministry processes as it prepares for its next pastor. The

Congregation continues to provide Christian education for 3-

and 4-year olds through its preschool, which is one of its most

effective outreach ministries into the community. The current

membership is 369 baptized and 281 communicants, with

an average weekend attendance of 80. With the Lord’s help

and guidance, the people of Pilgrim Lutheran look forward to

continuing to be Christ’s presence in the community.

St. John, Amelith – God continues to pour out His abundant

blessings upon His people at St. John. Our school is blessed

with a ne faculty, principal, and dedicated support staff. The

school went through the lengthy accreditation process with

the LC-MS and is accredited through 2018. In 2015 we will

mark the 50th anniversary of Warren Scheiwe, retired teacher

in the school, who has led an outstanding music ministry in

the congregation as organist and Music Director through

the past half century. To mark the 100th anniversary of the

church building, the State of Michigan approved a histor-

ical marker, which was placed and dedicated in front of the

church to recognize the historic nature of the parish as well as

the community of Amelith. This past triennium, a Lutheran

Confessions study group was established at St. John. The

group meets the rst Saturday morning of each month to read

and discuss the Lutheran Confessions in order to learn what

Lutherans believe and to prepare for the 500th anniversary

of the Reformation in 2017. For the past three years, we have

sent youth to the annual Higher Things conference, with a

growing number attending each year, and we will do so again

this summer for the gathering held in Grand Rapids.

St. John’s, Pinconning – 2013 marked 125 years of bless-

ings for our congregation. We celebrated under the theme

“Sharing Our Jubilee” throughout the year, but had a special

emphasis in the fall welcoming back several former pastors

and completing a facility renovation which includes a new

metal roof, a new parking lot, new heating and cooling

systems, carpeting and painting throughout the building.

President Maier was the guest preacher for the culmina-

tion of our anniversary celebration in November of 2013.

Our members are generously supporting a three-year thank-

offering effort begun in 2012. 2014 saw the retirement of our

Preschool Director/Teacher Barb Petee after over 25 years of

faithful service.

St. Paul, Frankenlust continues to be God’s people who

are driven by the Spirit under a focus of “Saved by Jesus

– Sent to Serve.” In the past three years we have enhanced

our worship life with the use of two monitors in the front of

the church, on which we display the liturgy, hymns, read-

ings and other pertinent items for worship, and also share

informational items before and after worship. We have also

upgraded our lighting and audio systems within the sanc-

tuary. A digital sign is in the process of being installed for the

benet of those who travel M-81. We have worked through

signicant issues related to changes in the Principal position

(one dying just before school began, one leaving just a year

after his installation, and another dying just after she was

principal here). These losses are still affecting our church

and school family, though we are in the process of working

through them, under the energetic and capable leadership

of our current Principal Dennis Neumeyer. Members of our

congregation are very active in many community efforts.

Trinity (Monitor), Bay City – Over the past triennium

at Trinity we have seen the following: … a growth in our

Christian day school which has made it necessary for us

to hire additional staff; … the continued growth for our

endowment fund, through which we have been able to fund

a number of special ministries, mission projects, and even

some short-term missionary trips for some of our members;

… ministry by our Stephen Ministers has been accepted

more and more by the congregation and more have been

trained in this caring ministry; … and faithful stewardship

even in these difcult economic times, which has us poised

to pay off our building expansion loan sooner than antici-

pated. We thank God for His goodness, and ask His blessing

for the next three years.

Zion, Bay City, through its growing Day Care, Preschool

through 8th grade, music ministry, food pantry, and a variety

of other fellowship and service ministries, endeavors to

Gather in joyful worship, Grow in Christ, Give in love and

service as well as Going with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

to our community and beyond. Our vision is to continue

the process of becoming Christ’s Center for Excellence in

Discipleship and Outreach.

Circuit #7 - Thumb East Circuit

Rev. Kenneth D. Lueke, Circuit Visitor

Circuit #7 covers the eastern half of Huron and Sanilac

Counties, with M-53 as its western border. It is comprised of

nine congregations. Its pastors meet in monthly Winkels with

the pastors of Thumb West Circuit #8. This Circuit is largely

agricultural, with some light industry mixed in. We have

suffered from the economic recession of a few years ago,

and have lost several businesses and factories in the ensuing

years. Younger people have been moving away to nd work

elsewhere and, like Thumb West, some of our congregations

are beginning to consider, due to their shrinking size, the

possibility of becoming dual parishes.

Our Savior, Bad Axe: Our Savior is a congregation that

uses the classic liturgies and hymns of the Lutheran Church

District Reports - Page 6

and, bucking the trend, has seen an inux of younger fami-

lies active in the church. In the past three years, there have

been 38 baptisms, and its preschool continues to operate

at maximum capacity, with an ongoing waiting list. In the

last quarter of 2013, Our Savior established a new website

that, since then, has gotten over 14,000 hits, and its Radio

Ministry continues to be widely listened to in Huron, Tuscola

and Sanilac Counties.

Peace, Sandusky: In 2014, Peace received its rst Vicar,

Pierce Chadburn, who is a student at CTS, Ft. Wayne. That

year Peace also called the Rev. Dr. James Tino to serve as

their Missionary-at-Large to serve the Lutheran Church of

Chile, planting new mission congregations. Its preschool

teacher of 25 years retired; yet, with their new Preschool

teacher, Peace continues to provide an outstanding educa-

tional program to the community. The congregation has

renovated some of its facilities during this time.

St. John, Pt. Sanilac: St. John has established a website that

broadcasts videos of its services; these are now being seen

worldwide. Since its inception, the number of views of its

services has increased each year.

St. John, Pt. Hope: St. John has been in the calling process

after its pastor retired in June, 2014. The community’s

public school closed in the spring of 2014, but St. John’s day

school continues to operate, with hopes that students who

are currently attending public schools in other communities

will begin attending the day school instead.

Zion, Harbor Beach: Zion installed its new pastor, Rev. Ron

Schultz, in Dec. 2013. Zion continues to operate a successful

and high-quality day school.

Our Savior, Marlette: Our Savior installed its new pastor,

Rev. David Sutton, in July 2014. Our Savior also operates a

small, but growing, day school.

St. Peter, Kinde: Though small, St. Peter installed the Rev.

Larry Loree, Sr. as its pastor in July 2013. St. Peter continues

to reach out to the community in a variety of ways, espe-

cially through VBS, and during the Kinde Polkafest each

year, and also in outreach to veterans of the Armed Forces

living in Huron County.

St. John, Palms – Served by Rev. Henry Hales

Trinity, Forestville – Served by Rev. Richard Wilson

Though the area has suffered economic hardships, and the

exodus of many people to other areas of the state and country,

the congregations of Thumb East are rmly committed to

carrying on Word and Sacrament ministry to the residents

of Huron and Sanilac Counties. Our congregations remain

committed to orthodox Lutheran doctrine and liturgies, and

in mission work to bring the Gospel of Christ to all.

Circuit #8 - Thumb West Circuit

Rev. Michael Allen, Circuit Visitor

Immanuel, Sebewaing: Immanuel continues to be a congre-

gation gathered around Christ and His means of grace.

Through the Divine Service, these great gifts are given out by

Christ through His servants. Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Daniel

Hahn, took a call and was replaced by Rev. Michael Boyer.

A new Associate Pastor, Rev. David Reed, was called and

has begun work among us. Immanuel has seen an incredible

revitalization of our youth program led by our new youth

worker, Chuck McGathy. Our school, Christ the King, has

seen enrollment stay about the same over the past three years

as we called a new principal, Mr. David Kaiser. Those at

Immanuel rejoice in the gifts which the Lord gives to His

church and are certain of His blessings in the coming years.

St. Peter, Bach

: Rev. Michael Teuscher currently serves this

congregation as well as St. John, Kilmanagh. The two congre-

gations have a Dual Parish agreement in place.

Baptized Membership – 89

Communicant Membership – 82

Average Worship Attendance – 41

Good Shepherd, Caseville: The congregation is currently

applying for a Seminary Graduate after their pastor accepted

another call.

Baptized Membership – 140

Communicant Membership – 128

Average Worship Attendance – 84

Good Shepherd, Cass City: They are currently served by Rev.

G. Stevens Bagnall.

Baptized Membership – 491

Communicant Membership – 393

Average Worship Attendance – 118

St. Paul, Linkville has been blessed to be served by Rev. Lee

Wenskay for the past 14 years. He is planning to retire in

2015.

Baptized Membership – 480

Communicant Membership – 372

Average Worship Attendance – 85

St. Paul, Unionville: Rev. Steven Stolarczyk accepted the

call to serve St. Paul in February 2015.

Baptized Membership – 498

Communicant Membership – 399

Average Worship Attendance – 150

Grace, Fairgrove: Grace congregation is currently applying

for a Seminary Graduate to serve them as Pastor.

Baptized Membership – 191

Communicant Membership – 162

Average Worship Attendance – 67

Circuit #9 - Frankenmuth Circuit

Rev. Robert Gadeken, Circuit Visitor

Over the past three years, God has guided and blessed the

District Reports - Page 7

congregations of the Frankenmuth circuit. Most of the congre-

gations in the circuit joined the LEAP (Lutheran Education

Advancement Plan) effort in the Saginaw Valley to explore

better ways to strengthen and increase cooperation in Lutheran

education. Discussions have also begun among a couple of the

smaller Lutheran schools in our circuit about ways to share

ministries and programs. This is difcult for congregations

whose schools have been a great part of their identity, but is

now seen as necessary for survival. Other things that have

happened since the last convention:

Immanuel, Frankentrost started a new child care center last

year. Their Living Nativity has set record attendance the last

couple of years.

St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth completed a pastoral staff reorga-

nization because of retirements and the addition of Pastor

Adams. They are in the process of calling a Visitation Pastor.

They are also exploring a major building program for a new

worship center. St. Lorenz also led a community-wide Bible

study program with the other congregations in Frankenmuth

called “The Story” that was very successful.

St. Michael, Richville nished a church remodel and expan-

sion of child care, and added a Parish Music Director who,

among many additions to programs at church and school,

pioneered a very successful area-wide Veterans Day

program.

St. Paul, Caro has led a series of mission trips to Lestage, Haiti,

to help build a new church, and continues its very successful

youth servant events each summer.

St. Paul, Millington has sponsored a concert and other

community events as outreach to the community, and has had

several staff changes in their school, especially the retirement

of long-term Principal, Mrs. Bickel.

Trinity, Reese is now vacant after Pastor Bennett took a call

to Indiana, and Rev. Hakes, a retired pastor in the congrega-

tion, is the vacancy pastor.

Trinity/St. James, Munger nished a major church remodeling,

and continues its many community involvement activities.

Circuit #10 – Saginaw Circuit

Rev. William W. Hessler, Circuit Visitor

11 congregations make up the Michigan District’s Saginaw

Circuit #10, ranging in area from Saginaw in the north

to Owosso in the south, and from Bridgeport in the east to

Hemlock in the west. Winkels are scheduled monthly during

the school year, except in months when there is a District or

Regional Pastors’ conference. The Circuit meets together with

its sister Frankenmuth Circuit roughly every other month.

Bethlehem, Saginaw is ably served by Rev. Michael R. Korte

together with Rev. Charles F. Buckhahn. Bethlehem recently

worked together with The Lutheran Church of the Messiah

(Carrollton) to host a very successful “Outreach Workshop”

in November, 2014. Plans are under way to host a follow-up

event. Bethlehem’s parochial day school continues to make

a signicant impact on the community, as does Bethlehem’s

annual “Boars’ Head Festival,” produced every Advent,

which has become a staple of the Saginaw Christmas season.

Faith, Bridgeport is currently being served by Rev. William

W. Hessler, who is now the longest-tenured parish pastor

in the Circuit, having served Faith since 1988. Faith also

cooperates with St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth by paying the

salary of one of the teachers of their parochial day school. St.

Lorenz, in return, gives Faith members a discount in tuition,

thus facilitating a Christian day school experience for their

children. Faith also expanded its own Preschool program to

serve the community with childcare and latch-key offerings.

Good Shepherd, Saginaw is presently being served by

Intentional Interim Pastor Rev. John Langewisch. Pastor

Langewisch assumed that position in January, 2015,

following the resignation of The Rev. Daniel Ross, who took

a call in September, 2014, to Tulsa, Okla., and the retirement

of Rev. Mark Buckert in December, 2014. Good Shepherd

also operates an Early Childhood Center, which has become

well-known in the community.

Rev. James F. Krueger is the pastor of the mother church of

Saginaw, Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Located in the heart

of the city, Holy Cross, together with its parish day school,

makes a concerted effort to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ

through outreach efforts and active participation in various

community events, thus bringing a Christ-centered witness

to the area.

The Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Carrollton, is capably

served by Rev. Phillip DeVries. Messiah completed its

merger with Redeemer, Saginaw, in a service of celebration

on All Saints’ Sunday, 2014. The inux of members from

Redeemer, together with the continuing efforts of Messiah’s

own members, has helped generate enthusiasm on both ends

to share the Good News of Christ with its neighborhood.

The last two years have seen Rev. Mitchell Vogeli transition

from an extended Vicar to becoming the full-time pastor of

Nativity, St. Charles. Together with the Michigan District,

the Saginaw Circuit has pledged mission support dollars to

Nativity as it pursues its vision of establishing a church plant

in nearby Chesaning. Community involvement and making

its presence visible make up a major focus of Nativity’s

Christ-centered ministry.

Peace, Saginaw is the largest congregation in the Circuit.

Rev. C. William Weis, together with Rev. Paul Hinz, serve

Peace’s members as their shepherds under Christ. The

past year has also seen Matthew Hauser enter the Synod’s

Specic Ministry Pastor program, and currently serve as a

Vicar with responsibilities in the area of Christian disciple-

ship. Peace also maintains a vibrant Christian day school

with its state-of-the-art facilities.

St. Mark, Shields has been served by Rev. Edward Meyer

District Reports - Page 8

along with Rev. Robert Allmann. A recent addition to St.

Mark’s physical facilities has helped expand its Preschool/

Childcare accommodations as well as upgrade the congrega-

tion’s own fellowship opportunities.

Rev. Brian Heidt continues to serve St. Philip, Owosso. The

congregation continues to work hard making its presence

known in the community and faithfully sharing the Gospel

of Jesus Christ.

St. Peter, Hemlock, along with its parochial day school,

continues its rich heritage of Word and Sacrament ministry in

rural Hemlock. The last triennium has seen the Installation of

Rev. Dr. William Morris as its Senior Administrative Pastor,

as well as the retirements of Rev. Martin Hagenow and Rev.

Richard Mundt, both of whom continue to help out on a part-

time basis. St. Peter was honored to lay to rest Rev. Edward

Pankow who had served St. Peter for many, many years.

Rev. Paul Hauser continues to serve Zion, Hemlock, as its

Shepherd. Zion recently underwent a major renovation to its

sanctuary and fellowship hall, as well as a technology upgrade

Rev. John Mueller continues to serve as the pastor on staff

at Saginaw’s Valley Lutheran High School. VLHS, together

with over 20 congregations in the area, has undertaken an

aggressive campaign to strengthen Lutheran schools in the

Saginaw Valley. LEAP – Lutheran Education Advancement

Plan – is working toward establishing a formal alliance with

its participating entities.

The Saginaw Circuit is also blessed with the participation

and involvement of a number of emeriti: Rev. Bert Eggers,

Rev. Martin Hagenow, Rev. Edward Kast, Rev. Robert

Koeppen, Rev. Richard Mundt, Rev. Dr. Robert Schultz, and

Rev. Carl Trosien.

In short, the heavenly Father continues to bless the Saginaw

Circuit with the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit as

it continues the rich history of Lutheranism in the Saginaw

Valley by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Word and

Sacrament ministry and Christ-centered, Lutheran education.

Circuit #11 – Flint North Circuit

Rev. Erik K. Cloeter, Circuit Visitor

In consideration of the the many community dynamics, the

congregations of the Flint North Circuit serve faithfully

within a varied spectrum. While the challenges contingent

with a less than vibrant economy persist, the churches of our

circuit continue to advance the purposes of Christ, growing

the Kingdom often in spite of an increasingly de-churched

population and other societal pressures, even governmental

entanglements. God is good to bless the Flint North.

Listed are the congregations in the circuit and signicant

events that took place during the past three years:

Holy Cross, Flushing (Rev. Cliff Bira) – This congregation

continues to serve as a cornerstone congregation for the Flint

North Circuit. It is growing in its teaching ministry despite

the challenges common to almost all of the congregations of

the once vibrant Automotive Alley.

United in Christ, Flint (Rev. Stephen Stahlhut) – In the past

triennium, this local church said good-bye to their regularly

called servant. Since that time, they have been served by a

vacancy pastor. All the while, this little congregation has set

a deliberate focus on reaching out to her inactives and genu-

inely welcoming newcomers.

St. Paul, Flint (Rev. Jeffery Walsh) – This congregation has

transitioned into the leadership of a new, yet familiar senior

pastor. Now home to the last and only parochial school in

our circuit, the leadership has been faithful in reevaluating

a dynamically changing environment, meeting new needs

with the relevancy of the Word of God.

Our Savior, Flint (Rev. Randy Schultz) – This local church

continues to serve the ministry of Word and Sacrament in

an ever-changing and diminishing area of Flint, seeking new

ways to provide for the needs of their immediate community.

Christ the King, Flint (Revs. Brant Engel & Thomas

Dunseth) – Unique in their ministry and reach, this congre-

gation continues to serve the deaf community in Metro Flint

and Mid-Michigan. They have also served to form two vicars

for work in the much-underserved eld of deaf ministry.

Messiah, Clio (Rev. Erik Cloeter) – The church in Clio is

blessed to continue adding converts to the Priesthood of All

Believers, regularly teaching and baptizing adults, teens,

children and entire families. At the same time they have

moved forward with a successful capitol campaign, allowing

them to improve their facilities and make them more visible

and accessible to the community.

St. Martin, Birch Run (Rev. James Chinery) – This congre-

gation has been blessed by God to have grown in numbers

and devotion in the past three years. They have also expe-

rienced success through their Faith Can Move Mountains

capital campaign, while remaining faithful to their commit-

ment to the Michigan District.

Christ, Birch Run (Rev. Rick Hillenbrand) – The remnant of

this torn congregation remained faithful to their Lord, His

Word and Sacrament, and their pastor, despite incredible

conict and behavior on the part of some that was unbet-

ting of the Bride of Christ. These individuals are now being

served in neighboring congregations, while their pastor

trains faithfully in the CPE Program.

The congregations of the Flint North Circuit are blessed by

Jesus Christ to be blessings of God within the increasingly

challenging frontline of our unique, yet diverse communities.

Circuit #12 – Flint South Circuit

Rev. Dean Dumbrille, Circuit Visitor

The Flint South Circuit #12 has experienced growth since the

last convention, making some changes as necessitated by the

District Reports - Page 9

circumstances of congregational needs and goals. As a circuit

in the Flint area, they seek to work with their neighboring

congregations to build the fellowship of the faithful through

various opportunities for service to their communities.

Lamb of God, Flint – Since the last District Convention,

when Peace Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran ofcially

merged to become Lamb of God Lutheran in Flint, the

former Pastor of Redeemer, Rev. Timothy Speckman, was

called to glory. Rev. Paul Boerger was called and installed as

Pastor of Lamb of God. Our Future Committee was formed

to consider expansion of our present facilities to better

meet our ministry needs. An architect was chosen to draw

up plans for the expansion of our facilities. A Capital Fund

Drive was held under the guidance of Ray Zavada. A ground-

breaking service was held. Meetings held with the Township

Planning Commission delayed construction for 4 months.

Construction of our 8,000 sq. ft. addition (new sanctuary,

ofces, restrooms, greeting area and expansion of fellow-

ship hall) began in October, with Dedication to be held once

facilities are completed, probably in July 2015. Many souls

were received into glory and also new souls were added by

baptisms and evangelism efforts. Ministry to people in need

in the Flint area continues to be one of our priorities.

Pilgrim, Burton – In 2013, we did a successful capital fund-

raising to replace the church roof and parking lot. We raised

more money than we needed, and completed the work later

that summer. We should have the loan completely paid off,

one year early, this summer. In 2014, we embarked on imple-

menting the Dwelling 1:14 Mission Community program

at Pilgrim, and are in the process of building and equipping

several Mission Communities within our congregation for

the purposes of evangelism and outreach. This year, we will

approve a new Ten-Year Strategic Plan for the growth and

ministries of our church. The Lord has richly blessed us

since the last District Convention.

Faith, Grand Blanc – Faith continues to pursue its mission

of faithfully living every relationship in God’s way. New on

staff are Jason von der Lage as Youth Director and Robert

Scott as SMP Pastor serving in the areas of outreach and

connections. Pastor Scott is also the lead pastor for The

Gathering Place, a satellite mission of Faith in Northwest

Oakland County which occupies a rented store space near

the corner of Dixie Highway and Davisburg Road. Other

staff and lay servants continue to work together to grow as

disciples and assimilate new disciples into the body of Christ.

Hope, Linden – Hope Lutheran Church in Linden is rejoicing

in the Lord for all of His many blessings to us. In addition

to worship and Bible study, we’ve been involved with a

mentoring program with Central Elementary School called

Kids Hope U.S.A. Twelve of our members spend one hour

per week helping and mentoring an elementary child. We

also have a new program called “Oasis,” in which middle

school students from our town come to our church every

Thursday afternoon to enjoy a time of fun and friendship.

Pool, ping pong, volleyball, basketball, and crafts are all

part of the program. Our Bibles and Basketball program

on Tuesday nights has grown to about fteen people, many

of whom are unchurched at the present time. And we look

forward to our third annual “Run for Hope”, a 5K event that

we hold to benet students at Linden High School. We are

also excited to have a new elevator/lift that will be a blessing

to many, and look forward to having new carpeting in our

sanctuary and ofces. We thank God for his greatest bless-

ings to us—His Son, our Savior, Jesus—and for all of the

other blessing that He showers on us.

Christ, Goodrich – Founded in August of 1858 in the hills

of Hadley, Mich., Christ Lutheran Church is said to be the

oldest Church in Lapeer County. Today, by the grace of God

in Christ Jesus, we worship in the same sanctuary that was

built by some of our founding fathers over 130 years ago…

for the same purpose… to worship the Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit, bringing Christ to our little community. This past

summer, we also celebrated the 150th anniversary of our

Cemetery, at the top of Kerr Hill. We thank and praise God

for our continued existence.

New Life Community, Swartz Creek – Over the past several

years, New Life Community Lutheran has moved in a specic

missional direction. We are seeking to address the urban needs

of Flint. Our ministry to the men’s homeless shelter, called

My Brother’s Keeper; our housing of homeless families at our

church on a quarterly basis; and the support of food pantries

throughout Flint area are but a few of our primary missional

tasks. We are hopeful that the mission plant on the east side of

Flint becomes a reality as we plan to support it nancially as

well as dedicating a portion of Pastor Yops’ time to coordinate

the outreach efforts. In addition to the aforementioned, the

church ordained David Rossow into the holy ministry as an

SMP Pastor to serve in the areas of administration and church

management. We have begun to experience modest growth

after the negative effects of the economic recession a number

of years ago. We believe that this growth will continue as we

implement outreach as well inreach strategies.

Trinity, Fenton – In 2015, Trinity Lutheran Church of Fenton,

in the interest of providing a setting for ever-larger ministry

of Word and Sacrament, broke ground for their new facility.

The new building sits 1500 feet west of their present site on

13.5 acres of a prime location on the main east-west artery of

Fenton. This is the culmination of 17 years of planning and

effort to see this facility come into being through sacricial

giving by the congregation and generous support by CEF. It

is a great joy to build a structure dedicated to the confession

of the Lutheran faith in doctrine and practice, where Divine

Service will be offered and the community of Fenton will

able to receive Christ manifest for their salvation and service

to their neighbor.

Circuit #13 – Lapeer Circuit

Rev. John C. Kaiser, Circuit Visitor

Trinity, Davison – God is good. In response to God’s love

and mercy, the people of God at Trinity Lutheran Church

of Davison seek to share His love and mercy in both old

and new ways. In recent years we have built upon existing

District Reports - Page 10

ministries and launched some new initiatives, including: a

monthly worship service and meal for homeless men in the

city of Flint; providing shelter and meals to homeless fami-

lies four weeks each year through the new Family Promise

of Genesee County; and befriending international students

in Flint through conversational English classes and other

practical and loving ways.

Holy Redeemer, Dryden

– Since the last Michigan District

convention, Holy Redeemer has continued its strong involve-

ment with Linked Hearts, a mercy ministry operated as a

non-prot organization by all the Christian congregations in

Dryden. The free community corn roast continues to grow and

this year will be the sixth year Holy Redeemer has sponsored

this outreach event. The congregation has also started to offer

community movie nights and more fellowship activities for

men. In addition, the women’s ministry continues to expand

opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth and service.

Calvary, Flint

– Calvary has been served on Sundays by Rev.

John Mueller (Valley Lutheran High School, Saginaw) and

Rev. David Hensler (Emeritus), who make shut-in and hospital

calls and help out with adult instruction classes, funerals, etc.

2013 also saw a community garden, as a few members of the

congregation, together with local residents and early-release

prisoners, tilled, planted, and tended a garden on church prop-

erty, giving away the produce to neighborhood residents who

stopped by (along with devotion booklets and other outreach

items). The garden received additional support from various

community sources.

St. Mark, Flint – We are using Gallup Organization’s “Living

Your Strengths” to develop strengths-based serving, which

focuses on God-given talents, spiritual gifts and personal

passion. We transitioned our contemporary worship in the

gym to a Second Sunday Multimedia Service in the church.

Our Family Life ministry has expanded under our full-time

Minister of Family life, with monthly Family Fun Nights,

weekly High School Girls Bible Study, weekly Moms Pops

and Tots, and additional Jr. and Sr. High youth activities,

which include events with other Lutheran churches. The last

two summers we have experienced the joy of giving as we

have raised signicant funds for “Food for the Poor” to aid

those in poverty in Central America and the Caribbean. God

is so good to us!

St. Paul, Lapeer

– St. Paul, Lapeer operates a Child Care

program that takes children from ages 0–4. The number of

children served in 2014 was 125. The congregation also oper-

ates a 3- and 4-year old preschool and an early-ves through

eighth-grade day school. St. Paul has been blessed with a

Food for Families program which feeds about 95 people

every Friday. The number of families needing food has

been increasing, as unemployment benets are running out

and there are few local job opportunities. The congregation

conducts a food distribution program that gives food to about

18 needy families each week. The congregation partially spon-

sors Rev. J.P. Cima, an LCMS missionary in Vietnam through

the TIM program. St. Paul has also supported basic health and

cooking education classes in Vietnam. The congregation also

participates in the Refuge. This is a cooperative effort by the

churches in Lapeer to provide food and shelter to the home-

less people of the community during the cold months. St.

Paul also sponsors a community garden. Garden plots on the

church’s land are made available to families of the commu-

nity who want to grow their own garden food. There are 48

garden plots. It is a wonderful tool for creating goodwill in

the community. Finally, during the coat distribution program

over 900 coats were given to people in the area. In 2013 St.

Paul Celebrated its 140th Anniversary of serving Christ in the

Lapeer community.

New Life In Christ, North Branch – New Life In Christ has

been served by Deacon Joseph Schierlinger since April

24, 2008. Many thanks go to Rev. Marvin Ramthun for

being supervisory pastor for another year. In 2013-2014, 6

baptisms took place. Six young individuals were conrmed

in 2013 and ve more will be conrmed next spring. New

Life In Christ has added 6 new members to the church rolls

after they took adult classes. The Sunday school attendance

is holding around 30 and VBS in August was once again

successful with over 50 attending. The students from VBS

were able to raise over 2,000 dollars for the local House of

Hope (meals for local poor). Many men from the congrega-

tion and from Holy Trinity, Fenton attended the yearly men’s

retreat at Loon Lake in Hale, Mich. They enjoyed three days

of Bible study, fellowship, golf, and plenty of good food.

The yearly golf outing at Washakie Resort was a very enjoy-

able and successful day. The new stained glass and the new

etched windows are now all in and they are beautiful, thanks

be to God. The Lord has continued to bless His little Church

on the Corner. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may New

Life In Christ continue to go, baptize, and teach.

St. Timothy, Otisville – As in past years, the Lord continues

to bless the ministry at St. Timothy. Though the Love

Cupboard food distribution ministry was closed in 2014,

the congregation continues to work with a local super-

market distributing food to the needy in the community.

The congregation continues to offer assistance to Otisville

and the surrounding area with 2 mobile food pantries in

conjunction with the Eastern Michigan Food bank. The

Lord continues to bless our outreach efforts with our annual

VBS and trunk-and-treat ministries. The congregation also

participates in the annual community hot-dog festival as a

means of reaching the lost in Otisville. St. Timothy has also

had the wonderful opportunity to add Jerry Bishop as our

part-time Music Director. Jerry brings years of experience

in the music eld and has greatly contributed to the growth

of the music ministry. Under his tutelage, St. Timothy has

seen tremendous growth in our choir and the start of a praise

group. In 2015 and beyond, with the Lord’s help, St. Timothy

desires to seek out the needs of our community and equip our

members to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Circuit #14 - Port Huron Circuit

Rev. Gerhardt Doroh, Circuit Visitor

The Port Huron Circuit is comprised of 13 congregations,

2 Lutheran grade schools and 4 early education centers. We

are located in the Blue Water area as it borders Lake Huron

District Reports - Page 11

First, Algonac – Pastor J. Robert Herrod

We have received a positive response to two new mid-week

Bible Studies, a monthly community dinner (30-40 people)

and a Thanksgiving Eve dinner (over 100 people). An after-

noon mid-week Advent service has bolstered attendance.

Our Saviour, Armada – Pastor Sam Sherouse

We have been working on Church / Bible study / Sunday

School attendance. Our preschool families now participate

in worship, and weekly inserts to the homes share the theme

for each Sunday as well as Advent / Lent. The Congregation at

“Word and Prayer” is a double-sided paper which includes the

week’s theme, weekly Bible passage, memory verse, hymn,

Psalm, Catechism section and Bible readings to read the Bible

in a year. Also included are daily prayer themes, praying for

families, shut-ins, and the military throughout the week.

St. Peter, Fairhaven – Pastor Steven Hoerr

Our Sunday School program started several years ago

continues to grow and has expanded to 3 classes in order to

provide a better age-specic environment. We continue to

hold one worship service in order to maintain the friendly

cohesiveness of the congregation. Our year-round outreach

includes providing food items for the food pantries in our

area and personal items for the veterans at the VA facility.

Our in-reach efforts continue to include our home-bound

members in the life of the church through visitations, sermon

recordings and personal correspondence.

Hope, Goodells is being served communion each month by

Pastor William Otten. Mr. Dave Rochlitz, a commissioned

minister at Lutheran High North, assists the congregation

each week. Sunday School classes began in 2014 and a VBS

day was held at the neighboring county park. The Historic

Church and School were used for worship and teaching

times at the park. The day ended with a picnic. They plan to

expand this in 2015.

St. Matthew, Lexington – Pastor Barry Sheldon

In 2014, we celebrated our 60th anniversary and the Lord

blessed us with a gifted organist/pianist after the previous

organist retired. We continue to lift up our praise to God

with special music and a resurgent choir. The heartbeat of

our church continues to be the doctrine of Justication and

the administration of the Sacraments that Jesus gave to His

church. “It is good to praise the Lord ... to sing for joy at the

works of Your hands.”

Living Faith, Marine City – Pastor Keith Dusheke was installed

in December of 2013 after a 2-year vacancy. The congrega-

tion continues to make its presence known in the community.

A Children’s ministry—Locomotion—is held each Tuesday,

and a Wednesday high school gathering is growing. A monthly

movie night/supper continues to be a draw for people, with

attendance reaching 100 at times

Light of Christ, Marysville – Pastor Paul Kruse

Our congregation celebrated its 5th year in September 2014.

We took on our mortgage with CEF and rolled in some

funding to make the lower level classrooms, fellowship area,

and Sunday School area handicap accessible. Our parking

lot is completely paved. Increased attendance resulted in

two services being held. We are leading a community-wide

project with other Christians to join resources in order to

meet mercy needs in the area. Our annual July rummage

sale serves several hundred people with low-cost items. Last

year, $2,000 in donations were then given to local charities.

St. Andrew, Memphis – Pastor Joshua Ball

“The Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the

highest reverence. Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also

preserved, save that the parts sung in Latin are interspersed

here and there with English hymns, which have been added

to teach the people. Ceremonies are needed to this end

alone that the unlearned be taught what they need to know

of Christ. Not only has Paul commanded us to use in the

church a language understood by the people (1 Cor. 14:2–9)

but it has also been so ordained by man’s law. The people

are accustomed to partake of the Sacrament together, if any

be t for it, and this also increases the reverence and devo-

tion of public worship. For none are admitted except they be

rst examined. The people are also advised concerning the

dignity and use of the Sacrament, how great consolation it

brings anxious consciences, that they may learn to believe

God, and to expect and ask of Him all that is good. In this

connection, they are also instructed regarding other and false

teachings on the Sacrament. This worship pleases God; such

use of the Sacrament nourishes true devotion toward God”

(AC Art. 24 XXIV, edited).

Faith, Port Huron is presently served by Pastor Steve Schilke,

Intentional Interim Pastor. Pastor Schilke supervises Deacon

students Jeff Strock and Sean Burke. For the past 9 months,

the congregation and leaders have completed a self-study,

which led them to issue a call for a Seminary graduate. If

no candidate is available, a call list will be requested. The

congregation has an active music program and involvement

in the area continues.

Trinity, Port Huron – Pastor Mark Madson and Principal

John Britton were installed 2013. A large bequest allowed us

to pay off our building and send in additional support to the

District. We have a long-term commitment to the neighbor-

hood with a lively and diverse school ministry, interfacing

with local food banks and a pregnancy center. Each year,

100 quilts are sent to LWR. More attention is being given

by members to outreach through the outdoor signboard, a

re-engineered website, and social media, which connects

with younger generations. One way to express our feelings

and hopes about our ministry is through some hashtags:

Living Hope on the Bay, Ray – Pastor Paul Warner

We completed our 7th year in which we achieved self-

supporting status. We presently lease building facilities from

the New Haven Area Schools while looking at a perma-

nent location. “Hope for the Hungry” continues to grow in

providing food, clothing and household items for low-income

families. Through a Thrivent grant, this pantry was able to

District Reports - Page 12

achieve partner status with Gleaner’s Food Bank of Detroit.

This status enables the purchase of food items at reduced costs

as well as receiving food gifts from local stores. Monthly

suppers and the Weekend Hunger program (funded by a

partnership with the school district, local business and indi-

viduals) provide nutritional food to be distributed to children

on the weekends. These ministries provide hope for members

to witness and pray with those who come. A VBS sports camp

model was used in 2014.

Immanuel, St. Clair – Pastor Alan Schweiger

These past three years have been marked by many changes

which have propelled us to reect and grow spiritually and

physically. The Week End Backpack, sponsored by indi-

viduals and local businesses, provides food-lled backpacks

for families in need each weekend. By God’s grace and the

generosity of God’s people, a new sanctuary was erected

debt-free. Worship began on Christmas Eve with the dedica-

tion on January 11, 2015 under the theme “To God Be the

Glory.” 450 members said “Amen” as the sanctuary, altar,

baptismal wall, cross, and organ were blessed. New staff

members with renewed enthusiasm and spiritual gifts serve

an ever-growing Preschool/Daycare center, new adult conr-

mation participants, new Bible studies reaching out to new

segments of the church and new opportunities for commu-

nity outreach and service. There are opportunities for us to

be embedded as brothers and sisters in Christ and to be in

situations for sharing the Good News of Jesus.

St. Peter’s, Richmond – Pastor Mark Haller was installed on

the 1st Saturday evening service in Advent 2014. Immediately

after being installed, he administered his 1st Baptism. In

August 2014, Mrs. Heather Haller was installed as the

Principal of the day school. Seasons of Learning Preschool/

Daycare was begun. Deaconess Cindy Engelking is active in

care and visitation ministries (hospital/shut-in and nursing

homes). Mr. John Summers serves as youth minister and

congregation ministries. Deacon student Howard Harkness

assists the Pastor in worship, visitation, conrmation and

outreach ministries. A new governance system was begun in

January 2015.

Circuit #15 – Macomb North Circuit

Rev. Edward Steeh, Circuit Visitor

St. Luke, Clinton Twp. – Rev. Russell Johnson, Rev. Bert

Thompson (12/31/13) Baptized Members / Conrmed

Members / Avg. attendance: 973 / 764 / 262

Trinity, Clinton Twp. – Rev. Kenneth Wise, Rev. Brian

West, Rev. Gary Richard (12/31/13) Baptized Members /

Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance: 2,638 / 1,792 / 861

Immanuel, Macomb – Rev. Greg Grifth, Rev. Michael

Heiden, Rev. Paul Burow, Rev. Michael Lutz (12/31/13)

Baptized Members / Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance:

4,673 / 2,823 / 1,337

St. Peter, Macomb – Rev. Ken Wagener, Rev. Matt Baye,

Rev. Mark Wuggazer (12/31/14) Baptized Members /

Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance: 2,754 / 2,792 / 1,300

Thanks to the leadership and support of the Michigan CEF,

we completed our Fellowship Hall and Ministry Center

(Ofce Wing). Our day school enrollment is just over

400 and our Preschool enrollment is 180. Kathy Krause is

serving as Interim Principal for the 2014/2015 school year.

She has stepped up to the challenge, working long hours

alongside Asst. Principal Bob Hoch and our dedicated

faculty. Kathy is the wife of our now-sainted member and

past Business Manager, Mike Krause. In 2015, our pastoral

staff and leadership team will delve into and implement our

District’s Critical Targets and Outcomes. We will re-commit

ourselves to being and thriving as a congregation and school

with a passion for the Great Commission and for Great

Compassion. We will strive to foster healthy relationships,

structures, processes and goals in all aspects of our work.

We’re grateful for our District leadership, as they’ve set the

direction and tone for ministry in our churches, schools and

other organizations.

Good Shepherd, Chestereld – Rev. David Ulm (12/31/13)

Baptized Members / Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance:

89 / 85 / 57

Christ, New Baltimore – Rev. Barry Mueller (12/31/13)

Baptized Members / Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance:

103 / 90 / 67

St. John, Ray Township – Rev. Edward Steeh (12/31/14)

Baptized Members / Conrmed Members / Avg. attendance:

193 / 168 / 99 Our active Missions Society spearheads

congregation support for three international missionaries.

Our dedicated Christian Care Committee continues to orga-

nize nancial and other help for people in the congregation

and community. This includes housing and feeding twenty-

ve homeless men each year. We do this work along with

Christ, New Baltimore and Good Shepherd, Chestereld,

through the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter

Team (MCREST). We celebrated our 130th anniversary in

2014 with an expansion of our choir loft. It can now accom-

modate our bell choir, along with the vocal choir, under the

superb leadership of Erwin Aufdemberge.

Circuit # 16 – Macomb Northwest Circuit

Rev. Craig Meyer – Circuit Visitor

The pastors, SMP’s and deacons of Circuit #16 attend a

monthly breakfast. At this breakfast we have had representa-

tives from the District, local high schools, business leaders,

and area charities attend to speak with us. We also take the

opportunity to pray for one another and receive support.

Grace Fellowship, Romeo – Rev. Eric Majeski

Baptized Membership – 734

Communicant Membership – 420

Average Worship Attendance – 211

Peace, Shelby Twp. – Rev. David Klemm

Baptized Membership – 675

Communicant Membership – 479

Average Worship Attendance – 300

District Reports - Page 13

Redemption, Sterling Heights – Mr. Jerry Corbett, Deacon

Baptized Membership – 90

Communicant Membership – 75

Average Worship Attendance – 52

St. Paul, Sterling Heights – Rev. Walther Keller

Baptized Membership – 234

Communicant Membership – 218

Average Worship Attendance – 102

Faith, Troy – Rev. Warren Arndt

Baptized Membership – 3,375

Communicant Membership – 2,608

Average Worship Attendance – 1,351

Trinity, Utica – Rev. Norman Koy

Baptized Membership – 4,478

Communicant Membership – 3,900

Average Worship Attendance – 1,485

Our Redeemer, Washington – Rev. Jeffrey Draeger

Baptized Membership – 516

Communicant Membership – 500

Average Worship Attendance – 256

Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp. – Rev. Jonathan Trinklein

Baptized Membership – 1,263

Communicant Membership – 953

Average Worship Attendance – 822

All Nations, Troy – Rev. Amer Khan

Baptized Membership – 78

Communicant Membership – 78

Average Worship Attendance – 45

Family of Christ, Imlay City – Mr. David Hoffman, Deacon

Baptized Membership – 206

Communicant Membership – 154

Average Worship Attendance – 55

Faith Tamil, Troy – Rev. Arul Alexander

Baptized Membership – 59

Communicant Membership – 41

Average Worship Attendance – 45

Circuit # 17 – Oakland North Circuit

Rev. Kendall L. Schaeffer, Circuit Visitor

Oakland North Circuit has met jointly with Circuit #26

(Kensington Circuit) over the past triennium. We have shared

great fellowship and gathered in worship centered on the

sharing of the Lord’s Supper in the months of September,

November, December, January, February, March and April.

We have also been using the Synodically-prepared Bible

studies for Winkles to lead us in our discussion.

St. Trinity, Clarkston – Rev. Kendall L. Schaeffer

St. Trinity continues to reach into the community in many

ways. We seek to live our mission statement: As we grow

in Christ’s love and the Word we will share Christ’s love

with the world. We have become more intentional in living

the Great Commission, setting a vision plan before us and

meeting to set strategic goals. Our focus is foremost upon the

Word of God, teaching the truth of His Word in what we think,

say and do. We reach out through My Habitat Clarkston,

Oxford Pregnancy Center, and Clarkston Lighthouse. We

support the ministry of St. Paul, Pontiac and have adopted

a missionary and sponsor a seminarian. Our congregation

offers opportunities to various community sports teams, a

Vietnam Veterans group, AA and other community groups.

Regular blood drives, serving as a voting precinct, and

allowing AP Testing are cooperatives we have with commu-

nity endeavors. One of our annual highlights is a 4th of July

outdoor worship when the community is invited to join in

worship, picnic foods, and watching the reworks display.

We offered Financial Peace University and are developing

a focused program designed to reach the growing elderly

population in our congregation and community. Our congre-

gational preschool hired a new director with the retirement

of our former director. Through new insight and outreach,

Julie Schultz is re-building this outreach opportunity as she

continues to lead our children in spiritual growth. Assisted

by an Eagle Scout project, we have built a walking trail

around our land and are working to put benches and Bible

passages on the trail for spiritual growth of those walking

the paths. Our congregation has grown in various ways as we

serve God and community with His love.

The Gathering Place, Clarkston – Rev. Bob Scott (SMP)

The Gathering Place, mission plant of Faith Lutheran

Church in Grand Blanc, continues to serve the Clarkston/

Davisburg community through service events like My

Habitat Clarkston, and by reaching out to the lost and hurting

through Christian-based classes such as Grief Share and

Financial Peace University. We also faithfully gather around

Word and Sacrament on Sunday evenings, with Bible study

immediately following worship. 2015 saw many changes

and blessings at The Gathering Place, including the calling

of an SMP pastor, the hiring of a part-time worship leader,

and the formation of a partnership with St. Stephen Lutheran

Church in nearby Waterford. We continue to praise God as

He leads us in new ways to share Christ with the community,

in order to build up the community of God.

Good Shepherd, Lake Orion – Rev. Gary Koltz

Pastor Mackowiak nished his term as interim pastor. The

congregation called Mr. Eric Heins as their rst called school

Principal. In June, 2014 Pastor Gary Koltz was ordained and

installed to lead Good Shepherd.

Prince of Peace, Ortonville – Rev. James Van Dellen

(Interim)

Pastor Jim Van Dellen was installed as our vacancy pastor on

April 1, 2012, and has served us for about three years now.

Deacon Mike Sternemann also continues to serve us, espe-

cially when Pastor Van Dellen is on vacation. We are thankful

to have these servants of the Lord as a part of our congrega-

tion, ministering to us and our community. Prince of Peace

congregation is active in meeting the needs of people in our

community through the Ortonville Community Emergency

District Reports - Page 14

Fund (OCEF) by way of special gatherings of food, gifts and

funds at Christmas and Easter. We also seek to help those of

our own congregation who are in need through special offer-

ings and gifts. God has blessed us with several new members

over the past three years, most of them through transfers and

professions of faith. We have been blessed to also welcome

several young people through Conrmation.

Holy Cross, Oxford – Rev. Bertram Cottam (Interim)

We at Holy Cross have been blessed for the past three (3)

years. Pastor Schulz, who has been with Holy Cross for 24

years, decided to retire. His ministry at Holy Cross was truly

a blessing and the congregation will miss him dearly. So at

the present time we are moving forward in search of a new

minister, continuing to pray for the Lord’s guidance. We

are sure that the Lord will send us the right candidate. The

preschool for the past three (3) years has been blessed with

great attendance under the direction of Roxann Marchesi,

who continues to do an outstanding job.

St. Paul Community, Pontiac – Rev. Dietrich Gladden

Here at St. Paul we have experienced a major outreach of our

inner city ministry over the past three years:

• Our Father’s Hands Food Pantry & Clothing Closet has

continued to provide food and clothing to the low-income

people of the community. The needs have continued to

increase each year, and 2014 set a record with 2,024 being

served. In 2013, the Food Pantry received a generous dona-

tion of canned vegetables, which we are still distributing

today. And in 2014, an Eagle Scout from Birmingham

provided us with 5 carloads of food for the pantry.

• The Father’s Hands Christmas Blessings also continue to

provide gifts to needy families and individuals. In 2014

approximately 600 individuals were presented with gifts.

• In 2014, our Vacation Bible School set a record with 264

children in attendance. This was again an increase from

prior years. Every year we provide a free breakfast and

lunch to the children attending and, at the end of the week,

each child is presented with a school backpack lled with

supplies. In 2013, the LWML provided volunteers to help

run our VBS, the second time in 3 years.

• St. Paul’s continues to offer Wednesday Family Nights

where local churches provide a light meal, and adults and

children participate in separate Bible studies.

• Seasonally, we offer special community dinners, i.e. –

Harvest Dinner; Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner

and Easter Brunch, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt and

Easter baskets for the children. Attendance at each of these

dinners usually exceeds 300 people.

• In 2013, with a grant from the LWML, St. Paul’s was

able to hire a church secretary, which has enabled Pastor

Dietrick and his wife to put their energies toward other

areas of the ministry.

• Mrs. Gladden continues her Overcomers lunchtime meet-

ings on Tuesdays for those in the community that need

encouragement.

• Last year the AA program increased its presence to twice a

week – Wednesdays & Thursdays at 6pm.

• In September of 2014, St. Paul’s began its Spanish Ministry

and started a second worship service on Sundays for the

Hispanic community in Pontiac. Rev. Dan Murray was

added as a worship assistant to translate for Rev. Gladden

on Sundays for that service. The attendance at this service

has grown each month since it started.

• At this time, St. Paul’s has two gentlemen working on their

Deacon licenses. Mr. Harry Adams and Mr. Matthew Koch

have almost completed their classes to become full-time

deacons.

• Future Leaders program, started in 2014, is a weekly

after-school youth program with approximately 5-10 high

school students from the neighborhood. They organize

service projects in the community.

• In 2013-14 we offered a Community Vegetable Garden.

Through generous donations we were able to provide

plants and soil for neighbors to take home, or space in the

garden to grow plants.

• Partnering with other area Lutheran churches, Voice of

Truth provides a week-long community service program

for the youth during the summer.

• In 2015, we are planning to offer ESL classes beginning

sometime in the spring – details are still pending.

Living Word, Rochester – Rev. John Kassen

Living Word was founded in September of 1991 and has

continued to grow and expand its ministry in Oakland

Township, Michigan. With a starting worship attendance of

86 per Sunday at Hart Middle School in Rochester, Living

Word has grown to 268 in worship per weekend in its own

facilities. Living Word has operated both an early childhood

center and Kindergarten-through-8th-grade school since

1997. This past winter, the difcult and painful decision was

made to not open grades 1 through 8 in the fall of 2015. The

early childhood center with Kindergarten will become the

focus of Living Word’s community outreach and mission of

P.R.A.I.S.E.

P.R.A.I.S.E.! Making a Difference is the mission focus

(statement) for our mission and ministry. It is a simple

anagram that directs our thoughts to:

• Participate in worship and Bible study

• Reach out with Christ’s love

• Anchored in Word and Sacrament

• Invest in families

• Share our resources

• Equip the next generation

As Living Word follows the Spirit’s direction for ministry in

the future, we anticipate God’s continued blessings.

St. John, Rochester – Rev. Marc Schwichtenberg and Rev.

Stephen Grafe

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all

we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within

us, to Him be glory!” (Ephesians 3:20-21a). These inspired

words of Scripture sum up quite well what we have been

experiencing together the past three years as a church and

school family at St. John in Rochester! After some former

years of severe turmoil and setback, Jesus is having His way

more and more to make a signicant impact for eternity!

Some of the measurable highlights over the past three years

include:

• 134 amazing new families (226 adults and 111 kids)

District Reports - Page 15

became part of our church! Add to this 119 children and 9

adults (including 4 former Muslims) who were washed in

water and Word through Baptism! Plus, this past spring 80

young people were conrmed in that gift of faith!

•

We have experienced a growing surge in worship attendance

with a combined overall weekly average of 934 people of

all ages gathering in the transformational presence of Christ

through His Word and Sacrament this past year! (This repre-

sents a 25% increase over the last three years!)

• Our Christian school is reaching out more and more to

share daily the love of Jesus through quality education for

269 children and their families! (A 26% increase in enroll-

ment over the last three years!)

• Every week, hundreds of children, youth, men, women,

dads, moms and seniors continually gather to study and

grow through God’s Word on Sunday mornings and

throughout the week through an increasing number of

ongoing small and large group studies led by over 50 indi-

vidual teachers, leaders and facilitators that are making an

eternal impact and transforming lives!

• This past summer, Vacation Bible School reached out with

the eternal love of Jesus to close to 300 children (many

from families not previously connected with St. John); this

was made possible by over 100 servant-hearted volunteers!

• Every week, people representing countries from around

the world gather on our campus to learn to speak the

English language and experience the love of Jesus through

our ESL ministry that has now expanded to include a

weekly Bible study. In addition, our mission partnership

with POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach)

includes an on-site weekly Bible study outreach in Jesus’

name to local Arabs.

• Hundreds of intergenerational family members have

continually lived out their faith through compassionate

service efforts in tandem with our local mission partners

in Rochester, Pontiac and Detroit … as well as on-site

opportunities this past year with Kids Against Hunger

and Feed My Starving Children. Over 150,000 meals for

starving kids around the world were packed by over 700

volunteers!!!

• Beyond the countless number of individuals who faith-

fully give of their God-given talents and time every week

in so many critical areas of ongoing ministry and care, we

also employ a true dream team of 39 church and school

staff members (full and part-time) who faithfully serve

with a heart of Christ! Our master stafng plan continues

to take shape as we respond to our established Strategic

Directions that ow from our new Mission together. These

include additions to our staff in the past three years: a new

Director of Music, Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, School

Principal, Director of Operations, Director of School

Admissions, Maintenance Manager, several Teachers,

Director of Modern Praise Worship, Director of High

School Youth AND we are currently gearing up to of-

cially call a Director of Child & Family Ministry in the

next couple months!

While numbers and statistics aren’t everything, they are

helpful in gaining a greater appreciation for the immeasur-

able return that comes when, led by the Holy Spirit’s calling

over us, we invest our God-given lives and resources in

the work that the Lord has given us. God truly is lling us

with His powerful presence to make an eternal difference in

Jesus’ name!

Crown of Life, Rochester Hills – Rev. Keith Lemley

The last three years at Crown of Life have been exciting.

God has blessed our congregation through Family Friendly

Partners Network and the opportunity to renovate our

building. Family Friendly Partners Network taught us to

focus ministry to empower the family to be the center of

faith formation. We were given many tools to minister to

families. While we have not implemented many of the

programs and ideas, we have begun to modify the culture of

the church toward Family-Friendly ministry. We remodeled

our sanctuary to improve the worship experience. We added

technology to provide more ways to proclaim the Gospel

and give praise to God. The rst oor of the building is being

renovated to house a Christian preschool we plan to open

this September, by the grace of God.

Gethsemane, Rochester Hills – Rev. Thomas Fischer

During the past triennium, Gethsemane Lutheran Church

(“GLC”) enjoyed God’s blessings in two major areas of

ministry. The rst major area of blessing began when GLC

commenced a three-year LCEF Capital Campaign entitled,

“A Great Heritage, A Greater Future 2.” Led by Rev. Dr.

Donald Sandmann, CFS Consultant, GLC raised nearly

$130,000 (nearly 50% more than expected) for major capital

improvements and mission. The second major area of

blessing is that, in 2013, GLC began a signicant transfor-

mation as a multi-tiered missional community.

• GLC’s First Tier celebrates and encourages GLC’s minis-

tries as mission-focused communities. GLC’s Quilting

ministry made nearly 1,500 quilts in this triennium,

many of which have been sent to Lutheran World Relief.

GLC’s Terric Tuesdays (children’s youth ministry) and

senior ministries are transforming missionally. Rev. Kelly

Bedard’s workshop and Rev. Greg Finke’s insights from

his book, “Joining Jesus On His Mission,” have been

essential resources in this transformation.

• GLC’s Second Tier missional strategy invited Epic

Church (ED-LCMS) and Pastor Tim Kade to partner

with us to “Multiply” our ministry energies by strategic

partnering of resources. Begun in Fall, 2014, GLC’s and

Epic’s partnership has resulted in a vibrant youth ministry,

the beginnings of effective family ministries, and a

community-oriented senior ministry.

• GLC’s Third Tier missional strategy, “GoodLife

Community Partnership,” was founded in July, 2014.

GoodLife was made possible by a MD-LCMS mission

grant. We received insights, support, and coaching from

Rev. Dr. Rob Kasper (MD-LCMS), Rev. Michael Ruhl

(CUSM), and Rev. Ed Doerner (Messiah, Midland). Since

September, 2014 GoodLife Community Partnership has

begun to make signicant inroads into our community.

Through this multi-tiered missional strategy, GLC and its

partners at Epic and GoodLife Community Partnership

will enable us, by God’s blessing, to make an increasing

impact on our local schools, senior living facilities, commu-

nity social service organizations, and individuals and their

District Reports - Page 16

families in our ministry area. We eagerly seek and anticipate

God’s direction and blessings as these ministry tiers make a

greater impact in our community.

Incarnate Word, Rochester Hills – Rev. Allen D. Lunneberg

The most distinctive aspect of Incarnate Word is that we do

not have a physical building of our own but rent the choir

rehearsal room at Lutheran High School Northwest. That,

as well as the small size of our congregation, means we

do not have the usual programs and activities of a larger

congregation. We gather for regular worship every Sunday

and on other festivals. Pastor Lunneberg is always available

for hospital calls, funerals and other events. The congrega-

tion has hosted an annual Christmas Concert at Oakland

University each December, gathering canned goods for

those in need. Once a month, we gather at a member’s home

to study the Lutheran Confessions. Our growth usually

results from people nding us on our own web page. This

winter, we are studying the Small Catechism as catechesis,

especially for four new member candidates.

St. Stephen, Waterford – Rev. Chad Speller and Rev. Benjamin

Bruns

St. Stephen has seen many changes in the past three years.

Reverend Chad Speller was installed to serve as Senior

Pastor. St. Stephen Lutheran School closed and its building

was later sold. Reverend Benjamin Bruns was installed to

serve as Associate Pastor. Our outreach efforts included

a Mom’s Day Out Program, Kids Against Hunger event

(packed 10,000 meals), Destiny Rescue Jewelry Party

(raised $800), and gift cards for seminarians ($1,000). We

were blessed with 27 children 4 adults being baptized. Our

sanctuary beautication project allowed us to install new

windows and air conditioning and do technology upgrades.

St. Stephen added two new staff members: Terry Baughman,

NextGen Ministry, and Lisa Jarrell, Family Services

Director. This allows us to continue offering traditional,

blended, and contemporary styles of worship. We rejoice

that 25% of our adults are in Sunday morning Bible study,

and our successful VBS program doubled in size over this

time period. We also host weekly youth Bible study, and

in October of 2014 we hosted a Trunk-or-Treat for over

50 families from the community. Our expanded contem-

porary music program includes a weekly worship service

with full praise team. Monthly youth/fellowship events are

ongoing for the rst time in years. We hosted the Concordia

University Wisconsin Choir Tour Concert in March 2015

and sponsored a oat in Waterford’s 2015 Memorial Day

Parade. Our New Horizons Bible Study, just started in 2015,

reaches adults with disabilities.

We also rejoice with our other emeriti pastors who continue

to serve us: Rev. E. Dale Evanson, Rev. Richard Krugler

and Rev. Glenn Sattelmeier. Recently, Rev. Daniel Lochner,

retired military chaplain, also joined Circuit #17. It is with

great joy that we continue to look forward to Living as God’s

Loved and Compassionate Community, sharing the blessings

and furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Circuit (#18) - Birmingham Circuit

Rev. Cary M. Richert, Circuit Visitor

The Birmingham Circuit consists of nine congregations

located in the southern part of Oakland County, covering an

area bounded by Hazel Park, Troy, Warren and Bloomeld

Hills. Among the nine congregations currently ministering

in the circuit there are a cumulative 6,200 baptized souls

and 4,855 communicant members. In addition, there are 2

Christian day schools and 6 preschools.

Our Shepherd, Birmingham is served by Revs. Ray Scherbarth

(Emeritus), Steve Woodn (SMP), Mike Vieregge (SMP),

and Mark Doede (SMP). Former senior pastor, Rev. Carl

Gnewuch, accepted a call to Alexandria, Va., after which Our

Shepherd determined to enter into a period of Intentional

Interim ministry before calling a new senior pastor. Intentional

Interim pastor Rev. Bill Roper was installed on 2/8/2015 to

guide Our Shepherd through the IIM process. Our Shepherd’s

Christian day school and child care ministries continue to be

strong outreach opportunities to the surrounding communi-

ties. They also sponsor the South Oakland Shelter one week

in the winter, reaching out in love to the homeless population

in the area.

Redeemer, Birmingham is served by Revs. Randy Schlak

and Cary Richert. Son of the congregation Rev. Mark

Bushuiakovish was ordained in the recent triennium,

and is serving in Knoxville, TN. Son of the congrega-

tion C. J. Luttinen is completing his nal year of study

in St. Louis and will be ordained this Spring or Summer.

Another member of the congregation, Freeland Goddard,

is currently studying for the holy ministry at Fort Wayne.

The congregation continues to reach young families in the

surrounding community through its Westmaple Nursery

School and Mom’s Day Out ministries. And its youth

ministries include mission outreaches to Mexicali as well

as Family of God Soup Kitchen.

Our Savior – Deaf, Birmingham is served by Revs. Thomas

Dunseth and Brant Engel and worships in the Redeemer

chapel weekly. They join the Redeemer members in an inter-

preted service on the rst Sunday of each month. They are

also included in Redeemer’s monthly Wednesday Lunch

and Worship services and midweek Lenten services, which

are interpreted by Revs. Dunseth and Engel. The relation-

ship that has been forged between OSLCD and Redeemer

continues to be strong and benecial to both.

Cross of Christ, Bloomeld Hills is served by Rev. Randy

Miller, who was installed in September, 2012 following the

retirement of Rev. John Reusch as senior pastor. Emeritus

Rev. James Ackerman also assists as needed in the ministry

of the congregation. Cross of Christ continues to carry out a

strong outreach to the local community through its children

and youth ministries. Rev. Miller and the leaders of Cross of

Christ are also involved in a process of re-envisioning their

future as a congregation and developing a strategic plan to

carry out their vision.

District Reports - Page 17

New Life, Hazel Park, formerly Hazel Park Lutheran Church,

closed during the past triennium after a combined 88 years of

ministering to the surrounding community. Members of the

congregation transferred their memberships to surrounding

congregations in the circuit.

Huntington Woods, Huntington Woods is served by Rev.

Peter Nickel, who also serves as a chaplain in the Michigan

State Police. As the fastest-growing church in Huntington

Woods, and led by its pastor and congregation leaders, a

strong pre-school program serves as a wonderful outreach,

especially to young families in the surrounding suburban

communities. In the incredible rainstorm of August 11,

2014, the church sustained extensive ood damage, particu-

larly in its basement level. Since that time, the damage has

been repaired and ministries affected are back underway.

Thanks be to our gracious God!

St. Paul, Royal Oak is served by Rev. David Schmidt. Rev.

Schmidt accepted a call to St. Paul after its previous pastor,

Rev. Jeremy Schulz accepted a call to St. John Lutheran in

Arnold, MO. Rev. Schmidt was installed as senior pastor in

May, 2013. St. Paul continues to operate a strong program

of Christian education through its preschool and day school

ministries. The congregation is also involved in the Royal

Oak community during the annual Arts Beats & Eats down-

town event, at which members of the church help with

recycling efforts. During Easter week, St. Paul hosts the

South Oakland County Shelter at its school, in an effort to

reach out to the homeless.

St. Augustine, Troy is served by Rev. Paul Monson. St.

Augustine conducts a very active and successful preschool

education program that ministers to the children of an

extremely international area of Troy. The congregation is

also blessed with a ministry of music that involves some

very gifted musicians who not only lead the congregation in

singing during worship, but who also conduct concerts by

invitation at churches in the area. The ministry group is called

The Paul Ruehl Band.

Holy Cross, Warren is served by Rev. Alan Eisinger. Holy

Cross continues to shine the beacon of God’s gracious love

and forgiveness in the city of Warren. To assist them in doing

this, they have purchased a 14-passenger church bus with

a wheelchair lift to bring shut-ins needing transportation

to church as well as to gather up neighborhood children for

Vacation Bible School. The bus proclaims “No Soul Left

Behind.” Also added within the last triennium is a Saturday

night blended service called “Meritage.” A new media-

oriented Bible class has been added on Wednesday mornings

and evenings called “Workshop Wednesdays.”

The Birmingham Circuit is blessed to include the following

retired pastors, who in the past, and some even now, serve/d

the Circuit with honor and distinction: Rev. Duane T.

Wuggazer (FL), Rev. Jon Reusch, Rev. William Grafe, Rev.

John Monson, Rev. Ron Guettler, Rev. Milton Schemm.

Circuit #19 - Macomb South Circuit

Rev. John E. Merrill, Circuit Visitor

The congregations of Macomb South Circuit seek to

present the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in multiple ways

to a changing demographic reality. We are thankful that our

God is so gracious and has supplied what we need to carry

out the ministries He has given us.

Saint Thomas, Eastpointe – The current themes for Saint

Thomas are change and adjustment. As our world and

community changes, STL adjusts in using varied tactics in

bringing our changeless Christ to them. Included among the

changes is the conclusion of our elementary school ministry

following the 2014-2015 school year. During the past trien-

nium, SMP candidate Richard VanBriggle was ordained

and continues to serve through the Genesis Center; Deacon

Jerry Corbett continues to be deployed at Redemption,

Sterling Heights; Rev. Mark Hetzner continues to lead the

congregation; and our preschool program is still serving

our community.

Bethlehem, Roseville – Bethlehem continues to give thanks

to God for our thriving Early Learning Center. We were also

recognized in the community by the Roseville Heritage

Foundation for our help with the 2014 Gratiot Cruise. On

February 20, 2015, Bethlehem celebrated 90 years of God’s

blessings.

Saint Peter’s, Eastpointe – St. Peter’s continues to serve

the community with the proclamation of the Gospel in

a variety of ways. Our ECC serves by welcoming infants

to school-age children who then can enroll at the day

school for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade education.

We offer a food pantry for those in need. The Eastpointe

Police Department uses the facility for SWAT team and

Canine training. During the summer months we host a

VBS Program and participate in the Gratiot Cruise offering

parking, shade and information about St. Peter’s.

Hope, Warren – During the past triennium, Warren has

begun a dramatic demographic shift. The community has

experienced a growing inux of people from a wide variety

of cultures. To respond to the growing need for ethnic

ministries, Hope has been supporting a ministry to Iraqi

immigrants, providing citizenship classes that include the

sharing of the Gospel. In addition, this past year Hope has

partnered with POBLO to become a POBLO International

Friendship Center. The ministries include weekly ESL

classes, sewing classes, Bible studies, and an annual

International Christmas Celebration. While the chal-

lenges of urban/suburban ministry in Michigan are widely

known, the people of Hope Lutheran are eager to engage

the changing world around them with the never-changing,

ever-relevant Good News of Jesus Christ!

Peace, Warren – Rev. John Schwartz

Baptized Membership – 343

Communicant Membership – 268

Average Worship Attendance – 121

District Reports - Page 18

Trinity, Warren – Rev. Ryan Reese

Baptized Membership – 325

Communicant Membership – 320

Average Worship Attendance – 100

St. John, Fraser – Rev. Bradley Smith and Rev. Aaron

Richert

Baptized Membership – 1,227

Communicant Membership – 975

Average Worship Attendance – 587

Circuit #20 - Detroit East

Rev. Steven Essenburg, Circuit Visitor

Located on the east side of Detroit, from Downtown to the

Northern border at 8 Mile Road, Circuit 20 is a microcosm

of urban culture. It is also the seedbed of innovative ministry

and consistent witness.

Bethany, Detroit

, under the leadership of Rev. Christopher

Bodley, has launched several exciting mission and ministry

endeavors. Bethany has engaged the community and serves

them with a food pantry, community dinners, open gym time,

and A2E Sports Camps. Bethany is a site for the DHS E.C.H.O.

program, providing skill assessment and assistance services

for community residents seeking employment. Modeling the

effectiveness of partnering, Bethany works in partnership

with Gifts for All God’s Children to conduct Easter Fairs and

summer Vacation Bible School. A collaboration with its child

development center to incorporate unchurched families was

blessed with tremendous ministry success.

Serving one of the poorest and most violent areas in Detroit,

Charity, Detroit and Rev. Steve Essenburg continue Charity’s

programs of positive community engagement. Engaged

in community efforts to reduce crime, Charity works with

law enforcement agencies from the Justice Department

to the local precinct. Charity collaborated with Lutheran

Special Education Ministries in launching the iCan Summer

tutoring program and the iCan afterschool tutoring program.

Reversing the trend, Charity has grown larger and younger

each year. Partnering with Southeast Michigan Community

Resource Corporation, Charity has rehabilitated three homes,

thus providing affordable housing to low-income families.

Historic Trinity, Detroit continues its dynamic cathedral

ministry in downtown Detroit. Through the launch of

Lutheran Church in the City, Trinity seeks innovative ways

to reach the changing and expanding population in mid-town

Detroit. Trinity will be celebrating its 165th anniversary this

year. 2015 is not only a year of celebration, but also a year

of transition at Historic Trinity. Rev. Eberhard plans to retire

in late 2015 or early 2016, and a transition team has been

formed to begin the process of calling a new pastor.

Peace, Detroit installed Rev. Robert Mikkelson as their

pastor in November 2014.

Bethlehem East, Detroit is served by Rev. Asaph James.

Mt. Calvary, Detroit continues to be served by Rev. James

Hill, who also leads the ministry at Family of God in Detroit.

Resurrection, Detroit is served by Rev. Scott Benjamin.

Redemption Lutheran has closed.

Understanding that the challenges of urban ministry are

unique, we covet the prayers of our sister congregations. We

also understand that many other unique challenges are faced

by our sister congregations throughout the Michigan District

and uplift them in our prayers.

Circuit #21 – Detroit West Circuit

Rev. Eddie Morales – Circuit Visitor

St. Philip, Detroit – Rev. Marvin Grifn

Baptized Membership – 180

Communicant Membership – 130

Average Worship Attendance – 88

Berea, Detroit

Baptized Membership – 70

Communicant Membership – 70

Average Worship Attendance – 65

Iglesia Luterana, Detroit

Baptized Membership – 127

Communicant Membership – 80

Average Worship Attendance – 40

Nazareth, Detroit

Baptized Membership – 38

Communicant Membership – 38

Average Worship Attendance – 15

St. John, Detroit – Rev. James Hill

Baptized Membership – 90

Communicant Membership – 63

Average Worship Attendance – 38

St. Stephen, Detroit – Rev. Daniel Ramthun (SMP)

Baptized Membership – 168

Communicant Membership – 85

Average Worship Attendance – 55

Evergreen, Detroit – Rev. William Danowski

Baptized Membership – 205

Communicant Membership – 147

Average Worship Attendance – 35

Greeneld Peace, Detroit – Rev. Kenneth Spence

Baptized Membership – 104

Communicant Membership – 88

Average Worship Attendance – 42

Outer Drive Faith, Detroit – Rev. Eddie Morales

Baptized Membership – 210

Communicant Membership – 190

Average Worship Attendance – 145

District Reports - Page 19

Redford, Detroit – Rev. Raymond Parent

Baptized Membership – 148

Communicant Membership – 115

Average Worship Attendance – 60

Atonement, Dearborn – Rev. Gary Rohwer

Baptized Membership – 344

Communicant Membership – 118

Average Worship Attendance – 40

Holy Cross, Detroit held its Closing Service on March 8, 2015.

Circuit #23 - Downriver Circuit

Rev. Erwin M. Hutter, Circuit Visitor

Christ’s mission posts in the Downriver area of suburban

Detroit continue to reach the lost and serve the faithful.

While the changing economy has affected each congrega-

tion to varying degrees, each continues to serve her LORD

with the gifts she has been given.

Calvary, Lincoln Park – Over the last three years, new events

have been started here at Calvary such as Trunk or Treat,

Breakfast with Santa Claus, and a visit from r.e.p.t.i.l.e. (a

program with live reptiles to teach kids about God’s great

creation). All three are part of a program to reach out the

community at large. We have hired a part-time youth director.

We sent off our rst short-term missionary and are in the plan-

ning stages for more. We will have our rst youth mission trip

this spring. The rst high school and middle school retreats

were held this year. The parking lot was repaved and the

entrance to the church has been made handicap-accessible.

The stained glass window above altar that was sliding down

was secured. A new cry room was added to the Narthex. A new

music minister was hired and concerts were held. After a long

absence, there is a choir now singing twice a month. There is

a drama ministry. There are yearly volunteers for Habitat for

Humanity. Calvary is supporting a missionary in Africa. There

have been guest speakers and visits, including the Michigan

District, LCMS President, the President of the Seminary in

St. Louis, two missionaries, and a representative of CUAA.

Christian assistance programs, including a diaper drive for a

local crisis pregnancy center and a “pay it forward” campaign,

were supported. A garden club has been established to keep the

outside of the church looking clean and welcoming.

Christ the King, Southgate – Christ The King broke ground

on June 1, 2014 on a new worship space on its second campus

purchased in 2006. CTK has been operating as a dual campus

since taking its original location off the market in 2012. The

new worship space will be completed in the fall of 2015 and

will seat 500 people. It is designed to be expanded at a later

date. While the goal is to move all ministries to the 40-acre

campus, the means is still being revealed to us!

Community, Flat Rock – The past three years at Community,

Flat Rock have seen multiple changes as we have transi-

tioned to the pastoral leadership of Rev. Erik R. Schmidt,

rst called as our Associate Pastor in June 2011 and then

as our Administrative Pastor in August 2012, following the

retirement of our Founding Pastor, Rev. David P. Gohn. We

celebrated with Pastor Dave in July 2012 as he retired after

40 years in the ministry, including 33 here at Community.

Community continues to grow and adapt to meet the ever-

changing needs of its community while staying true to

the timeless truth of the Gospel and the spirit of Lutheran

tradition. This can be seen on a regular basis through our

weekly worship services on both Sundays and Wednesdays,

our large children’s and youth ministries, our highly-rated

Creative Learning Campus preschool, and many more

ministry opportunities for members and visitors alike. It can

also be seen through our large events, such as our Spring

Fling Auction, our Ladies’ Advent Tea, Father’s Day Car

Show, Chili Cook-off, and so many more. Additionally, our

Helping Hands Food Bank continues to provide food, coats,

toys and assistance to hundreds of needy families.

We look forward to what God has in store for this congrega-

tion in the next three years, according to His great will. We

humbly pray that He will grow us in love for Him and toward

one another, as we seek to do His will in following the Great

Commission.

Mount Hope, Allen Park – We held an American Sign

Language Vacation Bible School and started an American

Sign Language Preschool for 4-year-old children in partner-

ship with Crossbridge Action Network, which is managed

by Michele Jones. We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy

Communion at every service. Several classrooms and the

gym were updated. Served by Intentional Interim Pastor, the

Rev. Brant A. Engel, there were three Deaf Mission Sundays

and support for Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society for the

Deaf with mission money.

Our Redeemer, Taylor – Over the past three years, God has

been gracious and merciful to the saints of Our Redeemer.

There has been a focus on improvement of facilities and

outreach. Air conditioning was installed for the rst time

through a generous gift from an anonymous member. A new

front entrance to the building was constructed, replacing the

original which leaked and was not energy efcient. A new

sound and projection system was installed in the Fellowship

Hall to enhance Bible study and various meetings. We

have continued our involvement with the Downriver Food

Pantry, “Fishes and Loaves,” and have had several efforts

at community outreach. Our Wednesday luncheons continue

to be a great success and the addition of Wednesday Bible

study classes has enjoyed great participation. As we look to

our future, we continue to thank God for all that He accom-

plishes in and through His people.

St. John, Taylor – Taylor and the Downriver communities,

served by St. John’s since 1887, have suffered economic and

demographic decline over the last 15 years, as exhibited in

the closing of 4 out of 5 Lutheran schools in our circuit, 7

out of 9 Christian day schools in Taylor, and almost half the

number of public schools in Taylor. The preschool ministry

of 16-19 pupils makes contacts with local families; however,

younger families that do join the congregation frequently

remain in the community for only a few years. Consequently,

the average age of the congregation of 344 members is 58,

with very few active members between the ages of 20 and

District Reports - Page 20

40. Nevertheless, God has been gracious in the last 3 years

to St. John’s Lutheran Congregation, enabling her to enlarge

the radio ministry of “Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer”

to a second station, day and time. Confessional Lutheran

preaching and worship are heard at 8 p.m. Mondays on

AM1440 (“Reborn”), a Detroit Gospel-format station, and

on Sundays at 6p.m. on AM560 (“The Word”), a Detroit/

Downriver Religious-format station. The latter broadcast

precedes the local “Lutheran Hour” broadcast. St. John’s

elders have helped establish satellite worship services

at Regency Nursing Home (Taylor), and at Maryhaven

Assisted Living Center (Southgate) in the last year. Through

hosting many community events—eamarkets, Thrivent,

and notably a Spring festival—the congregation is well-

known in the community. Coverage in local media, iers

distributed door-to-door, and increasing social media pres-

ence also contribute to community awareness. “Care &

Share” ministry—discreet help for those facing unemploy-

ment or similar needs—has also been a signicant ministry

of the congregation at large. Rev. Dr. Richard Zeile, who

serves on Michigan’s State Board of Education (2011-2018),

has served as St. John’s pastor since 2001.

St. Paul, Trenton – In the last few years, St. Paul has rein-

vigorated its campus with a new Christian Life Building,

which has hosted new ministries and events. As part of our

New Horizons capital campaign effort, we have continued

to enliven our worship life and to improve our Christian Life

Building. This second effort campaign includes a kitchen,

an elevator, an outdoor electronic sign, and sight and sound

equipment. We have been able to utilize the building as a link

to the community, hosting such groups as the Cub Scouts and

a local education foundation. We have transitioned pastors.

Our senior pastor for the past 12 years, Rev. John Bush, is

now the Director of Donor Relations at Concordia University

Ann Arbor. Our youth pastor, Rev. Nicholas Koschmann,

took a call to a congregation in Forest Grove, Oregon. Our

new senior pastor, installed in December of 2014, is Rev.

Dr. Richard Blythe. We’ve also seen some major initiatives

in terms of our ministries, including: new elements to our

concert series and other music ministries; our caring minis-

tries; our weekend and weekday children’s ministries; our

youth ministry, which included over 20 youth who attended

the LCMS National Youth Gathering; and a new small group

sprint ministry. We continue to be enriched with a preschool

with over 200 students. We send mission teams to Detroit,

Washington, and Guatemala each year. We are blessed with

strong lay leadership and a continued sense of mission as we

live out the Great Commission Downriver. In all things, we

seek to know Christ and make Christ known!

Trinity, Wyandotte – Over the last three years, we had two

staff changes: a new custodian, Grace Block, in 2013 and an

Administrative Secretary, Carissa Schafer, in 2014. Trinity

has been focusing strongly on outreach to our community.

We have started an annual Trunk or Treat for Halloween,

a Car Show and Open House wrapped into one, a commu-

nity Easter Egg Hunt, and have begun hosting a Vacation

Bible School again, with growing numbers every year. We

also began a weekly playgroup for Moms and their young

children which is still going strong. Our community building

is now a rest stop, handing out water to walkers for the

annual Downriver Crop Walk. We also have had a booth

at Wyandotte’s street fair in the summer, keeping visitors

hydrated and spreading God’s Word. We plan to continue

those every year we can. On top of that, we now take care

of a Caregiver Support Group that had lost its funding. It is a

group that has made an impact on caregivers in the local and

surrounding communities.

May we continue to serve Him and be His hands to the

people in the areas He has given us.

Circuit # 24 – Monroe Circuit

Rev. Bruce Lucas, Circuit Visitor

Greetings to our sister congregations in the State of Michigan!

The churches of our circuit—Christ Our Shepherd (Newport),

Christ the King (Lambertville), Grace (Monroe), Holy Ghost

(Monroe), Immanuel (Monroe), St. John’s (Waltz), St. Peter

(Petersburg), and Trinity (Monroe)—send their fraternal

greetings and pray that our fellowship in our Lord Jesus

Christ and the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

will prove fruitful in producing a bountiful harvest of souls

for the kingdom of God. With that in mind, we would like to

share with you a brief summary of the work being done in our

individual congregations and the circuit as a whole.

Christ Our Shepherd, Newport, is served part-time by Rev.

John Schinkel, who serves as full-time chaplain of the

Lutheran Home (Wellspring Lutheran Services) of Monroe.

The church continues to grow, especially through adult cate-

chesis. Christ Our Shepherd shares its campus with Lutheran

High School South, and is a level-one supporter of the high

school. The congregation continues its community outreach

through its monthly food bank, and yearly supports a semi-

nary student.

Christ the King, Lambertville, is shepherded by Rev. Tim

Loewe. It recently renovated its building and also celebrated

its 50th anniversary in 2012. The congregation is happy to

have increased its support for the mission and ministry of

the District. The Little Lamb Preschool continues to be a

valuable outreach to the community. Christ the King has also

sponsored M.O.S.T. trips to Africa and Central America.

Grace, Monroe, is served by Rev. Mark Witte. The congre-

gation continues its outreach to the people of Monroe, aided

by its strategic location on the north side of town. Grace is

active in One Sheep Ministries and its support for Family of

God Lutheran in the city of Detroit. Though two professional

church workers recently took calls to other congregations,

the laity of Grace has stepped up to the task of keeping the

outreach activities of the congregation very active.

Holy Ghost, Monroe, has Rev. Larry Loree as its senior

pastor. The congregation is in rural Raisinville Township and

is also known as Sandy Creek. Rev. Todd Seaver was recently

installed as assistant pastor. Holy Ghost Lutheran School has

been an important part of the ministry of Holy Ghost since

1844. After a decline in enrollment in the 2000’s, the school

District Reports - Page 21

has been adding more and more students the last three years.

The school has a new principal and four new, young, teachers.

The congregation recently renovated its pipe organ, and has

supported a mission project by members to Honduras.

Immanuel, Monroe, is located in rural Ida Township and

is also called East Ida. Rev. Bruce Lucas is the pastor. The

congregation is also served by Deaconess Sara Bielby.

Immanuel is active in outreach through its benets for needy

individuals. The Mercy Fund of the congregation is admin-

istered by the deaconess primarily for members, but it is also

used for local efforts upon recommendation of members.

Through its Ministerial Scholarship Fund, Immanuel is

currently supporting two young men who are entering the

pastoral ministry. The Evangelism Committee is active in

outreach to the community, primarily at community events.

The congregation also supported a mission trip to Costa

Rica by some of its members through M.O.S.T. Ministries.

Immanuel has been blessed with an increase in adult and

infant baptisms.

St. John’s, Waltz, is served by senior pastor Rev. Kurt

Taylor, and has recently added associate pastor Rev. Jeffrey

Wade to its staff. The congregation has moved into a new

building addition, which includes a large fellowship hall

and additional classrooms for the growing St. John’s

Lutheran School. The congregation is experiencing positive

growth. It has participated in funding the Lutheran school

in Bethlehem, Israel, and a missionary (Charles Ferry) to

Indonesia. St. John’s has also been blessed with a new pre-

school director, Mrs. Kate Puchalski.

St. Peter, Petersburg, is served by Rev. Mark Flory. The

King’s Kids Preschool continues to attract members of the

community and serves the congregation’s Gospel outreach.

St. Peter’s has made good progress on its debt reduction for

its new fellowship hall. The fellowship hall puts the congre-

gation before the community through its regular Shrove

Tuesday Pancake Supper.

Trinity, Monroe, is served by senior pastor Rev. Jeffrey

Heimsoth and has recently installed Rev. Daniel Potts as

associate pastor. The congregation is working to shape

ministry to families as a core activity. After a decline in

the 2000’s, Trinity Lutheran School has been growing at

a 10% annual increase. The church is working to become

an active part of the community. Part of that work is done

by sponsoring a community meal every Sunday evening.

Trinity continues is outreach efforts through an annual trip

to hold Vacation Bible School for native tribes in Alaska and

conducting a “build” trip to Appalachia. The congregation

has also adopted a sister congregation in Guatemala.

Circuit wide, our churches have begun a local radio outreach

program called “The Gospel For You.” It is broadcast on

WRDT AM 560 each Sunday at 12:30 pm, following the

Lutheran Hour. The pastors and other professional church

workers of our circuit hold a 30-minute Bible study on books

of the Bible. The show is produced by Rev. Jeffrey Wade

and moderated by Rev. Kurt Taylor. We are thankful for their

expertise. The website for the program is thegospelforyou.

org. Past programs are available via that site. The nancial

support for this program has been generously given by each

congregation, as well as Thrivent Financial and Lutheran

High School South.

Members of our circuit churches continue to be active in

the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Lutheran

Laymen’s League. The yearly rallies for these events are

regularly attended by over 100 participants. We are also

blessed to have three Lutheran elementary schools in our

circuit, as well as Lutheran High School South.

In conclusion, we are thankful to the Lord for His many

blessings, both spiritual and material, that allow us to share

the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the cama-

raderie between our pastors, the enthusiasm of our Lutheran

school teachers, the warm relations between our congrega-

tions, and cooperation of each congregation’s members in

declaring the praises of Him who called us out of darkness

and into His marvelous light.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Bruce Lucas

CIRCUIT REPORT—Dearborn Circuit #25

Rev. Randy Duncan, Circuit Visitor

Emmanuel, Dearborn – Served by Rev. Joel Baseley and

Rev. Paul Wolff

Baptized Membership – 416

Communicant Membership – 365

Average Worship Attendance – 135

Guardian, Dearborn has challenged herself to reach a millen-

nial generation that has drifted away from the Church, as our

400 newest members share an average age of 33. A joint

church/school vision was presented by the Senior Pastor

and Principal that will endeavor to continue connecting

post-moderns to the Body of Christ. This vision utilizes an

aggressive, cutting-edge school ministry designed to engage

the unique gifts of each student, not only training them up in

the way they can serve the world, but lead it. As a precursor

to this aggressive vision, Guardian nished a capital

campaign that allowed us to become debt-free for the rst

time in our 67-year history, burning our mortgage (which

stood at $1.2m in 2011) and praising the Lord in a worship

service held in November, 2013.

Our Redeemer, Dearborn – Served by Rev. Roderick Schultz

Baptized Membership – 141

Communicant Membership – 130

Average Worship Attendance – 47

Living Word, Plymouth Township has rallied itself around

four key words: Gather. Grow. Give. Go. They began a capital

campaign to begin a complete repair of their parking lot, as

well as renovations of classrooms. They are focusing on their

niche of reaching the unchurched and de-churched, and have

been blessed with numerical growth and leadership develop-

ment. Their aggressive goal is to double in size by the next

District Convention. They have an SMP Vicar (Sam Watters)

District Reports - Page 22

who will be ordained this Fall to assist Rev. Randy Duncan.

St. Michael, Wayne – Served by Rev. Andrew Gruenhagen

Baptized Membership – 671

Communicant Membership – 515

Average Worship Attendance – 296

Our Saviour, Westland

Baptized Membership – 28

Communicant Membership – 28

Average Worship Attendance – 16

In November of 2015, St. Matthew, Westland will celebrate

its 80th anniversary. We are honored to carry on the great

legacy of Lutheran education by operating an elemen-

tary school, and remain committed to this noble avenue of

ministry. Through our school, God continues to reach chil-

dren and families with the saving message of His Gospel.

As with all Lutheran schools, we are served by some of the

nest ambassadors this Synod has to offer. We are currently

in the process of a Divine Call for the dual role of Senior

Pastor and Principal.

Unfortunately, the Circuit experienced the closing of one

congregation since the last Convention—Christ the Good

Shepherd, Canton.

Circuit #26 - Kensington Circuit

Rev. Terry Nelson, Circuit Visitor

Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton – Rev. Mark Milatz and

Rev. Benjamin Vogel

Shepherd of the Lakes in Brighton has had an active three

years. The TRANSFORM campaign eliminated $1.3 million

of principal on our building debt and better positioned us

for future ministry efforts. We have also added a middle

school to our day school, along with new classrooms, sports

teams, and increased technology. The Genesis Community

was started on Sunday evenings to reach people who were

uncomfortable with the institutional church. Approximately

50 people gather each Sunday evening for a meal, Gospel

presentation, and small group discussion.

Faith, Highland – Rev. Terry Claus

Faith Lutheran Church of Highland is living the ministry

as Jesus described, “Let your light shine before men, that

they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in

heaven.” Faith’s mission statement reads, “Our mission is to

welcome and unite God’s people to nurture faith through the

Gospel.” We place high value on being together in worship

and nd our Sunday School and VBS programs growing

stronger. By offering a sermon time for little ones, we nd

a more regular worship attendance for young families.

Our mission statement continues with “provide opportuni-

ties and commitment to serve Christ through our ministry

within the congregation and community.” Our ministry

together nds dedicated lay members initiating and leading

these mission opportunities in our church community and

beyond. We have participated in Relay for Life (cancer),

Rebuilding Together (repairing homes for low-income

families), St. George’s Special Ministries (special needs

adults), Christmas families (low-income children served),

Community Sharing (food closet locally), Thrivent Action

Teams (from leaf raking to chemo treatments), mitten tree,

pillowcases for foster children, and more task force missions

which are not programmed. Our family of Faith has been

very blessed through these years with a seemingly extra

measure of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus to lead and empower

us. SDG

Christ, Milford – Rev. Martin Dressler

Over the past three years, Christ Lutheran has continued its

puppet and prayer shawl ministries, as well as events such

as our Trunk-or-Treat, VBS, Alaska Mission Trip, and our

recently-revamped “Journey with Jesus” live nativity. We

have also started an outreach program to assist those in

need in the community, as well as an Evangelism Team to

spread the Gospel message. Our school’s enrollment is now

64. The congregation membership is at 499 baptized and

382 conrmed. In 2013, we welcomed our new pastor, Rev.

Martin Dressler.

Cross of Christ, South Lyon – Rev. Terry Nelson

Cross of Christ began two new ministries in local rehabilita-

tion and assisted living facilities in 2013. Pastor Nelson leads

worship services once a month at Abbey Park and South

Lyon Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center. The congrega-

tion celebrated our 40th Anniversary in November, 2013.

An Anniversary Divine Service was celebrated and a dinner

was served, along with a special program. Rev. Michael

Bristol and Rev. Lawrence Kinne, who served the congrega-

tion during the 1970’s, spoke during the program. God has

blessed Cross of Christ Christian Preschool with increased

student enrollment the past three years. Mrs. Janelle Rapson-

Lach continues to serve as our preschool Teacher/Director.

Jim Morrison continues to serve as Congregation President

and Chuck Deeds as Financial Secretary. The Holy Spirit

drew new members to the congregation the past three years.

Thanks and praise to God for the blessings He has given

Cross of Christ congregation this past triennium.

St. Matthew, Walled Lake and Wixom- Rev. Paul Moldenhauer,

Rev. Robert Nelson, Rev. John Merrill

This past triennium God has renewed our zeal and focused

us on what St. Matthew refers to as our 20/20 Vision,

namely, “to develop vibrant, missional Christ-followers in

a post-Christian America.” Strategic initiatives have been

undertaken toward that end, including an outreach emphasis,

the start of relational accountability and a Celebrate Recovery

Ministry, retirement of mortgage debt at our Walled Lake

campus, renewal of our school’s National Lutheran School

Accreditation, and ongoing mission support of Hospitality

House, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac, and Pastor

Daniel in India. We are in the process of updating our gover-

nance, Constitution and Bylaws. God continues to bless our

school, Hearts & Hands Child Development Center, other

children’s and youth ministries, Bible studies, small groups,

and International Ministry.

Regarding staff, this triennium included the retirement of

DCE Lavern Kruse, teacher Susan Lenghardt, and teacher

District Reports - Page 23

Betty Stevenson. Deacon Ron Whitaker was added to the

team for homebound visitation; and Henry Maicki as part-

time Director of Congregational Life. Our school staff has

seen the addition of Samantha Schroeder, Amy Scott and

Alyssa Bornheimer (the latter two who subsequently moved

out of state); Lisa Rohman to replace Laura Kitzman, who

took a position elsewhere; and, most recently, Alecia Brown

and Jessica Meier. Becky Masters replaced Amy Roe as

Director of our International Ministry. In addition, son of the

congregation Trevor Sutton was ordained.

Peace, Waterford – Rev. Russell Tkac (SMP)

Pastor Tkac was called, ordained and installed on January 6th

2013, the 6th pastor to serve at Peace. Rev. William Merrell,

who served Peace since Dec. 1980, has retired and serves as

the Emeritus Pastor of Peace. The Lord continues to bless the

members of Peace through Word and Sacrament ministry, and

though an older congregation, the members of Peace adopted

Houghton Elementary School in Waterford, helping with

school supplies and needed clothing items for those students

in need. We continue to reach out to those in our community

with the Love of Christ, actively attend to the needs of our

shut-in members, and enjoy our VBS week with the many

students who attend and are blessed with this outreach.

St. Mark’s, West Bloomeld - Rev. Aaron Vergin

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church continues to love our commu-

nity and to serve them with Jesus’ life-giving words and holy

Sacraments. We have welcomed a new pastor and are begin-

ning to work toward several specic, longer-term goals,

including outreach to youth and young families. The Lord

has made His light to shine in our hearts, and we hope to let

that light shine where He has placed us!

Cedar Crest, White Lake – Deacon Ron Nieman

Since the last Michigan District Convention, Cedar Crest

Lutheran Church in White Lake was blessed to celebrate the

80th anniversary since its founding on November 25, 1934.

As part of the celebration, a special dinner was held at which

we honored long-time member Harriet Waltz, a member of

the rst conrmation class in 1942, and distributed a booklet

documenting the history of Cedar Crest. Cedar Crest also

contracted with Pastor Kassen of Living Word Lutheran

Church in Rochester during this triennium to be our pastor.

It was agreed that Living Word would help us to lead

worship each week through Deacon Ron Nieman with the

able supervision of Pastor Kassen. Although we are a small

congregation, we have recently seen an increase of over

10% in membership and attendance, and look forward to

this trend continuing. Cedar Crest continues to build up the

body of Christ in White Lake through monthly Fellowship

Gatherings after church, as well as other special events like

Christmas dinners and Easter breakfasts. We also reach out

to our community by hosting CPR classes and information

sessions regarding resources available in the community

such as re protection and medical personnel. We have also

“adopted” a local public elementary school and provided

healthy snacks for those children who cannot afford to bring

snacks from home through our “Snack Attack” program.

Deacon Ron Nieman is currently serving us and leading us

through a process to discern the plans our Lord has for Cedar

Crest in the future as we look forward to serving our Triune

God in the White Lake area for another 80 years.

Circuit #27 – Livonia Circuit

Rev. Dean M. Davenport - Visitor

The Livonia Circuit of the Michigan District consists of

the following congregations: Grace, Canton – Rev. Steven

Newton; Immanuel, Dearborn Heights – Vacant; St. Paul’s,

Farmington Hills – Rev. Andrew Becker (includes a

Lutheran school); Prince Of Peace, Farmington Hills – Rev.

John Straub; Hosanna-Tabor, Redford – Rev. Paul Undlin

(includes a Lutheran school); St. Paul, Northville –Rev.

Christopher Fairbairn (includes a Lutheran school); Christ

Our Savior, Livonia – Rev. Dean Davenport, Rev. Robert

Bayer and Rev. Joel Eden; and Salem National, Westland –

Rev. Timothy Brand.

Over the past three years, the circuit has welcomed Pastor

Andrew Becker – St. Paul’s Farmington Hills and Pastor

Joel Eden – Christ Our Savior, Livonia.

Grace, Canton: We have experienced God’s blessings over

the last three years! Our Lord has walked with us through

hard times and brought us to good times. He has moved

people to join our happy band and graced us with resources

to do his ministry. Some of the efforts Grace has done are:

growing vegetables on our property, which are then donated

to a local food bank; committing to supporting the local

women’s safe house; and providing nancial resources

to A2E. The District led us through a mission and vision

process and now Grace, a small church with a big heart, is

seeking to be a place of grace. God is good to us!

Immanuel, Dearborn Heights: Rev. Milton Schemm (emer-

itus) stepped down from his responsibilities in January 2015.

Hosanna-Tabor, Redford: HT continues to joyfully serve the

people of south Redford and the surrounding communities.

Our summer Christian music festival, Hosanna-Palooza, has

become a self-sustaining event and we continue to see new

faces every year. In 2014, we celebrated 15 baptisms and 8

adult conrmations. Our Early Childhood Center is running

at near capacity and our jointly-operated school, Concordia

Lutheran School, continues to grow each year. We will be

celebrating our 60th anniversary in September.

St. Paul, Farmington Hills is served by Rev. Andrew Becker.

St. Paul, Northville: With a desire to grow our music ministry

drawing upon the talents of both members and friends of our

church family, an orchestra was started, made up of mixed

ages and talents. June of 2014 brought the retirement of Rev.

Tom Lubeck, longtime (1984) senior pastor.

Prince of Peace, Farmington Hills is served by Rev. John

Straub.

Christ Our Savior, Livonia: Over the last three years we have

experienced the Lord’s good and gracious blessings as we

District Reports - Page 24

continue to serve the people here in Livonia. An increased

effort of reaching out to our community through our food

pantry, Christmas Blessings (over 300 food baskets distrib-

uted during Christmas), children’s backpacks for families in

need, and serving people in Detroit, has given us avenues to

share Jesus with others. By God’s grace, individuals have

been blessed here and there! The Holy Spirit led us to call

Joel Eden as an associate pastor to ll a vacancy on staff –

thanks be to God!

Salem, Westland: The past triennium at Salem has been

directed and blessed by the Lord, as we have seen a marked

increase in all aspects of parish ministry. As we continue

to gather around Word and Sacrament—strengthening

God’s people to love Him and serve their neighbor—we are

working towards two major goals: upgrading and improving

our building and grounds, and making our Camp Emmanuel

available to our sister congregations for outdoor ministry,

retreats, and recreation.

Circuit #28 - Milan Circuit

Rev. Jakob Heckert, Circuit Visitor

St. Paul’s, Milan: Keeping a focus on moving to a full-time

pastor; elders are working to identify actual membership;

working with facility to prepare for future growth; working

with youth group; the church has a weakness in intentional

outreach.

Christ Our King, Saline is served by Rev. Thomas Schroeder.

Open Arms, Belleville: Currently going through a Pastoral

Call process, keeping a focus on operating as a congregation

and continuing to do things like their men’s retreat. Starting to

see more cross-over from their child care center to the church.

St. Paul, New Boston is currently served by an Intentional

Interim Pastor, Rev. Joel Holls.

Faith, Ypsilanti has a part-time pastor, working to rebuild

their aging congregation. Surrounded by low-income

housing, they are starting a community garden on their 7

acres, with plots available to the community and later maybe

sales of their produce.

St. Thomas, Ann Arbor currently has a pastoral vacancy.

Emmanuel, Britton: Vicar Dave was installed July 2014

for one year and continues to work with their youth, taking

8 to Texas for a youth conference. The weakness of inten-

tional outreach is being acted upon by having outdoors

Movie Night onsite at their church. Vicar Dave has a strong

interest in Prison/Jail Ministries and is trying to work with

rst responders to offer ministerial support to both rst

responders and victims.

Tabernacle of Praise, Canton is served by Rev. Bertram Lewis.

Circuit #29 - Ann Arbor Circuit

Larry Courson, Circuit Visitor

The Ann Arbor Circuit churches continue to reach out with

the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people in and around the Ann

Arbor area. The Circuit pastors meet monthly at the District

Ofce for worship, study, and fellowship.

Our Savior, Chelsea – We continue to be about the Lord’s

work in Chelsea and the world. Our pre-school (Lambs

of Our Savior) has received a 4+ rating by the State of

Michigan. Our goal is having a 5 rating by the State by this

fall (5 is the highest rating that the State of Michigan gives).

We are actively holding weekly Bible studies for the

senior community in Chelsea: one Bible study at the Pines

Apartments, and another at Silver Maples of Chelsea.

For the last two years we have had a booth at the Chelsea

Community Fair, along with an annual car show. In 2014 we

held a community bicycle blessing for cyclists of all ages.

Along with these special outreach projects, we hold our

annual VBS and Easter Egg Hunt. As a congregation, we

have adopted and nancially support a Nicaragua mission.

The Lord continues to bless us both spiritually and physi-

cally. It’s a privilege to see how He uses us to carry on the

work in His Kingdom, both in Chelsea, surrounding commu-

nities, the state, nation, and the world.

Trinity, Pinckney – Trinity Lutheran Church began in 1977 as

a daughter congregation of St. Paul, Hamburg. It had not had

an expansion since the original construction was completed.

After having many discussions, meetings and much prayer,

we decided to move forward with a formal expansion and

facelift of Trinity. In early 2012 we began work to establish

a Capital Stewardship Campaign. Congregation members

attended training and met with architects in an effort to

develop a master plan. We asked for input from the congre-

gation on the needs of the various ministries. We conducted

prayer vigils and commitment events. Out of all of this, the

congregation responded very favorably! We established a

baseline for what we could afford.

Our architect developed a multi-phase plan for us. We

were now in a position to move full-steam ahead with phase

one of our addition. We reviewed our plan and the details.

We interviewed construction managers, cleared trees, and

submitted plans to the local planning commission. Things are

going GREAT! God has blessed us with highly qualied and

knowledgeable partners. We expect to break ground in the

spring and to be enjoying phase one by mid- to late summer.

St. Paul, Hamburg – St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamburg

is a congregation that enjoys gathering around the Word and

the Sacrament. We have found God gathering us around His

Word during Sunday morning, Bible study, compassionate

care, VBS, and many other ways during the last three years.

We trust that God will continue to pull us into moments when

we will share the Good News of Jesus with others.

St. Paul, Ann Arbor – In the last triennium, St. Paul Ann

Arbor celebrated the 25th anniversary of their preschool

program and the 50th anniversary of their elementary

District Reports - Page 25

school. God has richly blessed both ministries. Enrollment

in preschool at both locations is very strong, and elementary

enrollment is improving. We give thanks for the ministry of

Pat Kalmes and Jan Allen, preschool directors who built the

program and who retired in this triennium. And we welcome

Nancy Rosenzweig and Monica Slack, who have taken up

leadership of that ministry. Principal Brad Massey accepted

a call to Big Rapids, and the elementary school is searching

for a new administrator. In the interim, Principal Chuck

Winterstein is leading the school into numerous improve-

ments to both program and physical plant.

St. Paul also said farewell to Pastor Michael Wentzel,

who accepted a call to St. Mark, Kentwood. We are in the

process of calling a new associate pastor. The congregation

just completed remodeling part of the school facility to add

ofces for some of the church staff, allowing a greater connec-

tion between church and school. And a remodel project at

the church facility downtown enlarged the north narthex and

added enlarged and improved restrooms. Annual worship

themes in the past three years have emphasized elements of the

congregation’s mission statement: “Because God shows His

love for us in Jesus, the people of St. Paul are a family in Christ,

learning together, worshiping, reaching out, and caring.”

Divine Shepherd, Ann Arbor – Divine Shepherd celebrates

its 50th Anniversary this year and, as we have throughout

our history, we continue to minister to those who are in the

Ann Arbor area for a short time (graduate and post-doctoral

students, automotive executives from overseas, etc.).

Individuals and families who have been touched by Divine

Shepherd’s ministry (both recently and throughout the years)

include folks from across the US, as well as Europe, Asia,

Central and South America. We give thanks for our core

membership that continues reaching out to both Ann Arbor’s

transient population as well as intentional outreach to younger

people (under 40) who have not been in church for decades.

God continues to bless us with a vital and energetic congrega-

tion and outreach. We give thanks, as well, for God’s generous

nancial provision and undergirding of Divine Shepherd. We

look forward to the next fty years and beyond—condent in

God’s presence, provision, mercy and grace.

Cross and Resurrection, Ypsilanti – Cross and Resurrection

is a unique ministry, as we are located across from the EMU

Campus and serve both the University and our surrounding

communities. We have a very committed faith family that is

committed to providing “a family for students.” Therefore,

we provide programs for all ages so that we can “Know

Christ and make HIM Known!” We provide opportunities for

people to grow in knowing that they Belong to God, Believe

in Christ, and Become growing Followers by the power of

HIS Holy Spirit. We are presently served by Pastor Bryan

Schindel. We have a full-time Administrative Assistant and

a part-time Worship leader. We continue in the mentoring of

an EIIT Deaconess.

During the last three years, Cross and Resurrection has:

• Dedicated the new Fellowship Hall, Digital Sign and

expanded kitchen (a $500,000 project that is paid off);

• Served the Synod by providing a training place for our

EIIT Deaconess;

• Served the District and Students of EMU by providing

Bible studies and services as a “Family for Students.” We

provide lunch after worship services and, on Fridays during

the school year, we serve up to 700 students pancakes and

wafes from 11 p.m. Friday – 2 a.m. Saturday;

• Served the Community by sponsoring UPward Basketball,

reaching over 600 families in Washtenaw County. We

also hosted and sponsored the Summer Camp each year

with 150 participants. We assisted with the Sports Camps

provided by A2E in Detroit over the last two years;

• Pastor Bryan is the Chaplain for the EMU police and active

in the Rotary, Love Ypsi, Washtenaw Pastors Alliance for

County Transformation, Unite EMU, etc;

• Our building (which is owned by the District) is well

used by many organizations both EMU- and community-

oriented. For example, MADD uses the building as well as

many other groups;

• We continue to reach out to EMU and Washtenaw County.

We have continued to pray for innovative ways to reach

students and families in order to give glory to our amazing

God!

St. Luke, Ann Arbor – St. Luke is a multi-site ministry.

Pastor Justin Rossow is site director for the Washtenaw

Avenue, Ann Arbor site. Pastor Dan Flynn is the site director

for the Whitmore Lake site. And Pastor Matt Hein is serving

at University Lutheran Chapel while a new pastor is being

called to serve at this site.

Peace, Ann Arbor – Peace, the daughter of St. Paul, Ann

Arbor, celebrated the 20th anniversary of her charter in

2014. Peace has begun a service ministry to rst responders

in Washtenaw County called HART Huron Valley. Peace

is in the process of making the rst addition to their church

building since moving into the church in 2000, with plans

to complete the addition this fall. Peace is served by Pastor

Larry Courson.

The Ann Arbor Circuit is the home of the Michigan District

Ofce and Concordia University. The churches and members

of the Ann Arbor Circuit are thankful for the opportunity to be

in partnership with Concordia and the Michigan District staff.

Circuit #30 - Jackson Circuit

Rev. Joel Sarrault, Circuit Visitor

St. John’s, Adrian – Along with Pastor Joel Sarrault, St.

John’s is blessed with a staff that now consists of a full-

time Family Life Educator (Eric Steinke), Learning Center

Preschool director (Jenny Becerra), secretary/parish admin-

istrator (Kathy Scobie), part-time Worship leader (Heather

VanDaele), and Outreach-Assimilation (Karmen Wilharms).

Under our motto of “Pointing to Jesus,” we have continued to

strive for a Christ-like impact on our community and county.

The AMen servants (men’s group) have launched a commu-

nity garden and the Adventures in Grilling, which nancially

supports the homeless children of Lenawee County. AMen

guys have also been creating a Men’s retreat each fall that

meets at Camp Michindoh. Outreach has christened the

“Gowns of Grace” ministry, which takes used wedding

District Reports - Page 26

dresses and transforms them into infant burial gowns to

assist families in their grieving process. Our rst Community

Carnival was held to introduce area families to our location.

We’ve continued with such wonderful events as the pack-

aging of 20,000 meals with Kids Against Hunger, Annual

Rib-Off to raise funds for our St. Louis seminarian Tim Wells

(and to eat really good ribs!), a healthy preschool, and the

servant-participation and nancial support of many commu-

nity ministries and charitable events. After 168 years, we’re

still having a great time following and sharing Jesus! 2014:

695 Baptized members

565 Conrmed members

316 Households

214 Active households (70% of member households are

actively involved)

61 member families with children (preschool through high

school)

48 active families (80% of active member families with chil-

dren participate in FaithBuilders / Sunday School / Youth

Groups

285 Average worship attendance

Hope, Adrian – Rev. Paul Herter, Pastor

Baptized Membership – 224; Communicant Membership –

194; Average Worship Attendance – 109

Hope congregation celebrated our 40th Anniversary on

November 30, 2012. Hope’s worship services feature a

variety of blended and traditional formats. Every Sunday

morning we have two worship services along with Bible

classes for all ages, including several choices for adults.

Following our Wednesday night dinners served in the

Fellowship Hall during the school year, additional study

opportunities are offered, as well as several small groups

that meet in homes at various times during the year. Hope

has been blessed with a great staff, including several accom-

plished musicians. Our Director of Christian Youth & Family

Ministries since June of 2005, Rebekah Martinal, nished

her colloquy studies at Concordia, St. Paul last year and was

formally called as Minister of Religion – Commissioned at

our November 2014 Voter’s Meeting. Rebekah helps our

congregation to be more effective and focused on outreach

and ministry to youth, from preschool through college and

beyond. Our congregation has an active Men’s Fellowship

and the LWML-afliated Hope Women in Mission. Last

year, the congregation surprised Pastor Paul with an anniver-

sary service and reception recognizing his 25th year at Hope.

Redeemer, Jackson – Redeemer is a Congregation of approx-

imately 600 Baptized believers served by Rev. Michael

Geml. Our Worship services are Sunday morning at 8 a.m.

and 10:30 a.m. Over the past three years we have seen an

increase of young families in attendance. We have also made

considerable improvements to the facility, including: repairs

to the roof; resurfacing the parking lot; updating our kitchen;

and installing a new Communion rail. We also completed a

New Structure and Governance which will guide our day-

to-day as well as our long-term vision. We are currently

exploring the possibility of adding a Family Life Educator

(FLE) to our staff.

Our Savior, Hudson – Our Savior is on what some would

consider the forefront of an increasing trend in ministry in the

LCMS. For the past four and a half years, Pastor Troy Neujahr

has been serving Our Savior as a bivocational pastor (also

called a worker-priest). During this time, we have learned

more of what is essential to church, and we have learned to

adapt to increasing ministry demands in the face of decreasing

resources. We have been blessed to know that, in the midst of

trials, God continues to work in and through us, furthering His

Kingdom and our witness of His grace in our community.

Lutheran Church of the Lakes, Addison – Lutheran Church

of the Lakes (LCOL) is “receiving and sharing God’s mercy

together.” Led by our ve ministry boards (Christian Care,

Evangelism, Elders, Education & Fellowship), we love

people, make disciples, baptize and teach them together in

Christ. The work of these boards involves us in the care and

welfare of both the spiritual and physical lives of people in

our ve communities. Through our annual Daddy-Daughter

Dance, Pumpkin Fest, VBS, and through a variety of other

programs and events, communities outside the church are

invited to hear the Gospel; people are brought to faith in

Christ through the Word and Sacrament of Sunday morn-

ings and become a ministering part of the Lutheran Church

of the Lakes family. Every Sunday, approximately 10% of

the 200 people attending LCOL are guests. Last year, 17

people were baptized into the Christian faith and six adults

were conrmed at LCOL. We support: two missionaries; one

full-time Young Life missionary serving Adrian and Addison

High Schools; several camps; The Future is Now; and made

a commitment to a local Congregational Church for their

capital campaign. Marked blessings this year include nearly

doubling the size of our board of elders, christening a “Divine

Service in Song” to celebrate special holidays, and working

with the District to discern new and better ways of communi-

cating within the congregation (www.lcol.com).

St. Mark, Brooklyn

Baptized Membership – 212

Communicant Membership – 195

Average Worship Attendance – 82

Trinity, Jackson – Rev. Eric Ekong and Rev. Michael Hanson

Baptized Membership – 1,512

Communicant Membership – 794

Average Worship Attendance – 238

St. Matthew, Adrian – Rev. Daryl Etheridge

Baptized Membership – 198

Communicant Membership – 117

Average Worship Attendance – 52

Blessed Savior, Blisseld – Rev. Daryl Etheridge

Baptized Membership – 14

Communicant Membership – 12

Average Worship Attendance – 16

District Reports - Page 27

Circuit #31 - Petoskey Circuit

Rev. Todd Brunworth, Circuit Visitor

It is bone-chilling cold as I write this, but ministry in Northern

Michigan churches has greater challenges than that. Younger

people leave for better opportunities and our aging remnant

leaves us with a number of churches unable to support a full-

time pastor. This presents us with unique challenges, and we

pray God will give us the wisdom to sustain strong ministries.

Hope, Bellaire – In addition to offering the Eucharist every

Lord’s Day, we have added two more opportunities to receive

the blessed Sacrament each week. A Low Mass replaces the

praying of Vespers on Wednesday nights during Lent as well

as Matins on Thursday mornings. On Reformation Sunday

(2013), we held an Open House for the community to view

our newly-completed stained-glass windows project of nine

windows depicting the Life of Christ. A more recent high

note is having nished a complete reading of the Book of

Concord over a period of four years on Thursday evenings. A

talented seamstress in the congregation will soon complete

her project of making all-new paraments and vestments. We

hope to blacktop our driveway this spring.

Zion, Petoskey is excited at the continued successes of the

preschool program, and with great opportunities to share

God’s love in the community extending this year to a part-

nership in an after-school program for elementary-aged

students. Pastor Peters was installed in March of 2014, just

days after Zion’s 135th Anniversary as a congregation, and

is happily working with God’s people to determine “what’s

next” for the church on Little Traverse Bay.

St. Paul, Kalkaska is being served by several retired pastors

on a rotating basis and currently, at this writing, has applied

for a Seminary graduate.

St. Matthew, Mancelona is being served by a retired pastor

while they continue to call for a pastor.

Mt. Hope, Grayling is still being served by Pastor Brunworth

of Gaylord. They are working hard to reach out to the

Grayling community through a variety of outreach channels,

including a successful airing of “God Is Not Dead” for the

community, Easter Egg hunts, and the like.

Trinity, Gaylord is continually trying to impact their commu-

nity through participation in the food bank called The Refuge

(focuses in winter homeless people), a tutoring program,

and being engaged in a variety of other events. We hosted

a simulcast for the District’s Theological Conference on the

Holy Spirit. We are also in the process of completing the

2-year Today’s Light Devotions which are getting a large

majority of our congregation into the Word regularly.

Christ, Boyne City – Our congregation has continued the

trend of decline in worship attendance but growth in Bible

study attendance. We’ve been busy with our Kinder Kloset

diaper pantry. It also seems that the members are growing

closer to one another, spending more time with each other

outside of church.

Bethany, Charlevoix This congregation has been served by

a Worker Priest, Rev. Dan Fulmer, for more than a year now.

I pray for God’s blessing on our Convention and for the Holy

Spirit to give guidance and power to all of our workers who

do the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Christ.

Circuit #32 – Traverse City Circuit

Rev. Mark Berlin, Circuit Visitor

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ.

The eight congregations that make up the Traverse City

Circuit serve the residents and visitors of northern Michigan in

Word and Sacrament ministry. We boldly proclaim the Gospel

in a very beautiful but broken world. The effects of humanity’s

sin are ever present. The forgiveness of sin and the grace of

God reign supreme as this present world is passing away.

While our main focus is proclaiming the “Good News”

of Jesus Christ, we also serve our region in care ministries.

Our region has a strange dichotomy. While there are many

wealthy people that live and vacation here, there are many

working poor people here as well. There is a saying, “By

the Bay, half the pay.” For this reason, the Northwest Food

Coalition, in a ve-county region, served 528,767 meals in

2014. The number served in 1997 was 25,988 meals. Many

of our circuit churches have participated or currently partici-

pate in Food Banks. Trinity, Traverse City serves thousands

of people on both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As with most circuits, we attempt to meet in most months for

worship, Bible study, discussions of casuistry, and to announce

personal and congregational events. Several times a year, our

churches are given the opportunity to worship together.

Who are we and what are we doing? We are…

Our Savior, Benzonia – With the blue waters of Lake

Michigan, the sparkling waters of Crystal Lake, and the busy

resort community of Crystal Mountain nearby, Rev. Michael

Belinsky continues to serve the saints of Our Savior. In addi-

tion, he also serves the people of Norwalk Lutheran Church

in Manistee, Michigan. He cares and serves the residents of

these communities as well as those that vacation and seek

peaceful retreat.

Grace, Elk Rapids – Elk Rapids is nestled in one square

mile and is surrounded by crystal clear waters. Its claim to

fame is water and all the fun that it offers. Life is not only

about fun and games, however. The seriousness of sin and

the balm of the Gospel are serious business. Rev. James

Redmann continues to be about that business as he serves the

brothers and sisters of Grace as God continues to add to their

numbers. Soon they will be celebrating the 10th anniversary

of their new sanctuary.

St. Paul’s, Cedar (Good Harbor) – Good Harbor is located

in the northern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National

Lakeshore. The village of Good Harbor was started in the

mid-1870s. St. Paul’s was ofcially founded in 1877. God

District Reports - Page 28

continues his work at Good Harbor through the Word and

Sacrament ministry of Rev. Robert Wurst, Jr. Recently his

brother, Rev. John Wurst, joined him as Assistant Pastor.

Both men faithfully work long hours so that they can provide

ministry to their ock.

Bethlehem, Glen Arbor – The beautiful waters of Big Glen

and Little Glen, as well as the towering Sleeping Bear

National Lakeshore Park sand dunes, make Glen Arbor a

delightful place to live and vacation in the summer. It is host

to D.H. Day National campground, situated on the shores of

Lake Michigan. This small congregation is supported and

sustained by the ministry of Rev. Charles Webb and SMP

Pastor Dan Dockery. Both of these men also serve Trinity,

Traverse City. We thank Trinity for graciously volunteering

these men to sustain the proclamation of Christ in this beau-

tiful town.

Redeemer, Interlochen – Redeemer Lutheran Church continues

to be served by Rev. Mark Berlin. While Redeemer has a lot

of visitors, both in the summer and the winter, there always

remains a stable ock of God’s precious sheep. Redeemer

continues to be a light on the hill in this small community

whose main claim to fame is the Interlochen Center for the

Arts. One of the biggest recent changes for Redeemer is the

change of status of SMP Rev. Jason Bauer. Pastor Bauer, while

continuing his SMP ministry to the Interlochen Center for the

Arts, has taken the full-time position of Program Director of

Camp Arcadia.

Immanuel, Leland – After twenty years of ministry, Pastor

Larry Matro has accepted a call back to the mission eld. He

and his wife Tina will be going back to Oceana and Papua

New Guinea. Immanuel celebrated the work of the Lord

through Pastor Matro as they said tearful good-byes at the

end of last November. Now begins the task of nding and

calling another faithful shepherd. In the meantime, SMP

Rev. Jason Bauer and Rev. John Wurst faithfully continue

Word and Sacrament ministry to Immanuel’s saints. Thank

you to both of these servants of the Lord as they work long

and hard hours. Mark Peters continues to be the Church

Musician/Music Director.

St. Michael’s & All Angels, Traverse City – These saints

have been faithfully and enthusiastically served by Rev.

James Nihiser since 2008. During the last triennium, St.

Michael has been blessed with slow and steady growth. The

Lord of the Church has seen t to bring them many young

families, for which they are very thankful. This has led to the

largest conrmation class anyone can remember. Currently,

an effort is being made to assimilate the many new faces, as a

way of utilizing their unique spiritual gifts, and to give them

an opportunity to answer our Lord’s call to discipleship.

They have completed the renovation of their Fellowship

Hall, and are now moving to improve the quality of sound

in their sanctuary and add live video capability. A number

of their senior members have been called to glory. Among

them are Rev. Dr. Paul Zimmerman who, throughout his

ministry, worked tirelessly in support of our Missouri Synod

and its confessional theology. They look forward to serving

Jesus, supporting each other as a faith family, and bringing

the Gospel to those whom God has placed in our community.

Trinity, Traverse City – Trinity is the largest congregation in

the circuit and has been served by Rev. Robert Zagore since

2001. It is also served by Rev. Charles Webb (retired in name

only) as he also serves at Glen Arbor and in missions. Trinity

has been blessed by two women they fondly call “the two

Sarahs.” Deaconess Sarah Longmire was installed at Trinity

August 15, 2013, and Sarah Schultz was called there on

April 1, 2013. They were called to Trinity as deaconesses,

charged with youth and mercy work. Deaconess Longmire

works mainly in Trinity Lutheran School’s early childhood

program. Regarding Trinity’s ministry to Traverse City, they

do every part of Matthew 25 every day: preaching the Gospel

in 4 – 7 services a week; ministering to the needs of the sick,

shut-in, and those in prison; and feeding the hungry through

the food pantry and Community Meals Program. Through

the quilters, knitters, and LWML women they provide quilts,

prayer shawls, school supplies, health kits, etc. to the world.

While the above summary included the names of the called

pastors, we are also blessed to have other pastors who live

among us and worship with us, from whom we look for

wisdom and advice, and also serve as they are able. These

men are Rev. David Kaarre, Rev. Charles Koehler, and Rev.

Theodore Staudacher. Rev. Bernhard Filbert left our circuit

to head to warmer temperatures in the land of Tennessee.

Our Circuit grieved the deaths and celebrated the new lives

in Christ of Rev. Charles Pool and Rev. Paul Zimmerman.

Brother Zimmerman entered Christ’s glory on January 28,

2014 and Brother Pool entered Christ’s glory on April 23,

2014. They were 95 and 93, respectively. To our Lord be

the glory for 188 years of Gospel proclamation! These men

are dearly missed. Please view the links for biographical

information: recordeagle.com/obituaries/the-rev-charles-

h-pool/article_ac19a5c5-77b2-550a-98af2525fadedb59.

html and blogs.lcms.org/2014/paul-zimmerman-dies

Mark Peters (Church Musician at Immanuel, Leland)

continues to work as our Circuit Cantor. He has also estab-

lished a very successful Music Academy that offers musical

training to young people and adults with a special emphasis

in sacred music. While he serves our Circuit, he also serves

the church of Christ in all places. Each week he records a

professional YouTube video of one LSB hymn. His YouTube

address is One LSB Hymn A Week. Hundreds of hymns are

posted. Mark’s work is indispensable … especially if your

organist is sick.

The peace of the Lord Jesus be with you!

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Mark Berlin

Circuit #33 – Manistee Circuit

Rev. Ainslie Wagner, Circuit Visitor

Manistee County and the surrounding area were hit very

hard by the recession of 2008-2012 and are still feeling

the economic impact of it. As a lingering result, we’ve had

a signicant loss of young people and families with young

District Reports - Page 29

children. Retirees moving into the area have helped us pick up

some new members and transfers, and the recovering tourism

industry in our area is helping summer attendance gures.

Peace, Ludington

: SMP Rev. John Hansen has been doing a

super job at sustaining Peace’s small but very viable congrega-

tion, and has been a big help covering Lighthouse, Pentwater

during Rev. Ron Cox’s calls to active duty as a chaplain.

Faith, Mesick: Rev. Robert Low has been doing a commend-

able job keeping up the spirit and vision of Faith’s people

in the face of Mesick’s very hard times during the past

ve years. He has also been invaluable covering our small

mission congregation of Beautiful Savior, Wellston.

Trinity, Onekama, has seen the development of a vigorous

youth program and growing involvement with the commu-

nity, including a new, bi-monthly, free Movie Night at the

church on Fridays.

Trinity, Arcadia: Rev. Ted Beiderwieden currently serves

them as their pastor.

Emmanuel, Cadillac: Rev. Joel Hess is the sole pastor for the

congregation.

Trinity, Manistee: Rev. Dennis Rahn is serving them as their

pastor.

Our Savior, Scottville: Rev. James Schroeder is their current

pastor.

St. John, Ludington

: They are currently served by Rev.

Thomas Boehne.

Norwalk, Manistee: Rev. Michael Belinsky, serving as pastor

at Our Savior, Benzonia, also serves at Norwalk.

Circuit #34 - Big Rapids Circuit

Rev. John A. Bookshaw, Circuit Visitor

Ministry is alive and well in the Big Rapids Circuit. Each

congregation is working hard to disciple their members in

the Word of God. You will see that all our congregations are

looking for new ways of reaching those in each community

who are not churched. We are excited about the ministry

possibilities in our circuit.

Redeemer, Fremont – For the past three years, Redeemer,

Fremont, like most churches in the United States, has been

experiencing a steady decline. Most recently, the Board

of Education has begun a program called Thank God I’m

Forgiven! (TGIF). In this program, parents of our community

are invited to drop their children off at the church for a child-

friendly dinner and a VBS-style program afterwards. This free

child-sitting program is designed to allow parents to have a

little free time while allowing their children a safe environment

to play and learn. In the future, Redeemer hopes to provide

many other programs as an open door to the community.

Christ, White Cloud – Since the last District Convention,

Christ Lutheran installed a new pastor, Rev. William Hooper.

Despite a declining membership, Christ Lutheran is strong

in its commitment to the ministry of the Circuit, District and

Synod. Christ Lutheran is committed to the ministry of the

greater church. Christ Lutheran continues to maintain their

Sunday School as well their preschool to reach out into the

community of White Cloud. The last two years the congre-

gation has held a free Thanksgiving meal for the community

with very good success. Future plans for Christ Lutheran

include nding a road to reach out in Newaygo, where

there is no Lutheran presence. With the leadership of Pastor

Hooper, the ministry future at Christ Lutheran is exciting.

Chapel of the Lakes, Mecosta – There are a wide range of

ministries offered at Chapel of the Lakes. The community

ministries include the annual Children’s Christmas Party,

monthly gatherings in the summer to distribute Christian

books, and Monday Night Supper, which offers a free meal

to members of the community every Monday night. The

children’s ministries include Sunday school and Vacation

Bible School, along with youth group for children of middle-

school through high-school age. Adult ministries include

ladies’ Bible studies, adult Bible studies, home Bible studies

and rotating studies for new members beginning with

Discover CLLC Class, The Truth Project, and ending with

Becoming a Contagious Christian. Chapel of the Lakes also

has a Breakthrough Class which ministers to young adults

with special needs. The congregation continues to minister

to the residents at the assisted living center in Mecosta.

Grace, Baldwin – In April, 2014 Grace installed their new

pastor, Rev. Daniel H. Fienen from Danville, Illinois. Pastor

Fienen is semi-retired and half-time pastor at Grace. He and

his family moved into the parsonage and are excited about

their new ministry. Grace Lutheran has increased her on-line

presence with new email and a new website to increase visi-

bility in the community of Baldwin. With the new ministry

of Pastor Fienen, Grace Lutheran Church will continue to be

a witness for Jesus Christ in the community of Baldwin.

Trinity, Reed City – This is an active and busy time for the

ministry of Trinity congregation reaching out to the commu-

nities surrounding Reed City, Mich. For the last two years,

the congregation has been served by Interim/Vacancy pastors

after the departure of their former pastor in the late winter

of 2013. Pastor Tim Verity served as the interim pastor until

Pastor Richard Collin took over in late Fall of 2014. The

congregation continues the process of calling a replacement

pastor with the hope that the ofce will be lled by early

Spring 2015. During the last three years, the previous site for

the church and school was sold and in the Fall of 2014 classes

were being held at the new church site, NE of Reed City

on US-10. Challenges were faced in obtaining the needed

approval from a variety of state inspectors for the use of

the church facilities until a new school plant can be erected.

Fundraising has begun and pledges, which will help deter-

mine what facilities can be built, should occur in late April

and early May, with construction to begin sometime in the

Fall of 2015. The school staff continues to share enthusiasm,

District Reports - Page 30

even though space is limited at the present time. The former

principal retired at the end of the last school year. The calling

of a replacement has been delayed until a new pastor is on

staff. The congregation continues to hold worship services

on both Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. These

worship times offer a variety of settings using resources from

the Lutheran Service Book, Creative Worship, and locally-

developed material. Attendance has held reasonably steady

during the vacancy, but hopes remain for growth once a

settled pastor is installed.

St. Peter’s, Big Rapids – The last three years have brought

some major changes to the ministry of St. Peter’s Lutheran

Church and School. The school’s principal, Mr. David Truog,

retired after 33 years as principal. After a year of transition,

Mr. Bradley Massey was installed as principal. The school

looks forward to continued growth in the preschool and

elementary school. The ministry of the congregation is active

and strong. St. Peter’s offers a variety of worship formats and

has a vibrant and strong music ministry under the leadership

of the Director of Worship. The ministry to the youth of the

congregation continues to grow and is strong under the lead-

ership of the DCE. The adult Bible study ministry continues

to grow and is one of the foundational ministries of St.

Peter’s. The congregation is now in the process of developing

a long-range ministry plan with the primary focus of outreach

into the community of Big Rapids and Mecosta county.

Future ministry plans include a daycare center and all-day

preschool. The congregation is also exploring expanding the

current campus with the addition of a child care center, new

gym, youth center, and a new ofce complex.

It is an exciting time for the Big Rapids circuit. Each congre-

gation is looking for more opportunities to bring the Gospel

of our Lord Jesus to each community. It is great to see the

congregations looking beyond serving themselves to reaching

out in each community.

Circuit #35 - Capitol Circuit

Rev. Timothy W. Olson, Circuit Visitor

The Capitol circuit is comprised of the following churches:

First Lutheran, Charlotte; Grace, Leslie; Trinity, Lansing;

Our Savior, Lansing; Good Shepherd, Lansing; Messiah,

Holt; St. Matthew, Holt; and Heart of the Shepherd, Howell.

Each church has a Word and Sacrament ministry to the

communities in which they have been placed by God. All of

these churches strive, by God’s leading, to spread the Gospel

message of Jesus Christ with the people in their neighbor-

hoods (Mark 16:15). Here are some of the things that have

happened in these churches over the past triennium:

First Lutheran, Charlotte – Rev. Timothy Olson

The people of God at First Lutheran have established a strong

presence in their community with the preschool/daycare that

was expanded about 3 years ago. Since then, more than 85

children per year have been ministered to with the Gospel

of Jesus Christ. The theme for the preschool/daycare is:

“Let the Little Children Come to me … for such belongs the

kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). Jesus spoke these words and

we as a congregation have welcomed the little children into

our midst through this ministry. Our ham/turkey giveaway,

which began three years ago, has grown from 100 hams and

100 turkeys to 200 of each. This last Thanksgiving, we had

over 400 people come through our building while we minis-

tered to these needy people with gospel music, the Word of

the Lord, prayer and friendship. In October of 2014, we cele-

brated 30 years at our present location. We thanked the Lord

for all of His blessings!

Good Shepherd, Lansing – Rev. Rodger Straub

“A small church with a big heart for Christ.” Over the past

three years, Good Shepherd has continued to face the chal-

lenges of a graying congregation, while remaining committed

to its mission statement: “Good Shepherd seeks to gain

people for God, gather around Word and Sacrament, and

grow in Christ.” Good Shepherd is going on its 8th year as a

mission outpost with Lutheran Blind Missions, a ministry that

has experienced signicant growth. Each month, the congre-

gation is focused on a mission outreach or partnering in our

community. In October of 2014, Good Shepherd celebrated

its 50th anniversary.

St. Matthew, Holt – Rev. Dean Poellet

St. Matthew celebrated the 50th anniversary of their founding

this year. It was a one-weekend event, February 28th and

March 1st. We are also very thankful to God that, after

almost 40 years of operating a Lutheran High School on our

own, last July 1st the new Mid-Michigan Lutheran High

School Association came into being with the support of 5

other Lansing area congregations. Those congregations are

providing much-needed stability and expertise to the program,

and the rst year has gone very well. As a congregation, our

Lord continues to use us by sending several teams each year

into the international mission eld. Locally we work with and

support the Friendship House International Student Ministry

at Michigan State University. This year, we completed and

passed the AdvanceED national accreditation renewal process

for the elementary school and high school. Last fall, our

Sonshine Early Childhood Center completed all the work for

the Michigan Quality Rating Improvement System and passed

with high scores in all areas. God’s Holy Spirit continues to

use the people at St. Matthew in order that they might know

Jesus and let Him be known.

Messiah, Holt – Rev. Thomas Vanderbilt

Messiah in Holt had several major changes over the past

triennium. In December, Pastor Stephen Grafe took a call to

another church and on January 25, 2015, Thomas Vanderbilt

was installed as their new pastor. Messiah continues to reach

out to their neighborhood with the Gospel through their

daycare center, Lenten sh fry, and other opportunities that

God has given them. They feel blessed and privileged to do

the Lord’s work. God has blessed them in many ways.

Our Savior, Lansing – Rev. William Wangelin

Our Savior installed Rev. Bill Wangelin as senior pastor on

November 10, 2013. The school enrollment is at 200 students,

preschool – 8th grade, and in spring of 2014, Our Savior

joined the Mid-Michigan Lutheran High School Association

District Reports - Page 31

to continue its commitment to Lutheran education. Former

teacher Matthew Couser became full-time principal in August

of 2013. In addition to the school ministry, the congregation

serves the community through the Our Savior Food Bank,

school backpacks, 200 Thanksgiving baskets, and fund-

raisers for Lutherans for Life, Hannah’s House, and the MSU

International Friendship House. Outreach events include the

summer Freedom Festival, Living Nativity, and Easter Egg

hunt with over 6,000 eggs.

Trinity, Lansing – Rev. Gary “Travis” Downs

Trinity has really committed to being a church that reaches

out to its neighbors. They welcome their neighborhood to

join them in worship and they have done an outdoor Christian

concert to invite their inner-city neighbors to be part of their

Christian fellowship. They have traditional worship with

pages 5 and 15 from The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) edition.

Movie nights, Creation Seminars, and other programs have

been implemented to be an inviting presence to those around

them. Inner city ministry is different and Trinity is striving to

meet that culture around them and share the gospel of Jesus

Christ with their community.

Grace, Leslie – Rev. Michael Martin

After a long vacancy, God has blessed Grace Lutheran with

Pastor Michael Martin. Pastor Martin serves them half time

with the goal to help them grow to be able to afford a full-

time pastor. Many good things are happening there and the

people have a positive attitude about their future. Please

continue to pray for Grace that the Lord would bless the

church to reach many more for His kingdom in the Leslie

area. We thank God for the progress made so far and look for

good things to come.

Heart of the Shepherd, Howell – Rev. John Hile and Rev.

Galan Grulke

Heart of the Shepherd has been going through a transition

over the past several years. The goal is for Pastor Grulke to

be part-time and for Pastor John Hile to be the lead. As this

transition happens, Pastor Hile will assume more respon-

sibilities and Pastor Grulke will be part-time. Heart of the

Shepherd has many different ministries happening. The most

prominent is their Child Development Center. They reach

many families through this ministry. Their current vision is

to: GROW in grace. GIVE with joy. GO on mission.

It is our honor and privilege as the pastors and members of

the Capitol Circuit Churches to serve God and extend His

kingdom to more and more people through the preaching of

the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments. “Praise be

to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great

mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheri-

tance that can never perish, spoil or fade…” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Circuit #36, Saint Johns Circuit

Rev. E. Anthony Sikora, Circuit Visitor

St. Paul, Fowler – We have been blessed by the Lord here at

St. Paul, as we are privileged to maintain a solid Lutheran

presence in Fowler. God’s Word is our great heritage – and

we are dedicated to seeing that it is preached, taught, and

confessed in its purity and truth. Our congregation is also

involved in the support of several Mission projects, and we

continue to be a strong pro-life voice in our community.

St. Peter’s, Riley – With grateful and yet saddened hearts, the

saints at St. Peter’s said their good-byes to long-time pastor

Rev. Jeff Heimsoth. Entering into a time of uncertainty,

the congregation continued to be served by interim pastor,

Rev. Bill Roper. In 2014, Rev. Quentin Nuttmann accepted

the call to serve as pastor and acting school principal. The

congregation continues to maintain a Christian day school

and is committed to the mission of Christ’s church.

St. John, Saint Johns – The members of St. John continue to

grow in grace and knowledge of God’s word. God’s Word

has not returned void, and in 2015 the congregation installed

Rev. Steve Massey as their Associate Pastor. Rev. Dr. Bryan

Salminen continues to serve as Senior Pastor.

Hope, DeWitt – In May of 2013, Hope dedicated a new

addition to their facilities. A long-awaited fellowship hall,

expanded kitchen, and ground-level classrooms were

blessed by the Word of God and sanctied with prayer. In

2014, Hope installed Rev. Lance Klamer as associate pastor.

The congregation continues to see an increase in Sunday

worship attendance and is actively involved in the support of

Rev. Roger James as missionary to Sri Lanka.

St. Luke’s, Haslett – Our congregation focuses on helping

people to Know the Peace and the Power of the Cross. Each

year we challenge our people to read through the entire

Scripture. Through an ever more dynamic and informed

relationship with Jesus, we want to raise up people who

can’t help but talk about what we have seen and heard. Our

major community project is a coat bank, through which we

give away approximately 1,000 coats a season. Our VBS

and Little Lambs Preschool help us to connect with fami-

lies in our community. During the last three years, we have

been building a ministry relationship with Christ Lutheran

Church in downtown Lansing. In addition to our nancial

support of the District and Synod, we support International

Student Ministries at Michigan State University and interna-

tional LCMS missionaries David Erber and Chuck Tessaro.

Since the last Convention, we have called Rev. Trevor

Sutton as our Associate Pastor and Mr. Tom Chester as our

Youth Director. Rev. David Davis serves as Senior Pastor.

Our congregation includes 731 baptized members and 572

conrmed members. Our average attendance is 363.

Ascension, East Lansing – Ascension Lutheran Church

is served by Pastor Dave Winningham, Deacon John

Haubenstricker and Music Director Alix Jenkins. Ascension

has enjoyed growth in participation, as well as growth in

awareness and support of District and Synod programs.

Stephen Ministry was instituted, with a recently-graduated

class of seven Stephen Ministers. Ascension continues to lift

District Reports - Page 32

high the cross to the eastern area of greater Lansing and the

MSU community.

St. Andrew’s, Portland – God continues to bless St. Andrew

Lutheran Church as He has throughout its 32-year history.

St. Andrew has reached several landmarks since the last

District convention. In January, 2013, the congregation cele-

brated the 30-year anniversary of its rst meeting as Portland

Lutheran mission. Then, in the fall of 2013, the congrega-

tion celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of WEE

GROW Christian Preschool, a ministry to 3- and 4-year-old

children which continues to serve 30 children and their fami-

lies in 2015. In July of 2015, St. Andrew celebrated the 25th

anniversary of ordination of its rst full-time pastor, Rev.

Edward Filter. Pastor Filter was ordained at St. Andrew in

July of 1989 and has been blessed with the opportunity to

serve St. Andrew throughout his entire pastoral ministry. St.

Andrew and Pastor Filter were pleased to have Ray Zavada,

Assistant to the President – Development for the Michigan

District, LCMS be part of the celebration.

In November, St. Andrew was blessed to be part of the rst

Kids Against Hunger food-packaging event in the commu-

nity. Many of the Christian congregations in Portland, with

the help of Thrivent, raised over $5,000 and packaged over

20,000 meals to be used at the food banks in Ionia County,

across our country, and in other third world countries. The

next event is already scheduled for November 14, 2015.

The members of St. Andrew and Pastor Filter look forward

to all future opportunities to celebrate Word and Sacrament

ministry together in whatever form God guides them.

Calvary, Carson City

– After nearly 18 years Rev. Ken

Williamson accepted another call and Calvary found itself

vacant. Served by Rev. George Brinley during the vacancy,

the congregation began the call process and eventually called

Rev. Robert Riggs, who accepted and was installed in January

2015. Excited by the many changes which the Lord is working

in their congregation and community, the people of Calvary

Lutheran Church are eager to take the Gospel to their friends,

neighbors and family

Circuit #37 – Tri-River Circuit

Rev. Joe Fremer, Circuit Visitor

The Tri-River Circuit is an L-shaped string of congrega-

tions north-to-east of the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan

area, stretching from Howard City in the north, south to

Lowell then eastward to Ionia and Stanton, passing through

Sand Lake, Greenville, and Belding. We are small-town and

rural churches serving “bedroom communities” in the coun-

ties of Ionia, Kent, and Montcalm, representing a variety of

worship styles. The pastors and emeriti of Circuit #37 meet

monthly during the school year for the Divine Service, study

of God’s Word, lunch together, and casuistry discussions. Our

monthly pastor’s conference has always been a place of peace

and mutual respect, marked by harmony and warm fellow-

ship. We have a number of emeriti who are a blessing to our

Winkel conferences and our congregations. We support each

other as we all deal with common challenges posed by the

economically-depressed region in which we serve, and by the

progressive secularization of American culture. Our congre-

gations are small, aging, declining in numbers, but full of

faith, hope, and love.

Holy Cross, Belding – served by the Rev. Bob Wagner since

2009. The congregation is moving into the technological

age, with a new web page – holycrossbelding.org – and a

Facebook page to update the members and friends with

memos and reminders. They continue to grow in fellowship

with one another through study and service, oftentimes with

food set before them. The congregation is known for two

delicious meals they serve – a Swiss Steak Dinner in Spring

and a Turkey Dinner in the Fall, where most of the congrega-

tion, and many family members, pitch in to make it work.

Mt. Calvary, Greenville, served by the Rev. Jeff Wilhelm,

is POINT-ing the Way: Proclaiming Christ, Offering Hope,

Inspiring Service, Nurturing All, and Teaching God’s Word.

Pastor Wilhelm’s wife, Grace, has gone through intensive

cancer treatment, including two stem-cell transplants in the

Detroit/Ann Arbor areas, after being diagnosed with Plasma

Cell Leukemia in October 2012. An expanded worship

schedule led to increased attendance for a year. Two annual

Kids Against Hunger food-packaging events have been held

(20,000 and 30,000 meals), with core support from Thrivent

as well as the local Ministerial Association and area congre-

gations. The church is considering adding a DCE position

to lead ministry efforts in engaging more young families.

The preschool and childcare center have steadily grown in

serving families in the community, reaching a maximum

capacity this past year of over 130 students. Mt. Calvary has

also hosted an Annual Back-to-School Supplies Distribution

event in cooperation with other local churches and the

public schools. A Passover Seder Meal in 2014 was very

well received. In addition to updating its constitution and

bylaws, Mt. Calvary has developed a new Vision statement –

to be a growing community of believers transformed by the

power of God’s love in Jesus Christ, positively impacting

people’s lives in our congregation and community, now and

for eternity.

Bethel, Howard City, is served by the Rev. Steven Frentz.

Bethel celebrated their 50th anniversary with a special service

in 2012. Their former pastor, Rev. Dr. Don Matzat, was invited

to preach for the service of celebration that remembered the

merging of St. Peter’s, Amble and Immanuel, Howard City

in 1962. As the church looks forward to the next 50 years

of serving God and the community, the members of Bethel

continue to serve their neighbors through close participa-

tion with Helping Hands Ministry Food Pantry. The church

also has a tradition of supporting several families that are in

need during the Christmas season. The adult vocal choir has

been joined by a chime choir that is now in its second year of

existence. The church is also recognized in the community

by its participation in the annual Howard City Harvest Fest

in the Fall, and by offering a Living Nativity at Christmas

time. Bethel also continues to serve the community through

Pastor Frentz’ service as both chaplain and reghter with

the Howard City Fire Department.

District Reports - Page 33

Good Shepherd, Lowell – Good Shepherd continues to be

served by Pastor Joe Fremer, assisted by Licensed Deacon

Ed Van Cott. In 2014 they sent four members on a mission

trip to Haiti, to work on a Caribbean Children’s Foundation

orphanage. Good Shepherd provides a large number of

volunteers at the local food pantry. They seek to raise their

prole in the community through booths at the Lowell

Riverwalk Festival in the summer, and the Fallasburg Fall

Festival. These activities do bring in some funds, but they

are chiey intended as a way for people in the area to see

Good Shepherd folks having fun, serving the Lord with

gladness. Our Sunday school, which was suffering from a

dip in the demographics, has begun to rebound as dedicated

parents of preschoolers step up.

St. John, Ionia has undergone many changes in the last three

years. The Rev. David Bogda retired in August of 2012 and Pr.

Richard Laeder served them as Intentional Interim Minister

through November of 2013. The church determined that their

numbers would not permit them to call a full-time pastor of

their own, so they entered into a “shared ministry” agreement

with their daughter congregation Good Shepherd, and called

Pastor Fremer to be their pastor on a part-time basis. This

arrangement seems to suit the needs of both congregations:

both have traditional worship styles, and each congregation

has a licensed Deacon who assists in making this arrange-

ment work. Deacon Peter Carr was licensed in 2014 to assist

with ministry there. St. John’s preschool/daycare continues

to share Jesus with area children. The church hosts an annual

German-style Chop Suey Supper that is highly anticipated

each year by people in Ionia, and once a month they host a

community breakfast that has many repeat customers.

Resurrection, Sand Lake – Intentional Interim Minister Rev.

Lee Zabrocki has been serving since 2009. Resurrection has

a preschool. On Easter Sunday, worshipers released more

than a thousand balloons imprinted with “He Is Risen”

(one made it as far as Ottawa!). VBS served over 100 kids

from the community. The fourth annual Community Picnic

they hosted served more than 700 people. This free event

provided food and a live band, and the congregation gave

school bags to all the children who attended. These picnics

have resulted over the years in several new members joining

Resurrection. In the past triennium, attendance has increased

45%, and offerings have increased 53%.

Hope, Stanton – In dual-parish with the English District

church Holy Trinity (Lakeview), under the care of the Rev.

Steven Voelker. This small but committed congregation has

a mid-week daytime Bible study, with mid-week services

also in Lent and Advent. The church has a food pantry that

serves 30-40 area families each month. In addition to the

members’ regular budgetary support and donations of food,

Hope puts on an annual Ice Cream Social to raise funds for

the food pantry. The partnership with Holy Trinity is appre-

ciated, and celebrated by having joint services at different

times during the year.

The Tri-River Circuit is blessed to have Camp Concordia, a

Lutheran children’s camp that serves the Michigan District,

staffed year-round by commissioned ministers, and is a

Registered Service Organization of the LCMS. Many of our

circuit’s churches have been involved in this camp since its

founding by local Lutherans in 1957. In the past triennium we

said goodbye to Director Paul Golke, grateful for his years of

leadership, and welcomed Dr. Craig S. Oldenburg, who has

served in the LCMS Outdoors Ministry for over 17 years, and

has been dreaming of directing this camp for 30 years!

Circuit # 38 – Muskegon Circuit

Rev. Dennis Lassanske, Circuit Visitor

Circuit #38 of the Michigan District is located along the

coast of Lake Michigan, between Muskegon and Shelby to

the north, and Conklin to the east. These congregations are

actively seeking to be caring, encouraging and witnessing

churches to their communities.

Trinity, Conklin this year celebrates their 150th anniversary.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” is their overall theme, which

is focused on God’s faithfulness in blessing the people of

Trinity over the years. The celebration will culminate with

a major anniversary celebration on July 12, 2015. For 146

of the 150 years, Trinity has maintained a Lutheran school

that has been a key part of their ministry. The congregation

continues to meet the increasing challenge of maintaining

this vitally important ministry in our society. Rev. Mark

Oswald has led the congregation for over 23 years.

Trinity Lutheran School – The congregation has expanded

the school ministry to include a 3- to 5-year-old program.

The school ministry continues to provide lower grade,

Christ-centered education to the community.

St. Luke, Nunica is presently being served by an Intentional

Interim Pastor, Rev. Dennis Lassanske, as they refocus the

mission and ministry after being served for 18 years by Rev.

Lahrman, who accepted a call to another parish ministry in

Indiana. They have continued intentional outreach to the

community through a food truck ministry, providing needed

food and spiritual assistance. The congregation is involved

in a total renovation of the parsonage in anticipation of the

arrival of a new pastor. They have afrmed a new vision

for their ministry together: “IN CHRIST – Loving People;

Opening Doors; Volunteering; and Encouraging Others.”

They look forward to shaping a new ministry with the leader-

ship of a permanent pastor to lead and shepherd the ministry

into the future.

St. Mark, Muskegon has been involved in the transition of

the pastoral ministry under the leadership of Pastor Mark

Gilson the past several years. The congregation is reecting

a growing passion for the study of God’s Word. They are

expanding their mission involvement by sending out inter-

national service teams the last two years. The congregation

is completing the construction of a memorial garden on the

church campus. They have experienced changes in worship

style and service times as they incorporate the use of multi-

media into the church building and instruction areas. They

are challenged as they move forward emphasizing diver-

sied involvement and service that is driven by a deep

District Reports - Page 34

relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Our Redeemer, Muskegon on the East side of town has

been served by Rev. Robert Conradt for 23 years and

assisted by Deacon Bud Koppel. Working with the Board

of Elders, an active shepherding program to members has

been reestablished to build and strengthen the congregation.

A newly-formed evangelism committee has been reaching

into the community through movie nights and commu-

nity nights, attempting to reach students from Baker and

Muskegon Community College that live around them. The

challenge continues to be adapting ministry to the changing

neighborhood which has experienced a signicant turnover

in the last three years.

Trinity, Muskegon celebrated the arrival of their new shepherd,

Rev. Paul Appold, to lead the ministry of the congregation.

The congregation bid farewell and God’s speed in retirement

to Rev. Dennis Lassanske in 2012, and were faithfully served

by Rev. George Hamilton as vacancy pastor from 2012

–

2014.

The congregation responded with a dramatic increase in

giving on Consecration Sunday in 2014. Plans are in motion

to send another mission team to “Groundwork Guatemala”

in 2016. The congregation is developing a new strategic

mission, vision and target thrusts into the community. The

new mission Statement is: “Trinity is a spring of living

water”. Growth among young families encourages the

spreading of the living water of the Gospel as the congrega-

tion seeks to reach the West Shore parents and students in

the greater Muskegon community.

West Shore Lutheran School resides on the campus of

Trinity, Muskegon. The school ministry in the area of

preschool, child care and infant care continues to expand,

and supports the continuation of Kindergarten thru 8th grade

classes under the leadership of Principal Brad Feenstra.

Faith, Whitehall is being served by Intentional Interim

Pastor Rev. Jim Eggert since 2014, after saying good-bye to

a pastor in 2012 and an SMP pastor in 2014. The congrega-

tion celebrated their 60th anniversary in October of 2014.

This summer they will celebrate the 50th year in their present

sanctuary. Through the Intentional Interim process they

adopted a new mission statement, vision, and major emerging

ministry thrusts. The ministry is focused on the activation of

God’s people in expanding ministry of caring, encouraging

and witnessing. Having just completed the renovation of the

church parsonage, they are setting in motion plans for calling

a new pastor.

St James, Montigue has been served by Pastor John Brooks

for over 25 years. The congregation totally demolished the

old fellowship kitchen in order to enlarge, remodel, and

upgrade it. This last year, the congregation blessed their

pastor with a wonderful gift celebrating his 25 years of

service at St. James. The challenge of their ministry is to

be continually equipping and strengthening people to face

an increasingly hostile world and fast-changing society,

focusing on the desire to see their members and all people

in heaven!

St. Stephen, Shelby is served on a part-time basis by Pastor

Thomas Bye who lives in Pentwater, MI. The ministry

continues to serve Lutherans who live in the area. Regular

summer worship services on Sunday morning are held outside

in an amphitheater setting in the church woods. The challenge

continues to be reaching into the small town and reaching out

to the surrounding seasonal community with the Gospel of

Jesus Christ.

Circuit #39 – Holland Circuit

Rev. Christopher Boehnke, Circuit Visitor

Ottawa County has been thriving in terms of economic

growth, quality of life indicators, and steady population

increase – including a growing racial diversity. The congre-

gations of the Holland Circuit are faithfully striving, by

God’s grace, to reach out with the Gospel and the love of

Jesus in a strong religious and Reformed environment, yet

with “elds ripe for the harvest.” The pastors and congrega-

tions of the Holland Circuit have a good relationship with

each other as we serve in the Lord’s vineyard together.

Grace, Coopersville: We continue to offer quality Christian

Education, anchored in the Fit for Life in Christ Adult

Conrmation class, other adult Bible classes, small

groups, and Word and Sacrament worship. We are teaching

membership expectations on a Biblical commitment level

and are experiencing a steady growth in our membership

and discipleship. We are working to continue to impact and

support our families as they are often pulled away from

worship with their children’s club sports, tournaments, and

other commitments.

St John’s, Grand Haven: We are currently celebrating our

150th year of ministry which culminates on October 18th

with President Maier in our midst and preaching. We just

voted to add a Director of Children’s Ministry to our staff. A

new church roof is being put on as you read this report. Rev.

Haupt will retire in November after serving at St. John’s for

32 years. We are a tithing congregation to District & Synod,

which signicantly increases our mission gifts.

Christ Our Savior, Holland: Within this past triennium, the

members of Christ Our Savior, Holland have worked through

the ministry-study process of evaluating values, mission,

and vision. From that, the following mission statement for

our Christian life and service with our Lord is being imple-

mented: Our Mission is to Share God’s Word - Grow God’s

Kingdom - Live Christ’s Love. One other unique emphasis

was shared in the fall of 2014; we were challenged in our

stewardship to be “Living Generously.” A group of study

and action topics under that title from RheMedia was used,

well-received, and has led to increased giving and increased

serving in our Savior’s name.

Zion, Holland: Rev. John Westra retired in August 2012 after

16½ years of faithful service at Zion. In the subsequent months,

Zion changed Rev. Ryan Winningham’s call from Associate to

Sole Pastor. In June 2014, Zion hired Trevor Berrian to serve

full-time as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry.

District Reports - Page 35

Lakeshore Fellowship, Spring Lake: By God’s grace we

have seen a steady growth in numbers and in disciple-

ship. We completed improvements to our facility through

a campaign titled IMPACT. In worship, we focus on the

Gospel and Sacraments in a contemporary style. To help

grow people in faith, we have 15 Community Groups and

a Crossways class on Monday nights with 35 people. More

people now serve in the body as various ministry teams have

been started (e.g. GAP Prayer Team, Women’s Ministry

Team, GO Local Team, GO Global Team, etc). Two ways

we reach out is through our household necessity pantry and

annual mission trips to Honduras.

Circuit #40 – Grand Rapids North Central Circuit

Rev. Mark Love, Circuit Visitor

St. Matthew, Grand Rapids – Rev. Robert Appold

Baptized Membership – 589

Communicant Membership – 415

Average Worship Attendance – 339

Family of Christ, Comstock Park – Rev. Mark Bowditch

Baptized Membership – 111

Communicant Membership – 81

Average Worship Attendance – 75

Immanuel, Grand Rapids – Rev. Craig Bickel

Baptized Membership – 594

Communicant Membership – 463

Average Worship Attendance – 343

Messiah, Grand Rapids – Rev. Thomas Bartzsch

Baptized Membership – 352

Communicant Membership – 287

Average Worship Attendance – 157

Mt. Olive, Grand Rapids – Rev. Kenneth Bomberger

Baptized Membership – 98

Communicant Membership – 79

Average Worship Attendance – 50

Our Savior, Grand Rapids – Rev. David Fleming and Rev.

North Sherrill

Baptized Membership – 560

Communicant Membership – 246

Average Worship Attendance – 235

St. James, Grand Rapids – Rev. James Blain

Baptized Membership – 534

Communicant Membership – 425

Average Worship Attendance – 148

St. Peter, Rockford – Rev. Mark Love

Baptized Membership – 392

Communicant Membership – 319

Average Worship Attendance – 140

Redeemer, Grand Rapids held its Closing Service on

December 30, 2012.

Circuit #41 – Grand Rapids Southwest Circuit

Rev. Scott Sommerfeld,– Circuit Visitor

St. Paul, Caledonia – Rev. Gary Siefert, Intentional Interim

Pastor

Baptized Membership – 850

Communicant Membership – 638

Average Worship Attendance – 111

Bethel, Grandville – Rev. Robert Weidmayer

Baptized Membership – 198

Communicant Membership – 161

Average Worship Attendance – 53

New Hope, Hudsonville – Rev. David Rufner

Baptized Membership – 217

Communicant Membership – 154

Average Worship Attendance – 117

Holy Cross, Jenison – Rev. Scott Sommerfeld

Baptized Membership – 1317

Communicant Membership – 873

Average Worship Attendance – 407

St. John, Jenison – Rev. James Metcalf

Baptized Membership – 265

Communicant Membership – 194

Average Worship Attendance – 89

St. Mark, Kentwood – Rev. Michael Wentzel

Baptized Membership – 714

Communicant Membership – 530

Average Worship Attendance – 225

Good Shepherd, Middleville – Rev. Terry Kenitz

Baptized Membership – 30

Communicant Membership – 30

Average Worship Attendance – 30

Journey In Faith, Byron Center – Rev. Frank Graves, Vacancy

Pastor

Baptized Membership – 93

Communicant Membership – 74

Average Worship Attendance – 70

Circuit #42 – Battle Creek Circuit

Rev. David Sidwell, Circuit Visitor

St. Paul, Albion – The congregation is at peace and well-

led, pastored by Rev. Dennis Matyas. They have begun a

preschool to serve the Albion community. They are becoming

an anchor, supporting the many needs of a troubled commu-

nity. St. Paul has a liturgical, hymn-and-organ worship style

based on LSB. The congregation is a pastor-driven church

moving toward program-driven.

Redemption, Battle Creek – The congregation is at peace and

is well-led, pastored by Rev. Karl Strenge. Also connected to

Redemption is the chaplain of the VA Hospital, Rev. Jeffrey

Wollberg. The congregation supports local and regional

District Reports - Page 36

mission activities of the church faithfully. It has a liturgical,

hymn, organ-and-piano worship based on LSB. The congre-

gation is a pastor-driven church.

St. Mark, Battle Creek – The congregation is at peace and is

well-led, pastored by Rev. Brad Hubbard. They have a well

proven record of serving the needs of their community. It

has multiple worship services and styles including hymn-

and-organ and song-and-praise band. The congregation is a

program-driven church and has a successful preschool.

St. Paul, Battle Creek – The congregation is at peace. It has

just installed a sole pastor, Rev. Larry Gorlitz. It is beginning

a new phase of outreach to its community. It has a liturgical,

hymn-and-organ worship style based on LW/LSB. The

congregation is a pastor-driven church.

Immanuel, Kalamazoo – The congregation is at peace and

is pastored by Rev. David H. Sidwell. They have a service

oriented approach supporting local and regional mission

activity. It has a liturgical, hymn, organ-and-piano worship

style based on LSB. The congregation is a pastor-driven

church.

Zion, Kalamazoo – The congregation is at peace and is

well-led, pastored by Rev. Tim Seeber. Also serving is Rev.

Mark Couch at Solid Grounds Campus ministry, Western

Michigan University. They support the many local missions

and ministries of the Kalamazoo community. It has a litur-

gical, hymn, organ-and-piano worship style based on LBW.

The congregation is a program-driven church and has a

successful preschool.

Christ, Marshall – The congregation is at peace and is well

led, pastored by Rev. David Boedecker. It is also served by

Deacon David Moran. It has a passion for supporting mission

projects. It has a liturgical, hymn-and-organ worship style

based on LBW. The congregation is a pastor-driven church.

Zion, Marshall – The congregation is at peace and is well

led, pastored by Rev. Anthony Voltattorni. It has a passion

for mission, supporting its former pastor, Rev. Roger James,

in Sri Lanka, as well as Rev. Vincent Iqbal in the Battle Creek

Circuit. It has a liturgical, hymn-and-organ worship style

based on TLH. The congregation is a pastor-driven church.

Trinity, Paw Paw – The congregation is at peace and is well

led, pastored by Rev. Eric Gledhill. It is centered in the county

seat (Van Buren) and serves broadly and widely its commu-

nity. It has multiple worship services and styles including

hymn-and-organ and song-and-praise band. The congrega-

tion is a program-driven church and has a successful day

school (K-8) and preschool.

St. Michael, Portage – The congregation is at peace and is well

led, pastored by Rev. Dr. Paul Naumann. It is also served by

SMP Pastor, Rev. Jason Toman. They well serve and support

the Portage and Kalamazoo communities. It has multiple

worship services and styles including hymn-and-organ and

song and praise band. The congregation is a program-driven

church and has a successful day school (K-8) and preschool.

St. Peter, Three Rivers – The congregation is at peace and

is well led, pastored by Rev. Robert Bartz, Pastor Emeritus.

It is raising funds to host a Lutheran Comfort Dog ministry.

It has a liturgical, hymn-and-organ worship style based on

LSB. The congregation is a pastor-driven church.

Circuit #43 – St. Joseph Circuit

Rev. Michael J. Roth, Circuit Visitor

Circuit 43 is the southwesternmost circuit in Michigan,

bordering Lake Michigan on the west and Indiana on the

south. There is positive collegiality and cooperation in

Circuit 43. Winkels are well attended, installations and

retirements are joyfully celebrated, and pastors and wives

regularly enjoy fellowship. As a circuit we are active with

the Benton Harbor Lutheran Outreach Ministry. Most

congregations in the circuit support Rev. Richard Rudoswke

and his work with Lutheran Bible Translators. We also regu-

larly host a circuit-wide Reformation service. The following

are reports of the church of the St. Joseph Circuit.

Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Berrien Springs –

Pastor Doug Adams

Rev. Mel Meyer of South Bend, IN served Trinity as its

Intentional Interim Minister throughout 2012. Rev. Meyer

was encouraging to Trinity’s challenges and supportive of its

goals, including the Ebenezer Project to eliminate our debt.

On September 30, 2012, Trinity celebrated its 100-Year

Anniversary with the theme “A Century of God’s Grace.”

An Anniversary Book was published, celebratory activities

were held throughout the year, and the goal of paying off the

church’s debt by year’s end remained on schedule. The day

school, preschool program, and Ark Day Care continued to

offer a Christ-based education and care to the children of our

church and community.

Rev. Mel Meyer continued to serve Trinity in 2013. His

leadership showed a growing interest in Bible study, so

Bible studies were held each week at church and in parish-

ioners’ homes. The Ebenezer Project was completed in

early 2013 and Trinity became debt-free, something we

wanted to accomplish before we called a new shepherd to

lead us. Rev. Douglas Adams was installed as our pastor on

June 9. Interaction continued between congregation senior

members and day school students through T.E.A.M. (Trinity

Encouragers and Mentors).

Under Pastor Adams’ direction, Trinity’s members continue

to grow spiritually with church attendance and Bible studies,

have many opportunities to help those outside our congreg

tion through a variety of service projects, and enjoy fellowship

opportunities through participation in Trinity’s many church

organizations.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bridgman – Pastor Jon

Bendewald

Immanuel, Bridgman is currently served by Pastor Jon

Bendewald, who is entering his 8th year at Immanuel, and

Mrs. Barb Ackerman, entering her 16th year as preschool

director and 3rd year as childcare director. Immanuel has

District Reports - Page 37

enhanced its dynamic guitar-led divine service at 11 a.m.

with the addition of musicians—specically a drummer.

Immanuel experienced a sanctuary ood in January of

2014 and re-dedicated a re-purposed and renovated sanc-

tuary in August 2014. The lectern was replaced with a praise

platform for a baby grand piano and singing of God’s Word.

The pulpit is now dedicated for the speaking and preaching

of God’s Word. God Connects and other LHM resources are

regularly used within congregation and community.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Buchanan – Pastor Daniel Barz

Salem Lutheran Church, Coloma – Pastor Andrew Menz

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cassopolis – Pastor Paul

Doellinger

St. Paul, Cassopolis remains a strong, healthy, vibrant

Communion of saints in Cass County. The Lord continues

to call, gather, and enlighten her in His Name with His gifts

and Means of Grace week in and week out. Weekly worship

along with Bible study and Sunday school provide an envi-

ronment for continued growth and nurturing in the Christian

faith. St. Paul also conducts weekly worship services at two

local nursing care facilities. St. Paul operates Open Arms

Day Care and Child Development Center. Our director,

Terri Steiner, along with her staff, serve the community with

preschool and childcare in a Christian environment. Open

Arms current enrolls 25 children.

Weekly Game Night has been made available for youth in

the congregation and community; the activity is followed

by a prayer service and pizza. St. Paul maintains her own

food pantry that is open to the public while she nancially

supports a local thrift store in Cassopolis. Food baskets are

delivered periodically to needy families in the area. The

congregation has also become actively involved in Family

Treatment Court of Cass County, a drug court which offers

aid to children and victims of substance abuse.

Support for foreign and domestic missions include semi-

nary student adoption, foreign aid, and contributions to

LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The Ladies’ Circle

of St. Paul are extremely active in the congregation, LWML

zone, and community with works of mercy, nancial dona-

tions, and support. The crucied, risen, and ascended Lord

Jesus continues daily and richly to bless His people at St.

Paul. Soli Deo Gloria.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Glendora (Buchanan) – Pastor

Jonathan Liebich

Events of signicance these past three years include the

retirement of Rev. Tom Brazinsky, the purchasing of a new

parsonage, the installation of Rev. Jonathan Liebich, and

the packaging of 34,000 meals for children in Guatemala

through Kids Around The World.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles – Pastor Carl Bassett and

SMP Pastor Joseph Liss

Community-wide clothing, baked goods, and rummage

sale is held twice-a-year in our new Family Life Center

(FLC) to benet those who are living in Niles. Also, there

is a Halloween celebration for our whole community in our

FLC, providing a safe place for children to come and receive

healthy treats as well as free Bibles and other spiritually-

related items. Over 1,000 participated in this event this past

year, with over 60 of our members hosting this fun event.

St. Paul’s has offered this mission outreach for the past four

years. Every year, the number of people attending dramati-

cally increases as the word gets out!

Since the last District Convention, we have helped support

a medical mission team to Haiti, led by one of our members

who is a local physician. In addition, we have helped direct

mission support activities in Cambodia, Vietnam, the

Ukraine, Africa, and many other local, national and interna-

tional locations.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Sawyer – Pastor Randy Lett

Trinity, Sawyer is in transition since the closing of our day

school. God’s faithful are thankful and hopeful as we

continue to expand involvement and raise up new leaders.

Our outreach and care ministries are developing into new

areas through Headstart, a VBS Mission trip to Funny River

AK, a Christian counseling ofce with Centered on Wellness,

support and involvement with BHLOM, part-time music

minister / young adult ministry facilitator, Vet Day special

worship, and partnering with Wellspring ministries. Future

plans include outreach to the summer tourists, parish nursing,

and expanding youth ministry, as well as continuing to update

the facilities to better serve present and future ministries.

Trinity Lutheran Church and School, St. Joseph – Pastor

Michael J. Roth and Pastor Anthony Gerber

Trinity remains a very active congregation, providing Word

and Sacrament ministry to her members and sharing the love of

Christ with the community. Signicant changes to the church

staff of Trinity in the last three years include the calling and

installing of Seminary candidate Rev. Anthony Gerber to focus

on Youth and Family Ministry. Rev. Thomas Batsky went into

full retirement at the the end of 2014 and is an emeritus pastor.

Trinity continues to be in the vicarage program of Synod and

has enjoyed the mutual blessings of a vicar every year.

The congregation is blessed to maintain and operate a

Christian Day School with a dedicated and experienced staff

of highly qualied teachers. New to the staff in the past three

years are Terry Bird, principal and Amy Roth, young ves’

teacher. Trinity also operates a vibrant Early Childhood

Center with day care and preschool. New to the ECC staff is

Director Robyn Adams.

The Lord has opened many doors of ministry in Benton

Harbor. Trinity is actively involved in community outreach

there, including: a monthly community dinner; a monthly

food truck through Feeding America; monthly service at the

Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen; a monthly food and preaching

event called Meal and More; a weekly Bible Study/worship

time called A Gather of Grace in a government housing

complex; a clothing and household goods distribution

ministry called Sort ‘n Share; a benevolent funds ministry to

assist people with utility shut-offs and evictions; a mentoring

program for struggling families; in addition to ongoing annual

events to feed, clothe, and enhance the lives of people in need

Trinity also vigorously supports foreign missions,

providing nancial assistance to member Rev. Richard

District Reports - Page 38

Rudowske who works with Lutheran Bible Translators in

Africa, and the support of Pastor Michael Roth’s teaching

at Concordia Lutheran Institute for the Holy Ministry in

Yambio, South Sudan.

Christ Lutheran Church and School, Stevensville – Pastor

Phillip Quardokus and Pastor Martin Measel

2015 marks a milestone year for Christ Lutheran Church. In

January, we observed the 60th anniversary of our rst service

with a special celebration. Christ Lutheran has been in its

present location for 48 of those 60 years. It has also been a

time to refresh the church building. In 2014, the chancel was

remodeled, complete with a new altar, font, refurbished pulpit,

and new oor. Christ Lutheran is in the process of replacing

its bell tower and reinstalling the bells. Christ Lutheran has

been blessed with faithful works in the vineyard.

In the last three years we recognized the retirement from

active ministry of four workers: Principal/DCE-Charles

Strohacker, Teacher and Director of Instrumental Music-Tom

Farrand, Kindergarten teacher and Director of Preschool-

Joan Kern, and Teacher and Athletic Director-Dennis Kern.

In 2015, The Rev. Dr. Philip Quardokus, Senior Pastor, along

with Mark Steffens, Organist and Choir Director, celebrate

30 years of service to the congregation. Christ Lutheran

School is currently being served by an interim principal,

Danny Sandmann.

Circuit 43 looks forward to reaching out with the saving

Gospel of Christ to southwest Michigan. We thank God for

this opportunity and pray His Spirit will guide and bless us.

Circuit #44 - South Central Circuit

Rev. Aaron Chittick, Circuit Visitor

It is a pleasure to serve the District as Circuit Visitor. I am

excited for this opportunity to encourage unity and growth in

our Synod. I pray that God will continue to bless each of the

congregations that I will visit this year, and that the reports

and accomplishments included here will bring glory to God.

St John, Burr Oak – St John Lutheran Church is a congrega-

tion of members striving to make disciples in God’s kingdom

on earth by living in the light of Jesus according to his

Word. Established in 1864, St. John’s Lutheran Church has

been faithfully serving God in the community of Burr Oak,

Mich. In 2014, we celebrated our 150th anniversary. Several

former pastors of the congregation shared in the festivities

culminating in a joint Reformation Celebration with Trinity,

Sturgis, who was also celebrating its 150th Anniversary.

St. John’s is very active in the community, reaching out to

spread the Good News of the Gospel in many ways within

our area. We regularly worship on Sunday mornings at 8:00

a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in addition to partaking in a Java Time

Fellowship gathering at 9:00 a.m. and offering a Bible study

and Sunday school program at 9:15 a.m. each week. Since

St. John’s is the only church in Burr Oak with a full-time

pastor in the community, we are blessed to have an active

Sunday school and Youth Group program, in addition to a

yearly daytime Vacation Bible School program.

Feed My People is the local community’s food pantry

which is fully funded, staffed and housed by St. John’s

Lutheran Church. While the Feed My People food pantry

is our church’s largest outreach program, our Outreach

Committee hosts several other events each year to encourage

people to join us. Also, the St. John’s Players (a tradition

started over 100 years ago) hosts an annual dinner theater

event, raising additional funds for various organizations or

individuals in need within the community.

While St. John’s is an aging congregation, we are truly

blessed to have a number of young families return to their

roots. God is denitely blessing the ministry here.

St Paul, Hillsdale – St. Paul, Hillsdale is a congregation

committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through

Word and Sacrament. The gifts herein are daily invoked by

the saints in their baptismal lives. We continue to gain famil-

iarity and appreciation for the rites, hymns, and prayers of the

Lutheran Service Book. Worship here is most often accom-

panied by the organ, but we continue to utilize a wide variety

of instrumentation as well as a cappella singing. We have

recently begun incorporating a “Catechism anthem” (setting:

Phillip Magness) into our weekly worship led by the Sunday

school children. This has been an effective tool for engaging

youth in weekly worship. In a similar way, we have transi-

tioned to beginning the Divine Services with a procession.

High School and Conrmation-aged boys have been excited

about participating as torchbearers or a crucifer.

The congregation is active in Christian education with

multiple adult classes offered each week. Prospective/new

members are asked to attend the Sunday morning Bible class

on the lectionary as part of their preparation for joining the

congregation and confessing the faith. We use the Catechism

as the outline of our doctrine, which guides our study of the

Scriptures so that Christ and His Gospel remain central.

Over the past year we have suspended the vicarage program

while bringing on an associate Pastor and Deaconess. Rev.

Scott Johnson and his wife Rebecca, respectively, have

lled these positions since August, 2014. The expansion of

ministry has been felt positively in the congregation.

St. Paul’s Ability Resource Center (SPARC) is a ministry

in downtown Hillsdale serving those with developmental

disabilities. We have introduced devotions and Bible studies

into the weekly routine of many unchurched commu-

nity members there. SPARC continues to see growth and

increasing opportunities for ministry.

Seasonal ministries continue to be highlighted by special

services during the festival portion of the church year.

During the summer, we offer Vacation Bible School and

Conrmation camp.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Sturgis – In the past year, Trinity

Lutheran Church has undergone a number of changes:

• We celebrated 150 years of ministry as a congregation;

• We launched a new discipleship process called “next

steps.” The idea is that each person will, on a quarterly

basis, commit to some tangible next step in their faith

walk, whether it is growing in their prayer life, attending

worship more frequently, going on a mission trip, leading

a Bible study, etc.;

• We changed our governance structure so that we are now

District Reports - Page 39

“policy-based,” and made appropriate changes to our

constitution and by-laws;

• We have begun to place a greater emphasis on Deuteronomy

6 in our ministry, seeking to equip families to talk about

their faith when they “sit at home, walk along the road, get

up in the morning, and go to bed at night;”

• We began yearly short-term mission trips to Haiti.

Our Savior, Union City – Our Savior Lutheran Church,

Union City, Mich. is a rural southwest Michigan congre-

gation of 175 souls. The congregation celebrated its 60th

anniversary in 2013. Utilizing traditional worship forms, its

reputation is one of a Christ-centered and friendly fellow-

ship, serving the local community in various ways, including

housing the local Food Pantry. A very active Ladies’ group

hosts its annual Sauerkraut Supper, and provides food and

monetary donations to the Community Holiday Food Basket

Project. As O.S.L.C. shares the Gospel in the area, it does so

guided by its congregational slogan: “Keeping Christ First

in Everything!” (Col. 1:18).

St. Paul, Coldwater – The congregation of St. Paul, Coldwater

is growing in the warmth of our loving Savior. Aaron B.

Chittick, a seminary graduate, was ordained as our pastor in

2013. Our membership has seen an increase in the number

of families with children. The assimilation of these members

along with other individuals into church worship and activities

is improving. Fellowship opportunities offered on a regular

basis, such as Family Movie Night and Game Night, as well as

Bible study small groups, have nurtured the family closeness.

A recent upgrade in our sound system and electronic

keyboard have helped with the development of the Praise

Team and blended worship. St. Paul continues its outreach to

the community with service opportunities, some fun, and by

proclaiming the Gospel through the Praise Team; especially

in the annual Neighborfest. The Sonshine Kids Preschool

continues to thrive. Advent and Lenten meals before the

midweek services are well-attended for that added time of

fellowship. Our youth are engaged and involved in Youth

Hangouts and will plan to attend the National Gathering

again in 2016.

St. Paul, Colon/St. Paul, Centerville – These two congre-

gations have agreed to serve as a Dual Parish. Rev. David

Grimm is their pastor.

Salem, Sturgis – Emeritus Pastor, Rev. James Balzer serves

them.

Prince of Peace, Quincy – Rev. Robert Eickmann is their

current pastor.

May the Lord continue to use his servants in Branch County

as His hands and feet until He returns.

District Reports - Page 40

Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E) Ministry

Acts 2 Enterprise has initiated the following mission and

ministry activities since the arrival of Pastor Christopher

Bodley on August, 2012:

• Provided leadership development to A2E churches in

Detroit in the form of urban strategies for community

engagement;

• Development of surveys for

A2E community canvassing;

• Organized Community can-

vassing of A2E churches in

Detroit: ve congregations

involved;

• Discipling training for A2E

churches: ve congregations

from Detroit participated;

• Provided monthly empow-

erment sessions to Detroit

congregations;

• Facilitated monthly intercessory prayer training to local

Detroit Lutheran churches: four churches numbering 11

participants;

• Facilitated collaboration meetings with city, state and

community organizations;

• Served as a catalyst to begin and support a “computer

literacy café” as an outreach by Detroit Lutheran churches:

2 churches in Detroit are participating;

• Provided strategic community outreach plans to congrega-

tions in Flint, Pontiac, and Saginaw;

• Facilitated outreach collaboration between the Department

of Human Services of Michigan and local Detroit Lutheran

churches: 264 people have been serviced for either iden-

tication assistance, housing assistance, Affordable Care

Act registration, employment readiness inventory, or resi-

dential treatment;

• Provided Strategic Evangelistic Seminar for A2E churches

in Detroit: three congregations totaling 15 people were

present;

• Provided Spiritual Gift Inventory Training to A2E

congregations in Detroit and Pontiac: ve congregations

numbering 26 people were present;

• Initiated rst city-wide Summer Sports Camp on Detroit’s

East Side in 2013; two Sports Camps in Detroit on east and

west side in 2014: A total of 323 community children have

participated in these outreach events;

• Summer Sports Camps have become an opportunity for

Summer Missionaries—total of four teams numbering 23

people have participated in two summers;

• Facilitated rst Urban Ministry Institute in 2014. There

were 53 participants from Michigan and neighboring states;

• Established rst 8-week Soft Skills Training Outreach to

Detroit community in 2014 – 14 students will have gradu-

ated by March 29, 2015;

• Established 5-year Philippian Ministry Partnership among

churches in Detroit and Pontiac: Lutheran churches in the

urban context have chosen to nancially sow into each other’s

ministry on a rotating basis, based on Philippians chapter 4.

Campus Ministry

Organized campus ministry is offered to students at Western

Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Ferris

State, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan

University. These ministries are facilitated in partnership

with local district congregations. While the District supports

campus ministry through prayer, nancial assistance, and by

maintaining some campus facilities, it is the partner congre-

gations that lead ministry efforts for the students.

New Mission and Ministry Starts

Our District’s Vision Statement speaks directly to new

mission initiatives. Taking “the love of Christ to our family,

friends, neighbors, community, and the world in word and

deed” is what MISSIONS is all about. As we bid “Godspeed”

to the Lord’s faithful servant, Rev. Roosevelt Gray,

who accepted God’s call to serve as the head of Synod’s

Commission of Black Ministry, we have also afrmed our

passion to start new ministries, reaching new people.

Taking our four strategic targets seriously, the mission focus

has been to encourage and facilitate “Great Commission

Ministries” and “Great Compassion Ministries” in each of

our three ministry zones. With intention we have sought to

come alongside congregations and circuits where God has

already moved hearts to “start something new.” The new

start may not be a new “church plant” yet; but it is an aggres-

sive and faithful expression of God’s grace reaching out to

new people with His love in Jesus!

Here are a few highlights of mission support through the

Michigan District in the Metro Zone:

New Missions/ Ministries:

• See all the A2E initiatives on this page.

• Summer and after-school food distribution sites in many of

our Detroit congregations initiated through the District’s

partnership with CrossBridge Action Network (CAN),

serving more than 100,000 meals in 2014, and allowing

congregations to develop ministry relationships with chil-

dren and families.

• The Gathering Place, Clarkston, Mich., gathers weekly for

worship and Bible study, and offers a variety of services

to its community to build redemptive relationships.

This ministry is in partnership with Faith, Grand Blanc,

St. Stephen, Waterford, with support also from the Flint

Tri-circuit.

On-going Missions/Ministries supported by the Michigan

District through partnerships:

• Genesis Center (Harper Woods) works in conjunction with

St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Eastpointe and reaches out

through Saturday morning radio broadcasts (1340 AM) on

substance abuse-related issues. They lead both a weekly

worship service and weekly Bible class at a St. Clair

Shores senior center. The Genesis Center also provides

one-on-one counseling and group therapy.

• Family of God, Detroit continues to serve the under-served

District Critical Target #1 – Great Commission Ministry

District Reports - Page 41

homeless with food, fellowship, worship and Christ-

centered teaching. Many ministry partners are helping

Pastor Jim Hill and his team to touch lives with God’s

love every day of every week. Visit the FOG website for

moving stories of God’s transforming power at work in the

lives of people (james215.org). Here are just a few of the

highlights:

▫ Meals served from 2013-2014: 630

▫ Baptisms from 2013-2014: 13

▫ Conrmations from 2013-2014: 11

▫ Number of rst-time visitors grew by 69% in one year

▫ Bible study attendance grew by 61% in one year

▫ Worship attendance exceeds seating capacity

▫ Addition of Tuesday night and Women’s Discipleship

Group has expanded our outreach

▫ Increased involvement by Lay Leaders from supporting

congregations

• St. Paul Community Lutheran Church, Pontiac continues

to impact the people of the inner city of Pontiac with

creativity, care, personal relationships, and the love of

Jesus. Numerous partners of this ministry (including the

LWML) are enabling and encouraging Pastor Dietrick

Gladden as faith partners and workers, making a differ-

ence one life at a time. This congregation was mentioned

in a recent Lutheran Hour Ministry report as one of the top

10 congregations in member-to-Baptism ratio. (Less than

three members to every adult or child baptized in 2014!)

Here are just a few highlights:

▫ Summer VBS

▫

Future Leaders Program: Weekly after-school high school

youth program

▫ Community vegetable garden

▫ Voice of Truth: a week-long community service program

▫ Father’s Hand Food Pantry and Clothing Closet (Served

over 2,000 people in 2014)

▫ Weekly Wednesday night family dinner and Bible study

▫ A Hispanic Ministry has begun

• Freedom Township: St. Thomas Lutheran Church, with

a grant from the Michigan District, opened a child care

facility. It has reached its capacity (20) and is seeking to

expand. It is now self-supporting, and two children have

been baptized through this ministry in 2014, along with

their mother joining the fellowship of the church.

•

The Hills Ministry Development: initiated with minimal

funding from the MI District, Pastor Tom Fisher

(Gethsemane, Auburn Hills), in partnership with the English

District congregation Epic and its pastor, have launched

a community-wide mission emphasis that has developed

contacts within the local public school, merchants, service

agencies and businesses, as well as Oakland University.

While still in the formation stages of its efforts, grace-lled

relationships are already bearing fruit.

•

University Campus Ministries are carried out in the metro

zone at EMU through Cross and Resurrection, Ypsilanti, and

at UM through University Lutheran Chapel as an extension

of St. Luke, Ann Arbor. These two ministries are partially

supported through the District. In addition, Historic Trinity,

Detroit has initiated a Bible study and fellowship oppor-

tunity on the campus of Wayne State

University. A few

highlights from EMU and UM:

▫ Midnight breakfasts, prayer place, free coffee, and

study space during Finals Week (hundreds of attendees

between both campuses)

▫ Theology pub night (UM)

▫ Common Cup, a full-service coffee house-based ministry

(UM)

▫ CUAA internships

▫ Concerts

▫ Several adult baptisms

▫ Peer ministry training and activity

▫ Community service events

• Ethnic/Immigrant ministries: With Michigan District

support and through a unique partnership with Faith, Troy,

the Word of God is reaching into the ethnic immigrant

communities in the metro zone. The District also continues

its mission efforts to the growing Hispanic population.

Here’s a brief snapshot:

▫ Arabic Ministry:

▪

10-12 in weekly Bible study (’14)

▪

ve new Iraqi members joined Faith (’14)

▪

two Iraqi members of Faith have a non-prot orga-

nization called “Jesus is the Way,” to reach out to

Arabic-speaking refugees.

▫ Urdu Ministry:

▪

10-20 in weekly Bible study (’14)

▪

19 new Faith members that speak Urdu as their rst

language (’14)

▫ Bengali Ministry:

▪

One infant baptism (’14)

▫ L.A.T.I.N.O. Mission Society has redirected its focus

from urban Hispanic populations to the underserved

rural areas of the state. Since the middle of 2014, the

MI District has not given direct nancial support to

LATINO; but we still value them as an important

ministry partner and individuals and congregations are

encouraged to support them and may do so through the

District if desired.

▫ Ecclesia Luterana de Pan de Vida continues to reach out

to the Hispanic community in SW Detroit. The congre-

gation presently worships at Outer Drive Faith Lutheran

Church but hopes to return to SW Detroit when pastoral

leadership and facilities concerns are adequately

addressed. Pray for these dear brothers and sisters during

this time of transition, and for their future effectiveness

in their mission to the larger Hispanic community.

Here are a few highlights of mission support through the

Michigan District in the North Zone:

New Missions:

A new mission under the ministry umbrella of Grace,

Germfask began worship and Bible study in Manistique,

Mich. in January of 2015. The group is currently under the

pastoral leadership of Rev. Art Bode, with the hope of calling

another pastor to help develop the mission. The Michigan

District will provide a portion of the funding needed for the

position cost.

A mission start is being considered for St. Ignace, MI in

2015.

On-going Missions/Ministries supported by the Michigan

District through partnerships:

District Reports - Page 42

Messiah, Midland (Restoration Fellowship), Messiah,

Midland (Journeys Coffeehouse) and the Chesaning Mission

have received nancial assistance to enable them to accom-

plish the work of reaching the unchurched and building

relationships in their communities.

Here are a few highlights of mission support through the

Michigan District in the Southwest and Thumb Zones:

Two mission congregations were active in the past triennium

and received nancial support from the Michigan District:

Grass Lake in Grass Lake, connected with Trinity, Jackson,

and Light of Christ in Marysville. Additional opportunities to

begin new mission congregations in partnership with existing

congregations continue to be evaluated and explored

In addition to mission congregations, there are also

specialized outreach efforts being carried out through

congregations:

Many communities experience a variety of ethnic groups

within their area, and many congregations in these communi-

ties endeavor to serve these diverse populations as God brings

the nations to our doorstep. Ethnic ministry is being carried

out to Ethiopian, Hispanic, Hmong, Pakistani, and Sudanese

communities in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and other

areas.

The urban context provides unique, changing, and chal-

lenging opportunities to serve people with basic necessities

of life. These opportunities bring hope of revitalizing the

community and the faith life of those living and working

in urban areas. One such endeavor is being done in Benton

Harbor as food, clothing, daily needs, hot meals, life skills,

and compassion are shared in the name of Jesus. Plans are

underway to launch a similar outreach in the summer of 2015

on the east side of Flint.

What a joy it is to see how God is at work among us as His

Spirit empowers His people in such a variety of ways to

“take the love of Christ to our family, friends, neighbors,

community and the world in word and deed.” The death and

resurrection of Jesus was for all, and His commission is to

share His message with all people and serve Him as we serve

all people, wherever and in whatever circumstance of life

we encounter them. Thanks and praise to God for congrega-

tions and their faithfulness in proclaiming Him and loving

and serving others in the name of Jesus.

Rural Ministry

Congregations have faced—and continue to face—concerns,

challenges, and opportunities as they carry out their mission.

This is true no matter their location, be it urban, suburban,

or rural. Yet each setting offers a unique context in which to

approach ministry. One of the networks established focuses

on rural and small town settings of ministry. Workshops,

small group and regional gatherings provided opportunity for

pastors and lay leaders to learn and discuss opportunities that

could be applied in their own congregation and community.

Social Media Ministry

The Communications Department has put a large emphasis

on building out social media communities to meet the objec-

tives of continued learning and resource sharing amongst

professional church workers and laity. We continue to tell

the story of the Michigan District, LCMS and share in lifting

up congregations in prayer throughout our social proles.

Some highlights of 2012-2015 include:

• Growth of Social proles

▫ At the 2012 convention, we crossed the 500 Likes

mark on Facebook. Since that time, we have built our

Facebook community to 3,750—an increase of 750% in

fewer than three years. Our Twitter following is nearly

1,600 and growing steadily.

▪ facebook.com/miLCMS

▪ twitter.com/miLCMS

▪ pinterest.com/miLCMS

▪ youtube.com/michiganLCMS

• Facebook Groups

▫ The Michigan District, LCMS created and continues to

help maintain several Facebook Groups for the purposes

of networking and resource sharing among profes-

sional church workers. The groups include (membership

included in parentheses): Pastors of the Michigan District,

LCMS (135); Youth Leaders – Michigan District, LCMS

(124); LCMS Resource Sharing (262); Early Childhood

Educators (35); and Lutheran Communicators (357).

▫ In the Lutheran Communicators group, a weekly chat is

moderated by the Assistant to the President – Web/Media

Director or a guest host. Topics range from social media

networking to print communications to overall commu-

nication strategy. It is an active group that has grown to

include church communication professionals and volun-

teers from around the country.

• Michigan In Touch Online

During the past three years, the District blog, michiganin-

touch.com, was developed to increase the District’s online

presence. Story leads to support the District’s Critical

Targets are submitted through the District Storybucket and

a staff writer and copyeditor was hired to assist the team in

creating and online community.

• Group Purchasing Agreements

Established group purchase agreements with two reputable

ministry website providers: Cloversites and FaithConnector.

• Church, School, and Ministry Consultations

During the past triennium, several congregations requested

consultations concerning strategy development for digital

outreach to the local community. A presentation and discus-

sion was held with Circuit #6 pastors Winkel on social

media and its opportunities. Saginaw and Bay area prin-

cipals were consulted and discussion centered on digital

marketing strategies to establish a path for prospective

parents to become aware of and consider Lutheran Schools

District Reports - Page 43

for their children’s education. Other congregation, school,

and District committees and organizations consultations

included: Peace, Shelby Township; Christ Our Savior,

Livonia; Bethlehem, Saginaw; St. Luke, Haslett (Men’s

Retreat to discuss digital citizenship and discipleship); St.

Paul, Ann Arbor (church and school websites); and St.

Paul, Northville (school websites and digital communica-

tion). Other ministry and organization consultations and

presentations included: Concordia University Ann Arbor

students (launch of a new campus worship event and a social

media and technology use in the classroom presentation);

Wellspring Lutheran Services (marketing and planning

for a summer event); Michigan District’s Professional

Church Workers’ Conference (breakout session on digital

strategy); Michigan District Early Childhood Conference

(Social Media and digital strategy); MOST Ministries; and

Michigan District Snowtire Administrator’s Conference.

Synod-wide opportunities included serving as the National

Youth Gathering Social Media Manager and presentations

to the LCMS Youth Ministries (webinar on digital citizen-

ship); Lutheran Hour Ministries SENT Conference (Social

Media Breakout session); KFUO Radio (Social Media

networks); and Synod’s Joint Business Administrator’s

Conference (Michigan District communications).

District Reports - Page 44

District Critical Target #2 – Great Compassion Ministry

Blind and Deaf Ministries

Many congregations throughout the Michigan District have

ongoing ministry efforts to the blind and deaf people.

Blind Ministry is taking place at churches in Detroit, Flint,

Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Midland. In partnership with

Lutheran Blind Ministry, the District supports and lifts up in

prayer the ministry among the blind and visually impaired.

Bob Mates is the contact person in the Michigan District for

the work among the blind and visually impaired.

Deaf Ministry

Deaf Churches in Michigan

• Christ the King – Flint

• Our Savior – Birmingham

Interpreted Worship in Michigan

• Immanuel – Kalamazoo

• Zion – Marshall

• Trinity – Paw Paw

• Peace – Saginaw

• Zion – Tawas

• Trinity – Traverse City

• Trinity – Utica

Other ministries to the Deaf and Blind

• American Sign Language Vacation Bible School at Mt.

Hope, Allen Park

• Annual Deaf Mission Festival at St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth

• ASL Preschool with Crossbridge Action Network at Mt.

Hope, Allen Park

• Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society

This ministry is possible because of partnerships with

Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society, and most recently

Lutheran Friends of the Deaf, a member of the Mill Neck

Family of Organizations. Rev. Thomas Dunseth, who

formerly served as Missionary-At-Large to the Deaf for the

District, now continues service as District Liaison under the

auspices of Lutheran Friends of the Deaf. He is available for

consultation, leadership development, and assisting District

congregations to launch local ministries to the deaf and

hearing impaired.

If your congregation is interested in ministry to the blind

or deaf, or is currently engaged in this important ministry,

please contact Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper at the District

Ofce: [email protected]g.

Chaplaincy

Michigan District Chaplaincy ows from the Good News

in Christ Jesus and Christian compassion to those who are

hurting. In most instances, our chaplains are on staff and

serve as directors of pastoral care at the institutions where

they are serving, with endorsement and ecclesiastical super-

vision through the District.

During this past triennium we have made no additions to

the full-time chaplains, while one has been called to serve

elsewhere, and another has retired.

Chaplains currently serving are:

David McNeil – Oncology Chaplain, St. Joseph Mercy

Hospital, Ypsilanti

Julie Nielsen-Schmidt – University of Michigan Hospitals,

Ann Arbor

John Schinkel – Lutheran Home, Monroe

Roger Stauffer – Mid-Michigan Medical Center, Midland

Jeffrey Wollberg – VA Medical Center, Battle Creek

A joint chaplaincy and congregation ministry is carried out

through Immanuel, Grand Rapids to area medical and correc-

tional facilities. Providing Disaster Relief, Civil Air Patrol,

FBI, Police or Fire chaplaincies are Roger Stauffer, Carl

Bassett, Pete Nickel, Paul Theiss, Lang Yang, and Deacon

Bill Storm.

Emeriti chaplains are Gerald Grimm, Carl DeMeritt, Ray

Thomas, Warren Paulson, and Michael Martin.

A grant through the St. Lorenz Family Advisory Committee

from the Leona M. Geyer Trust provides tuition for the rst

quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education for those considering

chaplaincy, as well as for pastors, deaconesses, and others

who would like to increase their pastoral care skills.

If your congregation is interested in this important

ministry or needs more information regarding the grant,

please contact Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper at 888.225.2111

ext. 230 or r[email protected]g.

Disaster Response Report

The District Disaster Relief Coordinators, Rev. Dr. Richard

J. Wolfram and Dr. Bruce N. Braun, appointed Rev. Paul

R. Hinz of Peace, Saginaw as the training and LERT coor-

dinator for the Michigan District. He attended the annual

training at LCMS World Relief and Human Care Disaster

Response Conferences in September of 2013. Over the

past three years, under his direction, there was directed

response to tornados in Michigan and Mississippi; a power

outage in Saginaw County; eight individuals were trained as

LERT trainers; sandbagging, chainsaw operation and CPR

training were provided. A variety of individuals responded

to Hurricane Sandy by helping in Long Island, New York

and at Village Lutheran Church in Lanoka Harbor, New

Jersey. In all, eleven congregations were involved. The

District website maintains links to other disaster response

sites that provide information for individual and congrega-

tional involvement, including nancial support, personal

involvement, and other aspects of meeting the needs of those

affected by disasters.

Parish Nurse/Health Ministry

Parish Nursing / Health Ministry is committed to promoting

and supporting physical, emotional, and mental health as

part of the Christian stewardship of the whole person. There

are over 60 congregations with active health ministries in the

Michigan District.

District Reports - Page 45

Functions of parish nurse / health ministry:

• Integrator of faith and health – Health is not the absence

of disease. Health is a holistic way of living that includes

healthy spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational life.

The parish nurse seeks to promote an understanding of the

relationship between faith and health by lifting up lifestyle

practices as a matter of stewardship and faith.

• Health educator – Provides opportunities for individuals

and groups to learn about health issues.

• Health counselor – Discusses health concerns, answers

questions, encourages healthy lifestyle.

• Referral advisor / liaison – Provides referrals to health care

and social services resources in the community.

• Health advocate – Helps members of the congregation

or community to obtain needed health-related services.

Empowers people with information/resources to make

wise healthcare decisions.

• Home health visitation – Provides home health visitation

upon request to offer support and encourage safety, adher-

ence to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Does not replace home

health care services which are ordered by a physician.

• Developer of support groups – Facilitates the development

of support groups for the church and community.

• Volunteer coordinator – Recruits, prepares, and oversees

congregational volunteers who help those in need.

Qualications for a parish nurse:

• Registered nurse, licensed in Michigan, functioning under

the American Nurses Association Scope and Standards of

Practice for Parish Nursing.

• Member in good standing of the congregation.

• Person of spiritual maturity.

• Two or more years of nursing experience.

• Completion of a recognized parish nurse preparation

program, which consists of 35 contact hours.

Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse Preparation Courses

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon

Distance Learning format available

Contact: Carol A. Lueders Bolwerk, Program Director

Parish Nurse Ministries

Email: carol.lueders.bolwerk@cuw.edu

Phone: 262.243.4233

Henry Ford, Faith Community Nursing Network, Clinton

Twp., MI

Contact: Ameldia Brown, MDiv, BSN, RN

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital

Email: arbr[email protected]

586.263.2119

Cell: 586.295.0616

Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Contact: Bethany Gordon, Instructor

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 616.526.6012

Parish Nurse Newsletter:

This is a quarterly publication created by LCMS World Relief

and Human Care. To receive the e-newsletter, visit lcms.org/

enews. Enter your address, password, and then select the

“caring for others” folder to nd the Parish Nurse Newsletter.

Websites:

• lcms.org/health/parishnursing

• michigandistrict.org/congregations/christian-care/

parish-nurse

Resource books:

• “

Faith Community Nursing, Scope, and Standards of

Practice, 2nd Edition” nursesbooks.org

• “The Essential Parish Nurse” by Deborah Patterson. ISBN

0-8298-1571-6. Excellent for beginning parish nurse.

• “Nursing in the church” by Judith Shelly. ISBN

0-9723123-0-7.

• “Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life” by Kenneth C.

Haugk. ISBN 0-8066-2123-0

Meetings:

Yearly December gathering of Parish Nurses and Chaplains

with professional presentations; information in District e-news.

District Contact:

Christie Hansard, Parish Nurse

Synodical District Representative

Trinity, Fenton

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 810.750.8243

Prison Ministry

During the 2012 Michigan District Convention, Resolution

#3-08 “To Encourage the Establishment of Prison Ministries

by Local Congregations and Clergy” was adopted:

Resolved, that the Michigan District in convention encourage

congregations with prisons (county, state, federal, and

forensic centers) in their communities to establish a prison

ministry; and be it further

Resolved, that we encourage these congregations to joyfully

allow their pastors to have clergy visits with referred pris-

oners; and be it further

Resolved, that the Michigan District assist pastors in

cutting through the red tape and hurdles established by

the Michigan Department of Corrections which impedes

clergy visits; and be it further

Resolved, that the Michigan District provide a link on the

District website for families of inmates to connect with a

local pastor for the purpose of requesting clergy visits; and

be it further

Resolved, that the Michigan District assist in providing the

resources (conferences, training, and materials) needed to

assist congregations in establishing these ministries.

In response to the above resolution, research was conducted,

a training meeting was held, and information is herewith

forwarded to the 2015 District Convention.

District Reports - Page 46

From the Department of Corrections, State of Michigan:

ADMISSION OF CLERGYMEN TO VISIT PRISONERS

(EXCERPT)

Act 185 or 1859

800.291 Admission of clergymen.

Sec. 1. That it shall be the duty of the keeper, or other person

having the control of any prison, jail, alms-house, house of

correction, hospital or poor-house in the state of Michigan,

to x and appoint some suitable and convenient time, in each

week, during which clergymen of all religious denomina-

tions may visit the inmates of such prison, jail, alms-house,

house of correction, hospital or poor-house; and when any

inmate of any jail, prison, alms-house, house of correction,

hospital or poor-house, is dangerously sick and desires reli-

gious counsel, the clergyman of his choice shall be admitted

to visit such inmate, and be permitted to administer to such

inmate the rites of his church.

History: 1859, Act 185, Eff. May

18, 1859, 3/4 CL 1871, 8189, 3/4How.9901, 3/4CL 1897, 2153, 3/4CL

1915, 1832, 3/4CL 1929, 17658; 3/4CL 1948, 800.291.

ADMISSION OF CLERGYMEN TO VISIT PRISONERS

(EXCERPT)

Act 185 of 1859

800.292 Duty of keeper.

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of such keeper or other person

in control, during the time xed, in pursuance of the rst

section of this act, to give free access to any clergyman of

any religious denomination, and to furnish such clergyman

all reasonable facilities for interviews with the inmates,

named in the rst section: Provided, however, that the

keeper or other persons, having the control of said prison or

jail, alms-house, work-house, house of correction, hospital

or poor-house shall rst be satised that such clergymen

are in good and regular standing in their profession, and are

pastors of any church or religious congregation in this state.

History: 1859, Act 185, Eff. May 18, 1859; 3/4CL 1871, 8190; 3/4How.

9902; 3/4CL 1897, 2154; 3/4CL 1915, 1833; 3/4CL 1929, 17659;

3/4CL 1948, 800.292.

Qualied Clergy – Leaders of religious organization or entity

such as a church, mosque or synagogue, or persons who have

been granted clergy status by a recognized religion and have

ecclesiastical endorsement from a religious authority. This

does not include anyone who is self-ordained or designated

as clergy by a prisoner.

Policy Directive 05.03.140, C

These are still in place and valid. Any issues that an individual

clergyman may experience with any correctional institution

should be taken up with the institution’s warden. If there is

not a satisfactory solution, or visitation is not granted, the

issue should be taken to the Department of Corrections for

the State of Michigan, whose ofce is in Lansing, Mich.

The following information may also be helpful:

• There are 22 State correctional facilities throughout Mich.

• A clergy ID card will be most helpful at most facilities

and may be requested from the President’s Ofce of the

Michigan District, LCMS.

• A clergyman may request to visit a prisoner by name; and

the prisoner may choose to reject such a visit.

• A prisoner may request a visit by a clergyman.

• Initiating a worship service or Bible study in a corrections

facility must rst be vetted by both the facility’s chaplain’s

ofce and the warden. It is advised to make initial contact

with the Chaplain’s Ofce of the facility to request permis-

sion and establish procedure.

What’s happening now?

• Rev. Charles Burhop serves as a visitor to correctional

institutions in the Upper Peninsula and may be contacted

directly if a particular inmate needs to be visited.

• Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids has a joint

chaplaincy and congregational ministry to a nearby correc-

tional facility.

• Other LCMS pastors who have a working relationship

with a local correctional facility are encouraged to list

contact information on the District website. Please contact

Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper at the District Ofce, robert.

[email protected]g.

• Several congregations are initiating a prison ministry by

connecting to inmates as pen pals, and also providing

ministry to families of inmates. There are specic proce-

dures as anyone begins this ministry, and some training is

needed. For more information you may contact Rev. Dr.

Robert E. Kasper at the District Ofce, robert.kasper@

michigandistrict.org.

• As per Resolution R-3-08, congregations are encouraged

to initiate Christ-centered, caring ministry to inmates and

their families; and they are encouraged to make use of

existing programs and training.

District Reports - Page 47

District Critical Target #3 – Healthy Congregations

Church Extension Fund

This year marks the 114th anniversary of the Church

Extension Fund of the Michigan District of the Lutheran

Church-Missouri Synod. The CEF Articles of Incorporation

date back to August of 1901, when a group of clergy and

laymen, meeting in Frankenmuth, founded what is now

known as the Church Extension Fund.

The Michigan District Church Extension Fund in Ann Arbor

is the largest in the Missouri Synod, with total assets of

$274.1 million at scal year-end December 31, 2014. There

are seven “District” Church Extension Funds, including

Michigan, within the Missouri Synod. They are operated

independently from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund,

headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. The majority of the districts

in Synod established a Church Extension Fund 100+ years

ago; however, they were unable to serve the borrowing needs

of their congregations due to lack of adequate assets. Over

the past three or four decades, 28 of the districts in Synod

have amalgamated into the LCEF. The Church Extension

Fund in Michigan has been blessed with adequate resources,

however, to provide the nancing requirements for congre-

gations in the Michigan District to buy, build, and expand.

The following chart is a comparative snapshot of nancial

statement highlights for the past three scal years:

The downturn in the Michigan economy, beginning in 2008,

certainly had an impact on loan activity as most congrega-

tions curtailed any expansion plans, with others working

diligently to pay-down mortgage debt. Hence, we have seen

a reduction in total loans receivable over the past several

years. That trend is turning around as evidenced by new loan

activity in the past 12 months or so, with new construction

projects currently underway in 2015. A signicant portion of

CEF’s lending activity is providing low-cost housing loans

for professional church workers; housing loans represent

about 15% of the CEF total loan portfolio.

The strength of a nancial institution is measured by the

capital ratio of the organization, simply dividing net assets by

total assets. Many banks and credit unions commonly operate

with a capital ratio in the range of 10 – 12%. CEF total net

assets stood in excess of $56 million at year-end 2014, thereby

providing a very strong capital ratio of 20.44%. This measure-

ment should certainly provide investors with a high level of

condence as they place their savings dollars with CEF.

For over 100 years, the Church Extension Fund mission

has been primarily to help build (construct) churches. Such

continues to be the primary mission of the Fund. As the

needs of congregations change in this ever-changing world

in which we live, CEF is refocusing the use of the Fund’s

assets toward helping to build up churches in the Michigan

District. To that end, CEF has and is offering the following

services to congregations, in addition to just making loans:

Excel In Giving, an electronic funds transfer service that

enables automatic contributions, tithes, tuition payments and

donations. Regular electronic payments are automatically

transferred from the person’s bank account and deposited

directly into the bank account at the church, school or orga-

nization. Over 150 congregations in the Michigan District

are utilizing this service, provided at no cost by CEF.

Leadership Coaching For Pastors And Principals is a subsi-

dized program to help professional church workers sharpen

their leadership skills. The

program consists of a lead-

ership prole assessment

and six (individual) hours

of coaching. Total cost of

the program is $1,000, with

CEF subsidizing one-half

of the cost.

Gift Planning Services are provided free-of-charge to the

churches of the Michigan District and their members. CEF

deploys a full-time Gift Planning Counselor to help folks

with their estate planning, hopefully to leave a legacy for their

family, their church, and other ministry. Of course, proper

estate planning will result in more dollars for family and

charity as directed by the donor (rather than a court system),

and possibly avoid excess taxation.

Green Grant & Loan Program began mid-2012 and ended

December 31, 2013. During the course of the Green Grant

Program, CEF reimbursed 84 congregations in the Michigan

District with grants totaling $236,913. The grants repre-

sented 10% of the amount expended on energy cost-saving

improvements. Windows and doors were replaced, insula-

tion added, upgrades in lighting and heating systems that

extrapolated to facility improvements (for those congrega-

tions), totaling $2.4 million in project costs.

Grant & Loan Program For Technology was introduced in

August of 2014 and will run until December 31, 2015. CEF

2014 2013 2012

Deposits & Investments (Reserves) $ 95,375,208 $ 86,336,141 $ 76,961,501

Net Loans Receivable $ 166,278,384 $ 176,761,471 $ 185,161,370

Investor Notes Payable $ 217,698,249 $ 222,628,151 $ 224,906,076

Net Assets (Equity) $ 56,027,962 $ 52,634,205 $ 50,446,081

Total Assets $ 274,078,328 $ 275,631,729 $ 275,658,350

District Reports - Page 48

is currently granting congregations $1,000 plus an addi-

tional 10% of the money expended for technology upgrades.

Additional information can be found on the CEF website at

www.mi-cef.org.

Loan Interest Rebates totaling over $338,000 were distrib-

uted to borrowers in December of 2014. CEF was blessed

with a particularly healthy “bottom line” this past year and

was able to return to the borrower a rebate equivalent to one-

quarter percent of the unpaid loan balance.

The Church Extension Fund Board of Trustees consists of

nine members, three rostered church workers and six layper-

sons. This 2015 Michigan District Convention will elect ve

seats on the CEF Board. Two of the seats are incumbent posi-

tions held by rostered church workers. The other three seats

are being vacated by layperson positions. A sincere thank

you is extended to Mr. Jim Saalfeld from Grand Rapids, who

has faithfully served for the past 12 years and several years as

Chairman of the Board. Mr. David Vallie from Grand Blanc

was appointed to the Board in 2008, subsequently elected

in 2009 for a six-year term, and we give thanks for his years

of service as a member of the Board and several years as

Treasurer. Also, gratitude to Mr. Joseph Carabell from

Shelby Township, who has faithfully served as a member of

the Board for the past six years.

The Mission Statement of the Church Extension Fund in the

Michigan District recites: CEF is a ministry of partnering

Christians to make resources available for members and

churches of the Michigan District in carrying forward the

Great Commission. Your Church Extension Fund in the

Michigan District has been blessed to fulll our mission,

but not without the great support for this ministry from

thousands of investors, the congregations and professional

church workers in the Michigan District!

Congregation Mission And Ministries

The Congregation Mission and Ministries Department

focuses on supporting, encouraging, resourcing, and

networking for effective ministry the congregations of the

District and those who serve in them, primarily Ministers

of Religion – Ordained and Commissioned, but also lay

leaders and workers. Conferences, workshops, seminars,

training and other opportunities are provided through

the Department for church workers and congregations to

be equipped for ministry and encouraged to live as God’s

Forgiven and Forgiving Family. Rev. Dr. Richard Wolfram

serves as Director of the Congregation Mission and

Ministries Department.

The 380 congregations of the District are served by three

Congregation Mission and Ministry Facilitators: Rev. Dr.

Robert Kasper, Rev. Galan Walther, and Rev. Dr. Richard

Wolfram. Dr. Bruce Braun, also part of the Department,

serves Lutheran schools in the Michigan District.

Early in 2014, Rev. Roosevelt Gray, Jr., who had worked

with mission and subsidized congregations and specialized

ministries in the District, went on to head the Black Ministries

Department of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

His duties have been reassigned to the three Congregation

Mission and Ministry Facilitators, and the District has been

divided into three zones. Rev. Dr. Robert Kasper serves the

Metro Zone, Rev. Dr. Richard Wolfram serves the North

Zone, and Rev. Galan Walther serves the Southwest and

Thumb Zones.

Congregation Mission and Ministry Facilitators have regular

contact with their assigned congregations, most often with

the pastor, and periodically with staff and lay leadership

teams in the congregations. Congregations most often request

assistance in some form of strategic planning. Congregation

Mission and Ministry Facilitators provide a process for the

congregation to plan, organize, and implement action steps

and strategies which the congregation determines and which

expand the effectiveness of the congregation. Almost one-

fourth of District congregations received assistance in the

planning process this past triennium.

Additional ways Congregation Mission and Ministry

Facilitators provide assistance are through: encouragement

in ministry for pastors and ministry staff; congregation

assessment for church health and effectiveness; governance,

structure, and organizational issues; stafng needs and eval-

uation; and resourcing specic areas of ministry (i.e., family

life, stewardship, evangelism, elder training, lay leadership

development, etc.) to strengthen local ministry or identify

potential future ministry opportunities.

An intentional effort to provide resources to congrega-

tions occurs when the congregation experiences a vacancy

in the pastoral ofce. The Circuit Visitor, the Congregation

Mission and Ministry Facilitator, and the District President

meet with congregations as the call process begins,

providing a wonderful opportunity to walk together with the

congregations during this important time. 28% of District

congregations received assistance in evaluating their

ministry and stafng needs in the calling process of profes-

sional church workers in the past triennium.

In the reality of daily life in the church, conict does occur.

The Circuit Visitors and Congregation Mission and Ministry

Facilitators often work together to identify and address

these situations before they escalate to divide congregations

and impair ministry. In the past triennium, 18% of District

congregations received help as they dealt with conict

within their congregation. If additional assistance is needed,

there are organizations available to assist (Ambassadors of

Reconciliation, etc.), as well as the process identied in the

bylaws of Synod.

A way to reduce the likelihood of destructive conict is to

encourage healthy relationships within the congregation.

Just as a healthy lifestyle inuences our bodies toward

better health, so healthy relationships within congregations

encourage healthy ministries. The Scriptures have much to

say about how, as God’s redeemed children, we are to live in

relation to one another. Healthy Congregations workshops

District Reports - Page 49

provide the framework for congregations to discuss how

we live and serve together in a loving and compassionate

community of faith.

Because congregations can benet from other congregations

who have or are facing similar situations in their ministries,

Congregation Mission and Ministry Facilitators link and

network congregations with one another in order to learn

from or share resources with one another.

Support for workers occurs in many and various ways,

from personal contacts from District staff to conferences

to training events to resources for ministry. One of the vital

ways of supporting church workers is carried out by the

Michigan District Commission on Ministerial Growth and

Support (see report elsewhere in this workbook).

In addition to Michigan District conferences, which provide

a setting for fellowship, learning, and refreshment where

pastors, teachers and other church workers may gather

to grow in skills and enhance their ministry, Directors

of Christian Education and Directors of Family Life in

the Michigan and Ohio Districts meet together to grow in

ministry skills and fellowship.

The District Lending Library, which had provided print and

media resources for congregations to utilize in their ministry,

was dissolved in the past triennium. Its use was declining and

resources were available through other avenues, so it was

decided to end this service. In its place, webinars have been

offered on various topics and are archived on the District

website for use by congregations and individuals. Also,

resources on topics that had been in the resource library are

offered on the District website for viewing and downloading.

The Congregation Mission and Ministries Department also

tries to help congregations look toward future ministry

endeavors. The Michigan District has made available a

demographics resource whereby congregations can study

the population, economic, and cultural trends of the area

around them. MissionInsite is a free online program that

provides instant and unlimited access to community infor-

mation for congregations. It moves beyond the static reports

to a powerful “discovery tool” for exploration and “out-of-

the-box” thinking about church ministry, church planting,

church growth, and outreach.

Several areas of the Congregation Mission and Ministries

Department are highlighted in other reports included

in this workbook: Michigan District Lutheran Schools

(preschools, elementary schools, and high schools), Family

Life, Stewardship, Chaplaincy, Intentional Interim Ministry,

the Deacon program, Committee on Mental Illness, Parish

Nursing and health ministry, and Church Work Student Aid.

What a blessing it is to share ministry together throughout

the Michigan District in congregations, schools, and other

ministry settings, Living as God’s Loved and Compassionate

Community of faith!

Communications Department

Over the past triennium, the Communication Department

has aligned its communication strategies, avenues, and

staff to support the four critical targets of the District: Great

Commission, Great Compassion, Healthy Congregations,

and Healthy Workers. Beginning with the launch of a new

website, a new logo, tagline, and branding in 2012, the

team has been able to connect to the various District audi-

ences through Michigan In Touch, Michigan Minute Enews,

District website, email, Webinars, and Social Media outlets.

Here are a few indicators of the range of connections made:

• Since the last convention, the District website has been

visited 198,694 times and Michigan In Touch Online

(blog) has received 45,775 visits. That is nearly a quarter

of a million visits to our presences on the web. Be sure to

visit: michigandistrict.org and michiganintouch.org.

• The Michigan Minute Enews current subscribers are 5,439.

This weekly enews includes prayer requests, Manpower

and Personpower Reports, District News and Events,

other auxiliary and Recognized Service Organization

news, a Community Calendar of congregational events,

and an E-classied section. Subscribe at: michigandistrict.

org/connect/publications/michiganminute.

•

The Michigan In Touch supplement to The Lutheran Witness

provides discount individual and bulk subscriptions. The

current circulation is 6,000+. Find out how to subscribe at:

michigandistrict.org/connect/publications/lutheranwitness.

SEE THE SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT on page 42 for more

information.

A few shifts made in the overall communication strategy

include:

•

Integrating the Michigan In Touch magazine into The

Lutheran Witness as a District supplement;

• Hiring a part-time staff writer/copy editor and shifting

the part-time art director to full-time; and

•

Incorporating more professional photography and

videography.

•

Clearer focus on “telling the story.”

The communications team continues to collaborate and

provide services towards District events and conferences in

the form of consultation, publicity strategies, print material,

graphic design, writing, copyediting, online registration, and

event tech support.

In 2015 and beyond, the team looks forward to launching a

new website, enlarge its reporting capabilities through circuit

and regional reporters, create learning modules through

webinars and events, and tell more stories of the Michigan

District congregations as they seek to reach out to the lost,

care for those in need, imagine and carry out new ministries

to reach new people, and develop healthy relationships to be

People of Hope … Vigorously sharing the love of Christ.

District Reports - Page 50

Commission on Deacon Qualications

The Commission on Deacon Qualications (CDQ) carries

out its duties under the supervision of the Ofce of the

President. We give thanks to God for His hand of favor

upon the church and the congregations served by 48 trained

deacons. The mission of the CDQ is to oversee the instruction

of deacons and Pre-SMP students and offer recommendation

of candidates to the District President, who then issues a

license so that candidates may serve a congregation.

A deacon is a well-trained layman who serves only under

a supervising pastor and through the support of a sponsoring

congregation. Over the course of more than two decades,

the CDQ has outlined and designed a program of study for

the training of deacons in the Michigan District. Each of the

13 seminars includes a minimum of 24 contact hours with a

qualied instructor. Courses in Lutheran doctrine, Old and

New Testament, Christian care-giving, evangelism, educa-

tion, church history, Lutheran worship, leadership, ofce of

the ministry, Greek, and homiletics are offered, along with

other learning events and an internship. (While these semi-

nars are designed to prepare deacons and Pre-SMP students,

anyone may audit a course being offered for a reduced fee.)

After successful completion of all course work, each

deacon candidate is interviewed by the CDQ before he is

recommended to the District President for licensing. In addi-

tion, once licensed, the deacon must acquire at least one unit

of continuing education annually, be interviewed by the

CDQ, evaluated by their supervising pastor, and provide a

renewal of request from the sponsoring congregation before

being relicensed by the District President for another year. In

order to provide for the unit of continuing education, and for

rich fellowship, the CDQ offers an annual two-day retreat

for the deacons, as well as a one-day conference for deacons

and their supervisors.

The policies of the CDQ, as well as seminar information,

are available on the District website. Contact information for

Chris Brown, registrar, is also available there.

Since 2012, the District’s Deacon / Pre-SMP training program

has grown dramatically.

Average number of students per class:

2012 7

2013 13

2014 17

2015 (so far) 28

Total number of students in at least one class:

2012 52

2013 101

2014 136

2015 (so far) 55

Number of instructors:

2012 3

2015 10

Number of former Deacons now ordained through

“Traditional,” “Alternate,” or “SMP” routes at one of our

seminaries:

2012 – present 21

The members of the CDQ are Rev. Todd Frusti (Ordained),

Mr. Dale Vorwek (Commissioned), Mrs. Chris Brown (Lay),

Mr. Bill Storm (Deacon), and Rev. Dr. Bob Schultz (Faculty).

Ex-ofcio members are Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper (District

President’s Ofce), Dr. Jim Bolt, and other faculty members.

District Reports - Page 51

Development Department

The Future is Now in partnership with Fan into Flame

At the 2012 Convention it was announced that the District-

wide capital campaign completed its ve-year active

duration, and a “nal” campaign report was given to the

assembly. The nal report stated that no new gifts/pledges

were being solicited for the campaign; however, numerous

pledges, both congregational and individual, would continue

to be fullled over the next several years. This assumption

proved to be very accurate as campaign pledges continue to

be fullled even through 2015, although they are becoming

few in number. Also, new pledges and gifts continued to be

received from congregations and individuals, although no

active solicitation of gifts was occurring.

In the nal report to Convention in 2012, it was reported that

$7,179,000 in total campaign gifts, pledges, goals and legacy

gifts were made. It was also reported that $4,444,000 in cash

was received. Through December 31, 2014, these totals have

continued to change signicantly. Campaign activity through

that date indicated that there was $7,429,000 in total campaign

gifts, pledges, goals and legacy gifts received, as well as

$5,849,100 in cash received. The cash received totals will

continue to increase through 2015 as commitments continue

to be fullled.

Campaign Summary (through December 31, 2014)

$7,429,000 Total campaign gifts, pledges, goals, and legacy gift

$5,849,100 Cash received

$579,900 Outstanding commitments (pledges and goals)

$1,000,000 Planned Legacy Gift

1,892 Total Contributors

1,662 Individual Contributors

230 Congregations Contributing

62 % of Michigan District Congregations currently participating

$2,904,000 Total given/pledged for Mission Planting*

$2,425,000 Total given/pledged for Student Aid*

$913,000 Total given/pledged for International Ministries*

$42,000 Total received from Campaign Support/Sponsorships

$177,000 Fan into Flame Administration

*Does not include goal money of $187,000 or legacy gifts

$234,000 Total student aid awarded for 2014/15 school year

($117,000 from campaign dollars)

120 Number of students receiving aid for 2014/15 school year

44 - Seminary students

40 - Concordia University Ann Arbor students

36 - Other Concordia University System students

14 Total number of Mission Congregations financially supported

through The Future is Now campaign.

$38,000 Funding for Hmong Hymnal Project

14 Total number of Michigan District Missionaries financially

supported through The Future is Now campaign.

District Budget Support

The Development Department continually seeks sources

of funding to assist the Michigan District in carrying out

its mission and ministry. It provides funding avenues for

support of the four District critical targets: Great Commission

Ministry, Great Compassion Ministry, Healthy Congregations

and Healthy Church Workers

Since the 2012 Convention, the Development Department

has focused signicant attention on identifying and devel-

oping funding sources for the Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E)

urban ministry, which through now has included the Detroit

community. Funding for A2E ministry has come from a wide

base of support including congregations, individuals, groups

and organizations, businesses and grants. Two of the grants

received were gifts that made an immediate impact on the

funding available for A2E: the Lutheran Legacy Foundation

based in Paris, Illinois, and the Michigan District Church

Extension Fund each made grants in the amount of $150,000

for a total of $300,000. The total was disbursed to the A2E

ministry over a three-year period beginning in 2013.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)

Michigan District provided an impact grant of $19,000 in

2014, which provided a majority of the funding necessary

to purchase a new 12-passenger van for A2E. An individual

donor gifted the remaining funding need of $10,000. The

van immediately became a very important component of the

A2E ministry. In July, 2014, LWML Michigan District also

voted in Convention to approve another grant in the amount

of $25,000 for general support of A2E in 2015.

District Reports - Page 52

A cornerstone ministry of A2E is the Summer Sports

Camps/VBS. The inaugural camp was held on Detroit’s east

side in August, 2013 and was attended by over 100 children.

Because of the success of this camp, two camps were offered

in 2014: a repeat camp on Detroit’s east side and a new one

on the west side of the city. Between the two camps, over 200

children attended in 2014. The Development Department

was able to procure the funds necessary to provide both

Sports Camps/VBS at no cost to children attending through

generous congregations and individual donors. We thank

and praise God for these acts of compassion and generosity

that many extended to A2E.

Spring and Christmas Appeals

The Board of Directors and staff of the Michigan District

would like to extend a very heartfelt “Thank you” to the

hundreds of donors who have responded to one or both of

these appeals each of the past three years. These two appeals

have generated over $130,000 during the past three years,

impacting several areas of District mission and ministry

including A2E and youth ministry and, in some way, each

of the District’s four ministry critical targets that were previ-

ously identied.

Congregational Capital Campaigns

Since the 2012 Michigan District Convention, the

Development Department, upon request, provided capital

campaign consultation to 15 small to moderate-size congre-

gations. The amount of consultation provided varied by

congregation, from giving basic direction and “how to get

started” information, to helping develop, design, implement

and direct a comprehensive capital and/or debt reduction

campaign extending over a period of several months.

Congregations who requested and received capital

campaign consultation services during the past three years

include:

Peace, Ann Arbor

Trinity, Davison

Lamb of God, Flint

Pilgrim, Burton

Emmanuel, Cadillac

Christ, Milford

Immanuel, Sebewaing

Trinity, Onekama

St. Martin, Birch Run

St. John, Pinconning

St. John, St. Johns

Faith, Port Huron

Family of God, Comstock Park

Guardian, Dearborn

Historic Trinity, Detroit

Here We Stand Campaign Planning

Delegates to the 2015 Michigan District Convention will be

asked to approve a request to allow the Michigan District

to move forward with a new District-wide capital campaign

titled Here We Stand. The campaign, upon approval, will

recognize the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017,

as well as help provide the Michigan District with signi-

cant nancial resources for four specic areas of District

mission and ministry. In order to be able to make the request

for campaign approval to Convention delegates, a great

amount of planning has already gone into preparing for the

campaign, including the formation of a 12-member Blueprint

Committee, chaired by Rev. John Bush. The committee rst

studied the feasibility of conducting a district-wide 500th

Anniversary Celebration Campaign, then established the

campaign theme, scriptural foundation, case statement,

initiatives, and nancial goal.

Pre-campaign approval planning has also included estab-

lishing a 27-member Campaign Steering Committee, selecting

the Steering Committee Chairman, identifying 44 Pastoral

Circuit Coordinators, creating both a campaign booklet and

video to show at Convention, and identifying four Circuit

Coordinator training workshop sites and 17 congregation

training workshop sites strategically placed throughout the

Michigan District. All of this pre-Convention planning is

necessary to allow for the campaign to have its kick-off upon

the approval of Convention, with all of the campaign infra-

structure already in place.

Michigan District Endowment

Fullling the broad mission and vision of the Michigan

District requires funding from multiple sources of revenue.

One of those key sources of District funding is an Endowment

Fund, authorized by the Michigan District Board of Directors

to receive gifts which will support multiple aspects of District

ministry. The Endowment Fund may receive gifts that are

restricted for specic purposes, as well as unrestricted gifts

which the Michigan District can designate to general proj-

ects that support the outcomes of the District.

When a gift is given to the Michigan District Endowment

Fund, whether to an existing fund or one that the donor

establishes, the initial gift never goes away. It is there forever

because the principal is never touched. Only the earnings, or

a designated portion of the earnings, are used for current or

future ministry in the Michigan District. As the Endowment

Fund increases over time from investment growth and/or

from funds being added, the likelihood of more funds being

available for ministry purposes also increases.

The result of a well-funded Endowment is more, and

better, Michigan District ministry. To guide and monitor the

Michigan District Endowment program is the Endowment

Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC watches over the invest-

ment of the Endowment funds to ensure that the investment

strategy is being adhered to, resulting in acceptable levels of

growth within the current market capability. The EAC meets

four times annually to review fund status and to make any

necessary adjustments to continue maximum Endowment

Fund growth. The EAC oversees an Endowment that is

currently valued at approximately $3 million.

Endowment Fund allocations are made in the following

manner: Student Aid (39%), Missions (36%), Special

Purposes (19%), and Unrestricted (6%). A good example of

Endowment Funds making a signicant impact is found in

our Professional Church Worker Scholarship Program. Since

District Reports - Page 53

2004, nearly 700 students from Michigan District congrega-

tions have been nancially supported through the Michigan

District Endowment Fund.

The Michigan District Endowment Fund is a perpetual

fund which is prepared to receive gifts during a person’s life-

time or as part of a legacy gift. These gifts may include, but

are not limited to:

Bequests from Wills or Trusts

Real Estate Gifts

Charitable Lead Trusts

Beneciary Designations

Retirement Plan Gifts

Gifts of Stock

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Life Insurance Gifts

Cash Gifts

Gift Annuities

Please allow us to talk with you about the Michigan District

Endowment Funds and the impact they are having on

Michigan District ministry. For more information, please

contact Ray Zavada, Assistant to the President – Development

at 734.904.2773 (mobile) or 734.213.4264 (direct line), or by

email at

ray[email protected]g.

You may also

nd four very informative video presentations and answers

to many Frequently Asked Questions about endowments at

michigandistrict.org/fund.

Family Life

In the midst of a culture that no longer embraces God’s

values, when many families are struggling under the pres-

sures and burdens of everyday life as they face signicant

challenges in communication, sexuality, nances, and faith,

many families are looking for help. Families—that is, the

individuals within them: husbands and wives, parents and

children, younger and older, single and divorced, widow

and widower—are looking for hope. Not just a g leaf that

things will get better, not a wishful desire for improvement,

but solid, rm, sure hope—the hope that “does not disap-

point” (Romans 5:5). Strengthening the families according

to God’s design in Holy Scripture continues to be a signi-

cant challenge in ministry. Gathering families of all shapes

and sizes around Word and Sacrament, where they receive

the tremendous blessings God has for His people in His

Son, Jesus Christ, continues to be the goal toward which

the Michigan District strives in the area of family life, that

District congregations may be resourced for ministry so that

the lives of many—both young and old—be blessed both

now and in eternity.

Ministry opportunities and resources with individual

congregations seeking to give support for families have

been provided by the Congregation Mission and Ministry

Facilitators as they have worked with their assigned

congregations. In addition, several task forces, standing

committees and volunteers at events, involving nearly 150

professional church workers and laity, have provided more

formal opportunities for both professional church workers

and congregation leaders and members to be better equipped

to carry out ministry to children, youth, adults, and families

in their local congregations.

In the past triennium, many opportunities under the broad

heading of “Family Life” were sponsored or supported by

the Michigan District:

In the area of Family Ministry, the third Family Friendly

Partners Network process was completed and the fourth

training is being planned. Thus far, 35 congregations have

completed the process, nearly 10% of District congregations.

The Special Friends Camp was offered annually for mentally

impaired youth and adults, as well as a Special Friends

Winter Weekend in February. What a wonderful opportu-

nity for youth and adults with developmental disabilities to

enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as they learn of Him who

created them and loves them in Jesus. Events in partnership

with Concordia University Ann Arbor included quarterly

Family Connections gatherings of family, youth, and/or chil-

dren’s ministry workers and students in the Family Ministry

study program, as well as Forums and Symposiums and

other family ministry training opportunities. A newly begun

venture under Concordia’s auspices is the Concordia Center

for the Family. Workshops, seminars, and other resources

for congregations in marriage, parenting, and passing on the

faith to the next generation are being planned.

In the area of Children’s Ministry, print and web-based

resources, as well as Vacation Bible School, Sunday

School, as well as keeping children safe workshops for

those involved in children’s ministry, were provided to the

congregations of the District. In addition, there are three

trained Children’s Ministry Consultants available to assist

congregations in evaluating and refocusing their ministry to

children and their families.

In the area of Youth Ministry, the annual Junior High Youth

Gathering, held on the campus of Concordia University,

Ann Arbor, provided opportunities for youth in grades 6-8

to grow in and live their faith. This gathering is moving

from Concordia’s campus to Frankenmuth in 2015 under

the theme “Cornerstone”—a new location and schedule,

but the message of the Lord Jesus as the Cornerstone of life

and faith remains the foundation. The triennial High School

Youth Gathering at Mackinac Island provided the opportu-

nity for 1,035 youth in grades 9-12 and their adult leaders,

as well as those in their early college years, to grow in and

live out their faith under the theme “Lighthouse.” Training

opportunities for adults working with youth were included

at both the Junior High and High School Youth Gathering.

Also, annual retreats were held for Directors of Christian

Education and Directors of Family Life in the Michigan and

Ohio Districts. Michigan District congregations participated

in “Live Love[d],” the LCMS National Youth Gathering in

San Antonio, Texas. Four youth and adults received lead-

ership training at the annual Council of Lutheran Youth

Fellowship Representatives (CLYFR) and are available to

participate in youth events in congregations or circuits. Also,

one of the youth representatives from Michigan, Connor

Lukas from Faith, Port Huron, was elected to serve on the

National Lutheran Youth Fellowship Board of Directors.

District Reports - Page 54

In the area of Adult Ministry, the triennial Lutheran Adult

Gathering on Mackinac Island provided opportunities

for fellowship and growth to 243 participants from 69

congregations.

Also in the past triennium, a Conrmation Ministry work-

shop was offered, and resources from this workshop are

available from the District website. In addition, the District

has partnered with Camp Arcadia to provide in the month

of October a Pre-conrmation Retreat for congregations

to include as part of their conrmation ministry. The rst

year, one weekend was planned, but registrations dictated a

second weekend was needed. Last year, two weekends were

provided. In 2015, three weekends are scheduled.

Families, as they always have, come in all sizes, shapes and

congurations. The church, God’s Family, gathered around

Word and Sacrament, has the unique opportunity to provide

support for all families. In the next triennium, the Michigan

District will continue to provide resources for congregational

use and encouragement for professional and lay leaders

providing support for families within congregations, as

well as opportunities for celebrating support for families,

through…

• The on-going service of Congregation Mission and

Ministry Facilitators.

• Resources and links on the Michigan District website.

• On-going Family Friendly Partners Network opportunities.

• Training opportunities for those involved in children’s,

youth, and family ministry.

• Consultants equipped to assist congregations in the areas

of Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry.

• “In Christ Alone,” LCMS National Youth Gathering in

New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2016.

• The Lutheran Adult Gathering on Mackinac Island in

2016.

• District Junior High Youth Gatherings at Concordia

University.

• District High School Youth Gathering on Mackinac Island

in 2017.

• It is a joy to share that Mr. Chuck Anderson will be working

part-time for the District to enhance ministry to youth.

In Ephesians 3:14-21, St. Paul prays for the Ephesians that

they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. That is

the desired outcome of family ministry: to connect people

with Jesus Christ. The purpose of Family Ministry in the

Michigan District is “Building homes and relationships

where faith in Christ is nurtured and shared in congrega-

tions and beyond—encouraging and resourcing ministry to,

by, and with children, youth, and adults.” Each congrega-

tion is different. But all people are in need of the hope that is

ours in Jesus. May God bless our efforts to minister to fami-

lies—and the children, youth, and adults who comprise those

families—in the name of Jesus, that they may be a blessing to

each other, to those around them and to the next generation.

“I pray that out of His (the Father’s) glorious riches He

may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your

inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through

faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and establish in love,

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love

of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

thatyoumaybelledtothemeasureofallthefullnessof

God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).

Intentional Interim Ministry

Interim refers to a time between. It is the time between what

has been and what will be. In congregations, it is the time

between resident pastors. It is a time following saying good-

bye to a pastor who no longer serves the congregation, letting

go of his ministry and getting ready to say hello to another

pastor. It is a time of uncertainty between the past and an

unknown future. It is a time of anxiety, anticipation, and hope.

The good news is that, rather than just maintaining itself and

urgently seeking a new pastor, this in-between time provides

an opportunity for renewal, congregational development,

and spiritual growth. It is a period when a congregation can

come to a better understanding of its ministry, grow in effec-

tiveness, and commit to faithfulness in mission with the new

pastor it calls under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Further, when a congregation becomes vacant, the entire

church rises to assist it. The circuit visitor coordinates

ministry, the congregation ministries/ministry support facil-

itator assists with the self-study, and the District president

prepares the call list. All are available for consultation. In

addition, dozens of congregations during the past three years

have chosen the option of an intentional interim pastor for

the time between resident pastors.

More than 50 District pastors have received District-

sponsored introductory training for serving congregations

with intentionality during an interim and are involved in

continuing education events twice a year. Twenty-two men

have been newly trained in the last triennium. In addition,

most of them have taken 60 hours of education currently

conducted by the National Association of Lutheran Interim

Pastors through the Continuing Education Department at

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. or similar recognized

education. In addition, they completed six months of moni-

tored eld work, being recognized as having completed

basic education according to national standards. This is

in accordance with the guidelines of Synod’s Council of

Presidents. The Michigan District and Indiana District

jointly conduct training of Intentional Interim Pastors, and

Continuing Education Contact Hours are given to partici-

pants by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Because of the

recognized need for providing greater assistance to congre-

gations during vacancies, and seeing that it is a prime time

for renewal, there is an increasing use of specially trained

intentional interim ministers throughout Synod.

Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper serves as Michigan District

Director of Intentional Interim Ministry. Retired pastors,

and other pastors of the Michigan District who may be avail-

able and who would like to know more about this ministry

or participate in it, should contact Rev. Kasper at the District

ofce. Congregations that would like to know more about

this ministry, or would like to consider it when they face an

interim, should also contact him at 888.225.2111 ext. 230 or

r[email protected]g.

District Reports - Page 55

Lutheran Day Schools Department

Early Childhood Education (Infants through Kindergarten)

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till

I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all

who are to come” (Psalm 71:18).

Living in a compassionate community means helping the

weakest among us grow. Young children need patience and

compassion because they often do not have the skills neces-

sary to make it on their own. Since its inception, the LCMS

has been involved in education. Today in the Michigan

District, that education includes 5,253 students who meet in

147 different locations to learn more about Jesus in Early

Childhood Centers. In many families, these young chil-

dren help connect mom and dad to their spiritual journey

by reminding them of God’s love through a song, Biblical

account, or prayer. These young children unashamedly

share Jesus to congregations when singing up front and

visiting with aged members in a nursing home. Over 17%

of our families have no church home, so an inviting Early

Childhood Center can be used by God to make a tremendous

difference in the lives of busy families. Our centers often use

CPH materials to share Jesus in an organized curriculum.

Teachers like Kelley Fehn and Shirley Schwecke provide

role models for both children and parents who want to be

more like Jesus. Biblical accounts of historic events are

shared in age-appropriate formats that remind even the

youngest among us that God loves them and His grace is

available to them.

Elementary Education (Kindergarten through Grade 8)

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love,

in faith and purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Imagine ... 8,042 students who daily come to 78 Lutheran

Elementary schools scattered between Traverse City and

Monroe and between Berrien Springs and Port Hope. Every

year, these students spend 1,098 hours in the company of

Christian role models like Sally Buss and Warren Priehs.

They learn to apply prayer to all situations, even athletics.

Each Lutheran School strives for academic excellence, like

St. John, Rochester which has won the State Future City

Competition for ve years and, in 2014, won the National

Competition. These Lutheran schools daily handle the saint

and sinner that is in each of us. They remind the sinner of the

need for a Savior and share the blessings of the saint with the

community that surrounds them. They daily imagine living as

a community of young believers who share His love through

their compassion with those in need. Thankfully, they are

often supported by congregations who provide spiritual and

nancial support, as well as generational role models to share

wisdom and perspective.

High School Education

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who

asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1

Peter 3:15).

Imagine ... 2,014 young adults who are shaped by the passion

of John Brandt(s), with the creativity of Steve Zill and Jeff

Davis, and the wisdom of a biblical worldview integrated

into all aspects of their classroom learning. Imagine ...

these 2,014 students divided into seven different learning

communities called Lutheran High Schools. Everyday these

students practice living as God’s Loved and Compassionate

Community. They are taught how to defend their faith in a

world lled with challenges based on Science, reason, and

a secular

worldview. Yet, they remain faithful and opti-

mistic in

sharing Christ with their community. They seek to

apply not only 21st century technology and skills to learning,

but also seek to apply the teachings of Christ to a world that

knows about Him only from observing His disciples.

Lutheran Schools face many challenges like rising costs,

increasing technology needs, slow economic growth and

competition for enrollment. But we have a God who has

promised to be with us always! This promise shapes the

imagination and reality of the congregational communi-

ties blessed to minister through a Lutheran School. Please

continue to lift up prayers for our administrators, teachers,

students, and parents who are daily reminded to see the God

of the Old and New Testament in 2015.

Michigan District Archives Report

Barbara Laughlin Adler, LTD, Ph.D.

Archivist, Michigan District, LCMS

Kathleen Anne Graham, BS Library Science

Assistant Archivist

Archival Mission Statement

Our archival mission is to collect, preserve, and make avail-

able institutional records about the history, administration, and

congregations of the Michigan District, LCMS. The Lutheran

church in Michigan has a rich history to preserve; what a

blessing that our District nds its preservation an important

task.

To accomplish our mission, the archive maintains a collec-

tion of historical materials aimed at preserving the history of

the Michigan District for future reference and research. This

collection includes proceedings from past district conven-

tions, minutes of district board meetings, nancial reports,

personal papers and correspondence, past issues of the

Michigan Lutheran and Michigan in Touch, photographs,

and les on Michigan congregations. These materials are

continually updated, catalogued, and preserved.

Archive Location, Access and Use

The archive is located in a secured room in the Zimmerman

Library on the campus of Concordia University in Ann Arbor.

Access is by appointment only. Congregational historians

sometimes use the archive to nd information for anniver-

sary booklets or celebrations.

The Michigan District Archive does not maintain family

history records, or congregational records of ofcial acts.

These records may be found in other locations:

•

Baptismal, marriage, or burial records can usually be found

District Reports - Page 56

at the appropriate congregation or, in the case of disbanded

congregations, at the Concordia Historical Institute in St.

Louis (chi.lcms.org). For congregations that have merged,

records should be available at the continuing parish.

•

Michigan District school records, including transcripts

from Lutheran High East, can be found at Lutheran High

Northwest. Their phone number is (248) 852-6677.

Use of the archive for historical research about Michigan

District history is welcomed. Access is possible by appoint-

ment only. Contact the district archivist, Barbara Laughlin

Adler ([email protected]). She can help with congregational

archives, or with preparing to celebrate a major anniversary.

A booklet of guidelines for your congregation’s archive

will be available at the Convention and upon request; we ask

that each congregation designate an archivist/historian who

will be responsible for maintaining the proper environment

for congregational records. A manuscript of the return form

is included here for your reference:

(Your Congregational Archive)

Congregations are asked to submit to the District

Archive the following types of materials: congregational

histories, special installations, dedications, anniver-

sary booklets, pastoral biographies, and any signicant

press clippings. These materials may be sent directly to

the archive at the address below, or they can be sent to

the Archive in care of the District Ofce: 3773 Geddes

Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

Congregations that permanently disband are required

by Synodical Bylaws (Handbook, 3.207j) to transfer all

records (registers of ofcial acts, minutes, and other

historical materials) to the District Ofce. From there,

essential records will be transferred to Concordia

Historical Institute. If you know of any such records,

please contact us with the information.

We recommend that each congregation of the district

have its own archivist/historian who is charged with

preserving the history of the congregation.

We would like to maintain a listing of all congregational

archivists and historians throughout the district, so that

we can assist them whenever possible. If this individual

is just getting started, we can provide them with some

initial training and resources. Please complete and

submit contact information (either by post or email) to

help us maintain this listing.

Name and location of your Congregation:

Your Congregational Archivist/Historian

Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Email address:

Stewardship Committee

The purpose of the District Stewardship Committee is

to serve the church by promoting stewardship resources.

It will articulate Stewardship principles and review and

recommend resources to the congregations for the stew-

ardship programming.

Committee Members

Rev. Dr. Richard J. Wolfram – District Rep.

Rev. R. William Roper – Dev. leader (9/30/15)

Mr. Ronald J. Chewning – Chairman (9/30/15)

Rev. Stephen E. Schilke – JH Award (9/30/15)

Rev. John M. Duerr – (9/30/15)

Rev. Daniel C. Meckes – Secretary (9/30/15)

John E. Herrmann Award

This award is given annually by the Michigan District in

memory of Rev. John E. Herrmann, one of Synod’s most

dynamic stewardship leaders. Each fall, every congregation

receives a reminder that nomination forms are available on

the District website to submit for consideration any individual

who has exemplied daily stewardship living in his/her church

or community. These forms are to be returned by October 15.

Once received, the Committee reviews each submission and

selects a winner and a runner-up. The winner’s congregation

receives a $1,000 gift to be used in furthering the congrega-

tion’s stewardship goals. The winner is recognized during a

church service in the winner’s home congregation by Rev.

Stephen Schilke of the District Stewardship Committee. The

past triennium’s winner and runner-ups are as follows:

Annual Stewardship Emphasis

One of the primary purposes of the District Stewardship

Committee is either to provide an emphasis or to suggest

biblically-based, Christ-centered stewardship resources

which help church members understand their high calling

as God’s stewards. The emphasis provided to each District

church in 2013 was “Empowered by Grace to Tithe.” In

2014, the committee provided information on two different

emphases: “Empowered by Grace for Faithful Stewardship”

and the “Stewardship Empowerment Series: Bearing Fruit

for Jesus.” In 2015, we are providing online materials on the

District website for “Experiencing the Joy of Generosity.” At

no cost, Michigan District churches may download the mate-

rial they need for this three-week stewardship emphasis.

Churches that offer a stewardship emphasis help members

not only grow as stewards but also deepen their relationship

with Jesus, as well as increase the giving of their members

Year Winner Runners-up

2013 Dorothy Schultz Gordon and Eileen Ritter

Trinity, Jackson St. John’s, Grand Haven

2014 Jim and Carlyn Roth Chuck LaNore

East Bethlehem, Detroit

Redeemer, Fremont

2015 Bill Boice Ken Neitzke

St. Matthew, Spring Lake

Nativity, St. Charles

District Reports - Page 57

by more than 23 percent versus churches that do not offer an

emphasis (from Rev. Eugene Grimm in his book, Generous

People. Rev. Grimm’s study also shows that congregations

that ask their members to estimate their giving had a 30

percent higher average giving levels than those churches not

using written commitments.)

Faith Aame Workshops

Approximately 80 Michigan District Congregations have

participated in “Faith Aame” stewardship education work-

shops. At the present time, no additional “Faith Aame”

workshops are planned. The most recent workshop was at

Trinity, Monroe in February, 2014.

Webinar Offered

On August 20, 2013,

Dr. Richard J. Wolfram and Rev. Daniel

C. Meckes

offered an informational and educational webinar

to our congregations. Churches were encouraged to use this as

a teaching tool for their stewardship leaders.

Stewardship Synodical Workshop

This May 2014 educational workshop was attended by Rev.

Dr. Richard J. Wolfram and Rev. Daniel C. Meckes from the

District Stewardship Committee along with Rev. David C.

Fleming and Rev. David J. Rufner.

District Stewardship Workshops

For the next two years (2015-2016), the Committee has a goal

of offering an educational stewardship workshop focusing on

the “Building Blocks for an Effective Stewardship Ministry”

and “Reaching the Millenials” at four or ve different loca-

tions in Michigan. On January 24, 2015, we offered our rst

workshop at Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton.

District Stewardship Leaders Conference (DSLC)

The Michigan District participates in the annual District

Stewardship Leaders Conference held in Tempe, Ariz. each

February. The conference is made up of the stewardship

leaders of the various LCMS Districts, along with Synodical

and Seminary personnel to create and implement steward-

ship strategies for the LCMS. Each year, a member of the

committee and Rev. Dr. Richard J. Wolfram, the Michigan

District Stewardship Executive, attend the conference.

In addition to his position in the Michigan District, Rev.

Wolfram also serves on the Executive Committee for the

LCMS and the steering committee for the DSLC. He has

helped bring many biblically and doctrinally sound steward-

ship materials to our Michigan District.

Respectfully submitted,

Ronald J. Chewning

Chairman, Michigan District Stewardship Committee

District Reports - Page 58

District Critical Target #4 – Healthy Church Workers

Commission on Ministerial Growth & Support

The mission of the Commission on Ministerial Growth and

Support is to enrich the whole person’s health (emotional,

spiritual, physical, nancial, and relational) of professional

church workers through promotion, education, referral

assistance, and advocacy. Its on-going efforts include

the sponsoring of health advocates/parish nursing and

conducting pre-seminary interviews. The Commission also

hosted a conference featuring Rev. Dr. Bruce M. Hartung

on the need for congregations to consider forming “Worker

Support Teams” as a way to encourage and support profes-

sional church workers. The Commission also gave out free

resources at the Professional Church Workers’ Conference

in Dearborn, October 2014 . Promotion of resources can be

accessed at michigandistrict.org. Healthy church workers

do healthy God-pleasing ministry! Current projects of the

Commission include:

•

Hosting Retirement planning workshops for all profes-

sional church workers. (The next one will take place January

29-30, 2016).

•

Continuing to work on a program to help with the needs of

our seasoned servants.

•

Collaborating with Grace Place Lutheran Retreats to help

support wholistic health retreats in Michigan, as well as

encouraging and supporting our workers to participate in

the retreats.

•

Providing Rev. Dr. Bryan R. Salminen as Michigan

District Director of Church Worker Care (part-time).

•

Providing resources, potential counselor contacts, and

counseling for professional church workers at michigandis-

trict.org/pcw/care/counselingresources.

•

Providing resources for congregations to use as they

support the ministries of professional church workers.

Sower’s Fund

The Sower’s Fund of the Michigan District, LCMS was

initially established in February 1992. The fund was estab-

lished as a result of needs that developed from time to time,

for which there were no budget funds available. These were

various emergency needs of professional church workers

who had nowhere else to turn.

This fund is used for the immediate assistance of health

care or shelter issues, to provide counseling services, etc.

Requests for funds come to the President’s Ofce usually

through the Circuit Visitor, Congregation Mission and

Ministry Facilitator, or the Superintendent of Schools. They

are made aware of special emergency needs where there is no

immediate assistance to be found from local congregation,

city, state, federal, Commission on Ministerial Health, etc.

This assistance has been a tremendous blessing in

providing help for needs of church workers in times of crisis

in their lives or ministry, helping to relieve the stress and

difculty that our workers face in such times. Aid is offered

condentially. We thank and praise God for the continued

strong support for the Sower’s Fund and for the kindness of

all who contribute.

Michigan District Student Aid Program

The Michigan District, LCMS Student Aid program is designed

to provide nancial assistance in the form of scholarships to

• members of Michigan District, LCMS congregations;

• preparing for and intending to enter full-time church work

(as dened as any position available through the Board of

Assignments of the Synod); and

•

at one of the seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri

Synod or one of the colleges or universities of the Concordia

University System.

Annual distributions are based on the available funds for

the year and the number of eligible students. A three-tier

system is used. Students attending one of the two seminaries

receive aid at the highest rate; students attending Concordia

University Ann Arbor receive aid at the middle rate; and

students attending one of the other nine CUS schools will

receive aid at the base rate.

The Student Aid Program administration falls under the

Congregation Ministries Department of the District with

the guidelines being approved by the Endowment Advisory

Council. More detailed guidelines and the required forms can

be found at michigandistrict.org/pcw/future/nancial-aid.

The charts below show the student aid amounts and number

of students for the past three school years.

Student Aid Distribution

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

Seminary Students $2,300 $2,300 $2,300

CUAA $1,840 $1,840 $1,840

9 CUS Schools $1,380 $1,380 $1,380

Students Receiving Aid

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

Seminary Students 52 42 44

CUAA 41 44 40

9 CUS Schools 56 50 36

Total Students 149 136 120

Overture

Title

Page

#1‐01

ToTakeResponsibilityforOutreachinourLocalCommunityandtheStateofMichigan

#1‐02

ToEstablishaTaskForceforMinistrytoandwithPeoplewithDisabilities

#1‐03

ToEncourageParticipationinTheologicalConferences

#1‐04

ToProtectChildrenfromSexualAbusewithintheMichiganDistrictCongregations,Schools,and

Communities

#1‐05

ToEncourageLutheranSchoolMinistry

#1‐06

ToSupportthe"HereWeStand"InitiativeinCelebrationofthe500thAnniversaryoftheReformation

#1‐07

ToRootMenandWomenintheirBaptismalIdentity

#1‐08

ToIntentionallyInitiateMercyMinistriesinourCommunities

#1‐09

ToEncourageourCongregationsTowardDemonstrationsofMercy

#1‐10

ToAddressHowBesttoDealwithSame‐SexMarriage

#1‐11

ToLetourLightShineintheDarknessAroundUs

#2‐01

ToEncourageandSupportMembersofourCongregationstoReadandReflectUpontheBible

#2‐02

ToEncourageanEthicofBibleReading

#2‐03

ToSupportanEthicofBibleReading

#2‐04

ToAssistFellowCongregationsinUtilizingPractices

of ExcellenceforMinistry 22

#2‐

ToProvideCongregationalUnityinFinancialSupportofOurSynod

#2‐06

ToSupportCongregationalAccent

#2‐07

ToBuildanEthicofTithing

#2‐08

ToSupportanEthicofTithing

#2‐09

ToEncourageSabbathRest

#2‐10

ToEncourageCongregationstoProvideHealthInsuranceBenefitstoChurchWorkers

#3‐01

ToEncourageCPStoRequireParticipa

tingWorkers

toCountersigntheirAnnualCompensationReports 29

#3‐02

ToRestore

theHistoricCompositionofSynodicalFloorCommittees

#3‐03

ToGive"Assistant"PastorsEqualStatusasOtherOrdainedMen

#3‐04

ToConsiderVotingPrivilegeforAdvisoryDelegates

#3‐05

ToAllowFamilyofChrist,ImlayCitytoChangefromMacombNWCircuit#16toLapeerCircuit#13

#3‐06

ToMemorializethe2016SynodConventionregardingBylaw3.10.5.2.ElectionProcessforCollege&

UnivBdofRegents

#3‐07

ToMemorializethe2016SynodConventionregardingBylaw3.10.5.5.2.ElectionProcessforCollege&

UnivPresidents

#3‐08

ToRecognizeandThankThoseWhoServeintheOfficeofCircuitVisitor

#3‐09

ToAmendtheArticlesofIncorporationandBylawsoftheMichiganDistrict

Overtures - Page 1

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-01 2

SUBJECT: To Take Responsibility for Outreach in our Local Community 3

and the State of Michigan 4

WHEREAS,TheGreatCommission(Matthew28:18‐20)isthemissionoftheChristianChurchandis the6

Lord’swillforeachofusasChristiansandourcongregations;an d7

8

WHEREAS,ThereasonfortheincarnationandresurrectionofourLordwastoseekandsavethelost9

(Luke19:10);and10

11

WHEREAS,ApassionforthesoulsofpeopleisacomponentoftheexistenceoftheLCMSasevidenced12

inasermonpreachedbythesaintedfounderandfirstpreside ntoftheLCMS,Dr.C.F.W.Walther,13

entitled“BringingSoulstoChrist:EveryChristian’sDesireandDuty”;and14

15

WHEREAS,Inthatsermon,Dr.Waltherproclaimed,“Thisholydesireisinsep e r a b l efromatruefaith.16

Whoeverhasnodesiretobringsomeoneelsetot h eknowledgeofthesavingGospelhascertainlynot17

yetcometoknowtheheavenlypowerhimself.”(Thissermon,firstpreachedin1842,waspublishedin18

Walther’ssermoncollection,Gnadeniahr.PredigtenueberdieEvangeliendes Kircheniahrs(SaintLouis,19

Concordia,1891),pp.439‐445)andcanbeaccessedat20

http://www.lsfmissiology.org/Essays/WaltherBringingSoulstoChristEveryChristi a n s D e s i r e a nd D u t y .p d f;21

and22

23

WHEREAS,OurDistrictPresident,Rev.DavidP.E.MaierhascalledourMichiganDistrict congregations24

toaddressCriticalOutcomes:GreatCommissionMinistry,GreatCompassionMinistry,Healthy25

Congregations,andHealthyChurchWorkers;and26

27

WHEREAS,Eachcongregationissituatedtoitsuniquecommunityinwhichnon‐Christianssurround28

them;thereforebeit29

30

Resolved,Everycongregationdeve lopatleastonenewattempttoreachouttopeopleinitsown31

communityinthenexttriennium;andbeitfur t h e r32

33

Resolved,TheseactionsbereportedinMichiganDistrictcommuni cations;andbeitfinally34

35

Resolved,ThattheCircuitVisitors reportontheactionsandeffectivenessofsuchactionsofeach36

congregationintheir2018reporttotheMichiganDistrictConvention.37

Submitted by: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids 39

Overtures - Page 2

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-02 2

SUBJECT: To Establish a Task Force for Ministry to and with People with 3

Disabilities 4

WHEREAS,OurLordministeredtotheneedsofallpeopleandasksHisfollowerstoemulateHis6

example;and7

8

WHEREAS,“Allpeople”includesindividualswithdisabilities(thosewhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired,9

deaforhearingimpaired,havedevelopmentaldisabilities,livewithseverementalillnesses,currently10

about16%ofthetotalpopulation)whichsignificantlylimitmajorlifeactivities;and11

12

WHEREAS,TheSonofGod embarkedonaministryofmercyandrestorationforthosewholiveonthe13

marginsoflife,thattheytoomighthearthattheirsinsareforgivenbyHimwhoshowsmercyand14

restoresbody,soulandspirit,andthus“allpeople”werewelcomedandparticipatedintheBodyof15

Christ;and16

17

WHEREAS,Peoplewithdisabilitiesareoftenfacedwithphysicalandattitudinalbarrierstofull18

participationinworship,ed u c a t i o n ,fellowship,ands erviceactivities,withmanychurchmembershaving19

difficultyinacceptingpeoplewithdisabilities,identifyingtheirneeds,andprovidingwaystowelcome20

themintotheircongr egations;and21

22

WHEREAS,Theremovalofphysicalandattitudinalbarrierssignificantlyenhan cesthespiritual,23

emotional,andsociallifeofpeoplewithdisabilities,andisasignofChristianloveandhospitalitytoall;24

and25

26

WHEREAS,Peoplewithdisabilitiesareabletomakepositivecontributionstoparishlifelivedunderthe 27

cross;thereforebeit28

29

Resolved,ThattheMic higanDistrictestablishaDisabilityMinistryTaskForcemodeledafterthe LCMS30

DisabilityMinistryTaskForce,andunderthesupervisionofthePres identoftheMichiganDistrict;and31

beitfurther32

33

Resolved,ThattheMic higanDistrictDisabilityTaskForce(DTF)beestablishedforaninitial3‐yearterm34

and,thereafter,throughconventionresolution,beconsideredforrenewalofa3‐yeartermatevery35

convention;andbeitfurther36

37

Resolved,ThatthePresidentofthe MichiganDistrictappointmemberstotheD T Ffrommembersofthe38

MichiganDistrictwithrepresentationbypeoplewithdisabilities,andincl u d i n gprofessionalsintheareas39

ofspirituallifesupports,medicalcare,education ,buildingdes i g n ,law,andothersasneeded,togive40

pertinentinformationtocongregationsandchurchworkersthattheymayprovideexcellentservicesto41

peoplewithdisabilities;and beitfinally42

43

Resolved,ThattheDTFaddress thefollowing(includingbutnotlimited to):44

45

1. AMissionStatemen tfortheworkoftheTaskForce;46

2. Acongregationalself‐assessmenttooltoassesstheneedsofpeoplewithdisabilities;47

3. PlansandGuidelinestoaddressphysical, attitudinal,andotherbarriersinchurches;48

Overtures - Page 3

4. Suggestionswherebypeoplewithdisabilitiescanmorefullyparticipateinthelifeand1

ministryofthecongregation;2

5. Providealistofavailableresourceswhichwillhelpindividualswithdisabilities,their3

families,andcongregationmembersnetworkwithnearbyagenciesandotherfamilieswith4

disabilities.5

6. RequestfinancialsupportfromLCEFandothersynodicalauxiliaries(e.g.LWML’smission6

mitegrants)toprovidefundsnecessarytomakephysicalchangestoexistingbuildingsto7

improveservicesformeetingtheneedsofpeoplewithdisabilities.8

Submitted by: St. Michael’s, Richville 10

Overtures - Page 4

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-03 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage Participation in Theological Conferences 3

WHEREAS,theMichiganDistricthasprovidedexcellentannualtheologicalconferencesduringthepast5

triennium;and6

7

WHEREAS,theseconferencesprovideexcellentopportunitiesforlaypeopletoexaminekeyareasofthe8

Churchanditsdoctrines;and9

10

WHEREAS,suchconferencesbuildunity;thereforebeit11

12

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinConventionthanktheDistrictleadershipforprovidingsuch13

conferencesandencourageittocontinuetodoso,andbeitfinally14

15

Resolved,thatallcongregationsbeencouragedtosendtheirmemberstofuturetheological16

conferences.17

Submitted by: St. Luke, Haslett 19

Overtures - Page 5

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-04 2

SUBJECT: To Protect Children from Sexual Abuse within the Michigan 3

District Congregations, Schools, and Communities 4

WHEREAS,theprevalenceofchild sexualabuseis difficulttodeterminebecauseitisoftennotreported,6

expertsagreethattheincidenceisfargreaterthanwhatisreportedtoauthorities;and7

8

WHEREAS,theU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices’Children’sBureaureportChild9

Maltreatment2010foundthat9.2%ofvictimizedchildrenweresexuallyassaulted;and10

11

WHEREAS,studiesbyDavidFinkelhor,DirectoroftheCrimesAgainstChildrenResearchCenter,show12

that:13

 1in5girlsand1in20boysisavictimofchildsexualabuse14

 Self‐reportstudie sshowthat20%ofadultfemalesand5‐10%ofadultmalesrecalla15

childhoodsexualassaultorsexualabuseincident16

 Duringaone‐yearperiodintheU.S.,16%ofyouthages14to17h a dbeensexually17

victimized18

 Overthecourseoftheirlifetime,28%ofU.S.youthages14to17hadbeense xually19

victimized20

 ChildrenaremostvulnerabletoCSAbetweentheagesof7and13;and21

22

WHEREAS,victimsofchildabusearefoundineverycommunity,everysocio ‐economiccategoryand23

everywalkoflife;and24

25

WHEREAS,childsexualabusecananddoesoccurevenwithinourcongregationsandourco mmunities;26

and27

28

WHEREAS,Godhasgivenchildrentoloveandcherish,nurtureandguide;thereforebeit29

30

Resolved,thatthePresidentoftheMichiganDistrictofTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynodbe31

directedtoappointataskforcetostudythisissueasitmightrelatetothecong regations,schools,and32

otherprogramswithintheMichiganDistrict;and beitfurther33

34

Resolved,thatthistaskforc edevelopaneducationalprogramtodetectanddeterchildsexualabuse35

withinourcongregations,schools,andcommunities;andbeitfurther 36

37

Resolved,thistaskforcedevelopguidelinesformembercongregations toadoptconcerningbest38

methodsforeduca tinganddeterringoccurrenceofchildsexualabusewithinourcongregations,schools,39

andcommunities;andbeitfurther40

41

Resolved,thatthistaskforc emakeareporttothepresid e n tofthedistrictatitsearliestconvenience;42

andbeitfurther43

44

Resolved,thatifthepresidentofthedistrictfindsthisreportsatisfactory,thatitbedisseminatedamong45

thevariouscircuits,committeesandschoolassociationsforcomment;andbeitfurther46

47

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Resolved,thatthefinalreportbesubmittedtotheMichiganDistrictinConvention atthenextregular1

conventionofthedistrictwitharecommendationforimp l ementationofitsfindings;andbeitfinally2

3

Resolved,thatwepraytoGodforguidanceforallwhoworkwith,mentor,orparentchildreninallour4

vocationsandthatHewouldgiveeachofusthegracetobeHishandsofprotectionandnurture.5

Submitted by: Rev. Erwin Hutter on behalf of Downriver Circuit #23 7

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COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-05 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage Lutheran School Ministry 3

WHEREAS,inMatthew19:14Jesussays,“Letthelittlechildrencometome,and donothinderthem, for5

thekingdomofheavenbelongstosuchasthese;”and6

7

WHEREAS,intheGreatCommissionin Matthew28:19‐20,ChristremindsthechurchtoteachScripture8

toallnations,includingchildren:“Goandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameof9

theFather,andoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,andteachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhave10

commandedyou”;and11

12

WHEREAS,inActs2:39,Peterremindsthechurchthatthegiftofth e HolySpiritandforgivenessis“for13

youandyourchildren”;and14

15

WHEREAS,somecongregationsoftheMichiganDistricthavehadLutheranschoolsthathavebeen16

involvedinteaching childrenaboutChristevenbeforetheSynodwasformedin1847,andtheseschools17

havedevelopedfaithfullaypeople,dedicatedchurchworkers,andcountlesschurchleaders;and18

19

WHEREAS,7highschools,78elementaryschools,and158earlychildhoodcentersdailyservethe20

educationalneedsof14,824studentsinMichigan;and21

22

WHEREAS,thesesameschoolsseektodevelopChristiandisciplesbyintegratingfaithdevelopmentinto23

allacademicdisciplinesandencourageLutheranteacherstoberolemodels,andprayforth estudents24

andfamiliestheyserve;and25

26

WHEREAS,17%ofstudents(accordingtonation a lsynodicalstatistics)havenochurchhomean doften27

becomeconnectedthroughpastorsandteacherswhointroduceChristtothemthroughLutheran28

Schools;and29

30

WHEREAS,researchbyGeorgeBarnaindicatesthehighestp r o b a b i l i t yofe mbracingJesusChristasLord31

andSaviorisduringelementaryschool,ages5‐12(TransformingChildrenintoSpiritualChampions,page32

34);and33

34

WHEREAS,Lutheranschoolsteachabiblicalworldviewthatstandsinsharpcontrasttothecultureand35

secularworldviewtaughtinsociety;and36

37

WHEREAS,Lutheranschoolsandabiblicalworldviewareneededinourculture,andtheneedfor38

teachingchild r e naboutth e i rSavioris greaterthaneverinapost‐Christiansociety;and39

40

WHEREAS,theannualamountoftimeachildspendsinaLutheranSchoolistentimesgreater(109841

hours)thanthetimeachildwithperfectchurchandSundaySchoolattendancewillspendinchurchonly42

(104hours);and43

44

WHEREAS,thesecommissionedministershaveenor m o u simpactonthefaithformationofchildrenin45

theirschoolandcongregation;thereforebeit46

47

Overtures - Page 8

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictinits2015conventionthankGodforthecongregationalministry1

accomplishedthroughLutheranschools;andbeitfurther2

3

Resolved,thatcongregationswithoutaschoolministryprayfortheirneighboringLutheranschoolsand4

investigatehowtheymightencourageLutheranparentsintheirparishtoconsiderenrollingtheir5

childreninaLutheranschool;andbeitfurther6

7

Resolved,thatcongregationsconsiderformi n gassociationsandcollaboratingtogether toincreasethe8

missionimpactofMichigan DistrictLutheranschools;andbeitfinally9

10

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictLCMSencourage“PeopleofHope”tohelpLutheranschoolsto 11

continuetogrowinacademicexcellence,communityconnectedness,andspiritualeffectivenessin12

preparingfuturecitizensofourcountryandheaven.13

Submitted by: Michigan District School Committee 15

Overtures - Page 9

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-06 2

SUBJECT: To Support the “Here We Stand” Initiative in Celebration of 3

the 500

Anniversary of the Reformation 4

WHEREAS,theLutheranReformationhasbeenaninestimableblessingtoallChristendomandtheworld6

byupholdingthecentralChristiandoctrineofjustificationbyfaithinChristJesus;and7

8

WHEREAS,theconfessionalheritageofourdistrictistracedinlargemeasuretotheinfluenceofMartin9

LutherandthoseconfessorswithhimwhobelievedandbravelytaughttheWordofGod whichdeclares10

salvationbygracealone,throughfaithalone,forthesakeofChristalone;and11

12

WHEREAS,thecommonlymarkedanniversaryoftheLutheranRef ormationiscelebratedin13

commemorationofthepostingofNinety‐fiveThesesbyMartinLuther,October31,1517;and14

15

WHEREAS,theyear2017willbethe500

anniversaryoftheLutheranReformation,aunique16

opportunitytoinviteagaintheworld’sattentiontothepureWordofGod andtheLutheranConfessions;17

and18

19

WHEREAS,allcongregationsofthe MichiganDistrict,byexpressingacceptanceoftheHolyScripturesas20

thewrittenWordofGodandallt h eSymbolicalBooksoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchasatrue21

expositionofthatWordofGod,sharethefoundationofconfessionalunity;and22

23

WHEREAS,acelebrationofourReformationheritageandunityundert h eWordofGodisapowerful24

witnesstotheworldandencouragementtothewholechurch;thereforebeit25

26

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrict,undertheauspicesoftheDistrictPresident,willcommencea27

District‐wideReformationcelebration;an dbeitfurther28

29

Resolved,thatthecelebrationofthishistoricanniversarybeentitledHereWeStand,inhonorofthe30

historic“HereIStand”statementoftheReformationascribedtoMartinLutherattheDietofWormson31

April18,1521;andbeitfurther32

33

Resolved,thattheHereWeStandinitiativebeinspiredbythe wordsofPsalm71:17‐18todoallthatwe34

canhumanlydotoinsurethatthetrueandpureWordofGodisboldlyproclaimedtothisgeneration35

andgenerationstocome;a n dbeitfurther36

37

Resolved,thattheHereWeStandcelebrationincludeaDistrict‐widethankofferingcapitalcampaig n38

withagoalof$10,000,000,whichprayerfullywillhaveanimpactonfourareasoftheMichiganDistrict39

missionandministry,includingProfessionalChurchWorkerScholarships,InnovativeMissionalMinistry,40

MichiganDistrictEndowmentand InternationalMinistry;andbeitfurther41

42

Resolved,thattheHereWeStandemphasisincludeorganizedeventsandactivitiesthroughoutthe43

districtduringth esummerof2017toserveasacelebrationofthe500

anniversaryoftheReformation44

andtointentionallyspreadtheWordofGodtotheneighborhoodsandcommunities inwhichthese45

eventswillbeheld;and beitfurther46

47

Overtures - Page 10

Resolved,thatadistrict‐wideworshipservicebeheldonOctober15,2017attheBreslinCenteronthe1

campusofMichigan StateUniversityinEastLansing,MichiganwhichwillgiveMichiganDistrict2

congregationsanopportunitytothankandpraiseGodwith15,000voicesinworshipandsong;andbeit3

finally4

5

Resolved,thatthecongreg ationsandindividualsoftheMichiganDistrictbeencouragedtopa r t i c i p ate6

byfinanciallysupportingtheinitiatives,byparticipatingincommunitycelebrationeventsandthe7

District‐widecelebrationworshipservice,andbydiligentlyprayingthattheHereWeStandthank8

offeringwillmakeanimpactforthe sakeofChrist’sKingdomforgenerationstocome.9

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 11

Overtures - Page 11

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-07 2

SUBJECT: To Root Men and Women in their Baptismal Identity 3

WHEREAS,HolyScripture(Genesis1:27)andtheLutheranConfessions(SA11:2)areunequivocalthat5

wearecreatedmaleorfemaleandthatahusbandisthehusbandofonewifeandawifeisthewifeof6

onehusband;and7

8

WHEREAS,theLCMS inConventionhasconsistentlyaffirmedthesame(2013Res.2‐07A&2004Res.3‐9

05A);and10

11

WHEREAS,ouronlylastingand true identityisourbaptismali dentityinthe nameoftheTriuneGod–12

GodtheFatherwhocreatedus,GodtheSonw horedeemedusfromsin,death,andthedevil,andGod13

theHolySpiritwhocalls,gathersenlightens,andsanctifiesus ;and14

15

WHEREAS,inourcontemporaryculturethereismuchconfusio naboutidentity,andtheproliferationof16

falseidentitiessuchashomosexual,transexualorbisexual;and17

18

WHEREAS,thetitle‘heterosexual’seekstodefendagainstfalseteachings,butitselffallsintothesame19

trapofgrantinganidentitythatisoutsideofScriptureandourbaptismalidentityintheTriuneGod;20

thereforebeit21

22

Resolved,thatweeagerlyconfessthevocationofmarriage–thelife‐longunionofonemanandone23

womanwhichitselfpointstoChristandHischurch(Ephesians5:21‐33),withoutmistakingthistobeour24

Christianidentity;andbeitfurther25

26

Resolved,thatweseektoconfessouridentitywhereitislocated:mena ndwomencreatedofthe27

Father,menandwomenredeemedandrecreatedbytheSon,menand womencal l e d ,gathered,and28

enlightenedbyGodtheHolySpirit;andallofthisintheWordandWaterofBaptism;andbeitfurther29

30

Resolved,thatweavoidfallingintoanya n dalltrapsthatseektogroundouridentitybeyondwhatwas31

givenandrestoredtousinBaptism;andbeitfurther32

33

Resolved,thatwecelebratethatthisBaptismalidentityisanchoredinthedeathandresurrectionof34

ChristJesus,Himselfthebridegroomofhisbride,thechurch,andthatthisbaptismalidentitywill endure35

atHissecondcoming;andbeitfinally36

37

Resolved,thatasouryoungpeoplearebeingencour agedbythevoicesoftheageto“discoverwhothey38

are,”we,thechurch,bepreparedtoeagerlypointthemtowhotheTriune Godhasalreadymadethem39

tobeasmenandwomenbaptizedinChristJesus.40

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 42

NOTE:ThisresolutionisinpartaresponsetotwoveryinsightfularticlesbyMichaelW.Hanno nin‘First44

Things.’ThoseArticlesare:45

 ‘AgainstHeterosexuality’(http://www.firstthings.com/article/2014/03/against‐heterosexuality),46

 And‘AgainstObsessiveSexuality’(http://www.firstthings.com/web‐exclusives/2014/08/against‐47

obsessive‐sexuality).48

Overtures - Page 12

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-08 2

SUBJECT: To Intentionally Initiate Mercy Ministries in our Communities 3

WHEREAS,ourLordJesussaid,“whateveryoudidforoneoftheleastofthesebrothersandsistersof5

mine,youdidforme”(Matthew25:40);and6

7

WHEREAS,theApostlePaulbyi nspirationinstructsus,“Letusnotbecomewearyindoinggood,forat8

thepropertimewewillreapaharvestifwedonotgiveup.Therefore,aswehaveopportunity,letusdo9

goodtoallpeople,especiallytothosewhobelongtothefamilyofbelievers”(Gal.6:9‐10);and10

11

WHEREAS,commonneedsareexperiencedinuniqueandvariouswaysineverycommunitywhere12

God’speoplegatheraroundWordandSacrament;and13

14

WHEREAS,God’speoplearecalledtobe“neighbor”toourfellowhumanregar dlessofhis/her stationin15

life,asdemonstratedbyJesusinHisrecountingtheepisodeoftheGoodSamaritan,andasLuther16

expressedinhisexplanationtotheFifthComman dment;and17

18

WHEREAS,JesusconsistentlydemonstratedmercythroughHismanyhealingsandtherebyalsogave19

expresstestimonytothepresenceandpow e rofGod’skingdom;and20

21

WHEREAS,thechurc h,asthebodyofChrist,“doesn’tdoactsofmercytogetpeopleintothechurchbut22

becausewearethechurch”(commentsbyLCMSPresidentMatthewHarrisonataconfere n c ein23

Saginaw,MIin2010);and24

25

WHEREAS,St.Peterinstructsus,“ButinyourheartsrevereChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedtogivean26

answertoeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave”(1Peter3:15);and27

28

WHEREAS,Selflesslyservingtomeetthe needsofothersgivesevidenceofChrist’slovewithinusand29

buildsrelationshipsoftr ustthrou g hwhichthemessageofsalvationinJesusChristcanbe30

communicated withcompassionandrelevance;thereforebeit31

32

Resolved,thateverycongregationoftheMichiganDistrictbe encouragedtointentiona l l y studytheir33

respectivecommunities todeterminetheneedsofindividualsorgroupsofpeoplethatarenot34

adequatelymet;andbeitfurther35

36

Resolved,thateachcongregationalsoevaluatetheiruniquepositionandabilitiestomeetthoseneeds37

withtheloveofChristthroughactsofserviceandmercy;andbeitfurther38

39

Resolved,thateachcongregationoftheMichiganDistrict,LCMSintentionallyi nitiateatleastonenew40

mercyministrytoaddresstheneedsoftheirlocal communityinthenexttriennium;andbeitfurther41

42

Resolved,thatwheree xi stingprogramsmayalreadybeinplaceinthecommunitywithwhomthe43

congregationmaynotbeabletoofficiallyenterintopa rtnership,thatindividualmembersbe44

encouragedtoparticipateinthesecommunityorganizationswhoaredoinggoodintheircommunities,45

therebygivingwitnesstoGod’s lov ein Jesus;andbeitfinally46

47

Overtures - Page 13

Resolved,thatstoriesofGod’smercyatworkthroughHispeoplebesharedthro ughthe1

CommunicationsDepartmentofth eMichigan Districtofficeforthepurposeofcontinued2

encouragementtoGod’speopleandtoglorifyGodfortheprivilegeofservingaswebearHisname.3

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 5

Overtures - Page 14

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-09 2

SUBJECT: ToEncourageourCongregationsTowardDemonstrationsof3

Mercy4

WHEREAS,thereisnoChrist‐centeredtheologythatisnotpracticalandrelational;and6

7

WHEREAS,LutherwroteintheIntroductio ntotheBookofRomans:“Faithcannothelpdoinggood8

worksconstantly.Itdoesn’tstoptoaskifgoodworksoughttobedone,butbeforeanyoneasks,it9

alreadyhasdonethemandcontinuestodothemwithoutceasing.”St.PaulwroteintheEpistletothe10

Galatians:“Theonlythingthatcountsisfaithexpressingitselfthr o u g hlove”(Galatians5:6b);and11

12

WHEREAS,Christianityinourcultureismovingintoanerareflectingthe earliestdaysofourfaith,where13

thesaintslivedwithactivegovernmentoppositionandahostile,pagansociety.Thechurchsuffered,14

flourished,andultimatelytriumphedbecauseofitsactsoflove,expressedinmercyandcompassion.At15

noothertimeinthehistoryofChristianitydidlove socharacterizetheentirechurchasitdidinthefirst16

threecenturies.AndRomansocietytooknote.TertullianreportedthattheRomanswouldexclaim,“See17

howtheyloveonanother!”JustinMartyrdescribedChristianlovethisway:“Wewhousedtovaluethe18

acquisitionofwealthandpossessionsmorethananythingelsenowbringwhatwehaveintoacommon19

fundandshareitwithanyonewhoneedsit.Weusedtohateanddestroyoneanotherandrefusedto20

associatewithpeopleofanotherraceorcountry.Now,becauseofChrist,welivetogetherwithsuch21

peopleandprayforourenemies”;and22

23

WHEREAS,inthisincreasinglyhostileandhumanisticculture,itisnotenoughtojustgatherourselves24

togetherwithinthewallsofourchurchesandpreservethepurepreachingandtherightadministration25

oftheSacraments.Ifthatisoursolefocus,thenhowwillthespirituallydeadbegatheredtohearthe26

GospelandpartakeoftheSacraments?“Howthenwilltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenot27

believed?Andhowaretheytobelieveinhimofwhomtheyhaveneverheard?Andhowaretheyto28

hearwithoutsomeonepreaching?”(Roma n s 10:14);and29

30

WHEREAS,Christianityisactivelypersecutedinmanypartsoftheworldandsoonwillbeovertly31

persecutedwithinourownnation.TheveryfactthatChristianswerewillingtosufferunspeakable32

horrorsandtodieratherthandisowntheirGodwas,nexttotheirlifestyle,theirsinglemosteffective33

evangelistictool.Few,ifany,Romanswoulddiefortheirgods.Therehadtobesomesubstanceto34

Christianityifitmeantsomuchtothos ewhopracticedit;and35

36

WHEREAS,ourLordcommandsactsofmercyinMatthew25,andusedthemasanauthenticationofH i s37

sheep,condemning toeternalpunishmentthosewhorefusedtobemerciful;and38

39

WHEREAS,thewitnessofmercypreparesthehearerforthewitnessoftheWord,becausemercy40

experiencesvalidatetruth.Mercyisoursealofauthenticity.St.Johnwrote:“Bythisweknowlove,that41

helaiddownhislifeforus,andweoughttolaydownourlivesforthebrothers.Butifanyonehasthe42

world’sgoodsandseeshisbrotherinneed,yetcloseshisheartagainsthim,howdoesGod’sloveabide43

inhim?Littlechildren,letusnotloveinwordandtalkbutindeedandintruth”(1John3:16‐18);44

thereforebeit45

46

Resolved,thatexample sofsuccessfulministriesofmercyandcompassionbecommendedtoand47

modeledtoallDistrictcongregations,and beitfurther48

Overtures - Page 15

1

Resolved,thatallLCMSCircuitsbeencouragedtoworktogetherinsupportofmercyandcompassion2

projects,andbeitfurther3

4

Resolved,thatLCMSmembersbeencouragedtoevaluatetheircurrentorpotentialcontributionsto5

charitableinstitutionsinorde rtofund/enableacts ofmercywhicharedirectlylinkedtopromotingthe6

Gospel,andbeitfinally7

8

Resolved,thatallLCMScongregationsbeencouragedtoactivelyseekopportunitiestoexpressthe9

GospelandtheloveofChristthroughactsofmercydirectedtowardtheircommunities.10

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 12

Overtures - Page 16

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-10 2

SUBJECT: To Address How Best to Deal with Same-Sex Marriage 3

WHEREAS,theLCMS inConvention(2013Res.2‐07A)stated:“Godcreatedmaninhisownimage,inthe5

imageofGodhecreatedhim;maleandfemaleHecreatedthe m”(Gen.1:27 ), whichisfoundatio n a lfor6

allteachingaboutmarriageandfamily(Matt.19:4‐6);and7

8

WHEREAS,thatsameconventionresolutionnotedthat“Theearthlyrelationshipbetweenhusbandand9

wifeistoreflectChrist’srelationshiptoHisbride,theChurch”(Eph.5:21‐33);and10

11

WHEREAS,theLCMS inConvention(2004Res.3‐05A)affirmed“onthebasisofScripture,marriageas12

thelifelongunionofonemanand onewoman”(Gen.2:2‐24;Matt.19:5‐6);and13

14

WHEREAS,theLCMSinConvention(1973Res.2‐04)stated“thattheSynodrecognizehom ophile15

behaviorasintrinsicallysinful”(Lev.18 :22;20:13;Rom.1:24‐27);and16

17

WHEREAS,theLCMSinConvention(2004Res.3‐05A)stated:“Homosexualbehaviorisprohibitedinthe18

OldandNewTestaments(Lev.18:22,24;20:13;1Cor.6:9‐20;1Tim.1:10)ascontrarytotheCreator’s19

design”(Rom.1:26‐27);and20

21

WHEREAS,thatsameconventionresolutionstated:“TheGospeldeclaresthatJesusChrististheatoning22

sacrificeforthesinsoftheworld(1John2:2)andthatChrist,whoknewnosin,wasmadetobeoursin23

sothatinHimwemightbecometherighteousnesso fGod”(2Cor.5:21);and24

25

WHEREAS,thatsameconventionresolutionstated:“Thechurch’sproperevangelicalworkistoproclaim26

thereconciliat i o nofthesinnertoGodinthedeathofJesusChrist”(2Cor.5:18‐19);and27

28

WHEREAS,theLCMSinConvention(2001Res.2‐08A)encourageditscongregations“toministerto29

homosexualsandtheirfamiliesinaspiritofcompassionandhumility,recognizingthat‘allhavesinned30

andfallshortofthegloryofGod,andarejustifiedbyHisgraceasagift,throughtheredemptionthatis31

inChristJesus’”(Rom.3:23‐24);and32

33

WHEREAS,manystateshavelegalizedsame‐sexmarriagesandtheSupremeCourtisconsidering34

whethersame‐sexcoupleshavearighttomarriage,despitethefactthatnosocietyhaseverlegalized35

same‐sexmarriages;thereforebeit36

37

Resolved,that,withregardtogaymarriage,allChristiansshouldprayerfullyseekhowbestto38

compassionatelycarefortheerring,whilemaintainingthetruthofGo d’sWord(Matt.10:16),lovingthe39

sinnerwhilehatingthesin(Jude22‐23);andbeitfurt he r40

41

Resolved,that,onthebasisoftheclearWordofGodnotedabove,pastorsoftheLCMSshouldnotbless42

orperformaweddingofasame‐sexcouple(Jer.8:11),evenifitmeansthatthegovernmentdenies43

thosepastorsfromperforminganyweddings(Acts5:29);andbeitfinally44

45

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictrequestsSynodtolookintotheramifications,legalandotherwise,46

ofpastorsperformingonlyreligiousun ions,notcivilweddings.47

Overtures - Page 17

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 1

Overtures - Page 18

COMMITTEE NAME: GREAT COMMISSION & GREAT COMPASSION 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 1-11 2

SUBJECT: To Let our Light Shine in the Darkness Around Us 3

WHEREAS,ourUnitedStatesofAmericahasbecomeincreasinglysecularizedandis,infact,nowamajor5

missionfield;and6

7

WHEREAS,JesuscommissionsHischurchtomakedisciplesofallnations,includingpeoplelivinginour8

ownnation(Matthew28:19‐20);and9

10

WHEREAS,Jesusurgeshisdisciplestoloveothersthewayhehaslovedus(John13:34)andstates:“By11

thisallpeoplewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouhaveloveforoneanother”(John13:35ESV);12

and13

14

WHEREAS,Jesusentreatsusto“letyourlightshinebeforeothers,sothattheymayseeyourgoodworks15

andgiveglorytoyourFather,whoisinheaven”(Matthew 5:16ESV);and16

17

WHEREAS,GodtheHolySpiritremindsus :“Howgoodandpleasantitiswhenbrothersdwellinunity!”18

(Psalm133:1ESV);and19

20

WHEREAS,GodtheHolySpiritremindsusthat“wedonotwrestleagainstfleshandblood,butagainst21

therulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthecosmicpowersoverthispresentdarkness,againstthe22

spiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyplaces”(Ephesians6:12ESV);and23

24

WHEREAS,St.Paulentreatsustobe“eagertomaintaintheunity oftheSpiritinthebondofpeace”25

(Ephesians4:3ESV),inourbattleagainstthespiritualforcesofevil;thereforebeit26

27

Resolved,thatinourpersonallivesweseektoloveothersasJesuslovesusandthatweliveinsucha28

waysothatHeisglorified,andbeitfurther29

30

Resolved,thatinourcongregations,ourMichiganDistrict,andourSynod,weintensifyeffortstoreach31

otherswiththeGospelmessage,andbeitfurther32

33

Resolved,thatinourcongregations,ourMichiganDistrict,andourSynod,wetreatoneanotherwith34

gentleness,love,andrespect,andbeitfinally35

36

Resolved,thatourdeali n g swithindividuals,congregations,andchurchbodiesthatarenotapartofour37

LCMSbeconductedwiththeutmostkindnessandthegreatestcooperationthatispossiblewhilestill38

beingfaithfultoourchur chbody’sfellowshipprinciples.39

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 41

Overtures - Page 19

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-01 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage and Support Members of our Congregations to 3

Read and Reflect Upon the Bible 4

WHEREAS,GodhaspromisedthereadingofHisWord:John20:31,2Timothy3:16‐17,Romans10:17,6

andotherpassages;and7

8

WHEREAS,OneoftheMichiganDistrict’sCriticalOutcomesisHealthyCongregations;thereforebeit9

10

Resolved,ThattheMichiganDistrictcongregationsannuallyencourage,support,andexemplifytheuse11

ofatleastonemodelofongoinganddiligentreadingoftheBibletotheirmembers.12

Submitted by: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids 14

Overtures - Page 20

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-02 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage an Ethic of Bible Reading 3

WHEREAS,GodrevealshimselfthroughHisWordandinvitesustofindHiminit;and5

6

WHEREAS,theHolySpiritworksthroughtheWordofGodtodrawustoandbuildusupinJesus;and7

8

WHEREAS,wefindthatrevealedWordofGodrecordedinthe66booksoftheBible;and9

10

WHEREAS,ArticleVoftheAugsburgConfessionencouragesregularuseofGod’sWord;and11

12

WHEREAS,havingtheBibleavailableforreadingbylaypeoplewasacentralissueoftheReformation;13

and14

15

WHEREAS,theBiblehas neverbeenmoreaccessibleforpeople;and16

17

WHEREAS,thechurc hneedsthepoweroftheWordnowasmuchasever;thereforebeit18

19

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictinConventioncall,encourage,andchallengeeachDistrict20

congregationtomaintainorimplementprogramsthatwillencourageandenableitsmembersannually21

toreadthroughtheBible,andbeitfinally22

23

Resolved,thattheDistrictpro v i d econtinuedencouragement,toolsandprogramsthatwillbuildan24

ethicofBiblereadinginourcongregations.25

Submitted by: St. Luke, Haslett 27

Overtures - Page 21

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-03 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage an Ethic of Bible Reading 3

WHEREAS,GodrevealshimselfthroughHisWordandinvitesustofindHiminit;and5

6

WHEREAS,theHolySpiritworksthroughtheWordofGodtodrawustoandbuildusupinJesus;and7

8

WHEREAS,wefindthatrevealedWordofGodrecordedinthe66booksoftheBible;and9

10

WHEREAS,ArticleVoftheAugsburgConfessionencouragesregularuseofGod’sWord;and11

12

WHEREAS,havingtheBibleavailableforreadingbylaypeoplewasacentralissueoftheReformation;13

and14

15

WHEREAS,theBiblehas neverbeenmoreaccessibleforpeople;and16

17

WHEREAS,thechurc hneedsthepoweroftheWordnowasmuchasever;thereforebeit18

19

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictinConventioncall,encourage,andchallengeallMichiganDistrict20

congregationstomaintainorimplementprogramsthatwillenablememberstoannuallyreadthrough21

theBible,andbeitfinally22

23

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictelectedleadersandstaffprovid econtinued encouragement,tools24

andprogramsthatwillbuildanethicofBiblereadinginourcongregations.25

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 27

Overtures - Page 22

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-04 2

SUBJECT: To Assist Fellow Congregations in Utilizing Practices of 3

Excellence for Ministry 4

WHEREAS,TheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynodiscomposedofapproximately6,000congregationsand6

numerousorganizations,allwithuniquegifts,talents,andexperience;and7

8

WHEREAS,EachcongregationandentityofTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynoddeeplydesires,by9

God’sleading,grace,andpowertodisciplefollowersofChristandshareHisloveinthemostwinsome,10

effective,andpowerfulwaypossible;and11

12

WHEREAS,Eachofthesecongregationsandentitieshas,overtimeandwiththeblessingofour13

HeavenlyFather,developedpracticesofexcellenceinvariousareasofministry;and14

15

WHEREAS,Communicationofthese“practicesofexcellence”withintheSynodamongcongregations16

andentitiescannottypicallybeaccomplishedinaneffectiveandefficientmanner;thereforebeit17

18

Resolved,ThatTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynodwillundertakethecreationofa“Practicesof19

Excellence”ElectronicDatabasewhichwillallowcongregationsandentitieswithintheSynodto20

efficientlyparticipateinanexchangeofinformation;andbeitfurther21

22

Resolved,Thisinformationwillconsistof“practicesofexcellence”whichindividualcongregationsand23

otherentitieshaveshowntoaccomplishthesharingofGod’sGospelandHisLoveinapowerfulway;24

andbeitfurther25

26

Resolved,The“practicesofexcellence”databasewillalsocontaindemographic,geographic,andother27

informationwhichwillallowcongregationsandotherentitiestodetermineappropriateapplicationof28

thesepracticeswithinthecontextintowhichourLordhasplacedthem;andbeitfinally29

30

Resolved,Throughtheexchangeofthese“practicesofexcellence”,ourcongregationsandotherentities31

will,byGod’sgrace,power,andwill,becomemoreeffectiveintheglorioustaskofreachingintothis32

worldwiththelove,grace,andgloryofourSavior,JesusChrist.33

Submitted by: Birmingham Circuit #18 35

Overtures - Page 23

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-05 2

SUBJECT: To Provide Congregational Unity in Financial Support of Our 3

Synod 4

WHEREAS,wehavealongstandingpracticeofcongregationssendingaportionoftheirofferingstothe6

DistricttosupportmissionandministryintheDistrictandwithanexpectationthattheDistrictwillsend7

aportionofthosefundstotheSynodtosupportmissionandministry;and8

9

WHEREAS,themodelhasneverbeenofficiallyreversed,removedorreplaced;and10

11

WHEREAS,wehaveseenaproliferationofappealsfromallcornersoftheSynodforfundswhichhas12

createdan“everymanforhimself”approachtofundraisingandwhichnegativelyimpactstheBiblical13

practiceoftithing;thereforebeit14

15

Resolved,thateachDistrictcongregationbeencouragedtohonorSynodicalfellowshipbyremittingat16

least5%ofitsofferingstotheDistrictandnotcontributeitsofferingsdirectlytotheSynod;andbeit17

further18

19

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictcontinueinitsleadershipofremittingtotheSynodathirdofthe20

paymentsitreceivesfromitscongregations;andbeitfinally21

22

Resolved,thatneithertheDistrictnortheSynodmakepersonalappealsforfundstoindividualmembers23

ofourcongregations.24

Submitted by: St. Luke, Haslett 26

Overtures - Page 24

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-06 2

SUBJECT: To Support Congregational Accent 3

WHEREAS,Godinstitutedcongregations;and5

6

WHEREAS,GodentrustedtheKeysoftheKingdomtocongregations;and7

8

WHEREAS,theSynodasanorganizationisofhumanorigin;and9

10

WHEREAS,anundueconcentrationonthebureaucracyandworkoftheSynodcandilutetheeffortsof11

localcongregations;thereforebeit12

13

Resolved,thattheDistrictleadershipwillfocusonthehealthandvitalityoflocalcongregationsandto14

resistcreatingprogramsorministriesthatdonotgrowoutoflocalcongregations,andbeitfinally15

16

Resolved,thattheDistrictwillsubmitasimilaroverturetothe2016SynodConventioncallingonthe17

SynodanditsvariousDistrictstoresistcreatingprogramsorministriesthatdonotgrowoutoflocal18

congregations.19

Submitted by: St. Luke, Haslett 21

Overtures - Page 25

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-07 2

SUBJECT: To Build an Ethic of Tithing 3

WHEREAS,tithingistheancientandconsistentpracticeofthepeopleofGod;and5

6

WHEREAS,tithinghasgreatpromisesattachedtoit;and7

8

WHEREAS,tithingservestoreduceourpersonalconfidenceinmoneyandincreaseourtrustinGod;and9

10

WHEREAS,tithingbycongregantstotheirlocalcongregationwouldprovideampleresourcesforlocal11

kingdomworkandtherebyeliminatenon‐Biblicalandworldlyformsoffundraising;thereforebeit12

13

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinConventioncall,encourage,andchallengeallDistrict14

congregationstomaintainorimplementprogramsthatwillenablememberstogrowinthegraceof15

givinggenerallyanddevelopthedisciplineoftithingspecifically,andbeitfinally16

17

Resolved,thattheDistrictelectedleadersandstaffprovidecontinuedencouragement,tools,and18

programsthatwillbuildanethicoftithinginourcongregations.19

Submitted by: St. Luke, Haslett 21

Overtures - Page 26

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-08 2

SUBJECT: To Support an Ethic of Tithing 3

WHEREAS,tithingistheancientandconsistentpracticeofthepeopleofGod;and5

6

WHEREAS,tithinghasgreatpromisesattachedtoit;and7

8

WHEREAS,tithingservestoreduceourpersonalconfidenceinmoneyandincreaseourtrustinGod;and9

10

WHEREAS,tithingbycongregantstotheirlocalcongregationwouldprovideampleresourcesforlocal11

kingdomworkandtherebyeliminatenon‐biblicalandworldlyformsoffundraising;thereforebeit12

13

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinConventioncall,encourage,andchallengeallMichiganDistrict14

congregationstomaintainorimplementprogramsthatwillenablememberstogrowinthegraceof15

givinggenerallyanddevelopthedisciplineoftithingspecifically,andbeitfinally16

17

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictelectedleadersandstaffprovidecontinuedencouragement,tools,18

andprogramsthatwillbuildanethicoftithinginourcongregations.19

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 21

Overtures - Page 27

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-09 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage Sabbath Rest (Sabbaticals, etc.) 3

WHEREAS,ourGodcreatedtheworldin6daysandonthe7

Herested;and5

6

WHEREAS,God’speople,bothlayandclergy,needtimesofrestandrefreshmentaroundWordand7

Sacrament;and8

9

WHEREAS,God’speoplealsoneedrestandrefreshmentfromdutiesandresponsibilitiesconnectedwith10

work;and11

12

WHEREAS,thepressuresoftodaycontinuetomountandincreasesubstantially;and13

14

WHEREAS,thereisanincreasingsenseofguiltforchurchworkerswhodotakea“Sabbathrest”;and15

16

WHEREAS,itisvitalforthelifeoftheworkertomakeGod,family,andrestofparamountimportance;17

thereforebeit18

19

Resolved,thatcongregationalleadersandchurchworkersworkcollegiatelytodevelop,maintain,and20

ensurethatthechurchworker(s)takeaminimumofonedayoff,butalsotimeoffonSundayafternoons21

andeveningswhenpossible.22

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 24

Overtures - Page 28

COMMITTEE NAME: HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS & CHURCH WORKERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 2-10 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage Congregations to Provide Health Insurance 3

Benefits to Church Workers 4

WHEREAS,thebodyisthetempleoftheHolySpirit(1Corinthians6:19‐20)andHealthyChurchWorkers6

arebetterequippedtoserveHealthyCongregations;and7

8

WHEREAS,thetradition a lpracticeforLCMScongregationshasbeentoprovidecomprehensivehealth9

benefitsfortheirworkers,eitherthroughtheConcordiaHealthPlanorotherhealthplanproviders;and10

11

WHEREAS,healthinsurancecostsforMichiganDistrictcongregationsandtheirworkerscontinueto12

increase,oftenatorneardouble‐digitannualpercentageincreases;and13

14

WHEREAS,theAffordableCareActhasattemptedtoprovideeasierandsometimessubsidizedaccessto15

healthcareontheMarketplace,whichcouldp r o v i d esomeopportunityforcongregationstoabandon16

grouphealthcareplans,forcingtheirworkerstofindcoverageontheMarketplaceorelsewhere;and17

18

WHEREAS,theMarketplaceandotherhealthplansmayinclude coverageforprocedures,suchas19

abortion,thatarenotinli n e withthesanctityoflifebeliefsofTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynod;20

thereforebeit21

22

Resolved,thatcongregationsbeencouragedtoallocatefina n c i a l resourcesforhealthcoveragefortheir23

workersandfamilies,givingspecialconsiderationtoConcordiaHea l thPlanandotherplansthatare24

designedtoallowforreligiousconscientiousexceptions.25

26

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 27

Overtures - Page 29

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-01 2

SUBJECT: To Encourage Concordia Plans Services to Require 3

Participating Workers to Countersign their Annual 4

Compensation Reports 5

WHEREAS,errorscanandhaveoccurredontheAnnualCompensationofParticipatingWorkers’form7

submittedyearlytoConcordiaPlanServices(CPS);thereforebeit8

9

Resolved,thattheformshallnowadditionallyrequirechurc hworkerstocountersignthesame;10

attestingthattheyhavereadboththedirectionsandthereportasitistobefiled.11

Submitted by: Circuit #41 Forum 13

Overtures - Page 30

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-02 2

SUBJECT: To Restore the Historic Composition of Synodical Floor 3

Committees 4

WHEREAS,scripturesclearlyspeakofallasmembersoftheroyalpriesthood(!Peter2:9)andwarnsof6

beingunequallyyolked;and7

8

WHEREAS,avibrantandthrivingcongregation(and,assuch,theSynod)recognizedtheimportanceof9

layinvolvementinthedecisionmakingprocess;and10

11

WHEREAS,thefoundersoftheLCMSrecognizedtheneedtoshareequallyinthedecisionmaking12

processasthefoundationofitschurchpolity;and13

14

WHEREAS,thenewlyinstitutedpracticeofappointingfloorcommitteesdisenfranchisesourlay15

membersoftheroyalpriesthood;and16

17

WHEREAS,thehistoricviewwasanequalityofrepresentatives(layandordained)onSynodicalfloor18

committees;thereforebeit19

20

Resolved,theSynodreturntoitshistoricpositionofequalrepresentationonallfloorcommitteesat21

SynodicalConvention;andbeitfinally22

23

Resolved,thattheSynodreturntoitshistoricpositionofequallayrepresentationonSynodicalfloor24

committeesbeginningwiththe2016SynodicalConvention.25

Submitted by: Messiah, Clio 27

Overtures - Page 31

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-03 2

SUBJECT: To Give “Assistant” Pastors Equal Status As Other Ordained 3

Men 4

WHEREAS,ordainedpastorsequallyholdtheauthorityo fthePublicMinistry(John20:21;Tractate;9);6

and7

8

WHEREAS,Paulregardsallpastorsasequalbothbyhiswordsanddeeds(1Cor2:2,6;Gal2:11;9

Tractate;11);and10

11

WHEREAS,GodhasinstitutedtheHol y MinistryfortheobtainmentoffaithinChristbytheHolySpirit12

throughtheWordandSacraments(ACV);and13

14

WHEREAS,theWordandSacramentsareperformedbyonewhoisproperlycalled(AC XIV);and15

16

WHEREAS,thePredigtamtisanofficedistinctfromthepriesthoodo fallbelievers(Church&Ministry,17

PartII,ThesisI);and18

19

WHEREAS,thePredigtamtisthehighestofficewithintheorganizationofthechurch(Church&Ministry,20

PartII,ThesisVIII);and21

22

WHEREAS,AssistantPastors,whohavebeencalledandordainedintheofficeoftheHolyMinistryare,23

accordingtotheConsti t u tionofTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSy nod,ArticleV,SectionB,ineligibleto24

voteatdistrictmeetingsbutinstea darerelegatedtobeing“AdvisoryMembers”alongwithnon‐25

ordainedmemberofsynodsuchasteachers,DirectorsofChristianEducation,DirectorsofChristian26

Outreach,DirectorsofFamilyLifeMinistry,DirectorsofParishMusic,Deaconesses,ParishAssistants,27

andCertifiedLayMinisters;and28

29

WHEREAS,thisfactpresents thefalseassumptionthatanAssistantPastorofacongregationissomehow30

lesserindegreeorauthoritythanaPastor,AssociatePastor,AdministrativePastor,orSeniorPastor,or31

thathehaslesserauthoritytoforgivesins,preach,andadministerthesacraments,andprovide32

meaningfulleadershipatSynodicalfunctions;and33

34

WHEREAS,manymengraduatefromtheseminaries andarecalledasAssistantPastorseventhough35

theyassistnooneintheexerciseoftheirpublicoffice,but fullyactinthesteadandbythecommand of36

Christ;thereforebeit37

38

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictoftheLCMScomposeanovertureforthe2016Synodical39

Conventionthataimstostrike“AssistantPastors”fromthelistofAdvisoryMembersoftheSynodfrom40

theConstitutio nofTheLutheranChurch–MissouriSynod,ArticleV,SectionB,andplacethemonequal41

votingeligibilitywithotherordainedpastors;andbeitfinally42

43

Resolved,thatcongregationsoftheMichiganDistrictbediscouragedfromcallingmenwiththetitleof44

“AssistantPastor.”45

46

Submitted by: Battle Creek Circuit #42 47

Overtures - Page 32

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-04 2

SUBJECT: To Consider Voting Privilege for Advisory Delegates 3

WHEREAS,theLCMS hasallowedCommissionedMinisters tobeAdvisoryDelegatesandhaveavoiceat5

DistrictandSynodicalConventions;and6

7

WHEREAS,eachAdvisoryDelegaterepresentedsixtyrosteredworkers;and8

9

WHEREAS,eachDistrict,includingMichigan,financiallysupportstheseAdvisoryDelegatestoattendthe10

SynodicalConvention;and11

12

WHEREAS,theseAdvisoryDelegatesoftenattendtheSynodicalConventionandaredisappointedtofind13

nooneisseekingtheiradv ice;and14

15

WHEREAS,CommissionedMinistersnowserveasMusicMinisters,DirectorsofOutreach,FamilyLife16

Directors,DirectorsofChristianEducation, EarlyChildhoodDirectors,WorshipArtsCoordinators,17

Principals,andTeachersarecurrentlyontheSynodicalRosterandmembersofSynodasindividuals18

servingincongregationsoftheSynod;and19

20

WHEREAS,calledCommissionedMinistershaveacriticalministryimpactinthelivesoffamiliesasan21

outreacharmofcongregations;and22

23

WHEREAS,thefinancialobligationofDistrictswouldbelessenedbysendingVotingCommissioned24

Delegatesataratiohigherthanthecurrentsixty‐to‐oneratio;thereforebeit25

26

Resolved,thattheMi chiganDistrictaskSynodin2016toallowAdvisoryDelegatestobecomeVoting27

DelegatesatfutureDistrictandSynodicalConventions;andbeitfurther28

29

Resolved,thatthisratiobeincreasedtoonevotingCommissionedMinisterforevery120onthe30

SynodicalRoster;andbeitfurther31

32

Resolved,thatthisincreaseratiomaintainabalancebetweenvotingPastoralDelegatesandLay33

DelegateswhilegivingCommissionedMinistersvotingrepresentation;andbeitfurther34

35

Resolved,thatthisdiscussionbeginatthe2016SynodicalConventionwithadecisionreachedbythe36

2019SynodicalConvention;andbeitfinally37

38

Resolved,thattheLCMSConstitutionandBylawsbeeditedtoreflectthischangewhichallows39

CommissionedMinisterstovoteatfutureDistrictandSynodicalConventions.40

Submitted by: Michigan District School Committee 42

Overtures - Page 33

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-05 2

SUBJECT: To Allow Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 7191 Imlay City 3

Rd., Imlay City, MI 48444 to Change From Circuit 16 Macomb 4

NW to Circuit 13 Lapeer 5

WHEREAS,FamilyofChristLutheranChurchislocatedinLapeerCountyMIandiswithinthe7

geographicalareaoftheLapeerCircuit13;and8

9

WHEREAS,FamilyofChristChurchislocatedinaruralareawhichhasdifferentchallengesthana10

metropolitanareaandhasacommonalityforministrywiththeLapeerCircuit;and11

12

WHEREAS,FamilyofChristisinaministrycovenantwithSt.PaulLutheranChurch,Lapeerwhichis13

locatedinCircuit13andissharingtheministry;and14

15

WHEREAS,thechangingofFamilyofChristtotheLapeerCircuit13wouldallowFamilyofChristto16

honoritscovenantwithSt.PaulsandfacilitatethatministrytoGod’sglory;thereforebeit17

18

Resolved,thatFamilyofChristLutheranChurch,ImlayCitychangefromCircuit16MacombNWto19

Circuit13Lapeer.20

Submitted by: Family of Christ, Imlay City 22

Overtures - Page 34

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-06 2

SUBJECT: To Memorialize the 2016 Synod Convention regarding Bylaw 3

3.10.5.2. Election Process for College and University Board of 4

Regents 5

WHEREAS,theBoardofRegentsofeachschoolintheConcordiaUniversitySystemcurrentlyconsistsof7

electedorappointedasfollows:8

9

 ElectedatSynodConvention10

 Electedatgeographicaldistrictconvention11

 DistrictPresident(s);and12

13

WHEREAS,thelocalandregionalconstit uentsofeachCUSschoolarehighlyinvestedinthedirection14

andfutureoftheCUSschool,involvedinthesupportandteamworkoftheschool’sleadership.Thelocal15

influenceandvoiceofthestudents(andtheirLCMSfamilies)attendingeachschoolisessential;16

thereforebeit17

18

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinconventionsubmittothe2016LCMSConventionanoverture19

withtheabovestatedWHEREASstatementsandthefollow i n gResolvedstatement:20

21

Resolved,thattheCUS BoardofRegentswillbeelectedorappointedatthegeographicaldistrict22

conventionastheboarditselfdetermines.23

24

Submittedby: MichiganDistrictBoardofDirectors 25

Overtures - Page 35

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-07 2

SUBJECT: To Memorialize the 2016 Synod Convention regarding Bylaw 3

3.10.5.5.2. Election Process for College and University 4

Presidents 5

WHEREAS,thecurrentprocessofelectionofapresidentofaConcordiaUniversitySystem(CUS)7

college/universitynowhappensataboardofregentsmeetingofthegivencollege/university,usingthe8

shortlistapprovedbytheprior‐approvalpanel(thePresidentofSynod,theDistrictPresidentonthe9

institution’sboardofregents,andthechairoftheCUSboardofdirectors);and10

WHEREAS,thecurrentbyl awprovidesthatthepanelmaychoosetoremovenamesfromthelistbut12

onlywithatwo‐thirdsma jorityvote.WhenthesevotescomefromtheSynod Presidentandthechairof13

theCUSboard,itremo vestheprocessfromth elocalandregionalconstituentsofeachCUSschool;and14

15

WHEREAS,thelocalandregionalconstit uentsofeachCUSschoolarehighlyinvestedinthedirection16

andfutureoftheCUSschool,involvedinthesupportandteamworkoftheschool’sleadership.Thelocal17

influenceandvoiceofthestudents(andtheirLCMSfamilies)attendingeachschoolisessential;18

thereforebeit19

20

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinconventionsubmittothe2016LCMSConventionanoverture21

withtheabovestatedWHEREASstatementsandthefollowi n gResolvedstatement:22

23

Resolved,thatthesingula rapprovingpartybetheDistrictPresident(s)ontheinstitution’sboard24

ofregents,whoaloneprovidesashortlistinthesamefashionashewouldtoanycongregation25

seekingapastorwithinhisdistrict.26

27

Submittedby: MichiganDistrictBoardofDirectors 28

Overtures - Page 36

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-08 2

SUBJECT: To Recognize and Thank Those Who Serve in the Office of 3

Circuit Visitor 4

WHEREAS,thecircuitvisitoristheprincipalofficerofthecircuitandservesinaccordancewiththe6

dutiesassignedtothispositionintheConstitutionandBylawsoftheSynodandtheBylawsofthe7

Districts;and8

9

WHEREAS,eachcircuitvisitorshallassistthedistrictpresidentwithinthecircuit(Bylaw5.2.3),as10

follows:11

12

 Heshallserveunderthedirectionofandbeaccountabletothedistrictpresidentand13

shallserveashisspokesmanwhensoauthorizedanddirectedandshallassisthimin14

doctrinalandspiritualsupervision.15

 Heshallserveinaservantrole.16

 Heshallseektoremindandencouragemembersofthecircuitoftheirresponsibilitiesas17

God’speopleandtheprivilegetheyhaveinbeingaboutHismission.18

 Heandanyotherofficersofthecircuitshallhavetheprimaryresponsibilityfor19

maintainingliaisonbetweenthecircuitandtheSynodatthenationalanddistrictlevels.20

 HeshallbeconversantwithandsupportiveofSynod‐wideanddistrictresolutionsand21

programs.22

 Heshallseektostrengthenthespiritofcooperationamongpastors,commissioned23

ministers,andcongregations.24

 HeshallassistinthedevelopmentandattainmentofSynod‐widemissionandministry25

emphases.26

 Hemay,whenrequestedtodosobythedistrictpresident,serveasamediatortoeffect27

reconciliationofdisputeswithinthecircuitnotunderdisputeresolutionoftheSynodas28

outlinedinsection1.10oftheseBylaws.29

 Heshallregularlyconvenethepastorsofhiscircuitforcircuitconferences.30

 Heshallregularlyreportonhisactivitiestothedistrictpresident.31

 Thedistrictpresidentshallmeetwiththecircuitvisitorsofthedistrictatleastonceper32

yeartodiscusstheirwork,toencouragethem,andtoconductongoingtrainingfor33

congregationalandpastoralvisits;and34

35

WHEREAS,thecircuitvisitorshall,whenrequestedtodosobythedistrictpresident,serveashis36

representativeinthetriennialvisitationofthecongregationsofthecircuit;and37

38

WHEREAS,thecircuitvisitorshallservethepastorsofthecircuitasacollegialandbrotherlyadvisor,39

remindingthemofthejoyoftheministryandofitsgreatresponsibilities,asfollows:40

41

 Heshallencouragethepastorsofthecircuitintheirpreachingandteaching;inthe42

exerciseofchurchdisciplineinanevangelicalmanner;andinthepropersupervision43

ofChristianeducationandtrainingintheparish.44

 Heshallencourage,inabrotherlymanner,thepastorsofthecircuitintheirspiritual45

andfamilylife.46

 Heshallencouragethepastorsofthecircuittopursuebothformalandinformal47

continuingprofessionaleducation;and48

Overtures - Page 37

1

WHEREAS,thecircuitvisitorshallassistthedistrictpresident,asassignedintheecclesiastical2

supervisionoftheothermembersoftheSynodinthecircuit;and3

4

WHEREAS,circuitvisitorshavefaithfullyservedtheircircuitchurcheswhileseekingtofillvacancies5

throughthecallingprocess;and6

7

WHEREAS,mostcircuitvisitorsservethecircuitandthedistrict,whileactivelyservingtheirown8

congregations;thereforebeit9

10

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictinConventionrecognizethesignificantcontributionmadebythe11

circuitvisitorsofourdistrict;andbeitfurther12

13

Resolved,thatthepastorsandcongregationsofthedistrictcontinuetosupportandthanktheirown14

circuitvisitor;andbeitfinally15

16

Resolved,thattheMichiganDistrictConventionassemblyriseandthankGodforthededicatedworkof17

ourcircuitvisitorsbysingingthecommonDoxology.18

Submitted by: Michigan District Board of Directors 20

Overtures - Page 38

COMMITTEE NAME: ADMINISTRATION, STRUCTURE, & CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1

OVERTURE NUMBER: 3-09 2 

SUBJECT: To Amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the 3 

Michigan District 4

5

Rationale:6

 TheMichiganDistrictBoardofDirectorsproposesthefollowingamendmentstotheDistrict’s7

ArticlesofIncorporationandBylaws.TheBoardhasfocusedonthreebroadareas:8

o RevisionsrequiredbychangesintheConstitutionandBylawsofSynodandchanging9 

conditions;10

o MatterspertainingtoMichiganlawandcompliance;11

o WorkingforgreaterclarityandefficiencyinthelanguageandstructureoftheBylaws.12

13

RequiredRevisions:14

 TheBoardproposesarevisionofBylaw2.4,makingthequorumr equiredforalegalconvention15

“atleastone‐thirdofthevotingmembercongregationsrepresentedbyatleastoneoftheir16

respectiverepresentatives(pastororlaydelegate)”asmandatedinSynodConstitutionXII.14.17

Thissamequorumruleha salsobeenappliedtoregionalassemblies(cf .proposedBylaw3.5).18

19

 Bylaw5.8ccurrentlydirectsthe regionalnominatingcommitteetodrawupfromitsregionalist20

ofcandidatesandalternatesfortheboardofdirectorsandthenominatin g committee.21

22

SynodBylaw4.7.2statesthatnominatingcommitteesofanykindarenottobeusedtodevelop23

slates

forregionalboardofdirectorpositions,evenifsuchnominatingcommitteesareregional.24

Bylaw5.8cisthereforenolongervalid:anominatingcommitteeofanykindmaynotbeusedto25

drawupalistofcandidatesandalternatesforregionalboardofdirectorspositions(seeSynod26

Bylaw4.7.1).TheexampleofSynodBylaw4.2.1(a)wouldindicatetheuseofaregional27

nominationprocess.28

29

TheBoardproposesanominationprocessforregionalBoardofDirectorscandidatessimilarto30

thatcurrentlyusedforthenominationofregionalVice‐Presidents.Theproposedprocedureis31

includedasBylaw5.13below.32

33

 TheSynodadoptedResolution7‐02A,“ToReturn toUseofTitle‘CircuitVisitor,’”atits201334

convention,andtheamendmenttothe Synodconstitutionincludedintheresolutionwas35

ratifiedbythecongregationsoftheLCMS.TheBoardproposesreplacementofthetitle“circuit36

counselor(s)with“ circuitvisitor(s)”inallinstances(proposedBylaws5.1,5.5,5.12,7.3band37

currentBylaw8.6).38

39

 SinceConcordiaUniversity‐AnnArbor(CUAA)hasenter edintoanalliancewithConcord i a 40

UniversityWisconsin(CUW),underwhichCUW’sBoardofRegents

assumedresponsibilityfor41

governanceandCUAA’sBoardofRegentswasdissolved,theBoardproposesthatallreferences42

totheConcordiaUniversity‐AnnArborBoardofRegentsberemovedfromtheBylaws(current43

Bylaws5.7a,5.7b,5.8dand5.15).44

45

ProposedRevisions(MichiganLaw,ClarityandEfficiency):46

Overtures - Page 39



 TheBoardproposesarevisiontothe ArticlesofIncorporationtoremovetheword“Inc.”from1

ourname.Itisnotrequired,orevennecessary,toinclude“Inc.”inthenameofeitheran2

ecclesiasticalornonprofitcorporation.3

4

 ArticleI–MembershipandOrganizationis revisedforgreaterclarity.5

6

 WorkingtowardamoreefficientBylawstructure,ArticlesIII(RegionalAssemblies)andXIV7

(Regions)arecombinedinto aproposedArticleIII‐RegionsandRegionalAssemblies.The8

proposedArticleIIIisrevisedforgreaterclarity.9

10

 ArticleV–Electionsisretitled(seebelow)andrevisedforgreaterclarity.11

12

 Toenablethe Districttocontinuetofindqualifiedservantleaderswiththenecessaryfinancial13

expertise,theBoardrecommendsadoptinganamendmenttoBylaw5.1,allowingtheBoardof14

DirectorstoappointtheDistrictTreasurer(cf.ConstitutionXII.3.e).Notethat,accord i n gto15

Bylaw5.3,theTreasurerisstillappointedfor3‐yearterms,andstillmayservenomorethan416

consecutivetermsbeforetakinga3‐yearbreak.17

18

 WorkingtowardamoreefficientBylawstructure,Bylaws5.5.(IfPresident

IsUnabletoServe)19

and5.6(Vacancies)areincorporatedintoArticleVI(Succession).TheproposedArticleVIisre‐20

titledVacanciesandSuccession,andisrevisedforgreaterclarity.21

22

 ArticleVII–BoardofDirectorsisrevisedforgreaterclarity.Twoadditionalitemsareincluded:23

o Theboard’spowertoappointcommitteesandtaskforceshasbeenrelocatedfromthe24

presentArticleXII(Committees)toproposedBylaw7.2(a).25

o Aprovisionallowingforelectronicparticipationinboardmeetingshasbeenaddedas26

proposedBylaw7.4(c).ThisisallowedunderMichiganlaw,provided provisionismade27

inourgoverningdocuments.28

29

 WorkingtowardamoreefficientBylawstructure,ArticlesXII(Committees)andXIII30

(Commissions)arereworkedandcombinedintoArticleXII–CommissionsandTaskForces.The31

articlenowreferssolelytothedistrictconvention’s abilitytoappointsuchbodies,andisrevised32

forgreaterclarity.ArticlesfollowingthenewArticleXIIarerenumbered.33

34

 WorkingtowardaclearerBylawstructure,Bylaws9.5‐9.8,referringtoindemnificationof35

directors,aremovedtotheirownseparatearticle,titledArticleXV–Indemnification.36

37



TheBoardproposesanadditiontotherenumberedArticleXVI–Amendments.Thisaddition38

wouldallowtheBoardofDirectors tomakenecessaryamendmentstotheBylawsfollowinga39

Synodconventionwithouthavingtowaitandbringthembeforethedistrictconvention.This40

additionismodeledonSynodBylaw7.1.2,whichgivespowerto theSynod’sBoardofDirectors41

toamendbylawswhendirectedtodosobyaSynodconvention.Amendmentsmadethisway42

wouldrequireatwo‐thir dsmajorityoftheBoardforapproval.TheBoardbelievesthatsuch43

amendmentswouldnotrequireapprovalbytheCommissiononConstitutionalMatters,since44

theywillbebasedontheupdatedbylawsofSynod.45

46

47

Overtures - Page 40



Therefore,beitResolvedthatArticleIoftheMichigan District’sArticlesofIncorporationbeamendedas1

follows(deletionsarestruckthrough):

2

3

ThenameofthecorporationisMICHIGANDISTRICTOFTHELUTHERANCHURCH–MISSOURI4

SYNOD,INC.

5

6

Andbeitfinally7

8

ResolvedthattheBylawsoftheMichiganDistrictbeamendedasindicatedonthefollowingpages9

(Deletionsarestruckthrough;additionsareinbolditalictype).

10

11

12

InARTICLEI–MEMBERSHIPANDORGANIZATION

13

14

1.2Thedistricts hallestablishanorganizationalstructurefortheeffectiveoperationofitsprogramand15

conductofitsaffairs,whichstructureshallembracetheconvention,regionalassemblies,theboard16

ofdirectors,circuits,andsuchotherentities,boards,commissionsandcommittees,officersand

17

functionariesasmayfromtimetotimebeestablished.

18

19

1.3.Thegovernanceandcontrolofthedistrict’saffairsshallbeconductedonthebasisof

20

TheDistrictshallbeadministeredthroughfour(4)levelsoforganizationorganizations:

21

22

a.Theconventionw hichshallconsistofthedistrictatlargethroughitsdelegatesinconvention

23

assembledandshallbethegoverningbodyofthedistrictsubjecttotheconstitution,bylawsand

24

resolutionsofSynod,andtothesebylawsisthemeetingofthevotingmembercongregations

25

representedbytheirdelegates.26

27

b.Theregionalassemblies(4) shallmeetpriortothedistrictconvention,atwhichtimedelegates

28

shallconsistoftheregularlyele ctedanddelegatedrepresentatives,cf2.3,ofsa idregions.(Cf.

29

Bylaw2.3)Thepurposeoftheregionalassembliesshallbetoevaluatetheirregionalaswellas

30

districtneeds,andtonominatefordistrictelections.

31

32

c.Theboardofdirectorsshallbeconstruedasdistrictinconstant sessiontoestablishpolicyand

33

directtheresponsiblefortheoverallpolicyandaffairsofthedistrictasdistrictinconvention

34

duringperiodssessionbetweenconventions.

35

36

d.Thecircuitsshallcarryoutresolu t i on softhesynodandthedistrictTheyshallinterpret,

37

administerandengageintheobjectivesofthesynodlocally,inaccordancewithSynodBylaw

38

1.3.6.(Cf.SynodBylaw1.3.6)

39

40

41

InARTICLEII‐CONVENTIONS

42

43

2.4 Quorum‐Foralegalconvention,aconstitutionalconvocationofthemeetingandthepresenceofat

44

leastone‐fourthoftheconstitutionally‐electedvotingrepresentativesToconductbusiness,a

45

conventionmusthavepresentatleastone‐thirdofthevotingmembercongregationsrepresented46

byatleastoneoftheirrespectivevotingrepresentatives(pastororlaydelegate)arenecessary.(Cf.

47

ConstitutionXII.14)48

Overtures - Page 41



1

2

ARTICLEIII–REGIONSANDREGIONALASSEMBLIES

3

4

14.1

5

3.1Theconventionbyres olutionshallestablishnoles sthanThereshallbefour(4)regionswithinthe

6

MichiganDistrict.7

8

14.2

9

3.2Regionsshallconsistofagroupofcircuitsdesignatedbytheenablingconv en tionresolutioncreated,

10

aligned,and/orrealignedbyconventionresolution.11

12

14.3Regionsexistingatthetimeofth eadoptionoftheseBylawsshallcontinueuntilfurtherresolution

13

oftheconvention.

14

15

14.4Circuitsareshallbecreated,aligned,and/orrealignedbyconventionresolution.

16

17

3.1

18

3.3RegionalassembliesshallmeetonthefirstSaturdayinMaynolaterthan45dayspriortothe

19

conventionoftheMichiganDistrict.Thedateshallbecommunicatedtocongregationsnolater20

than30dayspriortotheregionalassembly.Theregionalvice‐presidentshallcallatapla ceofhis

21

choosinganandchairtheassemblyofhisregionataplaceofhischoosing.

22

23

3.2

24

3.4TheregionalassemblyshallbegovernedbyRobert’sRulesofOrder,exceptasotherwiseprovidedby

25

thesebylawsorthebylawsofSynod.

26

27

3.3

28

3.5Representation:Eachvotingmembercongregationshallisentitledtoberepresentedatthis

29

assemblybytwooftheirrespective

votingdelegates(onepastorandonelaype r s o n )andbythe30

theiradvisorymembersofsynod(cf.Bylaw2.3).31

32

3.4

33

3.6Theregionalvice‐presidentshallchairtheassemblyandThechairshallappointasecretarytorecord

34

theproceedings. 35

36

3.5

37

3.7Quorum‐Foralegalassemblyoft h eregion,thepresenceofAtleastone‐fourthofthevoting

38

representativesone‐thirdofthevotingmembercongregationsrepresentedbyatleastoneoftheir

39

respectiverepresentatives(pastororlaydelegate)shallbepresenttoconductameetingofthe40

regionalassembly.(Cf.ConstitutionXII.14)41

42

3.6

43

3.8Thepurposeoftheregionalassemblyshallbe:44

45

a.Tostudythenee dsoftheregioninmissionandministry;

46

47

b.Tohearanddiscussthetotalneeds ofthedistri ct;

48

Overtures - Page 42



c.

1

a.Tobeinformedaboutmajorissuestocomebeforethedistrictconvention;2

3

d.

4

b.Tonominatefromitsregiontwo(2)pastorsforelectionbythedistrictconv entiontotheofficeof

5

regionalvice‐presidentinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofMichiganDistrictBy law5.12,and

6

theScheduleofElections.andcandidatesfortheBoardofDirectorsinaccordancewi ththe

7

provisionsofBylaw5.13.8

9

e.

10

c.Tonominatefromitsregion,usingaslatepreparedbytheregionalnominatingcommittee,two

11

(2)ordainedministers,two(2)commissionedministers,fromtherosterofthedistrictandfour

12

(4)laypersonsthedistrictnominatingcommitteefromaslatepreparedbytheRegional

13

NominatingCommittee,forelectionbythedistrictconventiontotheboardofdirectorsofthe

14

district.(Cf.Bylaw5.7.c.&d.)

15

16

f.TonominateasspecifiedinMichiganDistrictBylaw5.8c.andd.

17

18

ARTICLEV‐ELECTIONSANDVACANCIES

19

20

5.1 Officers.21

a. ElectiveOfficers.Theelectiveofficersofthedistrictshallbethepresident,fourvice‐presidents

22

(onevice‐presidentfromeachregion),asecretary,atreasurerandthecircuitcounselors

23

visitors.24

 b.AppointiveOfficer.Theboardofdirectors,inconsultationwiththepresident,shallappointthe25

treasurer.26

27

5.2Theelectiveboardofthedistrictshallbetheboardofdirectors.28

29

5.3TermofOfficersandBoardMembersofDirectors.30

31

a.Thetermofofficeofeachelectedorappointedofficershallbethree (3)years.Allofficersother32

thancircuitcounselorsvisitorsmaybeelectedorappointedtothesameofficeforfour(4)

33

consecutivetermsafterwhichaperiodofthree(3)years shallelapsebeforesuchpersonisthey

34

areagaineligibleforelectionorappointmenttothesameoffice,unlessotherwiseprovidedby35

thesebylaws.Anofficer,electedorappointedtofillanune xpiredterm,whoservestwo(2)or36

moreyearsshallbeconsideredtohavecompletedone(1)term.Circuitcounsel orsvisitorsmay

37

serveanunlimitednumberofterms.38

39

c.b.Thepresidentmaybeelectedtosucceedhimselfinofficenomorethanthree(3)times. 

40

41

b.c.Theterm ofofficeofeachboardofdirectorsmembershallbesix(6)years.Allboardofdirectors

42

membersmaybeelectedorappointedtothesame officefortwo(2)consecutivetermsafter43

whichaperiodofsix(6)yearsshallelapsebeforesuchpersonistheyareagaineligiblefor

44

electiontothesamethatboard,unlessotherwiseprovidedbytheseBylaws.Aboardof

45

directorsmemberelectedorappointedtofillanunexpiredtermwhoservedservesfour(4)or

46

moreyearsshallbeconsideredtohavecompletedone(1)term.47

48

Overtures - Page 43



d.Theboardofdirectorsshallbecomposedoffour(4)ordainedministers,four(4)commissioned1

ministers,andeight(8)laypersonswithequalrepresentationfromeachregionoftheDistrict.2

ThesizeoftheChurchExtensionBoardofTrusteesshallbedeterminedbyitsbylaws.3

4

e.DistrictBoardofdirectorsmemberswhomoveinter‐regionallytoadifferentregionofth edistrict

5

maycompletetheirtermofoffice.6

7

5.4SalariedExecutiveswithoutVote.8

9

ExecutivelevelstaffofthedistrictandthechiefexecutiveofficerfortheChurchExtensionBoardof10

Trusteesarenoteligibleforvotingmembershiponanyboardofthedistrict.Theyshallnotatthe 11

sametimeholdanexecutivepositiontowhichtheyhavebeencalledandtheofficeofpresident,12

vice‐president,Secretary,ortreasurero fthedistrict.Ifsuchstaffiselectedbytheconventionor

13

appointedtooneofthesepositions,hemustresignhisexecutiveofficetoacceptsuchanelection.14

15

5.5IfPresidentisUnabletoServe.

16

17

Thedutiesandresponsibilit i e softheofficeofpresidentshallbeassumedbythefirstvice‐pres i d e n t

18

whenevertheboardofdirectorsdeterminesthatthepresidentisunable toserveinthatcapacity

19

becauseofhisprolongedillnessordisability,andthefirstvice‐presidentshallremainastheacting

20

presidentuntiltheboardofdirectorsdeterminessuchillnessordisabilityhasbeenremoved.

21

22

5.6Vacancies.

23

24

a.Avacancyintheofficeofvice‐presidentshallbefilledbyadvancingthelowerrankingvice‐

25

presidents.Anactingvicepresidentforther es u l t i n gvacancymaybeappointedbyth e

26

president,withtheadviceandconsentoftheboardofdirectors,untiltheelectionsatthenext

27

districtconvention.

28

29

b.Avacancyintheboardofdirectorsshallbefilledbytheboardunlessotherwiseprovidedinthese

30

BylawsortheBylawsoftheLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.Theappointeeshallservethe

31

unexpiredterm.

32

33

c.Avacancyinanyotherelectiveoffice(secretary,treasurer,etc.)shallbefilledbyappointmentby

34

theboardofdirectors.Theappointees hallservetheunexpiredtermtowhichheisappointed.

35

36

d.TheChurchExtensionBoardofTrusteeswillfillvacanciesinaccordancewithitsownBylaws.

37

38

5.7

39

5.5TimeofElections.40

41

a.Theelectionofthepresident,thevice‐presidents,thesecretary,thetreasurer,thedistrictelected

42

membersoftheboardofregentsofConcordiaUniversity,Ann Arbor,approximatelyone‐halfof

43

theboardofdirectorsmembersandtheratificationofthecircuitcounselorsvisitorsshalltake

44

placeateachdistrictconvention.Atalternateconventionsthereshallalsobeelectedadistrict

45

membershallbeelectedtoserveontheLCMSCommitteeforConventionNominations.46

47

Overtures - Page 44



b.Regionalassembliesshallnominateforallpositionswiththeexceptionofdistrictpresident,

1

districtsecretary,districttreasurer,theboardofdirectorsandthe ChurchExtensionBoardof

2

Trustees,andtheboardofregentsofConcordi a University,AnnArbor.

3

4

c.Attheirregionalassembliespriortotheconventionheldineven‐numberedyears,theMetroEast5

RegionandtheWestRegionshallnominatefortheboardofdirectors.6

7

d.Attheirregionalassembliespriortotheconventionheldinodd‐numberedyears,theMetroWest8

RegionandtheNorthandEastRegionshallnominatefortheboardofdirectors.9

10

5.8

11

5.6CommitteeonNominations.NominatingCommittee.

12

13

a.Thedistrictconventionshallelecta12‐membernom i n a t i ngcommitteeconsistingofone(1)14

ordainedminister,one(1)commissionedminister,a ndone(1)laypersonfromeachregionof15

thedistrictandthepresidentshalldesignatethechairmanthereof.Thethreecommittee16

membersfromeachregionshallserveastheregionalnominatingcommittee.17

18

b.TheCommitteeonNominationsnominatingcommitteeshallmeetatthecallofthepresidentof

19

thedistrict.

20

21

c.Theregionalnominati n gcommitteeshalldrawupfromitsregionalistofcandidatesand22

alternatesfortheboardofdirectorsandfortheno m inatingcommitteeinaccordancewiththe

23

provisionsofMichiganDistrictBylaws5.8and5.9andtheScheduleofElections.Theregional24

nominatingcommitteeshallobtaintheconsentofthepersonsitproposestonominate,aswell25

asbiographicaldata,andsupplytheregionalassemblywiththisinformation.Fol lowingthe26

regionalnominations,thebiographicaldataofpersonsnominatedshallbetransferredtothe27

districtnominatingcommitteesothatthedistrictballotmaybedrawnup.28

29

d.Thedistrictnominatingcommitteeshalldrawupalistofcandidatesandalternatesforallother30

districtoffices,namely,thedistrictsecretary,treasurer,andtheChurchExtensionFundBoardof

31

Trustees,andtheboardofregentsofConcordi a University,AnnArbor.Thenominating

32

committeeshallobtaintheconsentofthepersonsitproposesto nominate,andtransmitits33

finalreporttothesecretaryofthedistrictinampletimeto pro v id eforitspublicationinapre‐

34

conventionissueofthed istrict’sofficialpublicationandalsointheofficialConventionBookof

35

ReportsandOverturesnolaterthanthre e(3)monthsbeforetheconvention.Thisreportshall

36

containtheoccupationorprofession,residency,andspecificexperienceandqualificationsfor37

theproposedoffice.38

39

e.Thechairmanorhisdesignatesha l lsubmitthecommittee’sreporttothedistrictconvention.40

41

f.Ifbetweentheregionalassemblyandthedistrictconventiona nomineebecomesineligiblefor42

election,thenominatingcommitteewillfilltheslatewithaqualifiedcandidate.43

44

g.Theconventionshallhavetherighttoaltertheballotbyamendment.Theamendmentprocedure45

shallincludeamotion,asecond,andamajorityvote ontheamendment.Anydelegatemakinga46

nominationforthefloorshallhavesecuredpriorwrittenconsentandbiographicaldatafromthe47

Overtures - Page 45



candidatewhomhewishestonominateasdetailedinMichiganDistrictBylaw5.8c.&d.This1

materialshallthenbesubmittedtothedistrictsecretary.2

3

h.Thechairmanshallhaveonhandatthecon v entionareservelistofnominees,approvedbyhis 4

committee,foruseifrequiredifanewboardistobeelected.Wheneverpossible,however,the5

committeeonnominationsshoul dbeinformedinadvanceifanynewboardislikelytobe6

electedataDistrictconvention,sothatitmayhaveaslateofcandidatesinreadiness.7

8

5.9

9

5.7FloorCommitteeonElections.10

11

a.Electionsshallbecond uctedbyafloorcommitteeonelections,appointedbythepresidentbefore12

theconvention.Thesecretaryofthedistrictshallfurnishthecommitteeacopyofsuggested13

electionprocedures.14

15

b.Thecommitteeshallconsistofone(1)ordainedminister,one(1)commissionedministerandtwo16

(2)laypersons.17

18

c.Thecommitteemayappoi n ttellers,whoneednotbevotingdelegates,toassistinconductingthe19

elections.Thechairmanshallgivethelistoftellerstothesecretaryofthedistrict,whoshall20

announcethemtotheconvention.21

22

d.Aregionalfloorcommitteeonelectionsshallbeapp o i n t e dbythevice‐presi d e n tofthatregionto23

conductthenominatingelectionsattheregionalassembliesandwhosedutiesshallbe24

consistentwiththedistrictfloorcommitteeonelections.25

26

5.10

27

5.8MajorityandPluralityofVotes.28

29

Amajorityofallvotescastshallberequiredtoelect.30

31

5.11

32

5.9NominationsandElectionofthePresident.33

34

a.TheMichiganDistrictoftheLutheranChurch—Mis souriSynodshallel ectapresiden tfromamong35

theclergyofthesynod.36

37

b.EveryvotingmembercongregationoftheMichiganDistrictmaynominateonepastorasa38

candidatefortheofficeofdistrictpresident.

39

40

c.Thenominationofeachmembercongregationshallbesubmittedtothedistrictsecretarybya

41

timedeterminedbythedistrictsecretarytomeetdeadlinesinampletimeforpublicationtothe

42

districtbeforetheconvention.nolaterthanfour(4)monthspriortotheopeningofthedistrict

43

convention.44

45

d.Candidatesfortheofficeofpresidentshallbethefive(5)personsreceivingthelargestnumberof46

nominationsinthiscongregationalaction.47

48

Overtures - Page 46



e.Thedistrictsecretaryshallnotifyeachcandidateandshallsecurehisapprovalinwritingfor

1

inclusionofhisnameontheconventionballot.2

3

f.Thedistrictsecretaryshallpreparebiographicalinformationonthefivecandidates,whichistobe

4

publishedindistrictperiodicalsnolaterthanMay1,andintheConventionBookofReportsand

5

Memorialswhichshallbesubmittedforpublicationnolaterthantwo(2)monthspriortothe

6

openingofthedistrictconvention.7

8

g.Thedistrictsecretaryshallsubmitthenamesofthefivecandid atesforelectionofdistrict

9

presidenttothedistrictconvention.10

11

h.Theconventionshallhavetherighttoaltertheslatebymajorityamendment.12

13

i.Ifnocandidatereceivesamajorityvoteonthefirstballot,thenameofthecandidate whoreceives14

thesmallestnumberofvotesshallbedroppedfromthelistandanewballot taken.The15

procedureshallbecontinued untilone(1)candi d atehasreceivedamajorityofthevotescast.16

17

5.12

18

5.10NominationsandElectionsofVicePresidents.19

20

a.TheMichiganDistrictshallelectfour(4)regionalvice‐presidentsonevice‐presidentforeach

21

regionfromtheclergyrosterofthesynod.22

23

b.Everyvotingcongregationofaregionmaynominateonepastorfromitsregionasaregional

24

candidatefortheofficeofvice‐presidentforitsregion.25

26

c.Thenominationshallbesubmittedtothedistrictsecretarynolaterthanfour(4)monthspriorto

27

theopeningofthedistrictconvention.28

29

d.Thedistrictsecretaryshallnotifyeachnominee,secure hisapprovalinwriting,andsecure

30

biographicalinformationfortheinclusionofthefive(5)namesreceivingthemostnominations31

ontheregionalnominatingballot.32

33

e.Attheregionalassemblieseachregionshallchoosebyballottwo(2) pastorsasnomineesfor34

electionbythedistrictconventiontotheofficeofregionalVice‐President.35

36

f.Eachvotingdelegateintheregionmayvotefortwo(2)nomineesforvice‐president,indicatinghis 37

firstandsecondchoice.Thetellers,appointedbythechairman,shallscoretwo(2)pointsfor38

eachfirstchoiceandone(1)pointforeachsecondchoice.Thetwo(2)nomineesreceivingthe39

largestnumberofpointsshallbecandidates.Thetellersshallreporttheresultsofthemee ting40

tothechairman.41

42

g.Thechairmanoftheregionalassembliesshallreporttothesecretaryofthedistrictthenamesof

43

thepersonsnomi natedfortheofficeofvice‐presiden talongwiththebiographicaldata.The44

districtsecretaryshalltransmitsuchnamestothefloorcommitteeonelections.

45

46

Overtures - Page 47



h.Thecommitteeonelectionsshallrecaptheinformationprovid edonqualificationsandexperience1

foreachcandidateandshallsubmitsuchinformationtogetherwiththeballotonwhichsuch2

electionistotakeplace.3

4

i.Theconventionshallhavetherighttoaltertheslateatthepropertimebymajorityamendmentas5

outlinedinMichiganDistrictBylaw5.8g.6

7

j.Theconventionshallelectonevice‐presidentfromeachregion.

8

9

5.13

10

5.11RankingofVice‐Presidents.11

12

Aftertheregionalvice‐presidentshavebeenelected,ballotingwillcontinuetodeterminetheirrank.

13

Thenamesofallfour(4)vice‐presidentswillconstitutetheballotforthefirstvice‐president,and14

votingcontinuesuntiloneiselectedbymajorityvote.(Ifoneisnotelectedonthefirstbal l o t ,the15

nameofthecandida tewhoreceivesthesmallestnumberofvotesshallbedropped,andthe16

ballotingcontinuesinthisfashionuntil oneiselectedbymajorityvote.)Theremainingthreenames17

constitutetheballotforsecondvice‐presidentandtheballotingcontinuesasabove.Thetwo18

remainingnamesconstitutetheballotforthirdvice‐president,andtheonenotelectedbecomes19

fourthvice‐president.20

21

5.14

22

5.12ElectionofCircuitCounselorsVisitors.

23

24

Theconventionshallelectthecircuit counselorsvisitorsasprovidedbytheBylawsoftheLutheran

25

Church—MissouriSynod.26

27

5.15Theconventionshallelectone(1)ordainedminister,one(1)commissionedminister,andtwo(2) 

28

laypersonstotheboardofregentsofConcordiaUniversity,AnnArbor,asprovidedbytheBylawsof

29

theLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.

30

31

5.13NominationsofBoardofDirectors.32

33

a.EveryvotingcongregationofaregionnominatingfortheBoardofDirectorsmaynominateone34

(1)ordainedminister,one(1)commissionedministerandtwo(2)laypersonsfromitsregionas35

candidates.(Cf.Bylaw5.7.c.‐d.forthenominatingschedule.)36

37

b.Thenominationsshallbesubmittedtothesecretarynolaterthanfour(4)monthspriortothe38

openingofthedistrictconvention.39

40

c.Thesecretaryshallnotifyeachnominee,securehisapprovalinwriting,andsecurebiographical41

informationfortheinclusionofthefour(4)ordainedministers,four(4)commissioned42

ministers,and(8)laypersonsreceivingthemostnominationsontheregionalnominating43

ballot.44

45

d.Attheregionalassemblieseachregionshallchoosebyballottwo(2)ordainedministers,two(2)46

commissionedministers,andfour(4)laypersonsasnomineesforelectionbythedistrict47

convention.48

Overtures - Page 48



1

e.Eachvotingdelegateintheregionmayvotefortwo(2)ordainedministernominees,two(2)2

commissionedministernominees,andfour(4)laypersonnominees.Thetwo(2)ordained3

ministers,two(2)commissionedministers,and(4)laypersonsreceivingthelargestnumberof4 

votesshallbecandidates.ThetellersshallreporttheresultsofthemeetingtotheChairman.5

6

f.Thechairmanoftheregionalassembliesshallreporttothesecretarythenamesofthepersons7

nominatedfortheBoardofDirectors,alongwiththebiographicaldata.Thesecretaryshall8

transmitsuchnamestothefloorcommitteeonelections.9

10

g.Thecommitteeonelectionsshallrecaptheinformationprovidedonqualificationsand11

experienceforeachcandidateandshallsubmitsuchin formationtogetherwiththeballoton12

whichsuchelectionistotakeplace.13

14

h.Theconventionshallhavetherighttoaltertheslateatthepropertimebymajorityamendment15

asoutlinedinMichiganDistrictBylaw5.8g.16

17

5.16

18

5.14ElectionofOtherOfficers.19

20

a.Electionofallofficersotherthanthepresidentandvice‐presidentswillbeheldataspecial21

periodoftheconventionsessiondeterminedandannouncedbythepresidentinadvance.22

23

b.Thecommitteeonelectionsshallsubmitone(1)ballotcontainingthenom i n e e s furnishedby24

thecommitteeonnominationsforallelectiveoffices.25

26

c.Thelistofnomineesforeachrespectiveoffice,togetherwiththeirexperienceand27

qualifications,shallbedistributed.28

29

5.17

30

5.15OrderofNamesontheBallot.31

32

Thenamesofallcandidates inallelectionsshallbeplacedontheballotregionallyandin33

alphabeticalorderbutwithoutanydisti nctivemark,unlessotherwisestipula tedbytheseBylaws.34

35

5.18

36

5.16NotificationsofElectiontoOffice. 37

38

 Atthecloseoftheconvention,thesecretaryofthedistrictshallnotifyeveryofficerandboard39

memberinwritingofelection.40

41

5.19

42

5.17ExceptionofChurchExtensio nFundBoardofTrustees.43

44

 NotwithstandinganyoftheotherprovisionsoftheseBylaws,theC hurchExtensionFundbeinga

45

separatecorporationcreatedbythe district,MembersoftheChurchExtensionFundBoardof

46

Trusteesshallbeelectedasprovidedbyth e Fund’sownbylawsofthesaidChurchExtensionFund

47

andnotbytheprovisionsoftheseBylaws.

48

Overtures - Page 49



5.20

1

5.18InductionandBeginningofTermofOffice.2 

3

a.Allofficerselectedattheconventionshallbeinductedintotheirrespectiveofficesinan4

installationceremony(service)attheconvention.5

6

b. AllofficersshallbegintheirtermsofofficeonOctobe r1.7

8

9

ARTICLEVI–VACANCIESANDSUCCESSIONINOFFICE

10

11

6.1PresidentialVacancy12

a.Intheeventthattheofficeofpresidentofthedistrictbecomesvacant,Avacancyinthe officeof

13

presidentshallbefilledbythefirstvice‐president,whoshallsucceedtotheofficeofpresident

14

andshallserveuntilthedis trictconvention.

15

6.3

16

b.AnyThefirstvice‐president,whobythetermsofthisarticlesucceedstotheofficeofpresident,may

17

declinesuchtheofficeofpresident;inwhichevent:

18

19

a. 1.Thenextrankingvice ‐p residentshallbecomepresi dentofthedistrict.

20

21

b. 2.Allothervice‐presidentsshallmoveuponerank.

22

23

c. 3.Thedecliningvice‐presidentshallfillthelastrankingvacantvice‐presidency.

24

6.2

25

 c. Thesuccessorneednotterminatehispositionaspastoroftheacongregationwhilecomple t i ng

26

theformerpresident’sunexpiredterm.unlessanduntilheiselectedpresidentbyaconvention.

27

28

5.5IfPresidentisUnabletoServe.

29

 d. Iftheboardofdirectorsdeterminesthatthepresidentistemporarilyunabletoserveinthat30

capacitybecauseofprolongedillnessordisability,thedutiesandresponsibilitiesoftheoffice31

ofpresidentshallbeassumedbythefirstvice‐president,whenevertheboardofdirectors

32

determinesthatthepresidentisunabletoserveinthatcapacitybecauseofhisprolongedillness

33

ordisability,andthefirstvice‐presidentwho shallremainastheactingpreside ntuntiltheboard

34

ofdirectorsdeterminessuchthattheillnessordisabilityhasbeenremoved.35

36

5.6Vacancies.

37

a.

38

39

6.2 Avacancyintheoffice ofvice‐pres i d e n tshallbefilledbyadvancingth e lowerrankingvice‐40

presidents.Anactingvicepresidentforther es u l t i n gvacancymaybeappointedbythepresident,41

withtheadviceandconsentofth eboardofdirectors,untiltheelectionsatthenextdistrict

42

convention.43

44

b.45

6.3 Avacancyintheboardofdirectorsshallbefilled bytheboardunlessotherwiseprovidedinthese46

bylawsorthebylawsoftheLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.Theappointeeshallservethe47

unexpiredterm.48

Overtures - Page 50



c.1

6.4Avacancyinanyotherelectiveoffice(secretary,treasurer,etc.)shallbefilledbyappointmentby

2

theboardofdirectors.Theappointees hallservetheunexpiredtermtowhichheisappointed.

3

4

d.

5

6.5TheChurchExten s i o nFundBoardofTrusteeswillfillvacanciesinaccordancewithitsownbylaws.6

7

8

ARTICLEVII‐BOARDOFDIRECTORS

9

10

7.1 Theboardofdirectors,withfullauthorityshallcarryintoexecutionthepoliciesadoptedbythe11

districtinconvention.withfullauthoritytocarrythemout.Theboardofdirectorsshallcreate

12

policiesandmonitorcomplianc etopolicieswhichgovernthedistrictandtheboardofdirectors13

shallmonitortheperformanceofthedistrictpresident,who shallbeinchargeofalldistrict14

operationsandstaff.TheboardofdirectorsshallcarryoutitsfunctionsasdescribedbySynod15

Bylaw4.5.1.16

17

7.2 Theboardofdirectorsisauthorizedtoelectfromitsmembershipachairman,vicechairmanand18

secretaryandtoappointsuchcommitteesasneededtocarryoutitswork.

19

20

Theboardofdirectorsisauthorizedtoappointsuchcommitteesandtaskforcesasit21

deemsreasonabletoassistittocarryoutitswork.Membersofcommitteesandtask22

forcesshallbemembersingoodstandingofcongregationswhicharemembersofthe23

MichiganDistrictoftheLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.(MCL450.2527(3))24

25

7.8

26

b. Allcommissionsandcommitteescommittees ,commissionsandtaskforcesofthedistrict

27

shallreportregularlytotheboardofdir ectors.Suchreportmaybemadeinwritingorbya28

representativeinperson,provided,however,thattheboardofdirectorsmayrequirethe29

reporttobemadebyarepresentative inperson. 30

31

7.3

32

c.Theboardofdirectorsisauthorizedtoextendcallsonbehalfofthedistrict.33

34

7.4

35

7.3 Themembershipoftheboardofdirectorsshallbedividedintotwoclasses,thevotingmembers36

andadvisorymembers:37

38

a. Thevotingmembersoftheboardofdirectorsshallco n s i s tofone(1) ordainedminister,one39

(1)commissionedministerandtwo(2)laypersonselectedfromeachoftheregionswithin40

thedistrict.41

42

b. Theadvisorymembersshallconsistofthepresident,regionalvice‐presidents,secretary,43

treasurer,andthechairmanofthecircuitcounselorsvisitors.

44

45

7.5

46

7.4Theboardofdirectorsshallmeetatleastfive(5 ) timesperyear.47

48

Overtures - Page 51



7.7

1

a. Aquorumshallconsistofamajorityofthevotingmembersandthemajorityofthose2

presentandvotingshallbesuffi c i e n ttocarryamotionorresolution.3

4

7.6

5

b. Specialmeetingsoftheboardofdirectorsmaybecalledbythepresidentofthedistrict,the

6

chairmanoftheboardoranythree(3)votingmembersoftheboard.uponWrittenAdvance

7

noticeofspecialmeetingsshallbegiventoallvotingandadvisorymembers.

8

9

c.Amemberoftheboardofdirectorsorofacommitteedesignatedbytheboardmay10

participateinameetingbymeansoftelephoneconferenceorothermeansofremote11

communicationbywhichallpersonsparticipatinginthemeetingcancommunicatewith12

eachother.Participationinameetingpursuanttothissubsectionconstitutespresencein13

personatthemeeting.14

15

7.8 Allcommissionsandcommitteesofthedistrictshallr eportregularlytotheboardofdirectors.

16

Suchreportmaybemadeinwritingorbyarepresentativeinperson,provided,however,that

17

theboardofdirectorsmayrequirethereporttobemadebyarepresentativeinperson.

18

19

20

InARTICLEVIII–OFFICERSANDADMINISTRATION

21

22

8.6 CircuitCounselorsVisitors.Circuitcounselorsvisitorsshallserveinaccordancewiththeduties

23

assignedtothispositionasprovidedbytheBy‐lawso fTheLutheranChurch—MissouriSynod.24

Duringtheyearwhenthereisnosynodordistrictconventio n ,circuitconvocationswillbeheld25

undertheleadershipofthecircuitcounselorsvisitorsandmembersofthecircuitforum.

26

27

28

ARTICLEIX‐FISCALANDAUDITING

29

9.1 DistrictBudget.Thedistrictbudgetshallbedeterminedbytheboa rdofdirectorsthroughits30

policies,butnobudgetshallbeapprovedwhichallowsforexpendituresgreaterthanreceipts31

andotherfundsprojectedtobeavailableinanygivenyear.32

33

9.2 Auditing.Allthedistrict’sfinancialaccountsshallbeauditedatleastonceeveryyearbyafirmof34

certifiedpublicaccountantsdesignatedbytheboardofdirectors.35

36

9.3 NocommissionorcommitteeofthedistrictexcepttheChurchExtensionFund,whichisa37

subsidiarycorporationofthedistrict,shallmaintainaseparatebankaccountwithoutthe38

consentoftheboardofdirectors.Inthe eventsuchconsentisgivenbytheboardofdirectors,39

suchaccountoraccountsshallbeauditedatthesametimeandinthesamemanneras40

heretoforeprovided.41

42

9.4 Theboardofdirectorsshalldevelopitsownboardpolicymanualforpropergovernanceofthe43

district.44

45

9.5 Thosedirectorsdulyelectedorappointedtotheboardofdirectorswhodonotreceiveanything

46

ofvaluefromthiscorporationforservingasadirectorotherthanreasonableper die m

47

Overtures - Page 52



compensationand/orreimbursementforactual,reasonableandnecessaryexpensesincurredby

1

suchdirectorinserviceofthecapacityasadirectorshallbe deemeda“volunteerdirector”

2

forallpurposeshereunder.

3

4

9.6 Avolunteerdirectorshallnotbepersonallyliabletothecorporationoritsmembershipand /or

5

membersformonetarydamagesforanybreachofthedirector’sfiduciarydutyexceptfor

6

liabilityarisingfromorrelatingto:

7

8

a.Abreachofdirector’sdutyofloyaltytothecorporationoritsmembers;

9

b.Actualomiss i o n s notingoodfaithorthei nvolvementofintentionalmisc o nductoraknowing

10

violationoflaw;

11

c.AnactinviolationoftheprovisionsofMichiganlaw,specificallyMCLA450.2551(1);

12

d.Anytransactionfromwhichadirectorderivesanimproperpersonalbenefit.

13

e.AnyactoromissionresultinginliabilityoccurringbeforeJanuary1,1988;

14

f.Anyactoromissionthatisgrosslynegligent.

15

16

9.7 Thecorporationshallassumeallliabilitytoanypersonorentityotherthanthecorporationorits

17

membersforallactsoromissionsofavolunteerdirectoroccurrin gonorafterJanuary1,1988.

18

19

9.8 Thecorporation,byadoptionofaresolutioninaccordancewithitsArticlesofIncorporationand

20

Bylaws,andpursuanttothe provisions ofPublicAct170oftheMichiganPublicActsof1986,

21

shallhavethepowertoindemnifythosepersonsservinginthepositionof,orattherequestof

22

thecorporationasdirector,officer,trustee,employeeoragentagainstexpenses,including

23

attorneyfees,judgments,penalties,finesandamountspaidinsettlementactuallyand

24

reasonablyincurredbyapersoninconnectionwitha nyactions,suitsorproceedings,formalor

25

informal,relatingtotheserviceofsaidindividualonbehalfofthecorporationifsuchperson

26

actedingoodfaithandinamannerthatthepersonreasonablybelievedtobeinornotopposed

27

tothebestinterestofthecorporationoritsmembers,orwithrespecttoanycriminalactionor

28

proceedingifthepersonhadnoreasonablecausetobelievethattheconductengagedinwas

29

unlawful.Thecorporation,throughitsBoardofDirectors,shallhavesuchfurtherorother

30

authoritytoindemnifydirectors,officers,employeesoragentsconsistentwiththeprovisionsof

31

PublicActs170,MichiganPublicActsof1987.

32

33

34

ARTICLEXII–COMMISSIONS&TASKFORCES

35

36

12.1Thedistrictconventionandboardofdirectorsmaycreatespecialcommitteesortaskforcesin

37

ordertocarryouttheirresponsibilitiesorforspecialpurposes.

38

39

12.2Standingcommitteesaresub‐unitsofandareappointed bytheirgoverningboard;thethree‐year

40

appointmentsarelimitedtothreeconsecutiveterms.

41

42

ARTICLEXIII‐COMMISSIONS

43

44

13.1Theconventionbyresolutionmayfromtimetotimecreatecommissionsandtaskforcesforspecial 

45

purposes.46

13.2

47

Overtures - Page 53



12.2TheTaskforcesandcommissionsestablishedbyaconventionandexistingatthetimeo fthe

1

adoptionoftheseBylawsshallcontinuetheirpowers,dutiesandjurisdictionuntilfurtherresolution2

oftheconvention.No future

commissionortaskforceshallhavedurationforlongerthanthetime3

betweenconventions.4

5

13.3

6

12.3TheAconventionresolutioncreatingac o m m i s sionortaskforceshal ldefineitspowers,duties,

7

durationandjurisdictionandestablishitsbudget.8

9

13.4

10

12.4Acommissionortaskforcecreatedbyaconventionshallmakeaperiodicreportsoftheiractivities

11

totheconventionandbetweenconventionstotheboardofdirectorsuponrequestbetween

12

conventions.(Cf.Bylaw7.2.ab.)

13

14

13.5

15

12.5Membersofcommissionsandtaskforcesshallbemembersingoodstandingofcongregations16

whicharemembersoftheMic higanDistrictoftheLutheranChurch—MissouriSy nod.17

18

19

ARTICLEXVXIII–HANDBOOK(renumberingonly)

20

21

ARTICLEXVIXIV–REPEALANDSAVINGCLAUSE(renumberingonly)

22

23

24

ARTICLEXV–INDEMNIFICATION

25

9.5

26

15.1 Thosedirectorsdulyelectedorappointedtotheboardofdirectorswhodonotreceive27

anythingofvaluefromthiscorporationforservingasadirectorotherthanreasonableper28

diemcompensationand/orreimbursementforactual,reasonableandnecessaryexpenses29

incurredbysuchdirectorinserviceofthecapacityasadirectorshallbedeemeda“volunteer30

director”forallpurposeshereunder.31

32

9.6

33

15.2 Avolunteerdirectorshallnotbepersonallyliabletothecorporationoritsmembershipand/or34

membersformonetarydamagesforanybreachofthedirector’sfiduciarydutyexceptfor35

liabilityarisingfromorrelatingto:36

37

a.Abreachofdirector’sdutyofloyaltytothecorporationoritsmembers;38

b.Actualomissionsnotingoodfaithortheinvolvementofintentionalmiscon ductora39

knowingviolationoflaw;40

c.AnactinviolationoftheprovisionsofMichiganlaw,specificallyMCLA450.2551(1);41

d.Anytransactionfromwhichadirectorderivesanimproperpersonalbenefit.42

e.AnyactoromissionresultinginliabilityoccurringbeforeJanuary1,1988;43

f.Anyactoromissionthatisgrosslynegligent.44

45

9.7

46

Overtures - Page 54



15.3 Thecorporationshallassumeallliabilitytoanypersonorentityotherthanthecorporationor1

itsmembersforallactsoromissionsofavolunteerdirectoroccurringonorafterJanuary1,2

1988.3

4

9.8

5

15.4 Thecorporation,byadoptionofaresolutioninaccordancewith itsArticle sofIncorporation6

andBylaws,andpursuanttotheprovisionsofPublicAct170oftheMichiganPublicActsof7

1986,shallhavethepowertoindemnifythosepersonsservinginthepositionof,oratthe8

requestofthecorporationasdirector,officer,trustee,employeeoragentagainstexpenses,9

includingattorneyfees,judgments,penalties,finesandamountspaidinsettlementactually10

andreasonablyincurredbyapersoninconnectionwithanyactions,suitsorproceedings,11

formalorinformal,relatingtotheserviceofsaidindividualonbehalfofthecorporationifsuch12

personactedingoodfaithandinamannerthatthepersonreasonablybelievedtobeinornot13

opposedtothebestinterestofthecorporationoritsmembers,orwithrespectto anycriminal14

actionorproceedingifthepersonhadnoreasonablecausetobelievethattheconduct15

engagedinwasunlawful.Thecorporation,throughitsBoardofDirector s, shallhavesuch16

furtherorotherauthoritytoindemnifydirectors,officers,employeesoragentsconsistentwith17

theprovisionsofPublic

Acts170,MichiganPublicActsof1987.18

19

20

InARTICLEXVIIXVI–AMENDMENTS(renumbered)

21

22

17.6

23

16.6 AllproposedamendmentstotheseBylaws,beforetheyaregiveneffect,shallfirstbesubmitted24

totheSynodCommissiononConstitutionalMattersforreviewandtheapprovalofthat25

commissionobtainedasprovidedintheBylawsofSynod;exceptfollowingaconventionofthe26

Synod,bylawamendmentsnecessaryforcompliancewiththeConstitutionandBylawsofthe27

Synodmaybemadebyatwo‐thirdsmajorityoftheboardofdirectors.28

29

30

Submittedby: BoardofDirectors,MichiganDistrictLCMS31

32

33

34

35