circuit counselor reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

5. St. John, Mattoon. Under the twin care of Rev. Marty Haeger and Rev. Troy Countryman saw abusy three years. (Pastor Haeger joining St. John’s as head pastor in the middle/end of the Triennium) Thebiggest addition was a capital campaign that resulted a new (wonderful!) school building across from thechurch and thus relieving pressure from a too small building. This year St. John’s added to its celebrationof the Resurrection, the Easter Vigil which was received with much blessing by the congregation.6. Immanuel, Tuscola. Rev. Jason Braaten joined us mid-triennium to become shepherd under theGreat and Good Shepherd at Immanuel. Under Pastor Braaten the choir and children’s ministry of thecongregation have experienced a revitalization. Immanuel also experienced the blessing of our Lord’sSacrament of the Altar becoming available every week and the addition of the Easter Vigil.7. St. Paul, Sadorus. Under the watchful eyes of Rev. Bill Gauger and Rev. Joe Hughes thecongregation at Sadorus continues to be blessed by a strong program of Word and Sacrament, Bible Study,and growing fellowship among members. The preschool program is full as they have successfullytransitioned to a new director/teacher.Among the pastors we experienced great rejoicing as last year both the Braaten and the Countryman families addeddaughters... born on the same day, in the same hospital, only about an hour apart. We also shared together our otherjoys, griefs, and challenges in regular meetings of the Circuit.Of course the full stories of each congregation cannot be told here, but both heartbreak and joy, living under thecross and in the resurrection, characterized the congregations of the Mattoon Circuit. In it all the Shepherd of ourSouls has continued to be faithful and remains with us all to the very end of the age. Please keep the pastors, theirfamilies, and the congregations of the Mattoon Circuit in your prayers as we continue to pray for you all throughChrist.Respectfully submitted by Rev. Ryan Fehrmann, Circuit Counselor of the Mattoon Circuit and Pastor of GraceLutheran Church, Paris.Peoria Circuit – Rev. Barry Long, Circuit CounselorBy God’s grace in Christ, we have continued to be nourished by His abiding mercy, and have continued to lift up theGospel in this area.In the 2009-12 triennium, the following significant events took place for the Peoria Circuit:*Summer 2009: Vicar Ken Serr called, ordained, and installed as Pastor at Grace, Canton.*Fall 2009: held a Circuit Forum to elect delegates to the 2010 Synodical Convention, sending Rev. Barry Longfrom Mt. Calvary, Peoria and Mr. Del Hume from Christ, Peoria.*Continued joint meetings with Tazewell Circuit throughout the triennium, during which we finished reading Preus’The Fire and the Staff, read Eckardt’s The New Testament in His Blood (a study of the Holy Liturgy), and have hadregular exegetical study on selected texts from the pericope.*January 2010: Rev. Dr. Joseph Meyer called as Senior Pastor to Redeemer, Peoria he had previously been theAssociate). Rev. Ron Miller formally retired as Senior Pastor.*August 2010: Deaconess Buchinger resigned her call to Mt. Calvary, Peoria to be joined in marriage to her fiancéand take up residence in Minnesota.*October 2010: We were pleased to have the District Pastors’ Conference in our circuit.*January 2011: Deaconess Gillian Bond commissioned and installed at Mt. Calvary, Peoria.*May 2011: Rev. James Bettermann, Senior Pastor at Trinity, Peoria, took a call to Kentucky.*Summer 2011: Rev. Mark Nelson called as Senior Pastor to Trinity, Peoria (he has been the Associate previously).*Summer 2011: Rev. Thayer “Ted” Benson installed as Associate at Redeemer, Peoria.*October 2011: Redeemer, Peoria hosted the District Family Life Convocation.*2012: St. Paul, Kewanee celebrates 150 years as a congregation serving in that community.During this time, we also mourned with the families of Rev. Grese (retired) and Rev. Freudenberg (Emeritus,Trinity) when they fell asleep in Christ.2012 Convention Section B – Reports Page B-42
We also bid Godspeed to Rev. Art Schudde (Emeritus, Christ) as he and his wife moved to Colorado.Quincy Circuit – Rev. Marlin Rempfer, Circuit CounselorThe Quincy circuit meets on the first Tuesday of the month September through May. We have great participationand discussion. We meet from 9 – 2 p.m. Since 2010 we have shared the May meeting with the Jacksonville circuitand meet at Camp CILCA.Changes since the last convention: In August 2010 Pastor Larry Troxel retired from Our Redeemer, Quincy; on May29, 2010 Pastor Bob Alexander of Good Shepherd, Clayton accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Colby, Kansas hislast Sunday was May 23, 2010; Pastor Paul Beisel, Concordia, Warsaw accepted a call to Immanuel, Iowa Falls,Iowa. His last Sunday was November 1, 2010. Pastor Bender of the Lutheran Church of St. John, Quincy accepteda call to St. Paul, Lutheran Church, West Allis, Wisconsin. His last Sunday was April 29, 2012On July 5 th , the beginning date of the last convention, Jeremy Latzke was installed as associate pastor at theLutheran Church of St. John; August 21, 2010 Pastor Kirk Cunningham was installed at Good Shepherd in Clayton;September 26, 2010 Pastor Les Dumer was installed as pastor of Concordia, Warsaw and Messiah, Keokuk;February 2011 Pastor Troxel began serving St. Paul Bowen and Pastor Grieve accepted a call to serve Holy Cross,Golden.Anniversaries: The Lutheran Church of St. John celebrated their 175 th anniversary. They brought back formervicars and sons of the congregation to preach and Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer preached for the final celebration Sunday onApril 15, 2012. St. James Lutheran marked their 160 th anniversary.In addition on June 20, 2010 St. James Lutheran recognized Pastor and Susan Saeger as he marked the 40 thanniversary of his ordination. On December 16, 2011 Concordia Warsaw and Messiah Keokuk helped Pastor Lesand Marion Dumer celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary.Concordia Warsaw and Messiah, Keokuk started a Blind Outreach Center. Concordia, Warsaw also changed thedate of their founding. It was changed from 1865 to 1853. They joined the synod in 1865.Rock Island Circuit – Rev. Gary Wright, Circuit CounselorThe Rock Island Circuit is served by some very skilled, and faithful undershepherds. We are pleased to welcomeRev. David Gerke to Faith, Kewanee and to our circuit. He replaced the retiring Rev. Robert Fischer.Two of our congregations continue their participation in the seminary vicarage program and we have been aprivileged to work some outstanding vicars in this past triennium.Three congregations in our circuit celebrated anniversaries: St. Matthew, Milan celebrated 50 years, Holy Crosscelebrated 60 years, and Zion, East Moline (Hampton Bluff) celebrated 150 years of God’s grace and blessing.Several congregations underwent extensive remodeling, and two congregations constructed new buildings.Immanuel, Rock Island vacated the building that had served them since 1896 and constructed a new church neartheir school salvaging the stained glass and other items from the old church, and St. John, Geneseo constructed anew building to replace their former church which was destroyed by fire over three years ago. St. John utilized theLaborers for Christ organization and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Throughout the rebuilding, they wereblessed to utilize the facilities of Beautiful Savior, Colona, who provided them a place to worship until the newfacilities were ready for occupancy.Sadly, our circuit has experienced two Lutheran school closings. Christ Lutheran High School closed its doors dueto decreased enrollment and financial struggles. Immanuel Lutheran School in Rock Island also closed its doors.2012 Convention Section B – Reports Page B-43
Page 1 and 2: CIRCUIT COUNSELOR REPORTSBloomingto
Page 3 and 4: During the past Triennium Trinity,
Page 5: In June 2011, St. Luke also hosted
Page 9 and 10: Springfield East Circuit- Rev. Gayl

circuit counselor reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?