PASTORAL VACANCY UPDATE
Sunday, February 22nd marked Pastor Colton’s last service at Redeemer. At the end of service, the members of our congregation took opportunity to honour Pastor Colton’s ministry among us these past three and a half years. As we bid him farewell and Godspeed in his new endeavor, this brought closure to his ministry at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Throughout the month of February, I have been working closely with Pastor Colton, the Board Executive and our Circuit Visitor Pastor James Leistico to work on a plan for a Vacancy Pastor and other fill-in Pastors as needed in the coming days. After much planning, meetings and discussions we are blessed to have received news that Pastor Paul Pollex (who lives in St. Thomas) has offered his services as our Vacancy Pastor. Pastor Pollex has been serving as Vacancy Pastor at Gethsemane in Windsor where Pastor Colton will be serving. We are also pleased that Pastor Ellis will assist us as needed for immediate pastoral duties and other duties as he is able.
Pastor Pollex will be leading us in our Sunday worship services, beginning March 1st. Pastor Ellis will begin assisting us in March as well, by leading our confirmation classes throughout the spring. Throughout the month of March, our Elders will continue working with our Pastors to identify other areas of ministry we need to manage together to make sure the spiritual needs of our congregation can be met during vacancy.
Looking ahead, the ground work for a Call Committee was also underway in February. I met with the Board Executive in early February to review the Constitution together so we had a clear understanding of our duties and responsibilities around forming a Call Committee. President Jane Anne Rose is the sponsor of our Call Committee, and Allan Ebert has agreed to lead/facilitate the Committee. A seven-person Committee has been formed, and the planning and documentation is already in progress. God willing, we will receive a Candidate list from Bishop Miskus by the end of March, and then the Call Committee can begin the process of candidate screening.
May God continue to watch over us, lead us and bless us during this time of Pastoral vacancy. Please keep our Pastors and our congregation leaders in your prayers as we work together in His Service.
Dan Hansen, Elder