AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS BOOK

The Thirty-second Assembly of the Upstate New York Synod of

the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

You Will Be My Witness

Upstate New York Synod Assembly 2019

May 30—June 1, 2019

Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center

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2019 SYNODICAL DISCIPLESHIP AWARD

Mr. Fred Risser

Fred Risser is a native of Central Pennsylvania and is a resident of Canandaigua. He received a BA degree in economics from Thiel College and also graduated from the National School of Savings Banking at Fairfield University. He and his wife, Barbara have two daughters, Emily and Alison. Fred has served in the finance sector for many years and served as a Supervising Bank Examiner for the New York State Department of Financial Services until his retirement in 2015. As a previous member of St. Michael’s, Camillus and a current member of St. Paul’s, Pittsford, Fred has served as church treasurer, chair of the Finance Committee, Vice President of Church Council, and chair of the Endowment Fund Committee. Synod responsibilities include membership on the Finance, Investment and Executive Committees. He has served as Synod Treasurer since 2002. He also serves on the board on the United Lutheran Seminary where he is vice chair of both the Resource Development and Financial Management Committee and the LTSP Corporation Board. Other seminary memberships include service on the ULS Endowment Foundation Board and the ULS Financial Task Force Committee. Fred is a most intelligent man who carries himself with the highest of integrity. He consistently demonstrates faith and love for the Lord and his Church. His dry wit can often take you by surprise and his laugh warms your heart. We commend Fred for his faithful service to Christ’s Church through the many ways he has offered and shared his gifts.

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CONGRATULATIONS Previous Congregational Discipleship Winners 2008 Jim Roberts Prince of Peace, Clifton Park 2009 Leslie and Linda Larsen St. Paul’s, St. Johnsville 2010 Paul Thiel Family Grace, Buffalo 2011 Marcia Brown North Park, Buffalo 2012 Melissa Dwyer Lord of Life, Depew 2013 Melissa Wilber Atonement Syracuse 2014 Nan Richard St. Peter’s, Verona 2015 Lynn Whitworth Lutheran Parish of the Tonawandas

Carole Glidden St. Andrew’s, S. Glens Falls

Ellen Meyer Concord, Rochester

Robert Lindholm St. John’s/St. Mark’s, Canajoharie Mary Lohr St. Paul’s, Liverpool

2016 Tori Swanson Zion, Frewsburg Carole Glidden St. Andrew’s, S. Glens Falls Ellen Meyer Concord, Rochester

Robert Lindholm St. John’s/St. Mark’s Canajoharie Mary Lohr

St. Paul’s, Liverpool 2017 Doris Plochko Atonement, Syracuse Lois Rumfelt

Holy Trinity, Jamestown/Lutheran, Jamestown

Barbara Sanko Atonement, Rochester Mark Schwartz All Saints, Hamburg

CONGRATULATIONS Previous Synodical Discipleship Winners 2008 Bob and Cynthia White Incarnate Word, Rochester 2009 David Truland 2010 Bonnie Grzenda St.Timothy, Geneseo 2011 David Truland Faith, Troy 2012 Dr. Robert Lebel King of Kings, Liverpool 2013 Denise Ballou Luther Memorial, N. Syracuse 2014 Jeffrey Human St. John’s, Williamsville 2015 Gary Roller Redeemer, Rochester 2016 Laurel McCurdy Zion, New Hartford 2017 Elizabeth Walker Luther Memorial, N. Syracuse 2018 Susan Fayle (posthumously) Holy Trinity, Buffalo

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SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Charles Harold Gustafson

6/20/54

Rev. Charles Harold Gustafson was born in Jamestown, NY. and was baptized at Taylor Ridge Methodist Church in Taylor Ridge, IL on April 30, 1930. He attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL graduating with an AB in Psychology in 1950, then attending Augustana Seminary obtaining his BD/M.Div in Parish Ministry in 1992. Pr. Gustafson served Salem Lutheran Church in Williamsport, PA, from 1954-1958, Bethany, Elmira from 1959 to 1970 and Bethel, Jamestown from 1970 until his retirement on 1991 when he moved to Palm Harbor, FL.

We give thanks to God for Rev. Charles Harold Gustafson

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REFLECTIONS

Rev. Charles H. Gustafson

Thank you for inviting me to be present at the Synod meeting to share in the celebration of my 65 years in ministry. Unfortunately I cannot be present for the festivities. But I do welcome the opportunity to reflect upon those years. First and foremost they were years that were underscored by God's blessings and grace. I served three congregations: Salem Lutheran in Williamsport PA for 5 years. Bethany Lutheran in Elmira NY for 11 years and Bethel Lutheran in Jamestown NY for 21 years. When I think of my ministry there are certain words that come to mind that helped to shape my ministry. Here are a few of them. First and foremost THE GOSPEL and it's message of FAITH -HOPE-- LOVE-and FORGIVENESS. AFFIRMATION-of people's faith journey no matter where that had taken them. AFFIRMATION-of people's faith journey no matter where that had tsken them. CELEBRATION-BAPTISM -MARRIAGE-LIFE'S significant events in people's experience. SHARING IN THE DIFFICULT TIMES OF PEOPLE'S life especially in the time of MAJOR ILLNESS, SORROW and DEATH FINDING SUPPORT in ministry with other pastors SENSING MY OWN NEED for support in my own faith journey. Well enough said. May God bless you all. Keep firm in the faith and may God's love uphold you. One final word BENEDICTION.

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SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Kenneth Christian Heuermann

7/25/54

Pastor Heuermann was born in Merrick, New York and grew up on Long Island. He attended the University of Western Ontario in London, obtaining a BA in Business Administration in 1952. He went on to receive a BD in Parish Ministry in 1954 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Later he did a year of graduate work in theology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Ken served as pastor to Parkside Buffalo from 1954 to 1959 and to St. Michael’s, Camillus from 1959 until his retirement in 1992. He’d visited the Baltic states, Egypt, Japan, Thailand and Singapore and has taken three trips to China. In 1991 he visited Russia and has visited the Holy Land six or seven times. His retirement hopes were to continue his international and national travels. He served on the West Genesee Board of Education for 10 years and was a member of the Solvay-Geddes Kiwanis Club. Pastor Heuermann resides in Camillus, New York.

We give thanks to God for Rev. Kenneth Christian Heuermann

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SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. John Arthur Buerk

5/27/59

Pr. Buerk was born in Troy, New York. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady in 1955 and obtained his divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1959. He also conducted post graduate work at Heidelberg University in Germany. His first call was to St. John’s, Albany serving there from 1959-1961. He then took on the job of Protestant Chaplain at the University at Buffalo from 1962-1968. For the next eight years, he held an administrative post at the university and served as an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Buffalo Philosophy Department. He also taught on the university’s Religious Studies faculty in an adjunct capacity until 1990. He began his call to Parkside, Buffalo in 1972 and remained until his retirement in 2000. John served on numerous boards benefiting the Western New York Community. Among them were the Oncological Foundation; Community Music School, Planned Parenthood; Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries; the Jewish Christian Dialogue Committee and the Mayor’s Citizens’ Funding Committee for the City of Buffalo. He has been involved ecumenically and served as an ecumenical officer for many years. John He carries with him a sense of joy in his faith and a desire to share that joy with others. Pr. Buerk and his wife, Jill reside in Buffalo, New York.

We give thanks to God for Rev. John Arthur Buerk

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SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Clarence W. Elliott

6/28/59

Pr. Elliott was born in Butler, Pennsylvania. He obtained his BA degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio in 1955 and then graduated from the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 1959 with his BD degree. His first call was as pastor to St. John’s, Lyndonville and St. Paul’s, Wilson from 1959-1963 followed by St. Paul’s, Beaver Falls PA from 1963-1967 and St. John’s, Birnamwood WI from 1967-1971. He received and accepted a call to St. John’s, Lyndonville in 1971 where he remained until his retirement in 2000. Altogether he served St. John’s for 33 years of his ministry. Pr. Elliott resides in Gasport, New York

We give thanks to God for Rev. Clarence W. Elliott

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REFLECTION

Rev. Clarence Elliott

Preach the Word!” St. Paul addressed those words to Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:2) On June 28, 1959 that verse was the text of my ordination sermon. I recall the sermon theme “A Preacher under Orders.” Incidentally, the pastor who ordained me had confirmed me eleven years earlier. I served St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lyndonville (Go Bills!) from 1959-1963 and again from 1970-2000. It very unusual for a pastor to return to a congregation previously served. Between my times at St. John’s I was pastor at a congregation in Western Pennsylvania (Go Pirates) and a two congregation parish in Wisconsin (Go Packers! For the past few years I have been pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Newfane.)Throughout the past sixty years I have been blessed in many ways by many people- church members who have rejoiced with me, wept with me and sometimes corrected me. I thank the Lord for their love and support. Reflecting on the past years I think of my parents, who encouraged and supported me. To my brother and sisters who were always there for me. My wife Carolyn (who passed away almost six years ago) was a strong help mate throughout the years. My son and daughters and their families have been my joy and my strength. Preach the word! That is a pastor’s first task. And always-ALWAYS To God be the Glory!

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SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Stephen Hluchy

5/26/59

Pastor Hluchy was born in Jamesburg, New Jersey. His parents emigrated from Czechoslovakia less than a year prior. He attended Wagner College, Staten Island graduating in 1954. He then attended the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary graduating in 1959. His first call was to a three church parish, St. Matthew, Mt. Carmel; St. John , St Clair and Holy Emmanuel in Mahoney City (all in PA) where he served from 1959 to 1967. He received and accepted a call to Holy Trinity, Skaneateles in 1967 where he served until his retirement in 1992. After a year of retirement he accepted a request from St. Stephen, Syracuse to be their visitation pastor where he served for four years. He served as chaplain of the Skaneateles Fire Department. Pastor Hluchy held many offices serving with the Clergy Association of Skaneateles and as a member of the Narcotics Council. He was also part of the committee that formed the Caring Coalition, called Hospice of Central New York. Colleagues describe Pastor Hluchy as a pastor of integrity, moral character and a winsome personality. Pastor Hluchy and Olga, his wife of 64 years, reside in Rochester.

We give thanks to God for Rev. Stephen Hluchy

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SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Paul Robert Mertzlufft

9/11/59

Pastor Mertzlufft was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He started at the University of Buffalo

studying medicine but switched his major to philosophy and the social sciences when he

experienced a “call” to ministry. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Mt. Airy Seminary in

Philadelphia and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary. He

served congregations in New Paltz and Ruby, New York before accepting a call to All Saints

Lutheran Church in Hamburg, NY where he served until his retirement in 2001. His special

interest and talent in parish work led to the development and implementation of a model

program for stewardship.

Paul was elected Pastor Emeritus by All Saints, Hamburg in 2002. He served on the Board of

Directors of the Niagara Lutheran Homes beginning in 1981 and accepted the position of Board

President in 1996. He served as Dean of the Niagara Frontier Conference, was a member of the

Synod Executive Committee, was a member of the Synod Social Ministry and Campus Board, a

member of the Ulster County Migrant Committee and First Executive of Ulster County Assn. for

Retarded Children. While serving as Dean, he served on a committee to form Inter-Lutheran

Campus Ministry, on a task force that set up the social agencies advisory committee, on Lake

Chautauqua Lutheran Camp Board, the St. John’s Board for Children, a task force to form

Lutheran Ventures in Human Services Board and the Board of Buffalo Area Metropolitan

Ministries.

Paul and his wife of 62 years Winifred, reside in Hamburg, New York

We give thanks to God for Rev. Paul Robert Mertzlufft

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SIXTY YEAR REFLECTION

Rev. Paul R. Mertzlufft

On the same day I received in the mail two items, Bishop Macholz's letter asking me "to reflect on your years of ministry" and the February issue of the Living Lutheran with Bishop Eaton's article "What is God up to?" Together they brought many thoughts and observations in focus.

I have always felt very strong about the call to pastoral ministry in the church which changed the direction of my life. Born into what was then called a "mixed marriage" that is a Roman Catholic/ Lutheran marriage, baptized in St. James Roman Catholic Church. I grew up in what you might call an ecumenical family. When I chose to be confirmed in Resurrection Lutheran Church I was fully supported by my Roman Catholic father, but not his parents. My confirmation verse assigned to me by Pastor Schmidt was, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been give unto me. Go therefore and make disciples of every nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you to the close of the age." Back then it was just a piece of memory work. I resisted thinking it applied to me for many years. Both my mother and father encouraged me to be faithful as a Christian and made sure I continued in regular worship Sunday School classes and other church activities. With the help of many teachers and pastors and some personal experiences, those verses began hammering at me until I finally said yes. And again when I went off to seminary both parents gave me their blessing.

So I reflect on how much I was blessed along the way not only by my parents but also teachers, pastors , mentors: Wilbur Schmidt, Ernie French, John Sanborn, Russel Fink, Ralph Loew, Bob Ireland, Henry McKnight (my father in-law), Ted Tappert, Martin Heinecken, Robert Borneman, David Gaise, Mel Schoonover and many others whose names I can no longer recall. They all helped to form in me a strong biblical theology with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as its foundation which has guided me to this day.

Sixty years ago theological and biblical debates were a strong part of Synod and church-wide assemblies. Today that is rare.

Sixty years ago the Lutheran Churches were not a part of the main stream culture. They kind of stood apart and looked like left over foreign imports to America. That was not very helpful in reaching out with the "good news". In the attempt to become more visible the church moved in the direction of being more adaptive to the culture which was more helpful. However in doing so it does not appear we have achieved the goal we were after, that is to have a more effective influence on our society with the good news we are called to preach.

For instance where is the voice of the church in the current debate about late term abortion including infanticide? Is this really an issue about women's rights? Instead of "being in but not of the world" we have become too much like the culture (PC and all) rather than being the counter cultural voice that Christianity really is.

70,000 annual loss in membership according Bishop Eaton. "What is God up to?" I don't know. But maybe he is up to what he has always been up to, loving his creation, his children, calling them to wake up, to repent, to start living up to what really matters most, "to love one another as I have loved you." as Jesus commanded

For more of my reflections, look back to what I said ten years ago. They are still the same.

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SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Gustave Henry Wedemeyer, Jr.

5/27/59

Pr. Wedemeyer was born in the Bronx. He attended the Cooper Union School of Engineering from 1950-1955 and went on to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia from 1955-1959 earning his Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree. His first call was as pastor to Christ Lutheran Church, Rochester until 1963. Moving forward he served as Staff Assistant to the President in Camping and Youth Activities (LCA) from 1964 to 1967, Assistant to the President for Youth Ministry (LCA) from 1967 to 1972, Assistant to the President (LCA) from 1972 to 1987 and Assistant to the Bishop from 1988 to 1997 when he retired. While attending an Assistants to the Bishop event some years ago in California, the assistants were invited to line up according to how long they had served in that office. Gus was at the head of the line. He’d served on synod staff longer than any other Assistant to the Bishop in the history of the ELCA. Pr. Wedemeyer (Gus) resides in Syracuse, New York

We give thanks to God for Rev. Gustave Henry Wedemeyer

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The REV. GUSTAVE WEDEMEYER, JR. 60th ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY REFLECTIONS

It is amazing! How things have changed! How things have stayed the same! Personal Changes: Ordained May 27, 1959 at All Saints, Boston (no longer in existence). Married Erna Icken on May 27, 1962 at Reformation, Rochester (still in existence). Kristin born July 4, 1969; Analisa born September 8, 1971. Kristin married Geoffrey Goss on May 26, 1996. Koren Goss born June 8, 2006. Truman Goss born December 19, 2008. My beloved Erna died May 14, 2016 just short of our 54th wedding anniversary. I walked into the ER on December 9, 2017 and didn’t make it home until September 21, 2018 after battling systemic sepsis and ICU psychosis and working through massive rehabilitation. Professional Changes: Pastor at Christ, Rochester (UCLA) 1959-1964; Staff Assistant – Camping and Youth Activities in the New York Synod (LCA) 1964-1967; Assistant to the President for Youth Ministry in the Upper New York Synod (LCA) 1967-1971 Assistant to the President in the Upper New York Synod (LCA) 1971-1986; Assistant to the Bishop of the Upstate New York Synod (ELCA) 1987-1997. Sputnik launched in October 1957 while I was a seminary junior. Since then, the space program – lunar landings – space stations and exploration beyond our solar system. What’s next? Graduated from the Cooper Union School of Engineering in 1955 with not a computer in the college. Then, computers cost huge amounts of money and required lots of space. Now you can (though I don’t) carry one in your pocket and contact anyone and access a world of knowledge via the internet. What’s next? Just a few examples of the fantastic changes that have taken place. So much has happened that permits us (or is it – demands us) to do things faster and faster and faster so that we have time to do more and more and more with the expectation that we do even more. And, it seems, in the midst of these changes – things have remained the same! The search for meaning in life – for purpose – for something beyond ourselves continues. The need to be loved – to be cared for – for help through the various portals of life – for help through life’s peaks and valleys continues. And so we need continued strong pastoral care – a person to stand with and/or alongside us on life’s journey. Thanks to God and to you who have allowed me to enter into your lives and the ministries of your congregations – and to enter in and stand alongside some of you in your personal journeys. Thanks to God for those of you who have assisted, supported, helped and allowed me to carry out my ministry – my family, my secretaries, my co-workers and friends. As God unfolds more of his mysteries to us, thank God for them! But, remember that you and I, our people and neighbors in this country and throughout this world still have eternal needs that can only be met through the Word and Sacraments.

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FIFTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Charles (Chick) George Biegner, Jr.

6/3/64

Pastor Biegner was born in Brooklyn and was ordained at First, Jamestown. He obtained his BA in History at Wagner College in Staten Island in 1960 and his M.Div in Church History at the Philadelphia Seminary in Philadelphia in 1964. He served as Pastor to St. Luke, Valatie from 1964 to 1973, Emanuel, Stuyvesant Falls and Resurrection, Buffalo from 1973 to his retirement in 2002. He was named Pator Emeritis by Resurrection Buffalo. Pastor Biegner was named the 1999 Citizen of the Year by the Buffalo News and received the Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg Medal from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1996. This award is given annually to persons who, through their years of dedicated service, have become exemplars for their parishioners and their colleagues of such gifts of person, intellect and ability to merit the unique recognition. Chick and his wife Barbara reside in Clarence Center.

We give thanks to God for Rev. Charles George Biegner, Jr.

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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Richard Gordan Krogmann

6/2/69

Pastor Krogmann was born in Jamaica, NY. He graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfied, Ohio with a BA in 1965 and from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia South Carolina with his M.Div in 1969. He was ordained in Clinton, South Carolina. Dick served First, Lafayette Louisiana for four years concurrently while serving Trinity New Iberia, LA for two of those years. He also served at St. Paul’s Clearwater, FL as Associate Pastor for eight years focusing on Educational Ministries and Ministries with Youth; King of Glory in New Port Richey serving for eleven years, FL; and Zion Deerfield Beach FL until he accepted a call as Pastor to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Eggertsville in 1997. He retired in 2005. Dick and his wife of 51 years, Patricia reside in Maryville, Tennessee

We give thanks to God for Rev. Richard Gordon Krogmann

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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Carl Ludwig Knitter

6/8/69

Pastor Knitter was born in New York City. He attended Westminster Choir College earning Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music. He graduated from Hamma Theological at Wittenburg in 1969, going on to earn his PhD in Human Behavior at the United States International University He served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1989 until he retired from the Navy in 1989 and was an ELCA Chaplain for seven years during his service. He served at Tremont Methodist Church in Tremont City, Ohio and received and accepted a call to the Garden of Peace Church in St. Petersburg, FL where he served for twelve years. He taught religion, music, communication and fine arts on the bachelor level. He enjoys racquet ball, hiking, the Symphonic Chorale and the Eagle Scouts. Carl and his wife Sandra live in Branchport, New York.

We give thanks to God for Rev. Carl Ludwig Knitter

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REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS – CARL LUDWIG KNITTER

I have always been blessed with a very usable tenor voice and a year following high school, volunteered for the draft and was suddenly in the US Army for the next 2 years of active military service. Most of the first year was at Ft. Benning Georgia, and in my spare time headed the music for Youth for Christ in Columbus, Georgia. The following year found me in Wiesbaden, Germany helping build a US/German Christian Youth Center and singing at the early service at the military Hainerberg Chapel and the late service at a German church that took me in. Following my discharge in January 1956, I entered Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. with the GI bill, and in 1959 received a BM in Voice and 1961 a MM in Choral Conducting. While at Westminster Choir College, I served as Minister of Music at 4 different churches. Wonderfully happy and blessed by God as a Minister of Music, and no thoughts at all to be a pastor. During the summer before Masters graduation I was asked to be the Assistant Director of the Princeton Seminary Choir on tour to Colombia, Panama, and Central America, and following graduation three seminarians and I returned to Colombia for 6 months to concertize and teach under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church. I then began teaching choral music (Jr-Sr High) and became Minister of Music at the United Methodist Church in Skaneateles, NY. Formed half a dozen choirs and needed a good pianist, and there was this blonde ... and Sandy and I will celebrate 57 years of marriage this fall. From 1964 to 1967 I was Minister of Music in the 3000 member Methodist Church in Worthington, Ohio, and again, God blessed my ministry beyond all reason, but with a change of the senior pastor I felt I was not being spiritually fulfilled. As time passed, I felt God calling me to the preaching ministry- just think of Jonah 3:1, so I pastored a very small Methodist Church near Springfield, Ohio and went to the Lutheran Seminary (Hamma) 6 miles away at Wittenberg University, graduating in 2 calendar years, falling in love with Lutheran theology of grace. Was ordained as a Lutheran pastor at Oberlin College in June 1989 and went into the Navy a month later for the next 20 years as a Lutheran Chaplain, living in and in- and- out of the Far East for 17 of those years (Vietnam, Thailand, Guam, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and Korea. Nothing like taking a 4 file drawer of music aboard a destroyer to Vietnam and all other duty stations from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA. In addition to the 3 children God gave us, we adopted 3 more in Thailand. All are married and in their 40-50s, and we have 12 grandchildren (plus 4 spouses so far), and now, our 4th great grandson. God is, among other things, very interesting. For the 8 years in the Army, the GI Bill paid for a Bachelors and Masters degree in Princeton, the Lutheran Church paid for my Masters in Theology at Wittenberg University, and the Navy paid for my PhD in Leadership and Human Behavior at USIU, San Diego, including flying me home to the United States from Japan and back to take my final exams in 1985. Retiring from the Navy in 1989, I was called to Garden of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, FL for the next 13 years while also doing the choral and bell choirs. Retired in 2002, and came home to the Finger Lakes of New York and was filling in as a visitation pastor as needed by the USNY Synod, then was asked by the . Bishop to "fill in" at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Wellsville, NY, 73 miles from our home on Keuka Lake, where I also do the choir and bell choir. Along with Sandy as my organist and loving the ministry and the wonderful people, we have been 'filling in" for the past 16 years, and plan on retiring for the third time on August 4th. What happens after that? No idea, but you have to respect the "Thy will be done" clause in The Lord's Prayer. In service to Jesus Christ, Rev. Dr. Carl L. Knitter

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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Rev. Ronald Haefer

6/22/69

Pastor Haefer was born in Delaware, Ohio. He was ordained at First English in

Appleton, Wisconsin.

Pastor Haefer received his pre-college education in Appleton, Wisconsin. He obtained

his BA in Philosophy from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio in 1965 and obtained

his M.Div from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in

1969. He also attended Canisius College in Buffalo majoring in Group Dynamics

Counseling.

Pastor Haefer’s first call was as Pastor to St. Peter, Medina from 1969 to 1985. He was

installed as Pastor to St. Paul Wilson in 1989 where he continues to serve. He has

worked with the Pastoral Counseling Group of Buffalo as a family therapist in training

and as Director of the First Offender Counseling Program for Eastern Niagara County.

He also served as the Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Niagara County

and as a consultant to Niagara Hospice.

Pastor Haefer and his wife, Susan reside in Wilson, New York.

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Thank you for your

participation in this year’s

Synod Assembly!

We hope to see you again

in Rochester for the

thirty-third Assembly of the

Upstate New York Synod,

June 7-June 9, 2020