English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Living Our Baptized Life in Christ
Galatians 2:20
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Bishop Jeff Miskus worshiped with the congregation of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kingsville, ON. Vacancy Pastor Rev. Oscar Castillo led the service, and Bishop Miskus preached. Afterward, the congregation held a “Pastors Appreciation Luncheon.”
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Bishop Miskus recently met with Rev. Jacob Quast, Director of Domestic Missions for Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC). They discussed the positive relationship between English District congregations in Canada and LCC Eastern Region congregations. Both emphasized collaboration and regular communication, particularly between LCMS and LCC leaders at the Annual Koinonia event in Niagara Falls.
“Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity." (Psalm 133)
| | Lake Erie Region Pastors Conference | | | The Lake Erie Region pastors recently met for their fall conference at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, Rev. Dr. Todd Peperkorn, and Rev. Dr. William Weinrich delivered excellent presentations. Attendees enjoyed fellowship and expressed their gratitude to the speakers and to Redeemer for its hospitality. | | |
Reverend Joseph Molitoris
June 21, 1937 to October 24, 2026
Reverend Joseph Molitoris, (Ordained Minister-Emeritus), age 89, of St. Johns, Florida, peacefully passed away on October 24, 2026. A faithful servant of God, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Joseph lived a life grounded in faith, enriched by family, and distinguished by his genuine love for people.
Read his full obituary.
Please keep the entire Molitoris family in your prayers.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
| | Ministerial Health Commission | | | | | | |
Meet a member of the Ministerial Health Commission.
Rev. Colton LaMay
Windsor, Ontario
Work: (519)969-7561
coltonlamay@gmail.com
| | Rev. Colton LaMay serves as senior pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Windsor, Ontario. As a former music director, Pastor Colton understands life as a church worker from several perspectives. Serving in both the U.S. and Canada, he is knowledgeable about resources in both countries. He is a trusted listener and is sympathetic to the circumstances in ministry that many of us face. He has a passion for the well-being of our district and synodical workers and is an advocate for the increased awareness of the holistic health of those who lead our congregations. | | Lifeline is the English District’s outreach that promotes the dignity and sanctity of life from fertilization to forever. We encourage congregations to reproduce and share the following message with your members. Click here for Lifeline's "All Saints' Day 2026" reproducible file in .pdf format. | | |
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and Prophets bear witness to it...” Romans 3:21 (ESV)
Every other world religion and some denominations called Christian are seeking to obtain the righteousness of God through the uprightness of man. As we know, Paul quickly dispels this notion by stating that no one is upright before God apart from the grace that causes one’s faith to rely solely on the merits of Jesus. The foundation of the Reformation is based on this one Truth: only a church that holds to the doctrine of grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone sets straight a rational humanistic view of self-deception that claims any other chance of uprightness before the Holiness of God.
Your Mission 1-1-1 weekly contributions meet the purpose of setting the record straight for those who may otherwise never be exposed to the Way, the Truth, and the Life through exposure to His Word and Sacrament. As we give, let us keep this purpose in mind. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV).
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If your congregation wishes to begin or further support your Mission 1-1-1 campaign for 2026-27, click here for Scripture and Messaging resources.
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We pray for the family of Pastor Arnie Frank, especially his wife Mary, following his recent passing from this life and into the arms of Jesus. Pastor Arnie served many years in the English District, including as circuit visitor, member of the board of directors, and Western Region vice president.
District daily prayers for November 2026 are located on our website.
Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. If you have a prayer request you would like shared in this newsletter, email the district office.
| | Church Worker Appreciation | | | |
October has been Church Worker Appreciation Month! If you haven't already, tell us how you showed appreciation for your church workers. Email photos, a brief description, and your congregation’s name. Didn’t do anything specific? No problem. Tell us what makes your church workers special, and we’ll share your comments here.
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The congregation of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, St. Clair Shores, MI, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Pictured is St. Paul's President, Eric Thomson, standing by a marker placed by the City of St. Clair Shores, commemorating the church's centennial year. We pray for God's continued guidance upon His faithful servants.
| | Pastor Justin Laughridge and members of the Church of St. Luke Lutheran, Toronto, ON, recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Ladies Service Guild. Congratulations on this milestone. We pray for God's continued blessing upon the service and support they provide. | | |
Holy Cross, Pittsburgh, PA
Members of Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel, served by Pastor Benjamin Janssen, hosted its 10th Annual Hazelwood Community Day. It was a day of prayer, fellowship, food, and fun for the entire community.
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First Trinity, Pittsburgh, PA
The congregation of First Trinity Evangelical-Lutheran Church hosted its 3rd Annual Catechetical Youth Retreat in tandem with the Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries. The Rev. Dr. James Lee of Concordia University Chicago was the plenary speaker for the retreat.
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Faith, Overgaard, AZ
Pastor Rodney Schmeltz and members of Faith Lutheran Church hosted
a presentation by the Arizona Origin Science Association. Jay Seegert of The Starting Point Project spoke on The Myth of Settled-Science.
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Celebration, St. Johns, FL
Eleven catechumens recently confirmed their faith at Celebration Lutheran Church’s Reformation Service. We pray that God continues to richly bless this congregation!
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Redeemer, Sarnia, ON
A joyful Reformation Service at Redeemer Sarnia was heightened by the reception of a new member by Holy Baptism who had been instructed by Pastor Roger Ellis in the theology of the Lutheran Church drawn from Holy Scripture. The service was followed by a festive Oktoberfest sausage dinner with entertainment from a local community singing group, The Bluewater Chordsmen.
| | Alliance Church & Ministry Alliance Team | | | |
Parents have the fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare. That right reaches further than many may realize. In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Mahmoud v. Taylor that public schools cannot sideline religious parents when classroom material conflicts with a family's faith. Schools have to give notice and allow families to opt out. Many families have never heard this. But they may turn to you for pastoral guidance. And you may be the first to tell them.
The Alliance Defending Freedom Church & Ministry Alliance Team have put together a guide with what the ruling means in practice, what families are encountering at schools, and what to do if a parent comes to you. Download this free resource today.
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The annual Good Shepherd Institute Conference at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, is November 8–10. This year’s theme, “Our Living Heritage,” remembers the forebears of previous generations, giving thanks for and learning from those who continue to inform the church and her practice.
Each night features a music event in Kramer Chapel that is free and open to the public. We invite you to attend each event and join us in remembering significant figures in the history of LCMS church music. Register today.
| | Contact John Hoover, LCEF District Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information. | | Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | | For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790. | | |
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Please share the unique ministries of your school or congregation with the rest of the English District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to llinthicum@englishdistrict.org by Wednesday at 12:00 noon ET.
We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those in your community and around the world.
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