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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Rev. Fr. Paul L. Beisel was installed at Zion Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. Rev. Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes preached. The saints at Zion rejoice and give thanks to God for His gracious provision of a pastor.
| | Western Region Pastors Conference | | | |
The Western Region pastors recently met for their fall conference at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Mesquite, Nevada. The speaker for the conference was Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher, who spoke on "Looking Forward to Sunday: Reflections on the Church Year." Rev. Robert Bruggeman led a discussion on "Opportunities and Challenges facing our congregations, district, and Synod." Bishop Miskus attended the conference virtually. Attendees enjoyed fellowship and expressed their appreciation to the Prince of Peace Women of Life for several meals.
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The 2027 LCMS Life Ministry Conference will be held online Feb. 26–27, 2027. The conference will feature video presentations on life issues for the strengthening and support of lay members and church workers as they advocate, educate, and share the truth of God’s Word, the sanctity of life at all ages, and Christ’s mercy for all people.
Registration for the conference is free, although attendees may choose to purchase extended access to the library of presentations for on-demand viewing. Several sessions conducted in Spanish will be included.
Congregations are encouraged to host watch parties during the conference to facilitate further discussion of the presentations.
We hope you will consider joining us online in February to be strengthened and supported in our shared confession of God’s creation and value of all human life. Click here for more information.
| | | | Lifeline is the English District’s outreach that promotes the dignity and sanctity of life from fertilization to forever. | | |
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2 (ESV)
St. Paul’s is a simple and focused message and mission—the same that we share with believers, nonbelievers, seekers, and skeptics. When we contribute our weekly dollars to Mission 1-1-1 this is what we are saying to our world: knowing Christ and him crucified is not complicated.
In the Gospel of John, we see Him as the Living Word from “In the beginning...” John 1:1 (ESV). Further in John's Gospel, we get to know Him in His “I am” declarations in chapters 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15. We see Him in His “This is” statements in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 when He institutes the Sacrament of the Altar. We know of Him in these gospel accounts and from the words He speaks from the cross: "Father, forgive them..." Luke 23 (ESV).
“I am..." “This is...” and “Father, forgive them...” are not complicated. Let’s please keep this focus in mind in our Mission 1-1-1 giving. A complete theology to share comes from the Lord’s Word in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
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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.
We pray for the family of Reverend Joseph Molitoris, Emeritus, who was called to glory.
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.
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Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster have been busy traveling, providing catechetical instruction, and holding a conference for church planting. Click here to learn what the Lord is doing in Prague.
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Hope, Kitchener, ON
Hope Lutheran Church recently decommissioned its sanctuary and sacred vessels during its final Divine Service. Many area pastors attended to support the congregation. The congregation has sold the building and is seeking to replant itself elsewhere in Kitchener.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
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Before Hope's decommissioning, two children were brought into the body of Christ through the waters of baptism. We praise God for His faithfulness.
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
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Shepherd of the Canyon, Gold Canyon, AZ
"Unused Bibles, eyeglasses and hearing aids are to be dusted off, fixed and reused while U.S. flags and expired drugs will be disposed of properly as part of a Gold Canyon church’s Stashed Not Trashed Collection Day in November."
Pastor Mark Woods and members of Shepherd of the Canyon Lutheran Church planned an outreach event as part of reVitality's "Connect to Disciple" module, earning coverage in the local newspaper. Read the entire article here.
Photo credit: Richard H. Dyer, Daily Independent
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Shepherd of the Pines, Payson, AZ
Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church is proud to host The Maison Schoolhouse, a private K–12 micro school that rents much of the church’s facilities Monday through Thursday. The school and its 65 students recently completed their first quarter. Pastor M. Todd Zill is the school’s primary contact with the congregation and will soon teach various religious electives to interested youth and their families.
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Messiah, Danville, CA
Pastor Kevin Belter and members of Messiah Lutheran Church participated in the Sugar and Spice Drive benefiting Shepherd's Gate, which provides shelter, support, and recovery programs for women and children. They delivered approximately 250 items consisting of baking goods and spices, along with hand-knitted items made by Yarn Circle members.
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Redeemer, Oakmont, PA
On All Saints Sunday, Pastor Adam Koontz and the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church received five new members into the church. Thanks be to God!
| | Lutheran Women In Mission | | | |
The Greater Detroit Zone of the English District LWML held their Fall Rally at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The event began with breakfast and an in-gathering and distribution of items for Motor City Mitten Mission, followed by a joyful LWML Prayer Service (Praise, Remember, Ask, Yield, Excitement, Rejoice), led by Pastor Solomon Spangler. The rally included a
special presentation from the Lutheran Church Charity Comfort Dog Ministry, and members met comfort dog "Damascus." Damascus is from St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Napoleon, OH. LWML board members put on a skit, “A Chat with Katharine von Bora” -- very timely as Reformation Day was approaching. The rally ended with a wonderful meal served by the ladies of Christ the King.
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LWML English District President Cherie Voorhees, Junior Pastoral Counselor Pastor Jonathan Lackey, and English District LWML Representatives Briana Smith and Marion Schmidt recently attended the Lutheran Women in Mission Assembly of Leaders Conference. The conference focused on equipping and inspiring district leaders across the national LWML to use their God-given gifts for servant leadership in a Christ-led way.
| | Calling a Seminary Candidate/Requesting a Vicar | | | |
If your congregation is interested in extending a divine call to a seminary candidate, or plans to make application for a vicar, the call document or vicarage application must be received no later than Sunday, January 31, 2027. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in November or December. This will allow for the necessary paperwork to be completed in a timely manner. Calling congregations must access the Call Document for Ordained Ministers and the Vicarage Application using a web address/URL. Please contact Susan Fluegge, District President’s Administrative Assistant, at 248-476-0039 or by email for the login information.
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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music
You’re invited to nominate a student for LSM 2027! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students in grades 8-12. Students come together from across the country to pursue musical excellence and build an intentional, supportive, and fun community.
LSM 2027 takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, from June 27-July 25. Priority Enrollment is open through December 1, offering a $100 tuition discount and first access to financial aid. Watch and share the LSM Experience Video to learn more!
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For 40 years, YouthLead has equipped teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities. We offer resources, training, and mentorship to equip high school youth to lead now and into the future.
LCMS Youth Ministry will host a YouthLead Training event Saturday, March 13, to Tuesday, March 16, or Saturday, April 24 to Tuesday, April 27, 2027, in St. Louis.
Cost: $425 (includes food, housing, airport transportation, supplies, and t-shirt).
Click here for the March training. Click here for the April training.
| | 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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