PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release Contact: Joe Kaatz Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth 763-509-9409 jkaatz@moply.org
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth to Have First Female Lead Pastor in 135 Year History
Pastor Beth Horsch called as Mount Olivet’s Lead Pastor in near unanimous vote of approval.
Plymouth, Minn. (June 2, 2016) – Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth reached a significant milestone at a congregational meeting on May 22, when 240 members called Pastor Beth Horsch to be Lead Pastor. Pastor Horsch became the first female lead pastor in the congregation’s history with a 98% vote of approval.
Pastor Beth served alongside longtime Senior Pastor John Strommen for eight years. Following Pastor John’s resignation in January, the congregation began a five month discernment process for finding a successor. The Church Council found Pastor Beth to be the best fit for Mount Olivet’s congregational identity, and brought their recommendation to be voted on by the congregation.
Pastor Beth formally accepted the call, stating, “We are the church in how we live each day; our presence individually and as a community extends compassion, generosity and love to those we encounter… I feel called to this work and our growing sense of community.”
Mount Olivet will now begin the process to find a new Associate Pastor. There will be a formal installation ceremony in the fall for both pastors.
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About Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Mount Olivet is a missional congregation in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) that seeks to be a community partnering with God in the world. As a church that recognizes faith as a journey, the ongoing mission, “Finding our place in God’s unfolding story,” is central to congregational life through dwelling in God, connecting in community, and engaging in callings. www.moply.org