Changes in the Wascana Circuit

REGINA – There’s an old joke that goes, “How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? None, Lutherans don’t change!”

It’s never been an overly funny joke, but in the Wascana circuit in Regina it isn’t even that factual! Recent changes in pastoral leadership have been particularly notable, with three of the five congregations seeing a vacancy and two area pastors being called into leadership positions at the synodical level.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has seen Rev. James Chimirri-Russell transition into a chaplaincy role at the RCMP Depot; at New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Rev. Paulo Brum has accepted a call to serve as pastor at Grace in Saskatoon; and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church has become vacant following Rev. Arron Gust’s election as Regional Pastor of the Central Region. The circuit is thankful to have Rev. Ted Giese remaining as a called pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church while he also serves as Vice President of Synod.

Despite the changes that the circuit is undergoing, there remains one constant: the Word of God is still faithfully proclaimed as the congregations are forgiven through the gifts of His sacraments. The circuit is grateful to those shepherds who have been called to serve in a vacancy position to feed God’s sheep.

Pastors emeriti have been called to service, with Rev. Daryl Solie serving as vacancy pastor at Good Shepherd since September 2. Rev. Laverne Hautz is serving the vacancy at New Beginnings. And although Rev. James Chimirri-Russell is no longer serving full-time in a congregation, he is now serving as vacancy pastor at Grace, with a service of recognition being held on August 23.

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