Congregation Vacancies

Listed here are congregations in various stages of the transition process. Any questions about this list can be directed to Pastor Mitch Phillips, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership: [email protected]

Updated March 11, 2025 - These congregations are in the transition process for the call of a rostered leader:

Special Situations:

Faith, Ashtabula – preparing for Holy Closure

Phase 1: Saying Farewell

Christ, Willoughby – Pastor David Thielo will be retiring in June
Divinity, Parma Heights - Pastor Doug Gunkelman will be retiring in June
Grace, Dover - Pastor Bonnie Grimaldi will be retiring in June
St. Stephen Martyr, Canton - Pastor Bruce Roth will be retiring in June

Phase 2: Exploring God's Call

Bethany, Ashtabula
Faith, Massillon – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
Holy Trinity, Massillon – Pastor of Record Tina Crog
Holy Trinity, Salem – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
Living Word, Medina – Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Martin Luther, Youngstown
Peace, Ashland
St. John, Warren
St. Paul, Sharon Center
Trinity, Clinton

Phase 3a: Entering the Call Process

Advent, Uniontown
Augsburg, Orrville – Interim Pastor Sue Rodgers
Bethany English, Cleveland – Interim Pastor Laura Kuntz
Bethesda on the Bay, Bay Village & Good Soil, Rocky River - seeking a shared staff person focused on faith formation (pastor or deacon)
Canaan, Creston – Interim Pastor Dan Cammarn
Christ the King, Twinsburg – Pastor of Record Pam Kelly
Holy Trinity, Akron – Interim Pastor Becki Verbridge
Hope, Mansfield – Interim Pastor Ann Cammarn
Peace, Canton – Interim Pastor Phil Kunder
St. Mark, Tallmadge – Pastor of Record Jim Steingass
St. Paul, Warren – Interim Pastor Michael Meranda
Trinity, Vermilion
Zion, North Canton – Pastor of Record Tina Crog

phase 3b: Ready to interview

Abiding Savior, Alliance
Christ, Lorain
First, Strasburg & St. James, Tuscarawas
Good Shepherd, Canton [seeking part-time]
Grace, Austintown – Interim Pastor Larry Klinker
Israel’s, Paris
Prince of Peace, Cortland [seeking part-time]
St. John, Lakeville (McZena) – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar
St. Paul, Bellville – Interim Pastor Mark Sherwindt
Zion, Loudonville – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar

Phase 4: Primary Candidate

Due to the confidential nature of call processes for both pastor and congregation, we will not publicize congregations who are in this phase.

Phase 5: Welcoming & Celebrating

Holy Trinity, Canton – Pastor Juli Lejman Guy (currently in NW Ohio Synod) has accepted the call and will begin on May 1 – Interim Pastor Barb Bartholomew

The following congregations are not actively in the call process and are being served by long-term supply or contract pastors:

Christ, Struthers
Emmanuel, North Georgetown
First, Beach City
Grace, Steubenville
Jerusalem, Columbiana
Lordstown, Warren
Luth Ch of the Good Shepherd, Cleveland
Messiah, Newton Falls
Mt Moriah, Berlin Center
New Horizons, Homerville
Pleasant Valley, Ashland
Salem, Wooster
St James, Jewett
St John, Perrysville
St. John, Petersburg
St John's, Minerva
St Mark, Mansfield
St Mark, Warren
St Paul, Minerva
Trinity, Niles
Trinity, Norton
Trinity, Sebring
Triune, Broadview Heights
Zion, Waterford