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 (mphillips@neos-elca.org). Updated February 1, 2023.
These congregations are in the following phases of the transition process for the call of a rostered leader:
Phase 1: Saying Farewell
Christ, Massillon – we wish Pastor Nancy Bacon well in her new call
Christ, Lorain & Redeemer, Elyria - Pastor Laurie Miller has announced her retirement in June
First, Plymouth & Mt. Hope, Shiloh – we wish Pastor Blanche Tyree well in her retirement!
Grace, Austintown – we wish Pastor Pam Kelley well in her retirement!
Holy Trinity, Canton – Pastor Mark Williams has announced his retirement in June
Messiah, Akron – we wish Pastor Lucas McSurley well in his new call
Peace, Canton – we wish Pastor Scott Bacon well in his new call
Phase 2: Exploring God’s Call
Abiding Savior, Alliance – Interim Deacon Patti Jabre
Christ, Avon Lake – Interim Pastor Laura Kuntz
Christ the King, Twinsburg
Euclid, Euclid – Transitional Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Faith, Massillon – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
First, Lorain – Interim Pastors Don Frantz and Jenni Walker Noyes
First, Strongsville – working with a consultant on mission, vision, and staffing discernment
Grace, Hubbard
Holy Trinity, Akron – Interim Pastor Becki Verbridge
Israel’s, Paris
Lutheran Church of the Master, Bedford
Messiah, Fairview Park – Interim Pastor Steve Krebill
Trinity, Lakewood – Transitional Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Zion, Loudonville – Interim Pastor Dan Cammarn
Phase 3a: Entering the Call Process
Messiah, Ashtabula – Interim Pastor Steve Fisher
St John, Canal Fulton – Interim Pastor Ann Cammarn
St. Michael, Marshallville – Interim Pastor Ann Cammarn
Phase 3b: Ready to Interview
Divinity, Parma Heights - seeking to call a co-pastor to serve alongside Pr Gunkelman and then succeed him as solo pastor when he retires
First/St. James, Strasburg/Tuscarawas
Good Shepherd, Canton [seeking part-time]
Grace, Wadsworth – Interim Pastor Barbara Bartholomew
Living Lord, Warren (Howland) [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Michael Meranda
Prince of Peace, Cortland [seeking part-time]
Rejoice!, Hudson [seeking part-time]
St Jacob, Massillon [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Angela Storer
St John, Warren (Champion) [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Gail Zackrison
Zion, New Middletown
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
New Covenant, East Cleveland – entered TEEM program with Vicar Scott Wiley
St Paul's, Warren – Welcome Pastor Heidi Holst who began in January!
The following congregations are not actively in the call process and are being served by long-term supply or contract pastors:
Augsburg, Orrville
Bethany, Ashtabula
Christ, Struthers
Emmanuel, North Georgetown
Faith, Ashtabula
First, Beach City
Grace, Steubenville
Jerusalem, Columbiana
Living Word, Medina
Lordstown, Warren
Luth Ch of the Good Shepherd, Cleveland
Messiah, Newton Falls
Mt Moriah, Berlin Center
Pleasant Valley, Ashland
Salem, Wooster
St James, Jewett
St John's, Minerva
St John, Perrysville
St. John, Petersburg
St John's, Highland Heights
St Mark, Mansfield
St Mark, Warren
St Paul, Minerva
St Peter, New Philadelphia
Trinity, Niles
Trinity, Norton
Trinity, Sebring
Zion, Waterford
Phase 1: Saying Farewell
Christ, Massillon – we wish Pastor Nancy Bacon well in her new call
Christ, Lorain & Redeemer, Elyria - Pastor Laurie Miller has announced her retirement in June
First, Plymouth & Mt. Hope, Shiloh – we wish Pastor Blanche Tyree well in her retirement!
Grace, Austintown – we wish Pastor Pam Kelley well in her retirement!
Holy Trinity, Canton – Pastor Mark Williams has announced his retirement in June
Messiah, Akron – we wish Pastor Lucas McSurley well in his new call
Peace, Canton – we wish Pastor Scott Bacon well in his new call
Phase 2: Exploring God’s Call
Abiding Savior, Alliance – Interim Deacon Patti Jabre
Christ, Avon Lake – Interim Pastor Laura Kuntz
Christ the King, Twinsburg
Euclid, Euclid – Transitional Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Faith, Massillon – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
First, Lorain – Interim Pastors Don Frantz and Jenni Walker Noyes
First, Strongsville – working with a consultant on mission, vision, and staffing discernment
Grace, Hubbard
Holy Trinity, Akron – Interim Pastor Becki Verbridge
Israel’s, Paris
Lutheran Church of the Master, Bedford
Messiah, Fairview Park – Interim Pastor Steve Krebill
Trinity, Lakewood – Transitional Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Zion, Loudonville – Interim Pastor Dan Cammarn
Phase 3a: Entering the Call Process
Messiah, Ashtabula – Interim Pastor Steve Fisher
St John, Canal Fulton – Interim Pastor Ann Cammarn
St. Michael, Marshallville – Interim Pastor Ann Cammarn
Phase 3b: Ready to Interview
Divinity, Parma Heights - seeking to call a co-pastor to serve alongside Pr Gunkelman and then succeed him as solo pastor when he retires
First/St. James, Strasburg/Tuscarawas
Good Shepherd, Canton [seeking part-time]
Grace, Wadsworth – Interim Pastor Barbara Bartholomew
Living Lord, Warren (Howland) [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Michael Meranda
Prince of Peace, Cortland [seeking part-time]
Rejoice!, Hudson [seeking part-time]
St Jacob, Massillon [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Angela Storer
St John, Warren (Champion) [seeking part-time] – Interim Pastor Gail Zackrison
Zion, New Middletown
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
New Covenant, East Cleveland – entered TEEM program with Vicar Scott Wiley
St Paul's, Warren – Welcome Pastor Heidi Holst who began in January!
The following congregations are not actively in the call process and are being served by long-term supply or contract pastors:
Augsburg, Orrville
Bethany, Ashtabula
Christ, Struthers
Emmanuel, North Georgetown
Faith, Ashtabula
First, Beach City
Grace, Steubenville
Jerusalem, Columbiana
Living Word, Medina
Lordstown, Warren
Luth Ch of the Good Shepherd, Cleveland
Messiah, Newton Falls
Mt Moriah, Berlin Center
Pleasant Valley, Ashland
Salem, Wooster
St James, Jewett
St John's, Minerva
St John, Perrysville
St. John, Petersburg
St John's, Highland Heights
St Mark, Mansfield
St Mark, Warren
St Paul, Minerva
St Peter, New Philadelphia
Trinity, Niles
Trinity, Norton
Trinity, Sebring
Zion, Waterford
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