Synod's newest worshipping community elects officers

EAST JEFFERSON COUNTY -- Peace Lutheran Fellowship of Port Hadlock, the Southwestern Washington Synod’s newest synodically authorized worshiping community, elected new steering-committee officers on Sept. 19, just three months after first convening.
They include President Dave Witsoe, Vice President Mark Getzendanner, Treasurer Jack Randall, Secretary Janet Getzendanner and Members at Large Jerry Larson, Linda DeLeo and Harold Jensen.
The fellowship formed after Lutheran Church of the Redeemer of Chimacum left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American following the 2009 churchwide vote on sexuality. It was one of five congregations in the synod to leave.
Some 35 Redeemer members, however, wanted to continue together as an ELCA congregation, and began meeting first in a restaurant and currently in a picturesque lodge on Beaver Valley Road near Chimacum.
"It’s amazing to me we’ve come this far this fast," said Mark Getzendanner.
The congregation now is working toward forming a constitution and vision statement.
Pastors from nearby ELCA congregations have been preaching each Sunday. The Rev. Kent Shane of First Lutheran Church of Pousbo preached during the inaugural service on the Fourth of July. On Sept. 19, the Rev. Julie Kanarr of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Port Angeles came.
"We give thanks to God for you," Kanarr told the worshippers, adding she looks forward to her congregation partnering in many endeavors with Peace in the future.
The synod gave the congregation a $10,000 grant, and participants now are beginning to talk about a pastor.
"We need to have a pastoral leader," said Joe Wagner.
Witsoe, the newly elected president, said the fellowship has come about because every person in it has helped in their own way.
"I don’t see one person witting here who hasn’t help Peace Lutheran Fellowship evolve to where it is today," he said.
The fellowship meets at 10 a.m. Sundays at Beaver Springs Lodge, 2924 Beaver Valley Road. To learn more, visit the community’s website at www.peacelutheranfellowship.org.