Reception to thank Rev. Eric Wangen-Hoch

Members and friends of the Southwestern Washington Synod are invited to a reception for the Rev. Eric Wangen-Hoch from 4 to 7 p.m. May 30 at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia. 

Wangen-Hoch, for seven years pastor of the Living Stones Prison Congregation at the Washington Corrections Center at Shelton, has accepted a new call to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Sedro-Wooley, along with his wife, the Rev. Rachel Wangen-Hoch.

In his service at the prison, Wangen-Hoch built up an unusual and rare worship opportunity, drawing close to 100 men to each service. In recent months, attendance had fallen, due to a security clampdown following the slaying of a correctional officer by an inmate at the Monroe Correctional Complex. Inmates had difficulty getting to worship. 

Wangen-Hoch believes the number of worshipers will rise in time. He urged congregations to continue supporting Living Stones as it moves into the future.

“It has been a magnificent call,” he said.