On Sunday, July 8th, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Kenmore, NY bid “Farewell and Godspeed” to Seminarian Joshua Reynolds (Concordia Seminary, St. Catharine’s, Ontario) during the Divine Service as he graduated and prepared to enter his first field of service at the dual parish of Christ/Immanuel, in MacNutt and Landestreu, Sask. Joshua served as a field worker at Pilgrim during the past two years. During the worship service, it was announced that Pilgrim had paid the majority of Josh’s seminary debt by contributing $4,000.00 to help cover his expenses.

Asked why Pilgrim would make such a contribution, Pastor Ben Eder replied, “Our congregation has done extensive renovating and remodeling of the church building in recent years. Although a church building is important, to use a quaint saying, ‘the church is the people, not the steeple’. By making this contribution, we are investing in Joshua’s ministry and helping to ensure that, Lord willing, Joshua will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ for years to come.”

A reception was held in Joshua’s honor after the service. Josh is the son of John and Diane Reynolds of Buffalo, NY, and is a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, an English District congregation in Buffalo. Nazareth has also contributed substantially to Josh’s seminary education through the years.