+Bishop Dee Pederson
We believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) And yet, we know that life and ministry are filled with times of change. In each season, God continues to call, equip, and lead us.
It is with deep gratitude for her ministry that we share Synod Minister Pr. Heather Culuris has accepted a new call to congregational ministry—a ministry she loves deeply. The call is to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New Prague.
Pastoral calls are not so much about what one is being called from as what one is being called to. We will miss Pr. Heather’s presence and ministry among us! And yet, we rejoice with her in this new call and trust that God is leading her into the place where her gifts and passion will continue to bless God’s people.
"Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that to everything there is a season. For a season, it has been an honor to serve you as one of your synod ministers in Southwestern Minnesota. It has been a blessing to work with Bishop Dee and the entire synod staff and so many colleagues in our congregations. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with congregations and rostered leaders in times of transition. It has been incredible to work with our students preparing for rostered ministry through the work of our candidacy process. Helping launch our SAM and mentor retreats has been a great joy.
I am grateful for the congregations and rostered leaders who have trusted me to work with you in uncertain times and joyful times, times of stress and times of celebration. I am grateful for the stories of faith, persistence, and hope that I have heard and witnessed from our leaders and our congregations.
Yet, I have been discerning the Spirit’s call back into congregational ministry. I have accepted a call as pastor of Holy Trinity in New Prague. My last Sunday of ministry will be October 4. We will be working on transition plans for the areas of responsibility that I hold in the upcoming weeks. Know that I am grateful for these last several years serving with you."
+Pr. Heather Culuris
Since joining the synod staff in January 2022, Pr. Heather has shared those gifts generously throughout our synod. She has accompanied candidates through the ELCA Candidacy process, walked alongside congregations through pastoral transitions and call processes, connected rostered ministers with opportunities for ministry in our synod, supported our Interims and Mentor/SAM ministry, preached in many congregations, and helped shape the worship of our Synod Assembly.
These ministries represent relationships—leaders and congregations accompanied, candidates supported, and communities reminded that this synod walks with them. We give thanks for the care, wisdom, faithfulness, and joy Pr. Heather has brought to this work.
There will be opportunities in September for us to extend our thanks and blessings to Pr. Heather. We will also prayerfully consider a staffing model and ministry needs for the coming year in light of the bishop election next June. Please watch for more information as plans take shape.
For now, we invite you to join us in giving thanks for Pr. Heather’s ministry among us. We pray that she will know how deeply she has been appreciated, and we trust that the God who has called her to this new ministry will continue to guide and bless her.
Thank you, Pr. Heather, for sharing your gifts, your faith, and your wisdom with this synod. We give thanks for you and pray God’s abundant blessings upon you in this next chapter of ministry.