In 2014 representatives from three ELCA Lutheran congregations in Springfield, Illinois, all with aging congregations and facing the loss of their minister, began discussions on the possibility of blending their three congregations into one. They agreed that the former Atonement Lutheran Church facility would be the location for the new church, but that was just the start of lengthy discussions. Mike Barker (Atonement Lutheran), Clair Edgecomb (Faith Lutheran) and Ron Krause (Luther Memorial) share their memories of the year-long process that eventually resolved all of the issues involved with combining three congregations into one. The end result was that a new congregation, Peace Lutheran Church, held its first service in September 2015.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Emotions After the Vote
Abstract
Interview Session 01 Audio
Early discussions on blending three ELCA Lutheran congregations
Interview Session 02 Audio
Detailed discussions on blending congregations, and working groups
Interview Session 03 Audio
Closing the deal and early days of Peace Lutheran Church
Photos
Caption
The representatives of the special blending committee sat down for their interview in August 2019. From left to right are interviewer Mark DePue, Claire Edgecomb (formerly Faith Lutheran), Ron Krause (formerly Luther Memorial) and Mike Barker (formerly Atonement).
Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
When:
August 2019
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
The former Blending Committee members were in for their interview in August 2019. From left to right are Mike Barker (formerly Atonement), Mark DePue, Ron Krause (formerly Luther Memorial) and Claire Edgecomb (formerly Faith Lutheran).
Where:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
When:
August 2019
Ownership:
Narrator's photo