Saturday was a special day in the life of our synod as we celebrated the Ordination and Installation of Veronika Czutor as Pastor at Central Lutheran in Dallas. Veronika went through her candidacy in our synod, so I always have special joy and pride as we ordain one of our own here.

This was also a deeply meaningful time for the congregation as they have recently combined the congregations of Bethany and Central. I couldn’t help but notice the blending of hymnals from Central (green LBW) and Bethany (red ELW) that reflects their ongoing work toward become united as one. This will be part of the challenge for their new pastor to help them live into.

Pr. Veronika’s service and life shows that she is up to that challenge though. Participants represented her internship congregation of Christ Lutheran (preacher Ben Dueholm), their partners in ministry at Mt. Olive (soloist Tanya Browne, who moved us all to tears with her solo), and special music from the Latinx community at Emanuel (Pr Rachel Ringlaben and musician Linda Soto). Veronika’s husband, Victor, is from Columbia and she herself is a Roma woman from Hungary. Even the Lord’s Prayer was spoken in English, Hungarian, German, and Spanish to reflect all the cultures that are part of her life.
Central’s sanctuary is a big one to fill, but Pr. Veronika will work confidently to do so – with a whole lot of support from her clergy colleagues!  Congratulations and welcome!