Missions in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ont. – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) Missions webpages are expanding! More information on both LCC’s International and Domestic Missions is being added to the website on an ongoing basis, in an effort to enhance awareness of the work we do together as a synod across the country and around the world; as well as to make these details more accessible to our members and to the public.
One of the latest updates on LCC’s Mission webpages highlights the mission congregation Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Kingston, Ontario.
Although mission work in the Kingston area began in 1994 under the leadership of Rev. Kevin Fast of Cobourg, it was terminated in 1996 as members moved away because of their work.
In 2001, Rev. Michael Meleg of Petawawa resumed the mission with the help of several pastors from the Ottawa Circuit, and Kingston was designated a “Recognized Mission” of LCC’s former East District in 2007. During this time the congregation did not have a full-time pastoral presence, and reading services were the norm. Occasional guest preachers would come out to administer the Sacrament of the Altar to the congregation, including Pastors Kevin Fast; Michael Meleg; Bryan King; Deane Detlefsen; Jack Hetzel; and Wayne Geick. Rev. Markus Zeuch was installed here in Kingston for a short time before he was called to St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Calgary, Alberta.
The congregation officially organized on September 6, 2009, adopting a constitution and choosing the name Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Rev. Allen Maleske, former president of LCC’s East District, retired in Kingston in 2010 and took over pastorship of the Kingston Mission church. In 2015, the church saw an influx of new members from the Trenton area—this led to the creation of a new mission congregation in the Trenton area. Pastor Maleske presided over both missions until the Trenton mission became established.
The small core group of members at Our Saviour Lutheran Church faithfully provide full weekly worship services, including live music. Pastor Maleske also provides Bible study and special services during Lent and Advent.
For most of its history, the people of Our Saviour Lutheran Church have gathered in homes—whether retirement homes or the homes of its own members. The congregation has also rented more traditional chapels and church buildings when possible.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. | Matthew 18:20
Outreach has largely been relational for this congregation, with members inviting friends and acquaintances to join them for service. When the congregation gathered for worship in retirement residences, this provided an opportunity for those living in the building to attend service. When pandemic-related restrictions were put in place, the retirement residence was no longer an option for the congregation to gather in-person. The church began holding services online through Zoom. Since making the switch to Zoom, Our Saviour Lutheran Church has nearly doubled its attendance, mainly by servicing shut-ins from all around.
The church has been able to resume in-person services, with Holy Communion, again gathering in the homes of its members. The congregation also intends to continue broadcasting their services over Zoom in service of their new long-distance and shut-in members.
Learn more about this mission congregation in Kingston, Ontario by visiting: www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/missions/kingston-missions/
Learn more about LCC’s International and Domestic Missions by visiting: www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/missions/
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Submitted by Anthony Krause, a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Kingston, Ontario. Anthony is also among the first youth confirmands of this congregation back in April of 2010.
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