Crystal Lake church to host ordination for Duane Lahti
The First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake will host the service of ordination for Duane Lahti to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ.
It will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. All are invited to wear red for the occasion, and a reception will follow.
He graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Pastor Duane has previously served in the behavioral health field. He uses those experiences and his passion for worship and music, focusing on Christ's proclaiming love and forgiveness for all and the call for social justice and ecological theology to develop a welcoming and inclusive experience for anyone on their faith journey.
Pastor Duane was recently called to serve as the senior pastor at First Congregational Church, Moline, Illinois, and began his ministry there on Aug. 1, 2023.
An installation service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Moline church at 2201 Seventh Ave. Duane and his wife, Lenore Beyer, reside in Moline. They enjoy spending their free time attending local music and theatrical productions, hiking with their golden retriever Amber Gingersnap, and entertaining friends and family.