Geneva Lutheran Church welcomes new pastor

Submitted by Geneva Lutheran Church

Members and friends of Geneva Lutheran Church gathered in worship Feb. 26 to install the Rev. Trudy Stoffel as their new pastor and spiritual leader. Officiating was the Rev. Hector Garfias-Toledo, Associate to the Bishop of the Metro-Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The church was packed with congregants of all ages who witnessed the presentation of the official Letter of Call by Congregation President Karen Desens. The ceremony featured several youth welcoming the pastor at her worship leadership stations: the pulpit, the altar and the baptismal font.

A native of Verona, Wis., she is a University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduate with a double major in English and political science. Her seminary training was at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Stoffel was ordained in 2007, and took her first call at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Woodridge. She and her husband Dave have three children and reside in St. Charles.

Stoffel shared her vision of ministry: “We are stronger together; with each person using their unique gifts; and everyone’s gifts matter … from the youngest to the oldest saints. Vibrant worship is the center of our congregational life — the place we practice seeing Christ so we are prepared to see Christ in our daily lives. But it can’t stay in worship! We are called to share in daily life what we experience in church.” Stoffel sees her role as one who will recruit, equip, teach, support, and lead so people can go out and do God’s work.

Geneva Lutheran Church is at Third and Franklin streets in downtown Geneva. Everyone is welcome to worship on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. in the church’s chapel and on Sundays at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary. The Sunday Education Hour for all ages begins at 10:15 a.m. The building is ADA compliant.