The Horner-Zion Hoffman Lutheran Parish is now being served by the Rev. Kathleen A. Kuehl. Pastor Kuehl began her ministry in the area on January 1, 2000, moving here from Glasgow in Cambria County where she served Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. A native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Pastor Kathy is a graduate of both Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. After graduating from college in 1973 with a degree in music education, she moved with her husband to Mt. Union where she taught music in the Mt. Union Area School District and raised her children before she started attending Gettysburg Seminary in 1989. She received her masters degree in divinity in 1993 and was ordained on June 4, 1994.

In addition to serving as pastor of Mt. Zion, Glasgow, Pastor Kuehl also served as vacancy pastor of Faith United Lutheran Church, Houtzdale, and First Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, both in Clearfield County, prior to moving to Somerset County. She is currently dean of the Northern Somerset Conference, the chair of the Allegheny Synod’s Small Town and Rural Ministry Team, serves on the Leadership Committees of the synod and is a member of the Revitilization Team. She also serves as a member of the synod council and teaches in the Discerning Your Discipleship program of the synod. She is food manager of the Helping Hand Food Pantry and Thrift Shop in Boswell.

⁴⁴All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.  And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47)

 What is the difference between the Church in the first century and the Church in the twenty-first century? The image we have in Acts is of a community, gathered together, holding “all things in common.” They spent “much time” in the temple each day; they ate together; shared all things. They had “glad hearts.” People were drawn to the church and it grew. The picture of the church in the twenty-first century is much different. Many of our members can not spare even an hour every week to gather and praise God. We still enjoy gathering together for meals and fellowship although we certainly do not hold all things in common. Unfortunately, often it seems that we are known for our grumbling, complaining and focusing on scarcity rather than rejoicing in what God has given us. The early church gave all they had to the work of the church; we are unable to share even a small percentage of what we have received.

 There is one great similarity between the first and the twenty-first centuries: in both centuries, Christianity is not the dominant religion. Perhaps we can learn from our brothers and sisters from so long ago. Rather than lamenting on how society has changed, we can focus on the gifts that God has given us: salvation, unconditional grace, forgiveness, a community of fellow believers. Instead of focusing on what we lack: in numbers of members, in money, etc., we can celebrate the ways that God has blessed us. Take time to see God working in your life during the week and then take time on Sundays to share that joy with the congregation so that we can rejoice with you. As we share God’s blessings and invite others to experience God’s love, the Lord may also “add to [our] number those who [are] being saved.”

Pastor Kathy