Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth to Have First Female Lead Pastor in 135 Year History

PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release Contact: Joe Kaatz Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth 763-509-9409 jkaatz@moply.org

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth to Have First Female Lead Pastor in 135 Year History

Pastor Beth Horsch called as Mount Olivet’s Lead Pastor in near unanimous vote of approval.

Plymouth, Minn. (June 2, 2016) – Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth reached a significant milestone at a congregational meeting on May 22, when 240 members called Pastor Beth Horsch to be Lead Pastor. Pastor Horsch became the first female lead pastor in the congregation’s history with a 98% vote of approval.

Pastor Beth served alongside longtime Senior Pastor John Strommen for eight years. Following Pastor John’s resignation in January, the congregation began a five month discernment process for finding a successor. The Church Council found Pastor Beth to be the best fit for Mount Olivet’s congregational identity, and brought their recommendation to be voted on by the congregation.

Pastor Beth formally accepted the call, stating, “We are the church in how we live each day; our presence individually and as a community extends compassion, generosity and love to those we encounter…  I feel called to this work and our growing sense of community.”

Mount Olivet will now begin the process to find a new Associate Pastor. There will be a formal installation ceremony in the fall for both pastors.

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About Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth

Mount Olivet is a missional congregation in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) that seeks to be a community partnering with God in the world. As a church that recognizes faith as a journey, the ongoing mission, “Finding our place in God’s unfolding story,” is central to congregational life through dwelling in God, connecting in community, and engaging in callings. www.moply.org

Mount Olivet brings in Wisconsin powerhouses for fifth year of outdoor music benefit.

5^th Annual BLUES BREWS N BBQs music line up announced. Plymouth, Minn. (May 17, 2016) – Mount Olivet’s BLUES BREWS N BBQs (BBNBBQs) music fest returns for a fifth year on August 6, once again benefiting PRISM and Twin Cities Habitat. To celebrate the fifth year, event organizers are going all-out and bringing some of Wisconsin’s best blues performers to Plymouth, Minnesota.

The Jimmys are a seven man blues and soul powerhouse out of Madison, boasting a three piece horn section and named one of the top ten blues fest acts by Elmore magazine. They bring tight harmonies, powerful horn lines, and award-winning keys from band leader, Jimmy Voegeli.

Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys are a raw, unadulterated, Chicago-style blues ensemble from Milwaukee.  The “Reverend”, a south-side Chicago native, lends his charisma and vocals, keeping the band true to Chicago blues the way it’s meant to be.

Staying with the tradition of showcasing local music, Twin Cities staple, Lisa Wenger will kick the day off with a mix of rockin’ blues classics and contemporary soul.  Cole Allen, lead guitarist for Sena Ehrhardt, is bringing his blues-rock band to play the tent stage between the main sets.

BBNBBQs started in 2012 as a fun idea where music, beer, and barbeque could benefit local nonprofits. Four years later, BBNBBQs has distributed $56,000, entertained over 4,000 music lovers, and become the summer showcase in Mount Olivet’s Higher Grounds music series.

BLUES BREWS N BBQs is set for Saturday, August 6. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. Profits will benefit PRISM and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for the fifth year in a row.

$12 early bird tickets available through Eventbrite at http://highergrounds.moply.org

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About Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth

Mount Olivet is a missional congregation in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) that seeks to be a community partnering with God in the world. As a church that recognizes faith as a journey, the ongoing mission, “Finding our place in God’s unfolding story,” is central to congregational life through dwelling in God, connecting in community, and engaging in callings. www.moply.org

Higher Grounds is a yearlong music series at Mount Olivet, started in 2001 with a vision of supporting nonprofits through music. In 14 years, Higher Grounds has distributed $72,000 to organizations making a difference in the world.  http://highergrounds.moply.org

Mount Olivet to Help Families Start Conversations About End-of-Life Decisions

Plymouth, Minn. (March 22, 2016) – Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth  announced a new series, Open Conversation: Walking Through the Details of Death, for families and individuals who are faced with the declining health of loved ones, or those wanting to be prepared for future healthcare decisions. These sessions will help partners, immediate family, and community members have difficult conversations about healthcare directives, funeral planning, and the emotional impact of seeing the health of loved ones decline. Open to the public, all are invited to attend and connect with others at similar life stages: those caring for aging parents, adults wanting family to know end-of-life wishes, and individuals preparing for the future. The series was developed as a response to the many in the community making tough, and often times lonely decisions, regarding end-of-life care for parents and loved ones.

Week 1 will look at creating a health care directive that informs others of wishes for end-of-life healthcare. Week 2 will explore the facets of funeral planning that can be intimidating. Week 3 will be a panel of Hospice Workers who will talk through the emotional impact of seeing health decline in loved ones and preparing for death.

This free series is open to the public and will be hosted Mondays: April 4, April 11, and April 18 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth is located at 12235 Old Rockford Road, Plymouth, MN 55441. www.moply.org/openconversation

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About Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth

Mount Olivet is a missional congregation that seeks to be a community partnering with God in the world. As a church that recognizes faith as a journey, the ongoing mission, “Finding our place in God’s unfolding story,” is central to congregational life through dwelling in God, connecting in community, and engaging in callings.  www.moply.org