LSS News Blog

The article below is from the Lutheran Senior Services News Blog.

Source:

http://lssliving.org/blog/2011/10/06/concordia-village-welcomes-new-chaplain-rev-jon-vierkant/
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Concordia Village Welcomes New Chaplain Rev. Jon Vierkant

LSS’ Concordia Village community in Springfield, Illinois, welcomed Rev. Jon Vierkant as its new chaplain Oct. 2. The installation ceremony, held in Concordia Village’s chapel, was the culmination of a year-long search for the right person to provide spiritual care and support for residents, staff, and their families.

“This is a special day for us,” says Dale Kreienkamp, LSS’ vice president of human resources. “The chaplains are the salt of our communities. They bind us together. And so, we welcome Rev. Vierkant as a new part of our community.”

Rev. Vierkant is a graduate of Concordia University in Tyler, Texas, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. After completing his vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, he received served as a pastor in Kansas and Indiana before receiving the call to serve at Concordia Village. On hand for the ceremony were Jon’s wife Katie, their newborn son Daniel, and Katie’s parents.

As chaplain, Rev. Vierkant is responsible for the spiritual life at Concordia Village, a community that consists of persons from a wide variety of faith traditions. In addition to leading chapel services, he also offers counseling and guidance for everyone who lives and works at Concordia Village.

Rev. David Bueltmann, who presided over the installation ceremony, said it best: “On behalf of the residents, staff, and family at Concordia Village, welcome. Welcome, Pastor Vierkant, in the name of Jesus. May you tend the sheep here with loving care.”