The Pastorate of Neal S. Groeling
1995-2002
Neal S. Groeling was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 4, 1961, to Gary and Clarice Groeling. He has a younger sister (Janet) and a younger brother (Craig). Neal moved with his family to Littleton, Colorado, in early 1976 and graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1979.
Neal attended Concordia Teachers College at Seward, Nebraska, from August 1979 to January 1983 where he graduated in May of 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In August of 1983, Neal began to study for his Master of Divinity degree at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, Neal served as a Seminary Field Worker at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, Missouri. In April of 1985, he was assigned to a vicarage at Zion Lutheran Church in Anchorage, Alaska, where he served for one year. In April of 1987, he was called to be pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Bovey, Minnesota. He accepted that call upon graduation from Concordia Seminary on May 22, 1987. He was installed as pastor of Mount Olive in July 19, 1987 and continued to serve there until June 18, 1995.
On May 7, 1994, Neal was united in Holy Marriage to Linda D. Skarp. Pastor Groeling was installed on July 9, 1995, here at Trinity.
March of 1995 the Youth began World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine weekends. March 2nd & 3rd marked the 12th year of this ongoing event in which the Youth have raised nearly $30,000.
In June of 1996, after many years of service, Edgar Bender retired. Also in 1996, the Script program was established to supplement funding for the school. Trinity purchased two houses and a church for $91,500 from the City of Wyandotte. These properties were located across the street from the school building.
In August of 1996 the Junior Youth started participating annually in the Michigan District Jr. Youth Gathering the first weekend in August.
On August 23, 1997, the Youth set a policy to tithe 10% of all money fundraised to a mission project. Also in this year, the Voters’ Assembly extended Brenda Heissenbuettel a change in her current call as teacher to Minister of Youth, Small Groups and Assimilation.
In March of 1998 the parsonage was sold to Pastor Groeling for $1.00 for expansion purposes. Mrs. Helga Juchartz retired after 29 years of service.
The year of 1999 brought with it many exciting events. Two Youth groups were established, Christian Eagles (Isaiah 40:31) for 6th-8th graders and Cross Seekers (Gal. 6:14) for 9th -12th graders. One classroom in the lower level of the school was converted to a Youth room and Brenda’s office.
The parsonage was actually moved to a new location, one block away on Chestnut; it would have cost a lot more to tear down. Pastor Groeling then started with extensive remodeling.
The entire congregation was encouraged to participate in “Experiencing God “Bible study. The “Welcome Center” was opened in the narthex of the church for the purpose of greeting visitors. A program in which electronic funds transfer was established to allow members to automatically give their contributions.
Both Youth groups began meeting on a regular basis and continues today. Besides regular meetings and fellowship times they participate in, Servant Events such as: CDTS, Capachian Soup Kitchen, Detroit Rescue Mission, Latino, Focus Hope, Nursing Homes, Gleanors Food Bank, and various functions at Trinity. District Events such as the Junior Youth Gathering (annually) and Senior Youth Gathering (every three years) and National Youth Gatherings (1998 Atlanta, Ga).
In 2000, Trinity participated in its first Baby Shower to benefit the Crisis Pregnancy Center. This was located in the church basement and its purpose was to help girls who need assistance. This program continues annually, with a drop-off shower during a certain month, where donations are dropped off in the church basement.
Exceptional Fun Night was established in 2000. This is a ministry for God's special needs and handicapped persons. Songs, food, games, crafts, and Bible study time are part of the group activities. The community is invited and encouraged to attend the monthly gathering. This group meets the third Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Community Building.
In 2001, a media center “library” was established in the church lower level and members were encouraged to use it.
The Youth participated the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Pastor Neal Groeling accepted a call to Colorado. A farewell service and banquet was held on January 27, 2002.
Vacancy of Pastor
2002-2003
On January 21st of 2002, the Voters’ Assembly voted to authorize Gerald Asmus and Douglas Wieneke to consecrate the elements for Holy Communion in the absence of a pastor. Pastor Zehnder was our visiting pastor; he was retired from the Ann Arbor area.
On April 15, the Voters’ Assembly made a decision, after 140 years, Trinity realized that they could no longer support the parochial education ministry. The school did not close until June.
Major repair and updating of the organ was made. The rededication service was on October 22nd, 2002.
The Pastorate of Kenneth M. Spence
2003-2010
Kenneth Spence was born in Walled Lake, Michigan on November 23, 1948 to Harold and Betty Spence (now deceased), He graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1966 after which time he enrolled at Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Pre-Ministerial studies. He transferred to Michigan State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. He worked in the meat industry in manufacturing management for 25 years during which time the Lord called him numerous times to return to his first calling.
Pastor Spence returned for seminary studies in 1995. He did his fieldwork at Zion Lutheran Church, Columbia City, Indiana; vicarage at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Marion, Iowa; and completed the Master of Divinity requirements at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 19, 2000. He was ordained June 25, 2000 at Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun, Wisconsin where he served as pastor until February 16, 2003.
While in Waupun, Pastor Spence served as Chairman of the Evangelism Committee for South Wisconsin District. For two years he was a Chaplain on Call to St. Agnes Hospital, Waupun and Beaver Dam Hospital. He has served on the Ethics Board for Agnesian Hospitals and the Board of Directors for The Christian Home. He was President of the Waupun Kiwanis and Secretary/Treasurer of the Waupun Ministerial Association.
Pastor Spence brings to Wyandotte his wife Karen, whom he married April 12, 1969 at St. Mathew Lutheran Church, Walled Lake, Michigan, and their dog, Buddy. Karen and Ken have two children, Tevia Grimenstein who resides with her husband, Rev. Edward Grimenstein, and their children, Lance Allen, who resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife Beth. He was installed on February 28, 2003.
The result of closing the school caused conflict to the Trinity population, a number of families left the church. Pastor Spence felt the church need to be healed quickly. The congregation decided, through having group meetings facilitated by Pastor Spence that the optimum compromise would be about Community Service, Missions, and Youth. Pastor immediately changed the name from Trinity School to Trinity Community building. The building was retro-fitted for handicap accessibility which included a ramp sidewalk, 3 floor elevator system and handicap lavatories.
Also in 2003, Trinity decided to implement three different worship services styles-Traditional, Blended, and Contemporary.
In January 2004, the Board of Elders appointed Gerald Asmus as Director of Visitation. He will minister to shut-ins, hospital stays and special circumstances as a volunteer.
In June of 2004, Trinity became part of a process called “Natural Church Development” this function has developed and organization, a redesigned constitution, job descriptions for all boards and every job in the church. This group has also developed a dymamic 3-year plan.
Pastor Spence was instrumental in acquiring Community organizations to lease out vacant rooms in the Community Building. The first, in September of 2004, was Wayne County Adult Day Care. The Day Care services handicapped, Alzheimer's, and dementia individuals.
Some other events noted in 2004 were; Trinity’s Youth participated in the National Youth Gathering in Orlando, Florida; the church air-conditioning was completed and paid for by contributions and a loan.
In January of 2005, A Coffee House Ministry Team, (made up of Sr. Youth) presented an Outreach Ministry plan to the Voters’ of Trinity. The plan was to start a coffee house ministry for high-school age individuals in the downriver area.
The Coffee House Ministry Team, directed by Brenda Heissenbuettel, presented a proposal to the congregation to borrow $7,000 to refurbish a room in the community building to become a functional café, to be open to all youth of the community one night a week. The funded cost included the cost of entertainment, construction, snacks and drinks, and electrical. On May 2, 2005 a Special Voters meeting voted to secure the loan for the Coffee House Ministry.
July of 2005, the Senior Youth voted to call the coffee house outreach ministry, Café 289, based on Ephesians 2:8-9.
In August of 2005, Pastor acquired a second community organization to lease within the community building. Lincoln Center, (part of Wyandotte Public School System), services the teen and young adult special needs individual. A new roof was put on the community building at the cost of $27,000.
September of 2005 marked a special time for the Youth of Trinity. On the 9th, the Coffee House and the ministry of Café 289 were dedicated in a special service held in the Coffee house. On the 23rd, Café 289 was officially opened.
In 2005, Trinity had achieved a mission emphasis in excess of $50,000 and 10,000 hours of physical mission work.
July 13, 2006 marked the 145th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wyandotte. This was and is a momentous occasion in the life of the congregation at Fifth Street and Oak Street. Trinity inaugurated the celebration on July 9th with a church service and dedication of a memorial stone marker, and a celebration lunch in the community building gym. A 145 year committee has been established to write the history from 1986-2006, Historical presentations for the congregation, Fellowship name tags for all congregants to wear during services, Pictorial membership booklet, and invite previous Trinity pastors to come and preach again. The celebration is still being acknowledged in 2007.
Pastor Spence took a very difficult look at Trinity’s membership. He divided out those who have had activity in the church. Membership roles were purged from 873 into a new relative number of 468 active members.
Throughout 2006, the 3-year plan was worked on extensively. Trinity came up with 8 Critical Ministry Targets, which included Worship, Discipleship, Christian Education, Assimilation, Outreach, Family Ministry, Christian Care, General Resolutions. The plan was put onto paper, including resolutions, general action plans, detailed action plans, goals, and measurements for all Critical Ministry Targets. These action plans will be completed within the next 3 years.
Other 2006 History includes: Brenda Heissenbuettel’s title changed to Director of Family Ministries, and our automated Phone tree system was updated, the planning stages of the website were in motion. Pastor Spence completed the lease of the community building with Wyandotte Co-op Preschool. The preschool services young children with parental participation.
The year of 2007 marks lots of changes for Trinity. On March 4th, 2007, Trinity went to one service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday’s after 46 years of having two. The Endowment Fund purchased 160 new hymnals; the old hymnals were purchased in 1942 changing from German to English. On April 15, “The Worship Lutheran Book” was dedicated and used during services. After the services Pastor announced his decision in a call he had received from St. Peter of the Fisherman, Oregon. After a month of prayer and consideration, Pastor Spence declined the call stating there is still more work to be done here at Trinity. On April 29, 2007, a dedication service was held launching Trinity Lutheran Church Website.
The Interim Pastorate of John L. Heins
2010 to Present
Trinity's congregation officially approved Rev. Dr. John L. Heins as the Interim Pastor at the April 5, 2010, Voters' meeting. Pastor Heins was installed and preached his first sermons at Trinity the weekend of April
10-11, 2010. He also taught the Sunday morning adult Bible class.
Pastor Heins has served as a parish pastor at Faith Lutheran, Grand Blanc and at Guardian Lutheran, Dearborn, Michigan. In addition, he has served as President of the Michigan District, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and presently serves on the Pastoral Staff of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit.
Pastor Heins will serve during the transition period until Trinity is prepared to begin the process of calling a new pastor.