• Jennifer Preyss •
• Originally published August 19, 2010 at midnight, updated August 20, 2010 at 2:35 p.m.

• IF YOU GO:

  What: Special service, ceremony, reception Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley celebrating its joining the Missouri Synod denomination

  When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  Where: Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley, 12183 Farm-to-Market Road 236, ...

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IF YOU GO:

What: Special service, ceremony, reception Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley celebrating its joining the Missouri Synod denomination

When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley, 12183 Farm-to-Market Road 236, near Victoria

For more information: Phone the church office at 361-578-2096

Ceremony is open to the public

An energized congregation will attend a special service Sunday afternoon at Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley to celebrate the church's official joining with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the second largest Lutheran body in the United States.

"We're very excited about this Sunday . and our congregation is very excited too," said Pauline Janak, Zion's church council president.

With more than 90 percent approval, Zion members voted to separate from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in September, after the denomination released a statement of approval toward same-gender relationships one month earlier.

Three resolutions pertaining to homosexuality and homosexual leadership in the Lutheran clergy were released last August by the Evangelical Lutheran Ministry. Among them, the following statement was made: "(Adopted by a vote of 619-402) Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

The Rev. Mike Couchman, Zion's chief minister, said the decision to leave their original denomination was a difficult one, and he admits the divide is bittersweet.

"We're sad we had to do it. It could have been any issue, it didn't have to be a gay issue," Couchman said. "Essentially the ECLA said, 'We know what scripture says, and we're voting to overturn it.' We feel like we didn't leave the church; the church left us."

After seeking several alternatives, Zion settled on the Missouri Synod and formally began the process of transitioning in June.

"In today's society, there is so much liberation, but at times, you need to get back to basics," Janak said. "(Sunday's ceremony) is a true reflection of what scripture is teaching us."

The ceremony will be officiated by the Rev. Michael Newman, mission and ministry facilitator for Area C, Texas District of Missouri Synod.

Official paperwork will be signed attaching Zion Lutheran to the new denomination, and Couchman will be installed into the Missouri Synod by the Rev. Wayne Schueler, Circuit 31 counselor for Area D Texas District. Installation is similar to an ordination ceremony, though Couchman is already ordained and cannot, therefore, be ordained again.

"I feel good about it. I'm relieved that we've come to the end of this road," Couchman said.

Members of Zion's new sister church Grace Lutheran in Victoria, also a member of the Missouri Synod, will be in attendance, and their choir is expected to perform alongside Zion's choir.

"We're very happy to move on and put this all behind us," Couchman said.

Couchman and Janak maintain that Zion Lutheran Church is accepting of all people, and everyone is welcome to worship inside the church.

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