PARTICIPATING PASTORS;(from left) President Walter Tietjen, Former Pastors Carl Berner, Wilbur (Buck) May, Richard Bergman and Ron Bennett

Brownsville Lutheran Celebrates 10 Years of Diversified Ministry

A handful of Lutheran Christians, living in the Foothills, had a dream and a goal: “to meet together for Worship, Bible Study and Fellowship in the Foothills.” It all began with Sunday morning Bible studies and de- votions until an organizational meeting was held in early 1986 with 15 people present. First Lutheran Church of Yuba City became a “Mother Church” by providing Sunday school supplies and communion ware, and Brownsville Lutheran Church became a “Preaching Post” For the first year and a half, the people met in homes, the Health Center Conference Room and the Baptist Church. Pastors from surrounding communities and chaplains from Beale AFB came to minister at the Sunday afternoon worship services,

In February 1988, the group began renting the “Pink Building” from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which location is current today. In October 1988, Rev. Marc Wolfram of Warda, Texas, served the congregation for 11 months. In that time the Sunday morning schedule began with Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. When Pastor Wolfram returned to Texas, Brownsville Lutheran returned to the Visiting Pastors system again. One pastor, Rev. Wilbur May, served the congregation on a twice-a-month basis until early 1995.

The congregation recently held a "Pastor May Sunday” to honor him and his wife for those years of service. In the Spring of 1992, Calvary Lutheran Church in Oroville assumed the “MotherChurch” title and began providing bulletin service as well as visiting clergy.

In June 1995, Rev. Ron Bennett, a retired ELCA pastor, moved to the foothills and became the pastor. On Oct. 13, Brownsville Lutheran Church (A Community of Joy) celebrated its10th anniversary. Rev. Dr. Walter Tietjen, CNH District President, was the guest speaker. Several former “Visiting Pastors” participated in the worship and Pastor Bennett served as Liturgist. Special music was provided by Loren Olsen. Former piano players and organists and the current organist, Lucille Naylor, shared in the day of celebration. An anniversary luncheon and program followed when the 10 years were reviewed in a “historical and hysterical” manner. Nearly 100 people shared in the events of the day.

“The Brownsville Lutheran Community Church of Joy” is now a growing and energetic congregation, not only a worshiping and Bible-study fellowship, but also a community-minded ministry reaching into the Foothills to care for the needs of people.