Danevang Luthern pastor retiring from ministry

REV. LAIRD ENGLE

Laird Engle, pastor of Danevang Lutheran Church, will be retiring Jan. 6, 2008 after serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 37 years. He has served parishes in New Wehdem, Hempstead, Houston, Liberty, El Campo and Danevang.

One of the emphases of his ministry has been outreach to all people. While serving at Danevang, Engle encouraged the congregation to reach out to families with children. Under his leadership the church has done this by distributing school supplies and having activities such as wet and wild, children's sabbath, Halloween carnival, the Christian circus, Easter egg hunts, movies, youth trips and Vacation bible school.

Each Wednesday the church invites the community to share in a community meal at their WWW@DLC (Wonderful Wednesday Welcome at Danevang Lutheran Church).

"After the meal, everyone sings praises to God," said Winnie Engle, the pastor's wife. "Then the children have Bible stories and crafts, and the youth and adults also have Bible studies. The group concludes with a short prayer service. There is no charge for the meal, but donations are welcome."

Engle has encouraged the congregation to lift up cultures of many different peoples, especially those of the Danish and Hispanic backgrounds. While serving Danevang, Pastor Engle led the ceremony for his first quinceanera. He took part in a missionary trip to Brazil. The Engles were also able to travel to Denmark and Finland and share some of the things they learned in those countries.

The Engles developed a story-telling act featuring Laird as the famous children's author, Hans Christian Andersen, and Winnie as Inge. Laird and Winnie have presented this act to schools in Bay City, El Campo, Inez, Sheridan, Edna, Port Lavaca, Wharton, Matagorda, Hallettsville, Sugar Land and Palacios. They will present this act for the community at their last WWW@DLC at the Danevang Community Hall at 6:45 p.m., Jan. 2. The public is also invited to the community meal and singing at 6 p.m.

"Pastor Laird has also emphasized finding joy and intimacy in marriage," said Winnie. "He and I have been presenters for Lutheran Marriage Encounter for the last 11 years."

They also served on the national board representing District II which spans the distance from Texas to Illinois. They are a part of the local area Marriage Encounter Circle where they have formed close friendships.

On Sunday, Jan. 6 the congregation invites the public to honor Pastor Engle at the 10 a.m. worship service and enjoy an enchilada dinner to be held after the service.

After retiring from the church, Engle plans to continue ministering to others in a different way. He is currently teaching chemistry, integrated physics and geometry at Profit High School in Victoria.

He also plans to take some preaching calls to neighboring congregations.

The Engles plan to reside in El Campo where Winnie will continue to teach children's community bible study at Memorial Baptist Church.