He leaves Muhlenberg, one of the largest and most active congregations in the Synod, in the capable hands of Pastor Brett Davis, who has worked with him for five years in leading a variety of ministries in a growing Shenandoah Valley city. Humphrey credits "the incredible talent" of his partner-pastor, Davis, and the members who have "developed a wonderful reputation in the community."

            As he begins to think about installation as bishop on Sept.9, following retiring Bishop Jim Mauney, Humphrey said that in the next chapter, "It is important to build a bridge from the richness of the past to the incredible potential I believe God has for the future." This is a calling that "requires faith, skill and patience," he added. He faces many decisions as he puts on the bishop's cross.

            While answering questions during the election process at the Assembly, he described his leadership style: "Working with trusted colleagues, staff, rostered and lay leaders through a variety of channels, including prayer, study, conversation, meetings, email, blogs and social media, I would strive to engage as many as desired in every level of decision-making and implementation."

            His story begins in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was born in 1955, to the late Dr. Edward M. and Doris Humphrey. His father, a general practitioner, moved the family to Covington, Ind., to work as medical director of an industry during Humphrey's first 12 years. After a brief time in Kansas, the family moved to Richmond where he graduated from high school and the University of Richmond as a history/political science major. During this time he and his family were members of a mission congregation, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, (since closed) and was first encouraged to consider ordained ministry by his pastor, The Rev. James H. Bangle.

            Following graduation from Richmond and marriage came studies at Southern Seminary, ordination and first call to Zion, near Waynesboro. Shortly afterward, he was called to Grace, Waynesboro, which became a location for many Synod events as a geographic center. At Waynesboro, he worked in pastoral counseling, a talent he expects he will need in the bishop's office. He's been trained and served as a congregational conflict consultant. He was on Synod Council, chaired the Waynesboro Planning Commission and served on a public school planning committee.

            In 2010, Humphrey accepted a call to Muhlenberg, a congregation of over 1400 members who worship at three services on Sunday morning. He and Davis lead a staff of twelve who carry out many local and global mission activities.

            He met his wife, Barbra Troutman Humphrey following their second year of college when they both served as counselors at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp. She has been "incredibly supportive" of his work and his new office. She's the daughter of the late Pastor C. Bernard and Jenny Troutman. Known pleasantly as "Barney," his father-in-law would probably say of the bishop-elect, "I taught him everything he knows," Humphrey said, tongue in cheek.

            The Humphreys have a daughter, Jill Humphrey, a public health nurse in New York City, who is married to Johan Grimsrud, a high school math teacher in the Bronx. The Humphreys' grandchildren are Elias 11 and Marja 7. Humphrey's only sibling, Laura Greenday, lives in Mechanicsville,with her husband, Frank. They have two daughters, Kayley and Allison.

Christ, Fredericksburg, and four at Mt. Zion and

St. Luke, Woodstock. Carbaugh graduated from Virginia Tech and Southern Seminary. He is a nephew of retired

Pastor Kenneth Carbaugh, Virginia Beach.

  

Penman

          Pastor David Penman has retired after serving nine years at St. Timothy, Norfolk, and helping St. Thomas, Bealeton, worship with Bealeton Presbyterian Church. A second career pastor, he graduated from the U.S.. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps for 20 years before graduating from Gettysburg Seminary

 

	Hannemann

       Daniel Hannemann is retiring after 44 years as a church musician, including over 10 years at Grace, Winchester. He began at Lockport, N. Y., and worked at Emmanuel Lutheran, Lincolnton, NC, for 20 years. He was certified as an associate in ministry (AIM) in 1980 and that designation recently was changed to deacon. Hannemann, known as "Mr. Dan, the Music Man: by children at Grace, earned a master of scared music degree from Wittenberg University. He was described in Tidings, Grace newsletter, as "organist, vocal and bellchoir director, pianist, travel guide, staff member, friend, brother in Christ and a member of the church family."

            Jennifer Braaten, retired Lutheran president of Ferrum, a United Methodist college, has been recalled as interim president . She follows Joseph Spooner, who was released from the post after less than a year. Braaten drew high marks for her accomplishments during 14 years as Ferrum president. Her husband is retired Lutheran Pastor Conrad Braaten, who served in Washington.

            Emily Dietrick of Epiphany, Richmond, a Young Adult in Global Mission will report on her work in South Africa during the past year at two services and an adult forum at Epiphany on July 30. In her mission year, she was a volunteer in the South Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa.

            The last two congregations in the Attoway-Kimberlin Parish have voted to close. The last worship service for Pleasant Hill at Groseclose was led by Pastor Ed Schaack and Vicar Felicia Swartz on May 14. Schaack also led the last service at Atonement, Atkins, on May 21. Both are in Smyth County.

            Roanoke area Lutherans have been asked to volunteer for a new Café to Grow program of Feeding America Southwest Virginia. Volunteers will help with summer lunches prepared in a kitchen at West End Village and delivered to children in a new food trailer equipped to serve hot entrees, fruits, vegetables and cold milk. Four volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Three will go with the food trailer in the afternoon to help serve meals to the children at their location.

            Kelly McCann of St. Michael, Blacksburg, assistant director of special events in Virginia Tech alumni relations, received the university's 2017 President's award for Excellence. She received a $2,000 prize. St. Michael members voted to distribute $7,000 from the estate of Irene Ashley to five Blacksburg area charitable organizations.

            At St. Stephen, Williamsburg, the 1956 Society, an endowment organization, has 50 members and a fund of $990,000 in pledges, ensuring the future mission of the congregation, according to The Quill, parish newsletter. Grants from the fund are earmarked for a video sermon project and an air handler for the church building.

            Members of Trinity Ecumenical Parish have been encouraged to accompany

Pastor Philip Bouknight and Aaron Garber, music director, on a tour following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul in Greece June 11-20, 2018, as part of Bouknight's sabbatical.

            A stained glass window depicting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane was dedicated at Prince of Peace, Basye, in memory of Channing Armell.

            Members of First Lutheran, Norfolk, are working with Commonwealth Catholic Charities to provide support for an Eritrean man who moved to Newport News and an Eritrean family who are moving to Norfolk. They are seeking volunteers to help recently resettled refugees with the Wide Open Arms organization.