Submitted photo

Members of Community Faith Board pose with new Pastor Martha Atkins. Board members include Jim Miller, President; Jane Ann Henderson, Secretary; Mark Brown, Treasurer; and board members Susan Ostenson, Kathi Nelsen and Stephanie Clark.

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EDGEMONT – Trinity Lutheran and the United Church of Edgemont recently formed a combined congregation called Community Faith and installed their first pastor, Martha Atkins, this past Sunday, Nov. 13 at their 10 a.m. service held at the United Church.

“During the past year, we have been having pastoral leadership by over six different retirees and lay individuals,” said Church Board Secretary Barb Miller.

Pastor Martha Atkins is an ELCA Lutheran Pastor but has served in joint ministries in the past. She comes to us from Yankton, SD where she has been completing an interim ministry at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, SD. She also enjoyed ministering at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield.

Pastor Martha lived in Rock Springs, Wyo., where she attended seminary and was Pastor at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church for five years. Her husband, Ron, worked for the local fire department until he retired.

Community Faith splits their worship services between Trinity Lutheran and the United Church on a month-by-month basis. Services will be held at 10 a.m. in the United church for the month of November and the Lutheran church for the month of December.

“We look forward to having Pastor Martha a part of the Edgemont community and available for the needs of all the folks living in and around the area,” Miller said.