NEWS

Tribute paid to trio
during Convocation

Three dedicated pastors were acknowledged in special tributes at this year's Spring Convocation banquet of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Distinguished Alum Pastor Ross Hidy, left, chats during the Convocation with former Registrar John Kaufmann.

The Rev. Ross Hidy of Concord, CA, Class of 1942, was honored as the Seminary's Distinguished Alumnus for 2001. The Rev. Nelson Gaetz, pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, NY, Class of 1971, and the Rev. Cheryl L. Johnson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Dover, NJ, an alumna of Union Theological Seminary in New York, were acknowledged as recent recipients of the Muhlenberg Award, which celebrates long-term congregational pastorates of special distinction.

Hidy was chosen to receive the honor in a nominating process involving other alumni/ae. During his career, he served as pastor to a war housing community in Richmond, CA, as a pastor of St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Berkeley, CA, St. Mark's Lutheran Church in San Francisco; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island, WA, and at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Concord, CA. He also was intensely involved in radio and television ministry over the years and in work for the Billy Graham Crusade. Hidy served as a correspondent for The Lutheran magazine when it was based in Philadelphia for the former Lutheran Church in America. He was on the ground floor of efforts leading to the establishment of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, believing that the Seminary would provide badly needed impetus to encourage new leadership for the growing church in the far west. He served on the Seminary's Board and also on the national church's Board of Publications.

During his considerable remarks of gratitude, Hidy paid tribute to his wife, Evelyn, for her partnership in ministry and credited the Seminary for teaching a perspective about listening to others as a way to learn how to minister effectively.

Pastor Nelson Gaetz gave thanks to God in his Muhlenberg acceptance remarks for helping him "to be at the right place at the right time" in his professional ministry career. Gaetz is credited for establishing a housing program for people with disabilities and reaching out in ministry to a variety of marginalized people in Syracuse. His pastorate at Atonement has lasted 20 years. He's also been a guiding force in establishing a satellite worshiping community in a local rural area.

Pastor Cheryl Johnson has served Trinity Church in Dover, NJ, for 17 years. The congregation includes ministry to residents of a local psychiatric institute and a housing program for the elderly in its program. A Trinity Soup Kitchen serves more than 100 meals daily in the community Monday through Saturday. A parish nurse program thrives on health care, blood pressure screenings and other health education initiatives.

The Rev. Dr. Philip D. W. Krey took a special moment to pay tribute to the Rev. Bruce Davidson for his many years of devotion as head of the Alumni/ae Association. He is being succeeded by the Rev. Michele D. Kaufman of White Haven, PA.