New Wells confirmands hold reunion

Submitted story and photos ~ Immanuel Lutheran Church of New Wells held a reunion of confirmands July 27, with 160 people in attendance.

Guest speaker was the Rev. Ed Keinath, who served as pastor of the church from 1978 to 1983, with the theme of "Give, Grow, Thank," based on Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Kenaith now is executive director of Cross Life Ministries in Seymour, Indiana.

The Rev. Lawrence Bradt, vacancy pastor, provided a welcome, and Stetson Tuschhoff entertained with guitar and singing. Susan Ludwig accompanied Herb Petzoldt and Willis Haertling as they sang "Dunderbach's Machine." Connie Peiffer read the poem "Heaven's Grocery Store."

Several attendees received attendance prizes, an oak cross made by Larry Rhodes. The oldest confirmand in attendance, Tillman Petzoldt, class of 1935, gave each of the confirmands a cross that he made from the wood of a sassafras tree from the Eb Richter farm. Tristen Hecht, class of 2011, was the youngest confirmand attending. Vernon "Butch" Mirly traveled from California, and Bonnie Haertling Schulte traveled from Pennsylvania.

Herb and Tony Petzoldt, accompanied by Ludwig, led the group in the singing of "Schnitzelbank." Following Keinath's benediction, the group closed by singing "Thine Forever, God of Love."