First Lutheran Church

Philip, South Dakota

The Western New Hope Lutheran Parish began its united mission on January 1, 1999. The story of its birth is both interesting and Spirit led.

In September of 1996, Concordia in Kadoka and Our Savior's in Long Valley called Pastor Bill Hamill. In July of 1997, First Lutheran of Philip called Pastor Paul Bly. Pastor Hamill and Pastor Bly knew each other from Seminary and met together regularly once they were both in western South Dakota. Meanwhile, Pastor Martin Osterloh was serving Trinity in Midland and Deep Creek Lutheran of rural Midland. Their weekly pastors' text study with Pastors Bill, Paul & Martin, led them to share many of the same concerns and joys throughout the area.

In the latter part of 1997, Pastor Osterloh announced his intention to retire at the end of 1998. As they looked into the future, taking into account the very real pastor shortage in South Dakota, they began to ask God about the future of not only Midland and Deep Creek, but also of the other congregations in the area. Given the pastoral shortage and the financial concerns due to agricultural prices and declining population, they knew we had to do things a little differently in order to survive and thrive for the sake of the proclamation of the Gospel in this area.

Early in 1998, Pastor Paul and Pastor Bill retreated to the wilderness of the Badlands for a few days for a brainstorming session. They considered the basics of the early, struggling church in the book of Acts. After much prayer and conversation, they began to see many positive possibilities for working together, both as pastors and as congregations. Sharing ideas, talents and resources were but a few of possible advantages.

When they focused on the advantages instead of just solutions to the "problems," they truly felt the Spirit's leading. After carefully considering how to present our ideas, we gathered representatives from each of the five congregations for conversation. They Synod offered its help and their help was utilized when necessary.

 In the latter part of 1998, a working agreement had been worked out and presented to the congregations for deliberation and vote. The agreement passed with a start date of January 1, 1999. In June of 1999, Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl installed Pastor Bill Hamill and Pastor Paul Bly at a combined parish worship at Concordia Lutheran of Kadoka.

Pastor Bill Hamill resigned in September of 2000 and accepted a call to Grace Lutheran Church of Watertown, SD. Pastor Jill Jackson was called and began service in March 2001. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, a bright and effective future of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ is anticipated in this area.

Pastor Jill Jackson and Pastor Paul Bly served the Western New Hope Lutheran Parish until Pastor Paul accepted a call to Pierre, South Dakota and Pastor Jill resigned in 2005. Pastor Ann Schlossnagle took the position of Pastor of Western New Hope Lutheran Parish. In 2007 Pastor Schlossnagle resigned and the Parish underwent a period of transitions. Pastor Frezil Westerlund accepted a call to the Western New Hope Lutheran Parish in 2007 serving the congregations of Philip, Midland, Deep Creek and Long Valley.

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