Atlantic District News

The Rev. Neil Mittelstaedt is the New Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, NY

- by Carol Mittelstaedt


June 25, 2010 at 3:16 PM

St. James, New York –The Rev. Neil Mittelstaedt has been installed as the pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, New York. The Rev. David H. Benke, Bishop of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, officiated at the service, which was held on Saturday June 12th, 2010.

Rev. Neil Mittelstaedt is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His prior service was at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mississauga, Canada and The Rock Christian Café. Most recently, Pastor Mittelstaedt served at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rego Park, Queens as well as being the Mission Executive for the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Rev. Mittelstaedt holds a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Catharine’s, Ontario and studied for two years at Wycliffe Anglican College in Toronto. He earned an undergraduate degree from The University of Toronto, Canada. Rev. Mittelstaedt has held positions within the Missouri Synod, notably in the area of outreach. His interest in missions, also led him to a 1 year Lutheran Youth Encounter team to Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

Rev. Mittelstaedt has a wife, Carol, who is the Mission Society Coordinator for the Atlantic District –LCMS. They have been married for 25 years. Carol was born and raised in England but moved to Canada when she was 18 where she met Neil. They have three children; Hannah, who is 20 and studying engineering at the University of Toronto, Martha who is entering grade 11 and Jacob, going into grade eight.

The Mittelstaedts are delighted to start a new chapter of their life, serving the congregation of St. James Lutheran Church on the corner of Second Ave. and Woodlawn. The church has a vibrant ministry to children in the form of a Mommy and Me program, a Preschool for 3 and 4 year olds, a large Sunday school and an exciting Vacation Bible School. The church also has an active confirmation program and youth group. St. James has a rich history of using the arts and has a wonderful music program with adult and children’s choirs as well as a hand bell choir.

They offer worship in both traditional and contemporary styles. For more information, check out their website at www.stjlc.com.