The Lutheran welcomes and gives thanks for their new Deaconess, Heather Merhenke. Heather is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago, in River Forest, Illinois. She was introduced to the Lutheran Home by Pastor Rockemann, the Lutheran Home’s on-site Pastor. He visited some Concordia classes to talk about Lutheran Home’s Ministry of Care and offered a tour to anyone who was interested. Heather took him up on the offer. “I walked through the Lutheran Home and thought ‘Wow…maybe they need a deaconess!’” said Heather. “I felt this was a really special place.”

After a break from school, working as an administrative assistant, finishing school, and a year of study with Bethesda Lutheran Homes in Wisconsin, assisting with chapel, Bible Study groups and general care, Heather got her call from the Lutheran Home. “I finished my time with Bethesda, and was looking for a call, and then here was Pastor Rockemann asking me to come to the Lutheran Home. You just know things like this are from God – I wouldn’t have been able to put this all together!”

“God prepared it. It’s very obvious now. Who would have thought that a break from school, working downtown and then going back to school would lead me back here? But now I’m totally prepared for what is needed to serve here. So it’s a gift, and big gift.“

Deaconess Heather looks forward to getting to know the residents in the coming months. She is organizing bible study groups, doing devotional services with residents, and sharing in the variety of fun activities and entertainment offered at the Lutheran Home. The Lutheran Home is glad to have Deaconess Heather here to help faithfully serve God’s people!