Consolidation Updates
First English Lutheran Church is consolidating with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Hilltop Lutheran Church of the Ascension to form one new ELCA church! Consolidation work began in February, 2026.
Read the latest details of this ongoing
process below.
May 2026 Updates
Consolidation Core Team Meeting Summary (May 5, 2026)
The Consolidation Core Team met on May 5 at Hilltop Lutheran Church to review progress from the various task forces working to plan a potential future congregation. Several teams, including Property, Budget & Finances, Legal & Governance, and Office Administration, have begun gathering information and developing plans, while additional teams will launch in the coming months.
The team also discussed future pastoral leadership, with Pastors Alexa and Patrick expressing a willingness to serve together in the consolidated congregation. Seth Ponder introduced the Collaboration Team Project Plan, a shared Google Sheets document that allows task force members to record meeting notes, share meeting dates and locations, track progress, and upload important files and documents related to the consolidation process.
Planning continues for monthly joint worship services, which will rotate among the three churches beginning May 31, and for upcoming Listening Posts where members can share what excites and concerns them about the consolidation process. In addition, the Core Team discussed the possibility of the future congregation pursuing the ELCA's Reconciling in Christ initiative and emphasized the importance of education and open conversation before any decisions are made. The next Core Team meeting will be held on June 9 at 6:30 PM at Hilltop Lutheran Church.
Listening Session Summary
On May 31 after the joint service at FELC participants from all churches began by getting to know one another at their tables before receiving updates on the work being done by the various consolidation task forces.
Discussion focused on two key questions: What are you excited about? and What are you anxious about? as the churches continue exploring consolidation. Members shared their hopes, concerns, and ideas in an open and supportive environment.
An update was also provided on the process of selecting a name for the new congregation. June 21 is the deadline for submitting name suggestions, and voting will take place from June 28 through July 19. The goal is to ensure that every member has an opportunity to participate in choosing the name of the future church.
Current leading name suggestions include:
All Saints Lutheran Church
Alleluia Lutheran Church
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Compassionate Christ Lutheran Church
Holy Gathering Lutheran Church
The session provided an opportunity for members to stay informed, ask questions, and share their perspectives as planning continues.
Consolidation Meeting:
On April 14, the Consolidation Core Team met at Hilltop Lutheran Church of the Ascension and welcomed Missy Schroeder from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, who provided guidance and answered questions about the consolidation process. She encouraged the team to move thoughtfully, focus on building relationships, and remember that consolidation is a multi-year journey of forming a new shared identity. The team also reviewed next steps for launching additional task forces and continuing opportunities for prayer, listening, and congregational engagement. Our next joint service will be held on May 31 at First English Lutheran Church, followed by Listening Posts for conversation and feedback.
Legal and Governance Task Force:
It is time to think of coming together with our new identity. The Legal and Governance Task Force is requesting your input on your suggestions as to a new name for our congregation; we are interested in any and all suggestions and perhaps give a little reasoning as to what your suggestion means to you. We will be accepting these suggestions until Sunday, May 17. These suggestions can be emailed to the presidents of your congregation. Alternatively, they can be written on a slip of paper and placed in your offering plates. Thank you in advance for your input, these are very exciting times.
Property Task Force:
The Property Task Force met on April 22 at Gloria Dei to begin identifying the features they would love to have and need to have in a future shared space. The team also discussed the strengths of each current church building—Gloria Dei, Hilltop Lutheran, and First English Lutheran—and noted areas where improvements may be needed. Seth Ponder is compiling and quantifying the group’s feedback, and Rachelle Mammolenti will begin working to identify a real estate agent to support the process before the next meeting.
On March 3, the Consolidation Core Team met at Hilltop Lutheran Church of the Ascension to continue organizing the work of the consolidation process. The team finalized task force areas and will begin inviting members from all three congregations to participate in these groups. The Core Team also approved a working mission statement to guide the process and discussed the importance of ensuring that our commitment to “welcoming all” reflects genuine inclusion.“Rooted in the love of our Triune God, we are growing in faith-filled relationships, welcoming all, and living with compassion and generosity for our neighbors and the world.”The next meeting will include a conversation with a representative from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod about the consolidation steps on April 14 at Hilltop Lutheran Church.
On February 3, the Consolidation Core Team held its first meeting at First English Lutheran Church. Team members from Hilltop, First English, and Gloria Dei introduced themselves and shared what they value most about their congregations, and the pastors reviewed the Indiana-Kentucky Synod’s steps for consolidation. The group also began organizing the work ahead by identifying roles and potential task forces to guide the process. Our next meeting is on March 3 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Hilltop Lutheran Church.