Pastor Alex Accepts New Call

Pastor Alex informed the congregation this week he has accepted a new call to serve as the next pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro. His last day will be June 26, 2026 and his final Sunday in worship will be June 14, 2026.

A Letter from Pastor Alex . . .

To my Muhlenberg family,

I write today with deep love and gratitude for each of you, while feeling a profound mixture of joy and sadness. With an eye toward the future, the Apostle Paul proclaimed to the Romans, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

So now, I set my own eye on the future and wish to share a good thing that has happened through God’s call and purpose—though I hold my own understanding that this good thing will come with a generous measure of grief. Today, I have accepted the call to serve as the next pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. This letter stands as the official resignation of my call as Associate Pastor of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, effective June 26, 2026, and my final Sunday in worship with you will be June 14, 2026 at 9:30am.

I have said from the beginning that serving at Muhlenberg has been an absolute dream for me. I have had the honor of serving a congregation that has felt like home for me since my freshman year in 2009—where I rediscovered my love of the church and discerned my own call to ministry. I have treasured the joyous privilege to provide leadership for Lutheran Campus Ministry at my own alma mater, and I have enjoyed every second of working with the youth of this congregation in their confirmation journeys, youth events, and in sharing the joys and sorrows of life. I have been honored to walk with you all through the difficult days of pandemic life, and help guide a vision for digital ministry that has endured beyond crisis and allowed Muhlenberg to become a hybrid worshiping community through the Wellstream. It has been a joy and privilege to lead alongside such an incredible staff, gifted lay leadership, and especially alongside my cherished partner in this faithful work, Pastor Lauren. This letter could grow exceedingly long if I list every joy, blessing, and holy moment we have shared together over these past 7 years, and the pages here would still be insufficient to contain my gratitude and love for each of you. Leaving a congregation and a call such as this is no easy matter, and I have joked that it would take an act of God to get me out of Muhlenberg.

Well, God has acted! Rarely in my life can I say I’ve felt such certainty of being actively in the midst of the Holy Spirit’s work. I often feel like I have “holy hindsight” and can see God’s fingerprints after the fact, but this call process with Grace, Waynesboro has felt constantly like it has been a gift of the Spirit. Without fail, each person I’ve brought into my confidences about this process have shared with me that they’ve seen a light in my eyes and my face as I share about Grace and the ways I’m feeling called to serve there. They are a congregation known for showing up to serve in their community, bringing creativity to mission, and striving to be a partner with others around the Waynesboro area. We have felt like a strong match from the beginning according to our gifts. It is my deep hope that living closer to the church I serve will allow me a greater sense of balance in life as I strive to be present for my family, my congregation, and my own wellbeing.

While my family and I are excited for this move, and the future that is ahead, I grieve our parting. After June 26, I will no longer be your pastor. I will not be available for pastoral visitation, funerals, weddings, or similar pastoral acts. These boundaries are important for the life and health of congregations and their leaders, allowing each of us to walk boldly into the future that God has prepared for us. And I am able to leave more confidently and at peace knowing that Muhlenberg remains in the faithful and capable care of an amazing leader like Pastor Lauren. Transition will be a challenge on all of us, and I hope you’ll continue to rise up to support her, support one another, and support this community as Muhlenberg always has.

Although I will no longer be your pastor, Muhlenberg will forever remain in my prayers, and continue to abide in its special place within my heart. This congregation has meant so much to me throughout my life, and now it means even more through the relationships we’ve formed and the memories we’ve made. This place will forever be Nadia’s first church home, the place where she was baptized, the community where she first learned about the comfort and care of Christian family. Muhlenberg is woven into our family’s story, and we will cherish that forever.

I also recognize that it’s a small Lutheran world, and Waynesboro is not that far away. I hope to see folks again at Virginia Synod Youth Events, Assemblies, and service events across the valley. I hope there will be ways for the congregations across the valley to collaborate in ministry. And you’ll probably still bump into me at JMU games, concerts, and more! Please say hello, and know that I’m certainly allowed to greet you with love and care, even if I can’t be called upon for pastoral acts.

I look forward to worshipping with you these next two Sundays, connecting with members for coffee and conversation over the coming weeks, and leading our youth to one final Kairos experience June 21-26 at Roanoke College. My final pastoral act at Muhlenberg will be to bring them home safely, and I can think of no better way to end this joyous journey.

It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your pastor. But now, my friends, I commend this prayer to you that has long been one of my favorites, and hope it will guide us all through the close of one journey, and the beginning of another:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Indeed, God is leading us, and God’s love is supporting us, as we continue to be a Wellspring of God’s Grace, equipping all people to live out Christ’s love.
In Christ’s Love,

The Rev. Alexander C. Zuber
June 1, 2026

 A Letter from Muhlenberg’s Congregational Council . . .

Dear beloved of Muhlenberg,

We join you with joy and also sadness that Pr. Alex has accepted a call as Pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro. The time is right for him to share his unique gifts in this role, as he has with us as Associate Pastor these past seven years. This call will be a blessing to him in so many ways as well as to the members of Grace Lutheran Church.

To honor Pr. Alex and celebrate his new call, you are invited to a “brunch tailgate” after the 9:30 worship service June 14 in the MAC to celebrate Pr. Alex’s call and to wish him farewell. Bring a favorite brunch dish to share tailgate style (on tables spread around the MAC) as well as lawn chairs and picnic blankets.  In honor of Pr. Alex, we’ll provide LOTS of coffee, and we’ll have some griddles fired up for sausage and pancakes.

We would also like to give Pr. Alex a congregational Love Offering to send him on his way rejoicing. You are invited to contribute to this gift with a check to Muhlenberg (with the notation “Love Offering”), or you may give online through the special Giving Tile on our website (www.muhlenberglutheran.org/give). You may also drop off your offering at the church office or send it by mail so that it is received no later than June 21.

Although we will surely miss Pr. Alex among us, we also celebrate with him this calling of the Holy Spirit.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7

In Christ,

Muhlenberg Congregation Council