The Rev. Scott Ludford has spent the last month settling in as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano.
“I was getting to the point in my career to do one last call,” Ludford said. “It just felt right. Zion’s needs and where they were at matched up with my experience.”
He replaced the Rev. Gisele Berninghaus, who served as interim pastor, last month.
Ludford was previously at First Lutheran Church of Hayward for eight and a half years. It was difficult to leave behind people and the memories in Hayward, he admitted, but he is looking forward to new adventures.
“Every church, every commitment brings a new chapter to your life and new experiences,” Ludford said.
Along with his ministry, he is a trained police chaplain and has talked to Police Chief Mark Kohl and Sheriff Adam Bieber about using his skills here.
“I would like to help in that way,” Ludford said.
He has also been training for four years to become a certified rescue diver.
“I love scuba diving,” Ludford said. “It’s the one thing in my whole life that I can come out of the water with all the stresses gone.”
Ludford and his wife, Debra, both from Minnesota, purchased a home next to the church and moved in with their dog, Heidi, a German shorthaired pointer. Heidi is something of a church therapy dog who loves to greet people during office hours or meetings at church.
Ludford graduated from Augsburg College in Minnesota with majors in history and religion. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Ludford served churches in Valier and Great Falls, Montana, Lynnwood, Washington, and Superior before his stint in Hayward.
He enjoys astronomy, woodworking, golf, playing the French horn, fishing and hunting. His wife has worked in secretarial roles, retail and banking. She likes to read, knit and go to the gym and is a trained hospice volunteer. The Ludfords have four adult children.
Ludford said he has been accepted by the church congregation and Shawano in general.
“I love the diversity here and being a spiritual leader to the people who are so devoted to God’s ministry,” he said.
