Leadership
Church Council
We are a supportive and effective team, making decisions that ensures the church functions efficiently and that are in the best interest of the congregation.
Executive Council Members
Zig Mintha
Chair
As a member of Grace Lutheran Church Council, it is Zig’s goal is to be fiscally responsible, using common sense while being respective of the needs of the entire congregation.
Barry Nagora
Vice Chair
Barry was born in Pembroke, Ontario and has raised a family in the area with his wife since 1986. He is actively involved in the church Property Committee and likes to volunteer during the annual Harvest Dinner in the fall. Barry enjoys spending his free time working on projects with his children and playing with his grandchildren.
Angie Mercier
Secretary
Angie was born in Pembroke Ontario but moved to Ottawa and worked for Bell Canada until her retirement Since retirement she has moved back to the Ottawa Valley with her husband. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church she participates in the Ladies Aid and Alter Guild. Angie likes to garden, kayak, sew/quilt and spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Councillors
Carl Dittburner
Biography coming soon…
Debbie Lazarus
Debbie works as a personal support worker (PSW) and through her work she has gained insight and understanding for the needs of our elderly. She joined the Grace Church Council to find out how it works. Debbie loves spending time with family and friends. Her motto is “Good communities start with good neighbours.”
Ed Byers
Ed has lived in Eganville since childhood. He has always been a Lutheran, as was his forefather. As a member of Grace Lutheran, Ed has volunteered his time on the Cemetery Committee. He has been a Rotarian at Grace for 35 years. Ed is a retired paramedic (30 year veteran). Ed’s wife, Lorna, keeps him busy most of the time, but he enjoys sailing and doing research in his spare time.
Charlotte Schaven
Charlotte was raised in the Eganville area on a farm, and attended Grace Lutheran Church until 1975. She and her husband moved to Hamilton, Ontario where they raised their two boys. While there Charlotte was involved in the Faith Lutheran Church. In 2006 they moved back to the area and joined Grace Lutheran again. Charlotte looks after the funeral luncheons for the church and also is a member of the Ladies Aid and the Worship and Music committee and helps out where needed. She also enjoys travelling and visiting their two granddaughters whenever possible
Morley Hass
Morley was born and raised on the family farm near Eganville. He has belonged to Grace Lutheran Church all his life and has enjoyed serving on different committees. Married in 1977, he raised his two (2) children on the farm and has been a foster dad to over (40) forty others. When he has spare time, Morley enjoys spending time at his cabin.
Church Staff
Reverend Ralph Weigold
Pastor
Karen Sell
Office Administrator
Karen grew up along the shores of Lake Dore; and joined Grace Eganville late 1984. She was involved with Sunday School and served on various committees: Property, Witness and Alter Guild. Karen also sang in the Grace choir and served as Financial Secretary and worked as custodian from 2002 to 2010. She was the Administrative Assistant from 1990 – 2010 and is now the Office Administrator since 2023.
Heather St Jacques
Director of Music Ministry
Heather has been in the music industry since 1970, performing, accompanying soloists & teaching. She has taught piano to individuals aged 5 to 60+, with many of her students continuing their studies. Heather has won performance awards for both trumpet and piano.
Before moving from southern Ontario, she spent her time organizing and leading community choirs for benefit concerts, entertaining at the annual Christmas dinner for the underprivileged, and pianist for two (2) community plays. Since retiring, Heather now lives in Eganville and spends her time as the Music Director at Grace and leading the Eganville Community Choir.
Heather has been the Music Director at several denominations including: United, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic & Pentecostal. She calls herself a “Lunanitarion ”, and has been enriched by every church community!