By Sterling McGinn

Last Sunday, November 1, the members of Trinity Lutheran, Bethlehem Lutheran and Grace Lutheran Churches of Newberry, Engadine and Germfask said goodbye to Pastor Kyle Kuehl and his family who moved to Menominee Falls, Wisconsin, where he will pastor another church. Eleven and a half years ago, Pastor Kuehl arrived in Newberry to pastor Trinity Lutheran Church. His wife, Caitlyn, and his three children called Newberry home.

“My family and I were called from the seminary to be your pastor,” said Pastor Kuehl during his last service. “During the call service, they announce your name, the district, and where you are going and they announced my name and said Michigan.

He’d thought might be sent to Iowa, Kansas or Nebraska, but he was excited to learn he was coming to serve in the U.P.

In early 2022, the three Missouri-Synod Lutheran Churches of Newberry, Engadine, and Germfask formed a Tri-Parish to share one pastor. Pastor Kuehl served all three churches each Sunday. At the end of the month, all three congregations came together at one of the three churches with a fellowship meal following the service. The local Tri-parish was the first of its kind in the Michigan District of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

In addition to serving the Tri-Parish, Pastor Kuehl was very active with Feeding America, the Newberry Area Ministerial Association, and was on the board of directors for Three Lakes Academy.

He was also a volunteer with the Tahquamenon Logging Museum Lumberjack Breakfast crew and was part of the Luce County Emergency Management team.

“We really enjoyed our time up here. It is not that we wanted to go, but the Lord is saying ‘Other things are happening,’” Kuehl said.

Pastor Kuehl received gifts from the church’s members, including a U.P. plaque he plans to hang in his office at the new church.

“Thank you for the wonderful eleven and a half years,” Pastor Kuehl said. “Thank you for working with me, beside me, praying for my family and I and praying for us during this transition.”

Pastor Kuehl plans to come back for a visit when Trinity Lutheran Church celebrates their 100th anniversary in nine years, and for a few weddings he promised to officiate.