From ZOAR LUTHERAN CHURCH
PERRYSBURG—Zoar Lutheran Church hosted the ordination ceremony of Pastor Melanie Jo Forrey on Saturday, Jan. 6.
Rev. Daniel Beaudoin, the Bishop for the Northwest Ohio Synod, presided over the ordination ceremony and had the honor of making Forrey’s call to the vocation of ministry official. The ceremony was held in the church sanctuary and was followed by a reception in Zoar’s Family Life Center.
The heartwarming celebration was widely attended by family, friends, members of the congregation and community members. Friends, family and colleagues from all over the globe were able to join the celebration virtually by watching the service on Zoar’s livestream.
Forrey grew up in rural Nevada and Idaho before moving to Montana where she lived for eight years. She moved from Montana to Perrysburg last year to continue her candidacy process and participate in a chaplain residency at Mercy Health St. Vincent Hospital. She and her family are enjoying life in Perrysburg and living closer to her siblings.
Prior to these roles in the local community, Forrey worked as a church secretary, attended Luther seminary and was active in the community and church. She also stayed busy with the changing seasons of motherhood, as she and her husband, Daniel, have four children.
Forrey began her role as associate pastor of Zoar Lutheran Church on December 3, 2023. She has been thrilled to work with the Congregation and is looking forward to engaging with the membership and community in an impactful way. She loves spending time with her family, cuddling with Penny (her beloved basset hound), reading, meeting new people, visiting with friends, traveling and taking walks in the incredible area parks. She is excited for her first call at Zoar Lutheran Church and is grateful to those who have helped her feel at home in northwest Ohio.
All are welcome to join her and Zoar at worship. Services are held in person at the church, located at 314 E. Indiana Ave., on Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 and 11 a.m. The 11 a.m. service on Sundays can also be watched online as a livestream on Facebook or YouTube.
