Our Pastor

Rev. Michael Bastian

Since mid-October 2020, the Rev. Michael Bastian has been serving two churches in two neighboring communities: Zion Lutheran Church in Oxford; and Church of the Reconciliation (Episcopal) in Webster.

“Church better together, that’s what I signed up for,” Pr. Michael (as he prefers to be called) says. “Zion Lutheran and Church of the Reconciliation are two small parishes and they called one pastor to be church better together, and to explore what that means and to live into that so we can not only survive but thrive together.”

Born in Germany and having served congregations in both Germany and the United States, Pr. Michael has 30 years of ministry experience in different settings. That has expanded his horizons and given him a broad perspective about people, life, and its joys and struggles.

“People are people, whether that’s in Germany, or in the U.S. People are people. We are only human. We have our gifts, and we have our struggles and sometimes, we really slip up. And our Lord Jesus pulls us up, gets us back on our feet.” “When I read the gospel, I read that Jesus didn’t ask people to pass tests first, before speaking to them, welcoming them. He loved them first and he loved them completely … People matter and they are the beloved children of God.”

Because of the pandemic, the church building is not yet open for in-person worship. Our services are being live-streamed via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. We’re going to get through this difficult and challenging time together and we’re going to be church better together.”