My friends in Christ

It is with profound sadness that I share with you the death of the Rev. Paul "Chip" Gunsten at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, late last night. We express our deep sympathy to his wife Kris and to his two daughters, Sarah and Anna, and his granddaughter Meridith. Many of you know that Pastor Gunsten had been battling lymphoma for several years and was undergoing specialized treatment for it at the time of his death.

Pastor Gunsten has served as Assistant to the Bishop since 1999 and has been a beloved leader and colleague in the life of the church, especially among the youth, candidates for ministry and rostered leaders. It was Chip 's love for the church to spread the Good News of Jesus that led to his being a director for Evangelical Mission for the Virginia Synod. Chip served as Chair of the Region 9 council for many years and seemed to never tire in his availability to congregations and their leaders.

Pastor Gunsten previously served St. Phillip Lutheran Church in Roanoke and Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester.

The funeral will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, VA, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 1:00 pm. Clergy are invited to vest (blue stole) and process. Clergy are asked to meet in the Fellowship Hall at St. Andrew's at 12:30pm.

Visitation with the family will be Friday, December 14, at College Lutheran Church in Salem, VA, from 4pm - 7pm. There will also be an opportunity to meet the family following the service on Saturday.  

Please keep Kris, Sarah, Anna, and their families in your prayers.

Jim