The Rev. Matthew S. Schenning is retiring this month. He has been an ordained minister for 35 years, 25 of which were served at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester.
A celebration in Schenning's honor was held June 22 at Hampstead Fire Hall. The event paid tribute to his 25 years of dedication to the congregation of Immanuel. Members of the congregation offered testimonials, both humorous and inspirational in nature. Greenmount Station restaurant catered the event.
Immanuel's congregation, along with family and friends, gifted Schenning and his wife with an inclusive trip to his ancestral home in Ireland.
The final celebration of his ministry will take place at Immanuel this Sunday. The service will begin at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the social hall.
Schenning had graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from St. Mary's Seminary and University in 1974. He received a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theology Seminary at Gettysburg in 1979 and a Master of Sacred Theology in 1989. He was ordained on June 23, 1979.
His first call to ordained ministry was a two-church charge on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He served Grace Lutheran Church in Easton and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cordova from June 1979 until October 1982. From October 1982 through May 1989, Schenning led the congregation of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Upperco.
He began his ministry at Immanuel along with his wife, the Rev. Norma Schenning, on June 1, 1989.
The Schennings, who were married Oct. 2, 1976, have raised four sons: Carl, Keith, Craig and Kevin.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is at 3184 Church St., Manchester.
