By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Tinton Falls introduced its new pastor during an installation ceremony Sun., March 12.
The pulpit at the church has been vacant since Aug. 2014 when the then pastor of 30 years retired and interim pastors have filled in.
Pastor Jace Detrie recently arrived from a small town in Texas and says New Jersey is very different but so far he likes what he sees.
“I like it. It’s completely different but I like it. I just came from the foothills of the Smokies. I was in the middle of nowhere. Here, everything’s right here,” he said.
Detrie is married and has a daughter, 2, and a son, 4.
He graduated from seminary in Athens, Tennessee in 2008 and “took a call” to pastor at the church in Texas.
But he found himself wanting a change.
“I was looking for a change and put my name on a call list,” he said.
Detrie said in the Lutheran Church each district has its own list.
He interviewed with parishioners from the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church and he says, “They extended an invitation for me to be their pastor.”
One of the things he said he will have to take time getting used to is the famous New Jersey jug handle turn.
“I’ve never seen that before,” he said.
The church is located at 818 Tinton Ave.
