IN MEMORIAM: Rev. Vernon D. Gundermann

rev. vernon d. gundermann

Pastor, counselor, teacher, encourager, advocate, CFNA Board Member and friend, Rev. Vernon Dale Gundermann died September 16 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife Betty and children Peter, Mary Williams, Sarah McCarthy and Thomas, as well as 11 grandchildren.

A 1963 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Rev. Gundermann served parishes in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota before serving for 15 years as the senior pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, MO. Additionally, after retirement he also served as Chaplain at the LCMS International Center and Lutheran Senior Services.

Within the CFNA community, Rev. Gundermann is best remembered not only for his 10 years of service as a Board member, but also for his active participation as a workshop leader, golf committee member, writer and creative planner. His encouragement and advocacy on behalf of ministry among New Americans is nicely reflected in his CFNA acrostic prepared a few years ago, and which is reproduced below.

CFNA for Today!

C – is for Christian.  It is a unique, powerful, sensitive, enabling expression of what it means to be a Christian. It means to understand dramatically what Christ has done for us. It means to live dramatically as one of “His”.

F – is for Friends. Not just casual acquaintances, not just people we wave to, not just a name that we know. If enemies are those we wish to avoid or ignore or do harm to, then Friends are those we wish to build up, affirm, celebrate and cause to experience the very best.

N – is for new. They have different traditions, different cultures, different food taste, different clothing styles, and maybe a different religion. They have come to a new world. Sometimes they come without family or friends. But not for long, if we can help it!

A – is for Americans. For some the land of their dreams, where there would be a fulfilling of their dreams, a new start, safety, hope. We are committed to do everything we can so their lives may be rebuilt for now, and, through Christ, forever!

We thank God for Vern’s service and wish our Lord’s blessings on Betty and the family.