Reverend Nathan Meador
Zion Lutheran Church
Staunton, IL
Sponsor: Rep. John Shimkus, (R-IL)
Date of Prayer: 04/30/2008
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to welcome Rev. Nathan Meador to the Chamber today. Pastor Meador is the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, Illinois. He has served in this capacity since August of 2003. He currently serves as a vicarage supervisor and resident field education adviser to several students from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Elected in 2006, he is also a member of the Southern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's Board for Congregational Support.
In Staunton, Rev. Meador is proud to serve as the chaplain for the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department, treasurer of the Staunton Area Clergy Association and chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Staunton Education Foundation.
Born January 29, 1970, in Highland, Illinois, Rev. Meador spent his entire childhood as a resident of Edwardsville, Illinois. He is a 1988 graduate of Metro–East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, Illinois, and my former student. He continued his education at Concordia University Wisconsin, earning a bachelor of arts with a double major in pre–seminary studies and theological languages. A master of divinity degree was earned from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1996.
His first call was to serve a dual parish in Sheldon and Gilman, Wisconsin. There he served Trinity and Zion as pastor for 2 years. In 1998 he accepted the call to serve as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in rural Wausau, Wisconsin. He served in this capacity until August 2003 when he accepted the call to serve in Staunton, Illinois.
Rev. Meador is married to Jill Jaeger and has been married for 15 years. They have three children: Joseph, 11; Beth, 8; and Andrew, 4.
When not being a parish pastor, Rev. Meador enjoys officiating high school and youth athletics and playing golf.
Welcome, Nathan.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty Father, Wisdom Incarnate and Eternal Spirit of Truth and Life, You bid your people seek Your will, Your wisdom and Your gifts. At this time in history, our nation is faced with many challenges and presented with many great opportunities for serving You and our neighbors. Grant the members of this House Your strength, wisdom and guidance as they seek to serve You in leading this great nation in the way of Truth and Life. Bestow Your blessing upon all the people of this great nation whom this august assembly serves. Strengthen us was we face those challenges and encourage us as we seize the divinely given opportunities to make this world a better place. At Your direction and in Your peace, may we dwell in safety and live for You and the service of our neighbors. We pray in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN
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