Welcome Service for Miranda Stadem-Ward

Happy New Year! As we begin this new year, I am excited to welcome Miranda Stadem-Ward as Lake of the Isles Intern Pastor. It is an important beginning for her and for the congregation. Over the past 25 years, I have worked with 10 intern pastors. One became an ELCA bishop, another the dean of an ELCA seminary, a third an assistant to the bishop; the majority, however, were ordained and serve as parish pastors. 

Pastoral internship is an integral part of a future pastor’s education. It is also a graduation requirement for Master of Divinity students in the Lutheran Church. As I shared with the church Council in December, The purpose of an internship is to provide the candidate for ministry with meaningful experiences and challenges in order to mature as a church leader, to grow in their self-identity as s leader and to grow more confident and competent in the skills necessary for ordained ministry. Interns aren’t expected to be fully developed as preachers and teachers, nor are they to be regarded inexpensive labor. Miranda does, however, come to Lake to the Isles with many skills and experience. 

Miranda Stadem-Ward was born in Northern California and has been serving in professional ministry since 2005. Originally ordained in the Assemblies of God in 2010 after completing her BA of Divinity and Counseling Psychology programs at Bethany University in Santa Cruz, California, Miranda has been deeply involved in several interfaith and ecumenical ministries throughout the United States, Central America, and the United Kingdom. After experiencing a call to help the Church reach people beyond its walls, Miranda earned her MA of Divinity and additional certificates in the History of the Reformed Church and Anglican Studies at Emory University’s, Candler School of Theology in 2014.

In the following years, Miranda served as a clinical chaplain at Emory University Hospital, on Emory and the CDC’s Ebola Team, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Burning Man Project community. Additionally, Miranda has worked in Corporate Leadership and HR Consultancy for the past 15 years, and currently works for Ralph Lauren in client development.

Miranda’s internship will be part time and will last until June 2027. She will be active in the educational programs, visitation and preaching. More importantly, her active presence will allow the congregation to grow and to serve the needs of new members.

The Service of Welcome will be held on Sunday, January 11th at 9:30. A reception to welcome Miranda, her husband Hans and son Theo will be held in Fellowship Hall following the service. 

Peace, Pastor Arden Haug