Two Townsend Churches Seek New Leadership
Author: Eliza McLaughlin
As fall weather begins rolling into Broadwater County, two religious leaders have left to accept callings in the Colorado area.
Daniel and Anna Viehland served the community of Townsend in similar, yet different, capacities for several years. Daniel Viehland took on his appointment as pastor at the United Methodist Church of Townsend in July 2018. He married Anna Viehland in 2019, the year she began serving Townsend’s Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Anna Viehland has also served as a Chaplain Intern at Bozeman Health and as an associate pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Helena. Three years later, on June 18, 2022, Anna Viehland was officially ordained a pastor in the United Methodist Church. Following Anna’s ordination, she and Daniel Viehland were appointed to churches in Colorado. They were welcomed by their new congregations in early September.
With the Viehlands gone, both the Lutheran and Methodist churches had to seek replacements.
The Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church met on Sunday, Sept. 11 “to form a call committee to explore the availability of pastors for [the] church,” according to spokesperson Laurie Nugent. Nugent said the process of finding a new pastor could take several months, however, Lutheran Lay Pastors will serve the congregation until a replacement is found. “We are continuing with our groups, Bible Studies, confirmation classes and our day’s normal activities,” Nugent told MT 43 News.
While the Lutheran church has just begun its search, the United Methodist Church of Townsend has already appointed the Rev. Melelupe Moa to the church. Moa, a Honolulu native, has previously served in San Leandro, California as a director of children and youth ministries for the United Methodist Church and as a pastor in Price City, Utah. In September 2022, Moa received a calling to serve the Townsend and East Helena United Methodist churches.
Moa told MT 43 News that she is currently seeking musicians “willing to play and praise.” “I love all kinds of praise and worship music,” she said. “Townsend UMC is a great gathering space for anyone interested.”
During the week, Moa will spend her time praying, praising and studying as well as attending meetings and searching for ways to minister to others. “It’s a process that I’m still learning and enjoy wholeheartedly,” she said.
Moa’s previous time in the Bay Area has taught her to appreciate the “slow and steady pace” of rural Montana, adding that the people here are “very kind” and willing to have actual conversations rather than focusing on technology.
“Now that I’m finally settled in at the pastor’s parsonage, I look forward to getting out more and making meaningful relationships with people from both communities,” Moa said.
This Sunday, listen for the ringing of the church bells on the corner of Cedar and Second streets. If you hear the bells, Moa said you have 15 minutes to come “just as you are” and “to worship a loving and living God with a wonderful faith community and me.”
