Obituary

Rev. Paul F. Goetting, 83, of the Briarwood Community, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Gertrude "Trudy" E. (Riedl) Goetting; 5 children, Stephen Goetting, Christiana Briggs, Elizabeth Goetting, Mary Goetting, and Andrew Goetting; a sister, Laurie Amann, 10 grandchildren; and many close friends.

Paul was born in St. Louis, MO, son of Ferdinand and Emma (Deichmann) Goetting. In 2012 he accomplished his goal of writing a book: Members are Ministers. Paul earned 3 Masters Degrees including an M.Div., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; a STM, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia; and an MA in Urban Affairs, St. Louis University. Paul's professional career included Interim Pastor for 7 congregations in New England and one in Cairo, Egypt; New England Synod, ELCA, (Assistant to the Bishop); Lutheran Church in America; (Assistant Director for Planning); Lutheran Council/USA, New York, (Organizational Development); Center for Parish Development, Naperville, IL, (Leadership Training); Christ Seminary-Seminex, St. Louis, (Leadership Training); Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, (Assistant Professor); Metropolitan Associates of Philadelphia, (Community Organizing); Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Warminster, PA and Our Redeemer, Lutheran Church, Prospect Heights, IL. Rev. Goetting also provided pastoral support and completed work study in various countries: India, Afghanistan, Slovakia, Ghana, and Palestine. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Worcester.

The funeral service will be held Monday, March 4, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street, Worcester. Burial will be at a later date. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester is directing arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bread for the World or The Good Samaritan Fund of Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester.

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