A Fond Farewell

I’ve been considering what I wanted to say in my last post for several weeks now. I don’t very often find myself at a loss for words, but this has been a tough one.

Serving at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum has been a very rewarding experience. Although I am not originally from this area, I was welcomed into this community with kindness, patience, and generosity. Together, we have preserved and shared a remarkable story of faith, courage, and perseverance.

During my time here, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated volunteers, board members, donors, researchers, and supporters who care deeply about preserving the history of the Saxon Lutheran Immigration and the heritage of East Perry County. Your passion and commitment have inspired me every day.

I am grateful for the opportunities we have shared—developing new exhibits, welcoming visitors from around the world, planning a conference, and helping others discover the rich history preserved within these walls. Every project, every conversation, and every visitor has been a reminder that history matters because it tells the story of God’s faithfulness through generations.

While I may be leaving this community, I will carry with me the friendships, memories, and lessons I have gained here. I look forward to watching the museum continue to grow and fulfill its mission to preserve, present, and promote this unique heritage for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, volunteered countless hours, shared family stories, entrusted us with treasured artifacts, prayed for our work, and supported the museum in so many ways. You have made this journey a blessing.

May God continue to bless the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum, its volunteers, supporters, and all who walk through its doors to learn the remarkable story of faith that began here so many years ago.

God be with you till we meet again, Denise Hellwege