Fresh off the sale of their historic church property to the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church welcomes Pastor Mark Grorud. “I am very excited to be a part of the ministry at St. Michael’s in New Canaan. With its new connection to the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, this congregation has an incredibly bright future.”
Pastor Grorud was born in northern Minnesota and grew up in Montana and Idaho. He graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska with degrees in Religion, Music and Humanities. He attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota receiving both a Master of Divinity Degree as well as a Master’s Degree of Theology.
After more than 40 years serving parishes and church-leased ministries in Nebraska, Pastor Grorud and his wife Caryl moved to Wilton, Connecticut to be close to their four grandchildren. Since moving to Connecticut, he has served the New England Synod of the ELCA as a parish consultant, as an Interim Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Brookfield and at St. John’s Lutheran in Stamford. Additionally, Pastor Grorud serves on the Finance and Audit Committee of the New England Synod and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Seafarers International House, a ministry of the ELCA located in New York City.
Pastor Grorud is married to his college sweetheart, Caryl. She has served as a nurse in a variety of settings, including 23 years as a school nurse.
The Groruds love spending time with their grandchildren and family. They love to travel and see the world. Summer plans include a trip to Tanzania to visit ministries of the Lutheran church there. And, of course, there is Viking football. “Will this be the year?” Pastor asks with a twinkle in his eye, knowing the Giants are the favorites here.
Pastor Grorud’s message to all is “Keep your eye on St. Michael’s, and better yet, give us a visit. As Lutherans, we strive to celebrate the grace of God in all we say and do. Grace is forgiving, accepting, and uplifting. You are invited to be a part of that at St. Michael’s.”
Services are held at 10 a.m. every Sunday, 5 Oenoke Ridge Road, New Canaan.
