New pastors in residence at local Lutheran church

A pair of new pastors joined parishioners at Island of Faith Lutheran Church this month, Tyger and Todd Penson. The couple have come up from Wenatchee, Wash., and have previously ministered at churches across the Pacific Northwest. "We're really glad to be here," said Tyger. She and her husband had received an email from Island of Faith inviting them up and had responded right away. "We really love new adventures." The Pensons will stay in Wrangell for a trial period through the end of May as Island of Faith finds the right fit for its new resident pastor. A couple of other candidates will also have the opportunity to visit the congregation before a final decision is made. "They've been making us feel really welcome," Todd Penson said of the church. The couple is currently being housed in the parsonage attached to the church building. "It's a really nice facility they have," he said. The two were married after meeting at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington, and both have since been ordained. In addition to churches in Washington, Oregon and Arizona, the Pensons have also served in California, Colorado and Georgia, and abroad in Canada, Lithuania and Liberia.