Members of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City have welcomed Amaretta (Amy) Onstad as interim pastor.

Onstad most recently served for five years as assistant to the bishop (pastor for leadership) at the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Previously she had been pastor of churches in LaGrange and Durham, N.C. This is her third interim pastor position.

Onstad was a hospital chaplain for three years, and she received a special call during Operation Desert Storm in 1990. She earned degrees from University of Montana, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and Kansas State University.

Onstad is married to George (Bud) Onstad, an ELCA pastor and retired Army chaplain. They are the parents of two daughters and grandparents of two grandsons.

Interim ministry is a special interest of Pastor Onstad. She said, “I am thrilled to be at Christ Our Shepherd. The congregation has welcomed me nicely.” She will serve with Associate Pastor Miriam Beecher until a new senior pastor is called.

The pastoral search team estimates that could happen in the next few months.