Buck Wargo
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The new kid on the block starts Sunday at the
Church of the Lighted Window.
The Rev. Charles G. Schepel, 62, will begin his tenure as senior
minister at the church. The Rev. Diana Hopkins has served as interim
senior minister for more than a year.
"It is very exciting," Schepel said Wednesday, his first day on the
job. "I enjoy the opportunity of meeting new people."
Schepel will be introduced at the 10 a.m. service at the church, 1200
Foothill Blvd. in La Canada Flintridge. A coffee hour will follow the
service.
Raised in Michigan, Schepel received degrees at Olivet College in that
state and at Oberlin College Graduate School of Theology in Ohio, where
he was ordained.
Schepel received a master's degree in divinity from Vanderbilt
University. He has served as the interim minister for Moreno Valley
Congregational Church and First Congregational Church in Buena Park,
First Christian Church in Norwalk and First Christian Church in Whittier.
Schepel and his wife, Marion, have one daughter, Kimberly, and two
grandchildren. Marion is a registered nurse who cares for Alzheimer's
patients.
Schepel said the biggest obstacle he will face in his early days on
the job is the congregation correctly pronouncing his name.
"It is 'Schepel' -- like 'school'," he said. "The 'h' is silent."
During Sunday's service, special music will be provided by the Chancel
Choir, soloist Tony Thornton and organist Robert York.
Church of the Lighted Window is a Congregational Church affiliated
with the United Church of Christ.
Church school classes for all ages are available in the Christian
Education Center. There is nursery care for infants and toddlers.
Jill Logterman is the church school director, and Mike Proctor is the
youth director for the junior and senior high age groups.
The church's number is 790-1185.
