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An important duty of the Annual Congregational Meeting is to elect members of your Congregational Council.  The following have been nominated for consideration.


Candidates for vacant positions

     Laura Blanchette
 I was born in Washington DC and raised in Wheaton, Maryland. I first attended Grace as a freshman at Florida Southern College. After graduation I decided to stay in Lakeland to teach.  I transferred my membership from Crusader Lutheran Church to Grace in the 80’s. I previously served on Church Council for 6 years in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I worked for the Polk County School board for 42 years as a Special Education teacher at Southwest Middle School (40 of the 42 years in the same classroom). I am married and have two sons. I am interested to see how council has evolved in the last 30 years.

     Kristen Storms
I came to Florida in 1986. I have been worshipping at Grace Lutheran since 1990. I have been married to Jeff Tanner since 2004. I retired from Polk County Public Schools in June 2023 after 33 years as a classroom teacher.   Some of the activities I have been involved in at Grace are teaching Sunday School, serving on Church Council, serving on two Pastoral Call Committees and, being an Assisting Minister. My faith family here at Grace has been and continues to be an anchor for my spiritual growth and an opportunity to continue to grow and share my faith in tangible ways.

     Terry Neal
My name is Terry Neal. I have been a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church for over one year. I have been a lifelong Lutheran and enjoy being part of the Grace family. I am a practicing Optometrist here in Lakeland. I have two grown children and one beautiful granddaughter. I am blessed to serve the congregation in a position on the church council. I have been a member of two previous church councils while a member of Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Trinity Florida and Faith Viera Lutheran Church in Melbourne Florida. I look forward to working with the church council in the future!

Candidates for a second 3-year term

     Jon Theile
     Naomi Thomsen
     Dan Stoller

Leaving Council 

     Michael Bracewell
     Jane Lemley
     Deb Yates