No matter how you choose to worship at Tanum Forest Lutheran Church, Pastor Peter Mannoja is happy you are simply choosing to do so. The Sturgeon Bay area church opened its door for services in the beginning of April, one of the last congregations to do so. Opening those doors did not mean Tanum Forest Lutheran Church began abandoning its members who did not feel comfortable returning.

Mannoja still celebrates drive-in services in the church’s parking lot on Saturdays and his message is still streamed online. He believes the success of the church as a sense of normalcy continues to grow is because his congregation has options.

Mannoja is happy members have been able to return so he can see in real-time how the church’s message resonates with them. He credits the church’s task force with developing a plan that is flexible with how the pandemic impacts the community.