By Gary Stephens
Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but renewed closeness after separation brings great joy. And joy is what members of the Community Church are feeling with the return of beloved Pastor Steve Winkler and his wife Heather, who were here last in September and October of 2021.
Steve and Heather first came to San Miguel and the Community Church in 2016. Steve is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor and had served churches in Vermont, Ohio, and New Jersey prior to his retirement after 44 years of active ministry. This will be Pastor Winkler’s sixth time to serve as minister-in-residence for the Community Church, including two months of “virtual presence” on the church’s web services during the pandemic in 2020.
Heather is retired from a career as an elementary school guidance counselor, and they now live full time in retirement on a beautiful lake outside Woodbury, Vermont, where loons frequently serenade their evenings.
The Winklers have celebrated significant life events during their times in San Miguel. For example, while here in January of 2020, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. And during their virtual tenure in December of that same year, their fourth grandchild Jasper was born. Because worship services were being held virtually, the Winklers were recording services while remaining in the United States, so they were able to be there for the birth—a blessing much appreciated by their daughter, Jasper’s mother.
They hold weekly family gatherings on Zoom with their three children, their spouses, and the four grandchildren. These weekly get-togethers are full of lively conversations, games, and weekly updates. Heather is an avid gardener, and Steve plays drums with a nearby town band. Both enjoy playing pickleball, and you may see them on San Miguel’s pickleball courts during January and February.
The Winklers are excited to be able to return to San Miguel and rekindle friendships with the many people here that they have met and who have been touched by them in previous visits. They look forward to sharing with the Community Church family in the new year.
The Community Church of San Miguel holds a traditional English language worship service at 11am on Sundays. The church is composed of friendly Christians from many different faith traditions and welcomes all believers to join them in service to God.
The church meets at Callejon de Alcocer 24 in a former warehouse. Look for the big red doors.
Contact Info:
Gary Stephens
Communications Committee Chair
+1 918 331 3736
