Henry “Hank” Simon Retires From Galilee Lutheran Church

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After 46 years of pastoral ministry, the Rev. Hank Simon, pastor of Galilee Lutheran Church, has retired.

Over 12 of those years were spent ministering at Galilee. His last sermon as pastor of the church was on June 3. He and his wife, Mary, who has served faithfully by his side, are preparing for their move to Fort Myers, Florida.

“I’ve been part of seven different congregations in my life, four of those being on staff, and I come from the Midwest, but Galilee has been the most welcoming and friendly and affirming congregation,” Hank said.

He happily reflected on baptizing his children and three of his grandsons; serving as a volunteer chaplain for English-speaking tourists in Wittenberg, Germany; and discipling lay leaders and watching them grow.

He’s enjoyed getting to know so many people, being a part of some of the most special times of their lives, the joyful and the sad — weddings, funerals and baptisms.

Hank’s father was a pastor, and two uncles and four cousins also were in ministry. Though he loved journalism, he felt and obeyed God’s call. “I saw the kind of influence my dad had on people, the way he served,” he said. “I felt if God could use me as a pastor, I wanted to do that.”

He entered a pre-ministerial course in college. “The plans were that in going through it, if it wasn’t a good fit, I’d switch to journalism,” he said. But he was indeed a “good fit” and he studied for eight years, graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Before coming to Galilee, Hank served on a college campus, assisted in an inner-city congregation, pastored a suburban congregation and went on three international mission trips.

During his tenure, the church added a 4:30pm contemporary service on Sundays. A director of discipleship, Emily Phoenix, was hired. They added a prekindergarten class and a 2-year-old class to the preschool. The church also remodeled the fellowship hall and several other areas.

Hank said Mary had a major impact on his ministry. Mary is a successful writer of children’s books, with 3 million sold. Many are Bible stories and devotionals. She also freelances for various magazines. Hank is her biggest fan.

“I have an in-house editor. She doesn’t hesitate to make suggestions!” he said with a laugh, adding that they’re always good suggestions. “She has been very much behind the scenes but has been a big part of the ministry.”

The congregation loves his wife too. “In our church body, I’m known as husband of Dr. Mary Manz Simon,” he quipped.

Laurajean Councill, who is active with the youth ministry, said the retirement is bittersweet. She reflected on the time Hank braved a snowstorm to visit her husband in the hospital. She’ll miss the couple but is happy for them to be able to “go on and enjoy life together.”

She said, “I feel so lucky to be in his flock. I have looked forward to hearing his sermons and his prayers for the little things since his arrival at Galilee. I actually get out of bed and drag my husband with me for the 8:00am service. We sit outside in the narthex because that is where my husband is most comfortable, and at the end of the service, Pastor Hank smiles and waves.”

In early June, the couple flew to Florida. There, they plan to relax. Hank enjoys music, reading and taking walks while admiring the beauty of nature. He looks forward to spending time with Mary, experiencing it even more fully in their retirement.

“I would hope my legacy at Galilee is (that) of an encouraging, equipping, caring, thoughtful pastor who pointed people to Jesus in good times and bad,” he wrote in a church newsletter. “I like the way Lutherans use the term ‘pastor,’ from the Latin word for shepherd. I tried to serve Jesus as his shepherd here at Galilee.”

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