Not My Choice

Alex Paschold, a dedicated husband and father of four children, is a lifelong member of Augsburg. Alex’s parents joined Augsburg when they moved to Winston-Salem because of their familiarity with Pastor Ritchie. He had previously been their pastor when serving the Lutheran church in Albemarle they had attended. As an infant and boy, Alex did not have a choice about where his family attended church.

He was baptized and confirmed here. After graduating from Elon and spending a few years in Chapel Hill for graduate studies, Alex returned to Winston-Salem looking to continue his faith journey. Returning to what he knew, he tried Augsburg as an adult – his choice this time. The pastors and the congregation were purposefully welcoming, making Augsburg a safe and inviting place. Alex chose to make Augsburg his faith home.

Alex is thankful for the continuity Augsburg provides in his life. He does feel at home here. He has wonderful memories of growing up at Augsburg, memories like Mr. Barkley giving out bags of candy after Christmas plays. Now he has created new memories for himself and his family. Alex was in one of the first groups of youth confirmed by Pastor Rinn, and his oldest son was in one of the last classes Pastor Rinn confirmed. This is a clear example of the continuity Alex feels at Augsburg. Alex valued Pastor Rinn’s words, wisdom, and helpful counsel.

Traditional worship proves meaningful to Alex and adds to the comfort of his experiences here. Sunday School, the ministry teams, and outreach to the community have all shaped his faith. As an adult, Alex’s decision to choose Augsburg feels most connected to the outreach work we do to improve the lives of the less fortunate in the broader community. This effort to care for the neighbor represents one of the most important parts of the church for him and a reason he continues to choose Augsburg. “We are here to make the community of Winston-Salem a better place,” he shared. “This represents an important part of living out our mission together.”

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