The Rev. Walter W. Breiner Jr. assumed duties this week as the new pastor of Zions and St. Matthew’s Lutheran churches in Weatherly.

An overwhelming majority of the two congregations elected Rev. Breiner at a joint worship service on May 27 presided over by the Rev. Kurt Garbe, assistant to the bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

Rev. Breiner is a native of Summit Hill who served his home congregation, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Summit Hill, as a member of the church council and various committees. He is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, served his pastoral internship at Trinity Lutheran Church, West Hazleton.