Contributed by Grace & Glory Lutheran Church
Grace & Glory Lutheran Church has welcomed the Rev. Louis “Lou” Florio as its fourth pastor.
The congregation, located at 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway in Palmyra, called Florio during a congregational meeting on Palm Sunday, March 29. He began his ministry at Grace & Glory on May 1 and was officially installed as pastor on Sunday, June 28.
Florio’s installation service filled the sanctuary and included music, food and guests from across the region. The Rev. Paul Toelke, Dean of the Germanna Conference, presided, and the Rev. James Knisely of Hebron Lutheran Church in Madison, the oldest Lutheran church continuously operated by Lutherans in the United States, served as guest preacher.
The offering collected during the service was donated to the Fluvanna Christian Service Society, and attendees also contributed nonperishable food for MACAA’s Fluvanna Food Pantry.
The church is celebrating 25 years of serving Palmyra and the surrounding region.
Florio is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Divinity and a Master of Science.
A pastor, speaker, former missioner, blogger, and regional podcaster, Florio is known for blending theological depth with humor, warmth, and a conversational style that connects with people inside and outside the church.
His ministry has included work with children, youth, and young adults, focusing on helping them build healthy resilience. He has also served adults through spiritual care work as a hospital and hospice chaplain with Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg.
Florio is a second-career pastor and a decorated six-year veteran of the City of Alexandria Police Department. His ministry also extends to law enforcement chaplaincy. He serves as vice chair of the Chaplain’s Board with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and as a chaplain with the City of Fredericksburg Police Department.
He is credentialed through the International Conference of Police Chaplains as a Master Chaplain. In 2018, Florio received the National Sheriffs’ Association Medal of Merit for his contributions to the community and to the field of law enforcement and criminal justice.
Florio most recently served as associate pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg and previously served at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mechanicsville.
His wife, Kristine, recently retired from the federal government, and Florio said they are looking forward to making Fluvanna home. “We are very excited to become part of the Fluvanna community,” Florio said.
