Anthony Fiducia is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media retiring Pastor James Slater of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Valatie was honored Sun., Jun., 25, after 31 years of service. “This is a bittersweet event but it’s nice to get everyone together,” Slater said. Slater is also a pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls. “This is a great turnout from some wonderful people.” Lew Hotaling, who has been attending the church for as long as Slater has been pastor, said he found the farewell service moving. “We’ve had a lot of fun here today,” Hotaling said. “He [Slater] always makes things exciting.” Kelly Travers-Main, of Castleton said Slater has done a great deal for the community. “It’s going to be very hard for someone to fill his shoes,” she said. Slater said he will miss the people. “These people aren’t just members of the church, they’re my friends,” he said. Read the full story in the Register-Star.