Life is a series of transitions from birth to death. At best a transition, although painful, can provide individuals and communities with reflection, vision as well as opportunity to effect creative change. At worst, transitions can be disruptive and discouraging, leaving individuals and/or communities drained of spirit or hope. In all instances transitions are made easier if there is a system of nurture and support in place to assist or advise the individual and/or community through the time of transition. For individuals this support, and nurture may come from anyone. For communities this support and nurture is more formalized and may be provided by someone who is appointed, elected or hired to assist the community in transition.

Congregations in Transition

As of October 6, 2022

  • Note:
    • FT = Full time
    • PT = Part time
    • MSP = Ministry Site Profile
  • All Saints, Wales (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Larry Harpster, interim pastor
  • Ascension, Milwaukee (tri-lingual: Hmong, Spanish & English) – Rev. German Novelli, contract pastor
  • Christ Our Savior, Sussex (FT senior pastor) – Rev. Michael Anderson, interim
  • Christ the Servant, Waukesha (FT pastor) – Rev. Casey Sugden, interim
  • Faith/Santa Fe (PT pastor, bi-lingual) – Rev. German Novelli, contract pastor
  • Galilee, Pewaukee (FT pastor) – in interim
  • Good Shepherd Trinity, Milwaukee (ELCA/PCUSA – PT solo pastor) – Rev. Marilyn Miller, contract pastor
  • Holy Trinity, West Allis ( FT solo pastor) – Rev. Lynn Erickson, interim
  • Lake Park, Milwaukee (FT lead pastor) – Rev. Steve Rutter, interim lead pastor
  • Luther Memorial, West Allis (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld, interim
  • Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Racine (FT senior pastor) – in interim
  • Mt Olive, Mukwonago  (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Karen Pahl, interim
  • Mt Pleasant, Racine (PT associate pastor) – Rev. Sheila Rawn, transition pastor
  • Prince of Peace, Milwaukee (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Molly Doreza, interim
  • Reformation, Brookfield (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Ron Ballew, interim
  • Reformation, Milwaukee (PT solo pastor) – in interim
  • St John’s, West Milwaukee (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Maren Hooper, interim
  • St Mary’s, Kenosha (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Kathy Brown, interim
  • St Matthew’s, Wauwatosa (PT associate pastor) – in interim
  • Trinity, Cedarburg (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Heidi Borkenhagen, interim
  • Trinity, Kenosha (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Eric Silberschmidt, interim
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  • Grace, Grafton (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Greg Van Dunk, interim – MSP posted
  • Our Savior’s, Oconomowoc (FT associate pastor) – Rev. John Berg, associate bridge pastor – MSP posted
  • St Luke, Sheboygan Falls (PT-FT solo pastor) – Rev. David Patterson, bridge pastor – MSP posted
  • St. Matthew’s, Wauwatosa (FT senior pastor) – Rev. Karen Natterstad, bridge pastor – MSP posted
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  • Holy Cross, Menomonee Falls (FT associate pastor) – Names Received
  •  
  • Atonement, Muskego (FT lead pastor) – CALL extended*
  • Living Christ, Germantown (FT solo pastor) – CALL extended*
  • Lord of Life, Kenosha (FT solo pastor) – CALL extended*
    • (* = new pastor has begun in the call)
Rostered Ministers in Transition

As of October 6, 2022

  • Note:OLC = On Leave from Call
  • Rev. Jay Ford – from called pastor at Galilee, Pewaukee to retirement
  • Rev. Charles (Chip) Lutz – from candidate to called pastor at Lord of Life, Kenosha
  • Rev. Karen Pahl – from called senior pastor at LCR, Racine to synod call to interim ministry at Mt Olive, Mukwonago
  • Rev.  Sheila Rawn, from OLC to synod call to interim ministry at Mt Pleasant, Racine
  • Rev. Jess Short – from bridge pastor at Holy Cross, Menomonee Falls to called pastor at Living Christ, Germantown
  • Rev.  Tom Smith – from called pastor at Trinity, Kenosha to OLC
  • Rev. Gene Talley – from South Central Synod to called pastor at Atonement, Muskego
  • Rev. Krista Zimmerman – from called associate pastor at Mt Pleasant, Racine to a new call process

Remembering Rostered Ministers who have died

  • Rev. Marvin Oechler – Rev. Oechler died on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. He was ordained in 1961 and served for 4.5 years in Two Rivers, WI at Calvary Lutheran Church, and 29.5 years in Kenosha, WI at St Paul’s Lutheran Church. He retired in 1995 and stayed active in the Kenosha community and the Greater Milwaukee Synod ever since. A full obituary can be found at – https://kenoshafuneralhome.com/obituaries/marvin-oechler/2127/ Please continue to keep Rev. Oechler’s family, friends and community in prayer as they grieve his loss. Trusting in the promise of new life in Christ, now and always. May light perpetual shine upon Rev. Oechler.