Faith in the Near West Side
Meet Pastor Lisa, pastor for Redeemer Lutheran church at 631 N. 19 th St. In 2011, shortly after completion of seminary, Pastor Lisa and her family were called to the church. When she first arrived at Redeemer, the congregation was small, with a regular attendance of 30 at Sunday service. With dedication to her faith and to each member, the congregation has not only grown, but the church space is busy hosting ministries and events to benefit the community. Her focus is to have the worship “reflect its diversity, drawing from ancient, traditional, and eclectic elements practicing thoughtful and creative liturgy”.
One unique project that has grown with the support of Pastor Lisa, is Bee the Change. Two active bee hives sit atop the Redeemer roof, resulting in yearly honey sales and candle making from the combs. The project is made possible by a diverse group of community partners representing different age groups, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Redeemer offers more than space a place for traditional worship and beekeeping, many civic and community groups also call the church home. The Zeidler Center for Public Discussion, a civic ministry led by Dr. Katherine Wilson, houses their offices in the building and frequently hosts community dialogs in the auditorium. A number of community groups utilize the auditorium throughout the week, including a turkish dance group and the Milwaukee Society of Creative Anachronism. The sanctuary provides a regular rehearsal space for Chant Claire choir, and the basement is a gathering place for seniors to share meals, fellowship, exercise, and bible study. The Coffee House, established in 1967, continues to host gatherings before the fireplace to this day.
Pastor Lisa feels her greatest accomplishment is helping individuals in the congregation grow emotionally and spiritually, and to be engaged partners in their faith and surrounding community.
To learn more a about Redeemer, visit the website at http://www.redeemermilwaukee.org/ or join Sunday service at 10 am.
