Mission Statement: "We welcome all people, proclaim God's saving grace, and equip believers to be servants of Jesus Christ"
We are GRACE, where;
God’s unconditional love through Jesus Christ is our center.
Relationships nurture spiritual growth with God and others.
All are welcome and included regardless of race, age, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, and ability.
Children, youth, and family discipleship is a primary focus.
Engaging humanity locally and worldwide through generosity, outreach, service, and the pursuit of all manners of justice is essential
God’s unconditional love through Jesus Christ is our center.
Relationships nurture spiritual growth with God and others.
All are welcome and included regardless of race, age, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, and ability.
Children, youth, and family discipleship is a primary focus.
Engaging humanity locally and worldwide through generosity, outreach, service, and the pursuit of all manners of justice is essential
Grace Lutheran Church, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org), held its first worship service on Palm Sunday of 1965. A group of thirty-six families formally organized on September 23, 1965. Since then, Grace has grown to be a spiritual home for almost 1,000 people in Grafton, Cedarburg, and the surrounding areas.
Grace has always been open to change and growth. Many building programs have been completed, beyond the original church building: A new worship center in 1974; Additional classrooms, plus new offices and a library/lounge in 1988; A major worship center and gathering space renovation in 1996; and in 2007, the office and youth room were reconfigured to make space for the growing staff. In our 50th year of ministry in 2015, we began a huge renovation and addition to add space for youth and education, meetings, music, the Adult Literacy Center, gathering space and other improvements.
But the building is not really who we are. Grace is all about the people. People who are caring, supportive, and always looking for opportunities to serve our loving God. From members walking one-on-one with others who are going through tough times, to donating food and serving meals in places of need, to putting on a very silly play every year- the people of Grace ARE the hands of God in our world today.
Grace has always been open to change and growth. Many building programs have been completed, beyond the original church building: A new worship center in 1974; Additional classrooms, plus new offices and a library/lounge in 1988; A major worship center and gathering space renovation in 1996; and in 2007, the office and youth room were reconfigured to make space for the growing staff. In our 50th year of ministry in 2015, we began a huge renovation and addition to add space for youth and education, meetings, music, the Adult Literacy Center, gathering space and other improvements.
But the building is not really who we are. Grace is all about the people. People who are caring, supportive, and always looking for opportunities to serve our loving God. From members walking one-on-one with others who are going through tough times, to donating food and serving meals in places of need, to putting on a very silly play every year- the people of Grace ARE the hands of God in our world today.
Our Staff
Pastor Greg Van Dunk
It is my honor to be the interim Pastor at Grace. 31 years ago, when I arrived in Milwaukee to plant All Peoples Church, Grace became one of our partners in ministry. I have fond memories of many people here who continue to walk with that vital congregation. My prayer in this time of transition is to return the partnership favor a bit as I facilitate our preparation to call Grace’s next Pastor.
My wife Ann and I still live in the Riverwest neighborhood, not far from All Peoples. Ann is the Assistant Executive Director of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. Our 3 kids who were under 4 years old when we moved from our church in Dayton OH (Epiphany) are now in their 30’s. One son lives in China. The others live locally, and we get to enjoy time nearly every week with them and our 3 grandkids.
The past 16 years I served as lead Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Muskego. Among our fruitful experiences there was finally the opportunity to guide their leadership transition. Amid the angst of going through one of life’s necessary passages we discovered a time of great missional opportunity. The same is true for Grace. A church with an incredibly faithful past, is now called to shape a life-giving future. Together it is our privilege to join in this transition. May God be praised!
My wife Ann and I still live in the Riverwest neighborhood, not far from All Peoples. Ann is the Assistant Executive Director of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. Our 3 kids who were under 4 years old when we moved from our church in Dayton OH (Epiphany) are now in their 30’s. One son lives in China. The others live locally, and we get to enjoy time nearly every week with them and our 3 grandkids.
The past 16 years I served as lead Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Muskego. Among our fruitful experiences there was finally the opportunity to guide their leadership transition. Amid the angst of going through one of life’s necessary passages we discovered a time of great missional opportunity. The same is true for Grace. A church with an incredibly faithful past, is now called to shape a life-giving future. Together it is our privilege to join in this transition. May God be praised!
Erica Dimmett
I am the Youth Ministries Coordinator at Grace. I enjoy working with our Grace youth throughout their middle school and high school years. I love watching our youth grow as people of faith and find strength and light from that faith. The way they lean on God and each other in their faith journey, to help them through both good and bad experiences, is inspirational and I am blessed to be part of that journey.
Our youth groups include KFC (Kids for Christ) for children in 3rd-5th Grade, JYG (Junior Youth Group) for our 6th-8th grade youth and HYPE which is for our High School youth. I also assist with our Confirmation program.
When I am not spending time with our Grace youth, my husband and I, along with our 4 children (and two dogs), love to camp in our beautiful 1998 Winnebago Adventurer, travel, hang out at home and attend the ongoing variety of our children’s sporting events, concerts and activities.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey with our Grace Family.
Our youth groups include KFC (Kids for Christ) for children in 3rd-5th Grade, JYG (Junior Youth Group) for our 6th-8th grade youth and HYPE which is for our High School youth. I also assist with our Confirmation program.
When I am not spending time with our Grace youth, my husband and I, along with our 4 children (and two dogs), love to camp in our beautiful 1998 Winnebago Adventurer, travel, hang out at home and attend the ongoing variety of our children’s sporting events, concerts and activities.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey with our Grace Family.
Maria Haischer
I recently moved back to my hometown of Port Washington with my husband and our son. Though we live in Port Washington, Grafton has always had a special place in my heart as it is where my husband grew up. People are my passion. Previously I worked for a hospice company where I was able to assist the staff and hospice families as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant. I also hold a license in Cosmetology. When I am not working you can find me with my family enjoying an outing at Wisconsin sporting events or enjoying the slopes in the winter! Family is everything to me and I am so excited to be joining the Grace family as the Administrative Office Assistant at this point in my life!
Arcelia Magana
Arcelia is the Financial Administrator. Her bio is coming soon.
