Mission Statement: "We welcome all people, proclaim God's saving grace, and equip believers to be servants of Jesus Christ"
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!
Lisa Bernd
As the office administrator in the church office my job entails working on the bulletin inserts, sending our weekly email, Grace Notes, and our monthly newsletter, The Good News. I also am the secretary for Parish Education. I send out all of the church office mailings. I coordinate the volunteers needed for worship services and other events. I send out the quarterly statements for our church members. Once a year I put together the Annual Report. I coordinate the meals for families in need. I also do all the meal and bar receptions after funerals.
As the Director of Involvement my job involves all aspects of taking care of our new members at Grace. I make the Time & Talents booklets and keep track of what our parishioners volunteered for.
My husband, John, our children and I have been members at Grace since 1998. We found Grace to be so welcoming and a wonderful place to raise our family. I enjoy reading, and going to all of my children's events.
As the Director of Involvement my job involves all aspects of taking care of our new members at Grace. I make the Time & Talents booklets and keep track of what our parishioners volunteered for.
My husband, John, our children and I have been members at Grace since 1998. We found Grace to be so welcoming and a wonderful place to raise our family. I enjoy reading, and going to all of my children's events.
Erica Dimmett
I am the Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator. I organize the youth events for our Grace youth groups. 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 plan and organize monthly activities, Sunday education hour for our Grace youth groups and plan yearly travel opportunities, all done with the help of our amazing volunteers.
Grace has an active Confirmation program. I co-teach Confirmation classes for our 7th-9th grade students, as well as organize confirmation retreats and camps.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey.
Grace has an active Confirmation program. I co-teach Confirmation classes for our 7th-9th grade students, as well as organize confirmation retreats and camps.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey.
Arcelia Magana
Arcelia is the Financial Administrator. Her bio is coming soon.