Author: Amy Gilgenbach

Welcome to September

I confess – September is a welcome respite from August.

August began with the mission trip to El Salvador. It was spectacular. Pastor Edwin and Sarah were amazing in their planning and tending as we walked alongside our sister church, El Milagro de Dios (Miracle of God) Lutheran Church in San Jorge. It was pure joy to finally meet Pastora Blanca and the members of the congregation. We were fed more than we could possibly eat. There were stories to tell and time for prayer through the expert translation of Pastor Edwin and laughter and games alongside the children of the church and the entire community of San Jorge. Bumpy roads and deep water-traced ruts reminded us that we are blessed to complain about potholes in Wisconsin. The heat was, well, hot! But the air conditioning and cool water offered us respite at the end of the day. We visited historical sites and were often overwhelmed by the beauty of the country and her people. We spent time with Pastor Edwin’s family who hosted all 24 of us for dinner – no easy task in any country! We were graciously welcomed by the newly elected Bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church – Bishop Guadalupe Cortez. She and her staff shared greetings, reflections on the church in El Salvador, and a meal with the most amazing plantains cooked with a pudding in the center. We prepared a lengthy beach for sea turtle nesting and somewhere along the way my wife and daughter became stuck in an elevator. It was a very good trip to build relationships with sisters and brothers in the body of Christ.

We returned to Wisconsin for a brief six days before my family traveled to California to say goodbye to my larger-than-life father-in-law. He was indeed one of a kind. The funeral was full of loud Easter hymns, and big feelings, and well lengthy preaching (guess who preached) and all those things reflected my father-in-law perfectly. Two days after the funeral, we returned home, where we packed up my oldest child and returned him to the University of Wisconsin – Madison for his sophomore year. One daughter is neck deep in volleyball tryouts and the other is tackling volleyball and soccer practice simultaneously. And my mother-in-law was here for the rest of the month – so if you see her in early September, please say hello. All that to say that August was full – completely full – and somewhere in those days were also several meetings preparing us for the fall here at Ascension. Deep breath!

September at Ascension is pure joy and all life to the glory of God. Worship returns to our program year schedule on September 7^th, with worship in English at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. and worship in Spanish at 10:45 a.m. JAM, BLAST, JUMP, JOLT, and CRASH all return the week of September 7^th. And if you are unsure of one or more of the acronyms for ministry among our children and junior and senior high school students – keep reading – all is explained later on in this newsletter. We are preparing to launch a young adult ministry as well this fall – for those in the 18-30 year age range because they have asked and the Holy Spirit is moving – but an acronym is still in the dreaming phase – have any ideas?

We return to Monday morning and evening Adult Study gatherings with season 4 of the CHOSEN. I am so excited to see how this next season unfolds as we gather to reflect on the stories already deep in our bones. By the time you read this article, our music ministries will already have begun rehearsals to bring glory to God in our worship life – have you thought about joining the choir or ringing a bell – there is still room for you. I promise Vicki will find a place for you.

In late September and/or early October there will be listening sessions available to help the pastors and church council reflect and dream about our future. Ascension Arise 2035 will be available for review and comment in the weeks ahead. Your input, about your church, is important and welcome as we look to all that God has in store for the days ahead. And there are ministries waiting for your “yes.” Healing Hearts of Waukesha County, the Hope Center, and the Food Pantry of Waukesha County are all supported by our congregation and in need of our hands-on ministry as well as our financial support. If you are considering joining our community of faith, we will host conversations in-between services later this month and early in October as we prepare to welcome new members on Sunday, October 19^th. I am ready for all of it and more. I hope you are too!

See you in church.

Pastor Chris

Reprinted from the September 2025 newsletter.

Children’s Ministries

We are so excited that Children’s Ministry at Ascension is growing and being re-imagined in many new ways and we cannot wait to launch into our fall programming! September is going to bring two new ministries that will help meet the changing needs of our children and their families. And we look forward to connecting and growing in exciting ways together this year!

Join us on Sunday, Sept. 7, for our Rally Day! Bring your backpack for a blessing during services and receive a keychain for the year. Immediately following worship, we will gather for some exciting kick-off activities between services. Also, check out the board by the toddler area with up-to-date information for upcoming events and pictures of recent activities.

A reminder that we are restructuring our schedule and will not be meeting weekly; however, we have added some big events that will occur throughout the year that we think you will find very exciting and fun.

Registrations for JAM (birth – 4k), BLAST (5k – 3rd gr.) & JUMP (4th & 5th grade) are still available. BLAST & JUMP registration can be found at https://tinyurl.com/BLASTJUMP and JAM registration is here https://tinyurl.com/JAM25-26.

Interested in how you can get involved and volunteer? Check out the sign-ups in the narthex or if you have questions or would like to help, please reach out to Pastor Tony or Ms. Sheri for BLAST, JUMP, or JAM, Amy Koenig for JUMP, and Kelly Schoon for JAM.

Important Dates

Sunday, Sept. 7: Backpack Blessings. Bring your backpack, diaper bag, tote bag, string bag, or whatever you use!
JAM, BLAST & JUMP kick-off (between services)
Sunday, Sept. 14: BLAST & JUMP meet between services
Sunday, Sept. 21: JAM meets between services
Sunday, Sept. 28: BLAST & JUMP meet between services

JAM (Birth – 4K)

We are thrilled to announce our new ministry JAM (Jesus And Me). This is our new ministry for families and children ages birth-4k. Kelly Schoon is leading this ministry that will meet monthly. This is an opportunity for our youngest children to jump, shout, and sing our way through the Bible. This time will be filled with interactive activities for our energetic preschoolers and their families as we bring bible stories to life.

JAM will meet about once a month in the sanctuary. Following Jam, we invite you to take time to fellowship with each other alongside your children in the play area located in the narthex. JAM will meet on Sept. 7 in the sanctuary to kick off this ministry! JAM will also meet on Sept. 21 between services. Questions or interested in helping out feel free to contact Kelly Schoon.

BLAST (5K – 3rd Grade)

BLAST stands for Believing, Learning, And Sharing Together. This ministry is for children ages 5k to 3rd grade. We meet in small and large group formats in the sanctuary two or three times a month between services. See our important dates above. Reach out to Sheri Greger or Pastor Tony tony@ascensionelca.org for more information.

JUMP (4th & 5th Grade)

We are thrilled to announce our new ministry, JUMP (Jesus Understands Me Perfectly). This is for our 4th & 5th grade students who are ready to start taking new leaps in their faith journey. Amy Koenig has joined in to help us shape and launch this new opportunity for our students and their families. JUMP will be held at the same time as BLAST on Sundays between services. Questions or interested in helping out feel free to contact Amy Koening.

Back-to-school Backpack blessing BLAST children's ministry

Living the Good Samaritan’s Call

We recently heard the familiar Gospel story of “The Good Samaritan” during a Sunday reading. Jesus recounted:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” Jesus then asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

This powerful parable serves as a timeless reminder of God’s constant call to us: to be merciful to one another. This call continues to resonate deeply within our Christian community today.

We’ve seen this call answered in inspiring ways recently. In April, our CRASH students held a community service event at Hope Center. They rose early to prepare and serve breakfast to over 40 people. After their service, during a 10-minute reflection, the students eagerly asked about the possibility of another summer community service. Their enthusiasm led to our first summer service event, where Grandpa Art even joined us, preparing his delicious cookies with the students! Together, the students fed over 60 people, embodying the very spirit of the Good Samaritan.

Another deeply moving experience came last month when I received a call from a man in our Spanish ministry. It was news that filled me with joy, making me exclaim, “Thanks be to God!” As you might imagine, I try to stay on top of all calls from our Latino ministry families. When my phone rings with one of those numbers, I often close my eyes and pray that the call isn’t related to ICE. But this call was different. The man simply wanted to make plans to take lunch to someone sleeping under a bridge. He had just left church on a Sunday and was eager to put compassion into practice.

Jesus consistently calls us to practice compassion, regardless of who the person in need might be. Their appearance, beliefs, background, social status, or even their past should never be barriers. We are called to extend compassion to everyone whose humanity is in distress.

Like the priest and the Levite in the parable, it’s easy to let our own busyness, anxieties, prejudices, or even our established religious routines prevent us from seeing and responding to human suffering. Jesus urges us to break down these internal barriers. He calls us to actively seek opportunities to serve with love, rather than looking the other way. The Good Samaritan didn’t just feel pity; he acted, getting directly involved. This is the very essence of Christian love. It’s not passive empathy; it’s active and practical compassion. It means being willing to be uncomfortable, to step outside our comfort zones, and sometimes even to sacrifice our own resources and time for the sake of others.

Brothers and sisters, we live in a world where wars, natural disasters, poverty, injustice, and loneliness can feel overwhelming. Yet, the parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that our calling often begins with the individual right in front of us, or with a need within our own communities that we can directly address. It could be a homeless person on the street, a struggling family down the street, an elderly neighbor in need, a friend battling a hidden illness, or communities facing persecution.

How can you “go and do likewise” in your own life today?

Pastor Edwin

Good Samaritan mission Pastor Edwin serve

To the Glory of God

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

With August upon us, I’m shocked by the simple reality that summer is just about over. Some of us are still trying to squeeze in one last vacation or get outside for just a little bit longer. But for the most part, we’ve started the annual transition back into the swing of our fall routines.

How did this happen? It feels like just yesterday that kids were getting out of school, gardens were being planted, graduations were being celebrated, and we were just getting used to the longer days when the sun decided to show its beautiful face.

I once read an article by a psychologist who said that time seems to pass more quickly as we get older because we’re experiencing fewer “firsts.” When we’re continually experiencing new things, time tends to stand still while we’re living them. After we’ve repeated those events numerous times, they don’t faze us much anymore – and before we know it, months have passed, seasons have changed, and it’s time to start the annual cycle again.

Yet, we shouldn’t allow our time to be something that simply evades our grasp, trickling through our fingers. After all, time itself – every moment on this earth is a gift from God. We each have 24 hours today and seven days this week to use however we please. Not one of us gets more time than another.

Perhaps at the end of this summer, each of us would take time to look back and see how we chose to use our time these last few months. Did we set aside time to pray? Did we dedicate any time to serving others? Did we devote time each day to serve God? Have we been kind, helpful, generous, creative, or curious? When we assess the use of our time, we should be asking ourselves, “Have I been a good steward of the time given to me?”

Maybe now is a good time to make some changes in our lives and get more involved or do a new thing. Afterall, there’s no better time than right now to seek out ways to serve God and those around us or improve something in our life or the life of the world. This is what it means to be a good steward!

As the lazy days of summer give way to all the routines and activities of fall, remember to keep God in your hearts, in your minds, and on your lips as we continue our journey as people and a community of faith.

Pastor Tony

God's glory Pastor Tony serve stewardship

Time Flies

I have heard from more than one of the wiser, experienced members of Ascension that the days go by faster than one expects. Honestly people, how are we already entering the month of August? Easter was just last week, and the last day of school was yesterday, right?

Summer seems to have a mind of its own. In earlier days, summer was rest and restoration. Now, summer feels like a fourth quarter of programming with just a little less ministry at night. My wife and I used to say that Wisconsin had a slower pace of life than California – perhaps that was true when our children were young and uninvolved in anything except running through the sprinklers and chasing the dog. But the times they are a changing. Now, summer just continues a pace of chasing after kids who drive cars and stop in for food before they are off to the races again.

These summer days are my reminder to set time aside to rest the rhythms of my spirit. There is a deep longing for time to breathe, reflect, and savor the longer span of daylight that lets the sun linger on the horizon just long enough to enjoy the breeze and a conversation about the events of the day without gasping for the next breath. I have found a few of the moments in these summer months, granted, they are moments captured between mountain climbing with junior high students and worship preparations for Sunday mornings and last-minute details before our travel to El Salvador. I, sometimes, need to remind myself to enjoy these moments for what they are, “gifts within the gift” of all that God grants me in this life.

Here, at Ascension, the rhythms of life are only a little slower. Our worship life is full of joy with just a seasoning of irreverence at times – especially when the pastors take a jab at each other. We have been the Grateful recipients of the sharing of special musical gifts from a variety of individuals and ensembles. Our Amen ministry completed a summer book study; the Knit Wits continue to work their magic as their hands create offering after offering from balls of yarn; countless members show-up to tend flower beds all over the campus; ashes are scattered in the ash garden thanks to greater access through the gift of the path; small groups continue to study God’s Word and nurture faith; visitors are welcomed again and again and again; coffee is served; companion synod committees continue to meet and plan; meals have been served at the Hope Center; calendars are planned and prepared for the fall; new ministries are preparing to launch; visitors and members alike are inquiring where they might serve in the ministry of this community of faith; our average worship attendance is up over last year at this time; our financial support of the ministry inside and outside our walls has increased; and I believe the Holy Spirit is just preparing us for more to come.

Summer might be a time to find a little rest, but as the psalmist says, “God will not let your foot slip—God who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, God who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” I am grateful for this promise of God’s care and grateful still more for your faithfulness in sharing this journey of life and faith to the glory of God. Blessings on these continued summer days.

See you in church,

Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris serve summer Worship

Adventures, Risks & Rewards

If you have been in worship on any Sunday in the month of June, there is no doubt you have heard the pastors talk about preparing for Adventure Camp, praying for Adventure Camp, or giving thanks for returning home from Adventure Camp. It is always a week full of surprises. Junior high students who tell us they are not planning to swim – eventually end up in the water. Students who look up at the height of the zipline towers and tell us they are not going to zipline – eventually find themselves flying down a cable at 30 mph. It is always a surprise to see them rise to the challenge, proving to us and themselves that they can do hard things. To do hard things we often must take risks. Those risks can often be accompanied by a list of questions before we commit:

Am I brave enough? What will happen? Can I do this? Who is watching? What will others say?

Those questions might fly through the thoughts of a junior high student before they take the risk. I find it amusing that many of us probably ask those same questions as we consider stepping out of our comfort zone into something new. For the junior high students there is great reward for their courage. Feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment, pride, validation – all contribute to their next big decision. Usually, the next zipline platform where they must leap into thin air, once again, with only the cable to keep them airborne. What we often witness is the willingness of students to make the leap once again. Once you have decided to leap; once you have taken the first step; once you let go from being completely in control and trust that God’s got you- the journey is usually far beyond what any junior high student or any one of us can imagine.

It is a good reminder for each of us. The adventure is worth the risk. In life, in faith – the actual risk is far less scary than the risk we have built up in our minds before we step off the platform. I have been walking alongside our Monday night Amen group as we have studied the book, “Wild at Heart.” The book invites us to consider what it is to be a man of faith in the world today. It might be a little bit dated in its examples, but the book has provided some incredible moments of risk as men around the table have found themselves brave enough to ask deep questions, share honestly, and risk a moment of vulnerability in a world where vulnerability is often looked upon as weakness. I am grateful for their willingness to dig deep on Monday nights. Grateful they have chosen to take the risk.

We often talk about this life of faith for the ways in which we follow Jesus – gather in worship, kneel in prayer, serve in selflessness. Important attributes of a life of faith. Yet, I recognize that our worship, prayers, and service are not often risky. Sure, come to worship at Ascension and Pastor Chris might call you by name at one time or another during worship. Risky, maybe? Yes, worship at Ascension and you might find someone introducing themselves by name and asking for yours? Risky, maybe. Is the risk worth the reward? It absolutely is. And so is every other part of this journey of faith Jesus invites us to live.

At one of our AMEN Monday nights, one man asked how we hear the voice of God. I explained that in all my life, I do not know that I have ever heard God speak to me in words. I believe I have felt God’s presence in countless moments of music, times of prayer, reflective pauses where I was able to close off the distractions of this world. One man described the presence of God in his life as that moment when there was an overwhelming sense of peace, almost a warmth, that surrounded him. So often, in our rush to the next adventure, we are often unable or unwilling to pay attention to such fleeting moments and yet , if we are willing to take the risk of being open to what God might be doing, there can be great reward in the risk of letting go of what we know to be wrapped in what we so often can only imagine, namely – the very presence of God. It is risky to let go, to surrender to the presence of God. But my friends, that is often when the adventure begins. Here is to all the adventures ahead – to the glory of God.

See you in Church,

Pastor Chris

Adventure Camp JOLT Pastor Chris Marien

Love One Another

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. – Romans 12:9-18 (NLT)

Our world, our communities, our families and friends as well as the strangers who we are yet to encounter are all being impacted by so many destructive forces taking place in our world.

Recently I preached a sermon where I referenced a conversation with someone who stated that they were “at their wits end” because of all the heavy things taking place in their life and throughout the world. And lately I’ve been feeling that same tension and I’m guessing many of you are too. In my search for how to make sense of and navigate all the chaotic things that are happening I turned to the only place I know to find unfailing guidance – Scripture. And this particular passage from Romans seems to be a guiding light in the midst of all the darkness.

So, every morning I’ve been meditating on this passage as a reminder of how God calls me to be in the world each day. I pray that you would find comfort in taking time to read and reflect on these holy words and allow them to dwell deeply in your heart. Then, I invite you to consider how God might be speaking to you through this passage? And as you choose to live out these words how might the Holy Spirit be guiding you toward a blessing for your life and the world?

Pastor Tony

Pastor Tony Acompanado

New Environments

I’ve slept at my mother’s house in El Salvador on a few visits since moving to Waukesha. On those occasions, I’ve had trouble falling asleep due to the heat, roosters crowing at 3 a.m., cats fighting over girlfriends on the roof of the house, and dogs barking almost all night. Things that didn’t bother me in the past now bother me when I stay at my mother’s house.

Our bodies adapt to new environments, and often returning to our previous surroundings presents some unsuspected challenges. At the end of May, I went to a meeting in El Salvador for a few days and slept at my mother’s house. My wife, as always, told me to be careful with what I eat and drink because my body was not like it used to be. I told her I would be fine.

It turns out my wife was right, and I became a little sick. I didn’t think I needed bottled water. Even my mom and sister told me not to drink too much tap water because it could make me sick, but I told them I would be fine. I was greatly surprised because I had never had this problem in all the trips I had made to my country. I thought my body could still handle it, but the reality is that my body now thinks Wisconsin water is normal and can no longer handle Salvadoran water.

Many of us have probably had similar experiences in our lives, in which our bodies react to environments that were once normal to us, but now they reject them as strange. This makes me reflect on the true change that occurs in our being when we truly follow the call that Jesus makes to all of us.

In order to follow Jesus, we need to be intentional about living in an environment that lifts up Christ-like values. And not just the friends and family we engage with, but the media we choose to follow. Computer-generated algorithms have become a frighteningly powerful tool of controlling our environments in many ways.

Following Jesus means that the things that were once normal and that damaged our being and our relationships with others are now strange and painful for us because we live under a new way of seeing life in Jesus. Injustice, lack of compassion, hatred, jealousy, resentment, persecution, war are and should be strange things for every true Christian. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

In a world struggling in the shadows of despair, division, and doubt, Christians are called to be a light that resonates with profound urgency wherever we stand. We are not called to exist passively, but to illuminate, guide, and bring hope to a world desperately in need of actively embracing and utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which empower us to manifest God’s character and love to those around us. God calls us to work to create an environment that lifts up these values, not just for ourselves, but for those that share our environment with us.

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to enjoy the beauty of summer in a struggling world, let us exercise the fruits of the spirit to create both an internal and external environment where hatred, war, division, jealousy, and resentment find little fertile ground to take root and flourish. Let us surround ourselves with these.

Pastor Edwin

Fruit of the Spirit Holy Spirit Latino Ministries Pastor Edwin

Serving and Growing With Ascension This Summer

Read all about our activities this summer!

Community Partner: SOPHIA

This month’s Ascension’s Community Partner focus is SOPHIA (Stewards of Prophetic Hopeful Intentional Action). SOPHIA is made up of people of faith united by a passion for justice, a commitment to community and a practice of hope. SOPHIA builds relationships in the public and private sectors, uniting people with common values to have a powerful voice; to stand together to change injustices affecting those who are marginalized. Together, this group can make our communities places where everyone has a chance to succeed.

Currently, there are three task forces working for change: Housing Task Force, Criminal Justice Task Force, and Immigration Task Force. Each task force meets monthly to identify how to have an impact in their specific area. SOPHIA is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates. SOPHIA is part of Wisdom, the statewide organization working for justice. Micah 6:8 states, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Ascension hosts the Immigration Task Force on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30. If this topic is something you are interested in, please join the group. If you would like more information about the other task forces, see the SOPHIA website at: https://www.sophiawaukesha.org/. For specific information on Ascension’s role in SOPHIA, contact Joan Mikecz at: jdmikecz@gmail.com.

Sunday Morning Coffee

Coffee hour between services is enjoyed by many members and is a great way to engage visitors. During the summer, it is hard to get volunteers to be coffee hosts. Please let Al Gilgenbach know if you would be willing to take a Sunday. It is an easy way to get involved. Meru coffee is always for sale for you to enjoy at home. Check out the coffee cabinet by the glass doors in the Hearth Room or ask the coffee host. Purchasing coffee helps the farmers in the Meru Diocese of Tanzania to be able to support their families.

Hope Center Golf Outing

The 17th annual Tee Up for Hope Golf Outing is July 14 and Hope Center is hoping that YOU will join the fun this year. You can look forward to the usual on-course fun events including prizes, a putting contest and raffles, along with a post-golf program with appetizers! The event will be at Broadlands Golf Club to raise funds that will allow Hope Center to continue to help people of Waukesha County meet their basic needs. Get a group of golfing friends together or register on your own for this special event. Visit their website to register and for sponsorship information.

Support Hawthorne Elementary School

Show our support for the students and teachers at Hawthorne by helping to ensure that the teachers have all of the supplies they need for a successful school year. You can purchase the items from their Amazon Wishlist and have them delivered directly to Hawthorne. The school office is closed from July 11- August 4, so deliveries outside of that window would be greatly appreciated.

El Salvador Mission Trip

From July 29 to August 6, Ascension’s largest delegation yet is headed to El Salvador to visit our sister parish, San Jorge. We have a full schedule as our delegation of twenty-four strives to fulfill the agreements in our partnership covenant. We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary of partnership and the 10th anniversary of the signing of our original covenant. We will gather in homes, visit the sister parish school, meet with church leaders, do a beach clean of a sea turtle sanctuary, lead a field day for the children of the community while their teachers are at professional development, and worship together. We will continue to dream and plan for a chocolate project that will be both an economic development project as well as a way to lift up the Lutheran church in the eyes of the community. We will be the first church that brings in the artists from the Fernanado Llort studio in the capital to our rural sister parish community for the people to learn about their national artist as together we fulfill Llort’s vision of community art created for and by the common people. If the land cooperates, some in our group will climb Chaparrastique, also known as the San Miguel Volcano, while others in our group explore a monkey sanctuary and Jiquilisco Bay. In San Salvador, we will learn about the ministries of the national church as well as more about the history and current events shaping the lives of our brothers and sisters in El Salvador. Our mission is to leave with strengthened bonds of Christian brotherhood and a greater understanding of the human experience in other parts of the world. Please keep our delegates in your prayers as we travel.

Soul Sisters at the Beer Garden

Soul Sisters will be hosting a summer get together at the Tap Yard Beer Garden at Minooka Park on Thursday, July 10th. We plan to meet at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a lawn chair and an appetizer to share. Benets BBQ will be onsite and free trivia begins at 6 p.m.

Who are the Soul Sisters? The Soul Sisters is our rebrand of Super Moms to be more inclusive of women in the under 60 age group, regardless of whether or not they are a parent. Sign up is not required for this event. If you do not have an annual park membership, you can purchase a daily park entrance pass up to 5 days prior to the event. You can purchase your pass online or in-person at Retzer Nature Center, S14 W28167 Madison St., or the Waukesha County Courthouse – Park System Main Office, 515 W Moreland Blvd AC 260. Please reach out to Lori, Sarah, or Ileen with any questions.

Young at Heart

On July 16, Young at Heart will have a band “A Little Bit of Heaven” playing at Ascension. They play 50’s and 60’s music, polkas and gospel. Anyone 55+ is invited to attend and bring a friend! We will start with a potluck lunch at noon. The band will play from 1-2 pm. Hope to see you there!

Activities Grow mission serve Soul Sisters Young at Heart