Each spring our confirmation class travels to Milwaukee for a two-day intensive experience in the urban environment. We visit several houses of worship, including a Hindu temple, Muslim mosque, Pentecostal church, and Serbian orthodox church (pictured above). We also eat at a "soup kitchen" and work at a homeless shelter. The trip is capped off by a dinner at the African Hut restaurant.
On the last weekend of March 2008 our confirmation class made its annual trek to Milwaukee to experience something of what it means to live in an urban setting as people of faith. In the collage at the right (going left to right) you see:
- Hindu Temple of Wisconsin
- The group at “Repairers of the Breach” ministry to the homeless.
- The deacon from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.
- Jake Ratsch sorting clothes at “Repairers of the Breach”.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches at Guest House, a homeless shelter.
- Confirmands cooking at Guest House.
- At the Islamic Center.
- Islamic Center from the outside.
- Confirmands at Guest House.
Experiences not pictured include worship at Great Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ, an African American Pentecostal church we attended on Friday evening, and Bethel-Bethany UCC, our host church for the weekend.
Our “immersers” included Brian Demars, Nathan Berg, Sela Lewis, Kathryn Schmidt, Cheryl Craig, and German guest Mathis Tometten. Chaperons were Jake and Missy Ratsch and Pastor Jim Mohr. Thanks to the Mission and Outreach Committee for making the trip possible.
