churchlife

From Pastor Sarah

February 2, 2026 by BayshoreLutheran 1 Comment

Last summer, at the end of June, I began the first of two immersion experiences at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a Benedictine community outside of Madison.

Joining several other clergy members from all of the country and different denominations, we were introduced to several types of spiritual practices and the teachings of the Benedictines.

I especially enjoyed the journaling and the 24 hours of silence (I know, but I did!). For me, to learn several more ways to be in relationship with God and how to express it was extremely moving for me, and I looked forward to my time in Winter 2026.

That immersion just completed on Jan. 29. This time, the rhythms of the monastery felt normal, and the time of silence went fast as we dwelt in it together and made gifts for one another and also worked on our own personal rule.

I have a lot to say about the experience, but I am not ready JUST yet. But I will share the pattern of our normal day now, and perhaps more later after I have thought about it more deeply.

First, the day begins early at 7:35 in the Oratory (think chapel) for worship followed by 15 minutes of centering prayer. Worship had a hymn, a chanted psalm with canticle, a spoken psalm, and prayers. Centering prayer followed worship, and was a time of silence to center ourselves and create space for hearing God’s Call and Word.

Breakfast was simple–a continental meal before our 9 am beginning our own Circle Times.

Circle Times involved singing, praying, movement, art, sharing reflections, and more.

At 11:45, we went back to the Oratory for Worship and Centering Prayer before having lunch in the monastery all together with staff and the nuns.

In the afternoon, Circle Times continued, with smaller groups and reflections on questions concerning faith, renewal, our calls and more. What are Circle Times–I am not sharing specifics since we considered them to be confidential in nature. I want to respect that. But I will share that I found being with a group of colleagues, sharing our faith journeys and concerns in a non-competitive way to be healing and renewing for my own ministry here at Bay Shore.

At 4:30 pm, we would gather again (the bells would be ringing us in!) to the Oratory for Worship and Centering Prayer, followed by Dinner in the monastery dining room. Our meals were delicious, but reflective of what was available in season–the head chef there uses produce and foods locally grown and available. We often saw our meals recycling much as you do at home if you make too much of something and need to re-serve it again! It was a stark reminder of our food consumption–having whatever fruit or vegetable we want, no matter how far it has to come for you to have it. The sisters eat with the seasons, and also live with the seasons. In Winter, it is a quiet, dark time of hibernation and reflection. I personally enjoyed it, and the freedom to just be without the call to be outside and “do something.” I also enjoyed the sense of “stuff.” What is needed is cherished and well cared for, and what is not is given away for someone else’s use.

During the day, I resisted having my phone with me–and so my pictures of the week are limited to what you see below. I found this “fasting” to be wonderful for my thought-process. I also, in my free time, worked with my hands on several things–painting, poetry, journaling, embroidery, and knitting. I had forgotten how this was good for my soul–this handiwork–and how it quiets the mind.

Pete survived in my absence, but he did remark on the boxes from the bookstore that kept coming. I was strongly influenced by my new friends and the sisters’ library. I purchased 6 new books and a few other tools to use–but in the spirit of the sisters, I bought used copies (and three of them, you cannot even tell they were previously owned). I also subscribed to two new periodicals, and caught up on my own subscriptions.

I do want to tell you more, and I am thinking it may be a good Second Series discussion. Depending on March’s plans, I may do it then, or April. But in the meantime, I wish to express my gratitude to Bay Shore for allowing me the time away for this spiritual renewal, and for encouraging me always to grow in my faith so that I can, in turn, lead you all on your journeys, too.

May God’s Blessings not only cover you, but fill you with a Spirit of Love and Grace for others.

Pastor Sarah

From Pastor Sarah

January 20, 2026 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Friends,

This past Monday, we welcomed 140+ persons into our building for our 4th Annual MLK Day of Service.

First–a huge thank you to the many volunteers from Bay Shore and the Planning Team. You all did a fantastic job organizing and the event was a great success in so many ways.

And second, if you weren’t here, I’d like to share that we were, frankly, taken over by the amount of visitors and volunteers on Monday. Friends, 140 were here, probably some more. They came from our social media posts, the Planning Team’s outreach to media outlets, and more. We had two TV crews here. Last year, we had the Journal Sentinel. It was well advertised and because of all of this work, 4 years and counting, we had more guests in our building than our own members.

I point this out because on Sundays, we always outnumber our visitors, true? But on MLK Day, especially this year, we were outnumbered.

The picture above was taken about the time the bishop asked me, “So–do you know all of these people?” And I said very frankly, “Not at all!” But I wandered around, talking with many of them, and inviting them to join us for Crafternoons, Craft Bash, Worship, Choir, Sunday School, and more. I thanked them for coming. I hugged quite a few. And you know what?

It was wonderful, honestly wonderful.

We invited people, my friends, and they came in lines out the door. They laughed, met other people, made items, and got to see our church in a new way. I am so excited by this day, and the momentum it has created. But it was 4 years in the making, and we have more years ahead to keep going.

So, keep inviting people to Bay Shore.
Keep asking them to join you here.
This weekend, mention how we were on the news, thank you, TMJ and Fox6!, and tell them how we make sandwiches every Third Sunday.
Let them know that we are a church that wants them here to help us continue such service.
Share why you come to Bay Shore, and why they should, too.

When I got home on Monday, my heart was so full. We answered a whispered question about the fate of churches in the future–because the truth is, as long as the community has needs, churches are needed.
Praise God with me, and share your thanks to the Planning Team.
We did GOOD.

Let’s keep this up.

We would like to give thanks to Jim Moy, who took photos of the event and graciously shared them with Pastor Sarah. Thank you, Jim, for sharing your talents with us!

From Pastor Sarah

November 21, 2025 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Friends,

I saw my first car today with a Christmas tree on top. Of course, my FIRST thought was–that’s going to get needles all over the carpet. Yeah, I am officially old.

But it is almost Thanksgiving, and December is FULL of things. Good things.

I am loving our Advent journey, I hope you have picked up the devotional. If you have, you will see the connections between the stories in the devotions and the soon to be performed Christmas Program headlined by our very own children and youth. The stories are all true, all biblical, all relatives of Jesus and, well, interesting. I had a fun time going over them with the confirmands (I don’t think I have ever seen them so fascinated). If that’s a sign, you won’t want to miss the program yourself on Sunday, Dec. 14.

This year, we have SO many Christmas offerings. If you will be out of town this Christmas Eve and Day, Godspeed! Blessings! But—make plans NOW to attend something else at church and be in community with us this season.

If you haven’t been around in a while, come this holiday season, too. Again, we have a lot of offerings, and lots of ways to fold into the season.

And, if you can, invite someone else to come with you. Bay Shore, you know that churches are struggling with attendance and growth. What could be a better time to invite someone than to a Christmas event or service? I have listed them below… Please do come and bring a friend, a relative, or both.

I’ll be looking for you!

In Christ,

Pastor Sarah

Tuesday, Dec. 2– Christmas Trees Go Up! Come and assist in decorating the sanctuary at 6:30 pm!

Sunday, Dec. 14 — Christmas Program at 9:30 am; Cello Concert in the afternoon

Wednesday, Dec. 17 — Ukuladies Concert at 11 am in the sanctuary

Saturday, Dec. 20 — Community Caroling Concert (inside!) at 2 pm

Sunday, Dec. 21 — We will have a brief congregation meeting at the end of worship to elect our Council members.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve Services at 4 and 10 pm

Sunday, Dec 28 at 9:30 am — Lessons and Carol Service

From Pastor Sarah

October 14, 2025 by BayshoreLutheran 1 Comment

Friends,

I wanted to take some time here and write to you about our upcoming SuperBooks offering entitled, Transforming: the Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians and its personal effect on me.

Our synod, in September 2019 (that’s my first Fall in Wisconsin), held an event of learning and growth concerning transgender issues and especially transgender Christians. It was led by the Synod Staff and Synod RIC (Reconciling in Christ) Team.

Austen Hartke, the author of our upcoming SuperBook, came to Wauwatosa and spoke for 2 hours about it at an ELCA church there.

I want to be very honest with you. I went because I felt as a new pastor in the synod that I had to. I was asked to go, and I felt I could not say no, especially when the event was so close to my own home.

I knew very little about transgender issues. Before coming to Wisconsin, I fully supported gender equality and sexual orientation rights, and for me—growing up LCMS—that was a huge deal in itself. But the “T”, I wasn’t sure about. I wasn’t anti-Trans, I just didn’t know about it.

And then, I read the first half of Austen’s book, and went to the event.

I cannot express to you the Spirit that filled that room in the Tosa church. To hear someone express their faith, their journey through transition and also the words of the Bible regarding homosexuality and trans… I was deeply moved, and a bit shamed.

You see, I realized then that I did know trans people in my life. I just didn’t know that that’s what they were. And I felt that even though I supported my friends and members who had shared that they were homosexual—I didn’t open myself to see them as individuals with different views and understandings of orientation and gender. I just kind of lumped them all together. Looking back, I had thought I was open minded, but honestly, I was still quite ignorant.

Later that same month, I shared my attendance and my support of Austen and their book, Transforming, on Facebook. Within the month, I had heard from previous parents, youth and more that I had pastored over the years, letting me know of their own (or someone I knew) transition. They asked for prayers, they shared their concerns, and I let them know that they were children of God and that I supported them.

People at Bay Shore also began sharing with me about grandchildren, neighbors, friends and more who were transitioning. Some were accepting, some had difficulties. I understand all of that. I would, too. It’s a lot to think about. You can’t just flip a switch and see someone you have known, perhaps since birth, with a new understanding, right? It takes time.

Because of Austen, and my further reading, I learned the importance of pronouns and began using them on my emails that Fall in 2019 as well. Our Synod office actually encouraged it for our congregations and clergy.

Now, Bay Shore, I am as feminine cis-gender straight woman as you can be, right? So, why do I need to announce that in my emails and such, like saying “she/her” at the time of introductions?

Because it lets those who see/hear that “she/her” know that I am open to THEM sharing their pronouns, and especially as a pastor, I will accept them and use their preferred pronouns once they share them with me. And, if YOU have a loved one who is trans or non-binary, you also know that your pastor will accept your loved one, too.

The next summer, I married a couple that I had known for a long time. One was trans (I knew this person before transition) and the other was non-binary. It was important for them to be married by a pastor, but it was more important for them to be accepted as they were.

I am happy to say that I did that, because as I shared with their families, I was marrying two souls. And frankly, I was so happy that they even wanted a pastor to do the ceremony when now many people–no matter their orientation–do NOT seek clergy officiants as much as before. Perhaps you have noticed this, too.

Much of this essay and its details, I have shared before at discussions here at Bay Shore. But I wanted to say it all again, for everyone to see and read themselves.

Why do I feel it is important to share it?

Because I understand, Bay Shore, that the idea of a person being transgender is difficult for some of our members. I also understand that “trans” has been used politically, much as politics has used other marginalized people in the past. I understand that this is a hard topic to talk about. I do.

And because of that, I sincerely ask for you to read the book, Transforming by Austen Hartke. You will NOT feel shamed for coming to the table with concerns, questions and disbelief. I believe that if you are able to read Austen’s book, and come on Dec. 7, we all can have an open discussion about concerns as a community.

I know a lot of conversations have happened about LGBTQIA+ in our community here at Bay Shore and in the greater Milwaukee community and within our synod. But for us, here at Bay Shore, it’s important to continue to talk. Bay Shore is a small congregation where everyone is known, and everyone is needed. But most of all, everyone is loved by God and loved for who they are.

This book is a good tool to learn about trans, and a good start to a deeper conversation. I found it personally helpful, as someone again who didn’t understand all of the changes as fast as they were coming my way. It’s taken me years of conversation and growth and prayer to be where I am now, as a person and pastor. And this book–it launched that for me. Perhaps it will help you, too.

As always, if you have any questions, please connect with me privately.

In Christ,

Pastor Sarah

From Pastor Sarah

September 8, 2025 by BayshoreLutheran 1 Comment

Dear Bay Shore,

September is here, and it’s a busy one. We have added many NEW opportunities for entry and engagement with our congregation. We have re-modeled our Sunday School experiences for children. You will certainly notice this within our weekly emails.

Why are we doing this? To create multiple ways for people to come and see what Bay Shore is about, and to welcome new people into our community here. We love Bay Shore, we want to share it with others.

Many of you know that we began our month with a frank conversation on our church and its vitality, and Council and Staff launched the new initiative, Come and See: An Invitation to All. I sincerely pray that you will see that YOU are needed, wherever you are, to help Bay Shore to grow. This Sunday, after worship, I will lead a brief workshop on “how to” invite people to Bay Shore, and provide some actual tools and resources to use. Now is not the time to “let others” lead–now is the time for all of us to rally together. Bay Shore will not grow in this current culture without personal invitations from us to others. Please come this Sunday and learn more!

This month, I continue to be available to listen to Bay Shore feelings and opinions about the RIC process. I have heard from several of you, and I hope to hear more. In October, the Council and I will review what I have heard and receive feedback from the RIC team. Please connect with me and schedule a meeting to share your thoughts concerning this process.

One thing though I would like to share is an updated report that the Council received in August regarding our timeline, our offerings and more for this process. I understand how time can go quickly, and information overload can be a lot, but we have been active in the process for years. This document may help (click here).

May God bless you and your loved ones, hope to see you very soon!

Pastor Sarah

Click here to email me to schedule a time.

History of Bay Shore Lutheran, Parts 4-5

August 28, 2025 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Building the Church building In Less Than Three Months

After Bay Shore Lutheran Church was incorporated and the church council was organized on September 11, 1929, a church building needed to be constructed. The council became the building committee and the target date date for the first service in the new building was Thanksgiving,1929. In the meantime, services would be held at the Henry Clay School.

At the next church council meeting on October 8,1929 the following was completed:

– A $4000 mortgage was obtained on the four vacant lots on Wildwood & Humboldt to finance the construction of the new church

– Because the lots were unimproved land and not buildable, a month to month lease was signed with Alfred Locke for a lot on the Southeast corner of Hampton & Humboldt (Marlborough). This would be a temporary location for the church building until the lots were improved and the church building could be moved there.

-A contract was signed with the Lupinski & Wolfe Construction Company for the construction of the church building for $3400.

– Pastor Baughman applied for tax exemption status for the four lots.

Construction was about to begin!

On October 20, 1929, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported that the foundation for Bay Shore Lutheran Church was laid and construction on the structure had begun.

Lupinski & Wolfe were only contracted to build the structure. The council minutes show that most of their time was spent getting bids and buying all that was needed to build a church for a new congregation. This included everything from heating and electrical to hymnals. Roy Papenthein and Edward Hardtke oversaw the construction of the building while the entire council oversaw the needs of church.

The Great Depression hit the country in late October, 1929 but had little or no effect on the construction of Bay Shore. The mortgage on the lots and almost all of the contractors were secured by late September or early October. However the Depression would have a significant impact on the church financially starting in 1930.

On October 27, 1929 the church council hired Edna Shellen as the church organist for $15/month and an unnamed janitor for $10/month. On November 3,1929 the Sunday School was organized and met in the basement of Cumberland School. By the end of 1929 there were 65 children enrolled.

Bay Shore Lutheran Church’s first home was completed in late November 1929 and a dedication ceremony was held on December 1,1929. Anyone who was a member of the of the church before the dedication ceremony was considered a charter member.

The only image we have of the first Church is the architect’s drawing of what the building would look like. Architect and founding member Roy Papenthein designed the exterior in the English cottage style. This style and English Tudor style were popular in Whitefish Bay at the time and Roy wanted the new church to match the neighborhood homes

The building was built on a cement slab and designed to be moved in the future. It had a sanctuary that seated 100 people, pastor’s office, bathroom, furnace room, and storage closet. There were three entrances and sat on one city lot. Sunday school and social functions were held at Cumberland School. Council meetings were initially held in the sanctuary and often lasted past 11:00 pm.

Interesting facts:

The first Church was built with no financial help from the synod or contributions from other churches.

Our Last Article from Terry in this Special Series:

The Men and Women Who laid the Foundation Bay Shore Lutheran Church.

When you think about it, it’s pretty remarkable that six men would meet with Field missionary Baughman on August 16, 1929 to show interest in starting a new church in Whitefish Bay. By December 1, 1929 they had established a congregation, built and dedicated a new church with sixty ninety charter members.

While many of our early members helped build Bay Shore Lutheran Church, there are a number of them that stand out by their dedication plus the use of their time, talents and monetary donations.

Leroy and Thea Labudde

Leroy and Thea Labudde (pronounced “Labuddy”) were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church when Leroy hosted the first meeting of men interested in starting a mission church in the Shorewood -Whitefish Bay district. When naming the church was the first order of business at the organization meeting LeRoy made the motion to name the church BAY SHORE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. He was in charge of publicity during the construction of the first church. This resulted in almost weekly articles in the Milwaukee newspapers during the construction of the church.

Thea was involved in with the startup of the Sunday School and was a founding member of the of the Women’s Missionary Society at Bay Shore. Leroy and Thea donated the alter for the first church. Leroy created the first newsletter, “ Bay Shore News” in 1931. He paid for all the expenses of the newsletter

In 1941 Leroy became co chair on the building committee for our present church. He created a fund raising campaign designed to created enthusiasm for the new church through creative mailings and announcements. Unfortunately the kickoff was December 7,1941and fundraising was put on hold until after the war ended.

Leroy L. Labudde died in a car accident in 1944. He was 45 years old. Thea remained a member of Bay Shore. In 1979 she was honored as one of two surviving founding members at the 50th anniversary celebration. Thea died in 1989.

In 1950 the Labudde family donated the pulpit and alter vestments for the present church. Leroy’s name can be found on a memorial plaque on the Pulpit.

Alfred and Norma Locke

Alfred and Norma Locke were very active members of Epiphany (All People’s) Lutheran Church when they helped establish Bay Shore. Alfred was a real estate developer in Whitefish Bay. In 1929 he was developing the Cumberland Lawns subdivision. His gift to the new church was three undeveloped lots with an option to buy a fourth lot at present day Wildwood & Marlborough avenues. The church council was able to mortgage the lots to build the first church. Because the lots were undeveloped Alfred lease a developed lot at Hampton & Marlborough for the temporary location of the church until the lots were developed.

Alfred Lock was the first lay leader of the Bay Shore church council overseeing the building of the church and the first years of the church. After his service on the council he became superintendent of the Sunday School.

Norma Locke founded the Sunday School and the Women’s Missionary Society at Bay Shore. She was also the secretary of annuities for the Wisconsin conference of the Northwest Synod. Norma Locke died in 1933. She was 40 years old.

Alfred Locke remarried in 1935 and moved to Wauwatosa. In 1936 he sold the lot that was leased to the church which resulted in the church being moved to a permanent location. There is no mention of Alfred Locke in the council minutes afterwards.

Alfred Locke died in1942 and was still listed as a member of Bay Shore Lutheran Church.

Roy Papenthein

Roy and Hazel Papenthein were members of Lake Park Lutheran Church when Roy attended the August,1929 meeting of men interested in forming a new church in Whitefish Bay. Roy was a well known architect in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin. At the first meeting Roy brought a drawing of a 100 seat chapel which would become the first Bay Shore Lutheran Church. He would donate his time and architectural services to design and oversee the construction of the church.

In 1933 Roy Papenthein entered the Bay Shore Lutheran Chapel in the first architect design competition at the Layton school of Art and Design. Out of sixty entries the church came in third place capturing a bronze medal. A bronze plaque was hung in the church commemorating the accomplishment.

Roy Papenthein served as on the first church Council and was elected to a second three year term in the 1930’s. I couldn’t find much on Hazel Papenthein other than being a founding member of the of the Women’s Missionary Society.

Roy oversaw the move and expansion of the church in 1936. He was also involved in Bay Shore’s Tenth anniversary celebration in 1939.

Roy Papenthein died of a Heat attack in1950. He was as 58 years old and a member of Bay Shore Lutheran Church. Hazel asked to be removed from membership in 1962.

Marie and Thekla Voechting

Sisters Marie and Thekla Voechting were charter members of Bay Shore and Thea Labudde’s aunts. They joined the church through “Renewal” and without them the church would not have been constructed or survived the Depression. Marie and Thekla provided the $4000 construction loan on the lots so the church could be built. The interest rate was 6%. When the Depression put a financial strain on the new congregation the Voechting sisters lowered the interest rate to 5%and accepted $25/month interest only payments. This enabled Bay Shore to pay off the loan with the Whitefish Bay State Bank.

(Department of corrections- The Voechting sisters are not mentioned by name in the council minutes and only referred to as “loan holder” along with loan payments to the Whitefish Bay State Bank. I found they held the loan,not the bank, when they were named as loan holders in 1935 council minutes)

The altar cross and candle stick holders were donated by the Voechting sisters in 1929. We still use them today. They also contributed to the purchase of the pulpit in memory of Leroy Labudde in 1950.

Marie and Thekla Voechting died in 1960 and 1965 respectively and were active members of Bay Shore at the time of their deaths.

Edna Schellin Reinhold

The church council minutes from October 27,1929 show that Miss Edna Schellin was hired as the First church organist and would be paid $15/month. She was a graduate of Milwaukee- Downer College and the Eastman College of Music. Besides her job at Bay Shore Edna was a music teacher for the Milwaukee Public Schools and played in a piano quartet. She would later Marry Carl Reinhold and have a daughter.

In 1931 Edna Schellin Reinhold would become the first director of the Bay Shore Choir when the Church Council approved the creation of the choir. She would remain the church organist until her death in 1953 at age 47. During her tenure as the church organist Edna played at all three churches on four different organs.

Eduard & Caroline Hardtke

Eduard and Caroline Hardtke are listed as “Renewals” on the church registry of members from 1929. He born in Germany and was the chief engineer at the Seeman Body plant at Capitol Drive & Richards street( later it was known as the American Motors body plant. Today you’ll find Walmart on part of the site). Hardtke is considered one of the first developers of the car frame.

Eduard Hardtke was involved with the formation of Bay Shore Lutheran Church from the very beginning in August 1929. He served on the first church council, signed the incorporation papers and served on the building committee for the first church. After his term on the council had ended Eduard he became the Sunday School treasurer for many years. Caroline was an early member of the of the Women’s Missionary Society.

Eduard Hardtke died in 1942 at the age of 78. At the time of his death he was a member of the building committee for the present church.

Mr & Mrs. Eduard Hardtke aren’t completely forgotten these days. In 1929 they donated the silver communion set we still use with their name engraved on the cover.