Congregations and Rostered Ministers in Transition

Congregations in Transition

 Updated July 13, 2026

In Leadership Transition:

  • All Saints, Oak Creek (solo pastor) –

  • Bethania, Racine (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Paul Nuechterlein, contract pastor

  • Cross, Burlington (solo pastor) –

  • Holy Cross (FT lead pastor) – Rev. Casey Sugden, interim lead pastor

  • Reformation, Milwaukee (solo pastor) – Rev. Grant Applehans, contract pastor

  • St Mary’s, Kenosha (PT associate pastor) –

MET (Ministry Exploration Team) Process:

  • Cross, Milwaukee (solo pastor) – Rev. John Horner-Ibler, interim pastor

  • Incarnation, Milwaukee (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Karen Kuttler, interim pastor

  • Lake Park, Milwaukee (2nd pastor) – Rev. Eli Henry, transition pastor

  • Luther Memorial, West Allis (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld, interim pastor

  • Prince of Peace, Milwaukee (solo pastor)  – Rev. Sheila Rawn, interim pastor

  • Redeemer, Hartford (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Steve Rutter, interim pastor

  • Redeemer, Milwaukee (solo pastor) – Rev. Heidi Borkenhagen, interim pastor

  • St Luke, Sheboygan Falls (PT or FT solo pastor) – Rev. John Throop, transition pastor 

  • St Mark, Waukesha (PT deacon) – Deacon Jen Elsenbroek, transition deacon

  • Trinity, West Bend (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Robb Kosky, interim pastor

  • Unity, Brookfield (3rd FT co-pastor) – Rev. Eric Silberschmidt, transition pastor

MSP Posted:

  • Adoration, Greenfield (PT pastor) – Rev. Steve Kuhl – bridge pastor

  • Cross, Ixonia (PT solo pastor) –

  • Living Faith, Racine (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Kathy Brown, interim pastor

  • Martin Luther, Wauwatosa (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Lynn Erickson, interim pastor

Names Submitted:

  • Atonement, Muskego (FT associate pastor) – Rev. Diane Olson, bridge pastor

  • Church of the Resurrection, Pewaukee (PT shared pastor) –

  • Our Savior’s, Hartland (PT shared pastor) –

  • Our Savior, Oconomowoc (3rd pastor – YFM)

  • St. John’s, Brookfield (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Karen Natterstad, interim pastor

  • St. John, Grafton (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Sara Gillespe, interim pastor

Call Extended (*started the call)

  • Faith/Santa Fe, Milwaukee (PT solo pastor) – Rev. Germán Novelli-Angrisano

  • North Cape, Franksville (FT solo pastor) – Rev. Kelly Ylitalo

Rostered Ministers in Transition

Updated July 13, 2026

  • Rev. Grant Applehans from on leave to synod call to supply ministry

  • Rev. Lisa Bates-Froiland, from called pastor at Redeemer, Milwaukee to OLC

  • Rev. Nikkeya Berryhill from called pastor at Lake Park, Milwaukee transferred to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

  • Rev. Heidi Borkenhagen, from OLC to interim pastor at Redeemer, Milwaukee

  • Rev. John Brink, from called pastor at Cross, Burlington to retirement

  • Rev. Steve Clingman from retired to resigned from the roster

  • Rev. Myron Crawford, from called pastor at Prince of Peace, Milwaukee to called pastor at Vernon, Mukwonago

  • Rev. David Dragseth, from OLC to resigned from the roster

  • Deacon Jennifer Elsenbroek, from OLC to transition Deacon at St Mark’s, Waukesha

  • Rev. Debbie Hartfield, from called associate pastor at St Mary’s, Kenosha to retirement

  • Rev. Jay McDivitt, reinstated to the roster, synod call to supply ministry.

  • Rev. PJ Mortenson, from called pastor at All Saints, Oak Creek to retirement

  • Rev. Meredith Musaus, from called senior pastor at Holy Cross, Menomonee Falls to retirement

  • Rev. Sheila Rawn, from bridge pastor at North Cape, Franksville to interim pastor at Prince of Peace, Milwaukee

  • Rev. Casey Sugden, from interim pastor at Resurrection, Pewaukee and Our Saviors, Hartland to interim senior pastor at Holy Cross, Menomonee Falls

  • Rev. Michelle Townsend de Lopez, from called pastor at Cross, Milwaukee to retirement

  • Rev. Kelly Ylitalo, from Northern Great Lakes Synod to called pastor at North Cape, Franksville

Remembering Rostered Ministers who have died

Rev. William Simpson April died on April 3, 2026. He served several congregations in Wisconsin including Holy Trinity, West Allis from 1990-1992 and Prince of Peace, Milwaukee from 1972 – 1990. Please hold his family and friends in your prayers as they grieve his loss. We thank God for the life and ministry of Rev. William Simpson. Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.