Galilee Lutheran Church - ELCA
N24W26430 Crestview Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072 | 262.691.2380
Greater Milwaukee Synod
We follow Jesus, building communities of justice, love, and mercy.
The Greater Milwaukee Synod (GMS) is a geographic grouping of congregations, extending from Sheboygan down to the Illinois border and from Lake Michigan to the western edge of Waukesha County. We are one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
This synod is made up of 115 congregations, 4 Synod Authorized Worshiping Communities, and 59,143 baptized members in southeastern Wisconsin led by Bishop Paul D. Erickson and a 17-member synod council.
Greater Milwaukee Wild Church | New Start Ministry
Presented by the Greater Milwaukee Synod
The Greater Milwaukee Wild Church was officially launched in June of 2025. This ministry has its roots in a world movement that started in Europe as Forest Church, which has evolved and come to North America as Wild Church. It follows the 9th century, early Christian teacher, John Scotus Eriugena’s, idea that God reveals God’s self in two ways. The first way is through Jesus and the scriptures, the second way God reveals God’s self is through creation and nature. This second way has been neglected by the traditional church for centuries. Greater Milwaukee Wild Church will still be a Jesus Christ centered community, but it will emphasize and focus on the ways God speaks to us through creation. Wild Church is a fresh expression of church that now has about 250 communities worshipping in North America and many other countries around the world.
Wild Church has these characteristics:
- it is usually held outside and invites nature to contribute to the worship experience.
- it is designed to be site specific, under a large oak tree, near a beautiful view, by a lake, or stream, around a bonfire, etc.
- it has an interactive message, not just one person talking, but interaction with the participants where they share with the whole group what they saw, heard or have reflected on. There is usually a time to walk or saunter in nature during the service.
- it seeks to connect with people who are not interested or have been hurt by traditional church. Wild Church often attracts those who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious”.
The Greater Milwaukee Wild Church will hold regular spirituality, worship, service, and fellowship events throughout the Greater Milwaukee Synod. For more information contact Pastor Larry Harpster at: pastorlharpster@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates:
- Sun, January 18 @ 4pm: Bonfire Circle Gathering at Christ the King Lutheran, 4600 Pilgrim Road, Brookfield
- Sun, January 25: Music & Stories on the Labyrinth at Mt. Carmel Lutheran, 8424 W. Center St, Milwaukee
- Sun, February 1 @ 2pm: Circle Gathering at Ascension Lutheran, 1415 Dopp St, Waukesha
- Sat, February 7 @ 8am: Workshop at Together in Mission
- Sun, February 15 @ 4pm: Bonfire Circle Gathering at Christ the King Lutheran, 4600 Pilgrim Road, Brookfield