Staff
Pastor - Rev. James Pennington
James Pennington received his undergraduate Educational Psychology degree from the University of Chicago and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Following ordination James was called to Grace Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry, University Lutheran Chapel, spent a year doing leadership development in Novosibirsk, Russia with the emerging faith community, and returned to the states to do campus ministry as campus pastor at Peace Campus Center in Steven's Point, Wisconsin. At that point, it was becoming increasing difficult to be an "out" gay clergy in the Lutheran church. Seeking to live in authenticity and honesty, James left pastoral ministry and pursued not-for-profit work in HIV/AIDS service organizations and directed Pathfinders and Street Beat, a shelter and street outreach program for homeless, throwaway and runaway youth and their families throughout Metro Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. Just prior to James' arrival at Spirit of the Lakes as Pastor, he was the Executive Director of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. The Center has a staff of fourteen, a nationally recognized youth program called "Project Q", a transgender education and awareness program, a same-sex anti-violence and advocacy program, HIV prevention services for men of color and Center Advocates, a program providing political advocacy for LGBT persons throughout Metro Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. James never relinquished his true passion for preaching and pastoral ministry during his years of service in the not-for-profit sector and continued to work with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Church. About a year ago, James began the process of having his ordination recognized by the United Church of Christ and the rest is history. James is very excited to be a part of such a vibrant, unique and alive community of faith
as Spirit of the Lakes as together as the body of Christ we reach out with the liberating message of God's all-inclusive love!
Minister of Music - David Lohman
A musical theatre conductor and pianist, David spent 3½ years as associate conductor for the first national company of The Phantom of the Opera . Benefit concerts, which he conducted with the Phantom cast, raised over $400,000 for AIDS, breast cancer, and mental health. Since returning to the Twin Cities, he has music directed shows at the Guthrie Theater and the Ordway Center, and appeared onstage and in the pit for numerous productions at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. The award-nominated Beyond the Rainbow , a biographical musical about Judy Garland which he co-wrote for the History Theatre in St. Paul , is being produced around the country. A published arranger, his arrangements include "Shenandoah/They Call the Wind Maria" and "O, Holy Night," written for TV specials starring figure skater Brian Boitano. He holds a B.A. in acting, and did his graduate work in conducting at Cincinnati 's College-Conservatory of Music.
In his non-musical life, David serves as Faith Work Coordinator for the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources, which works to make the Church a welcoming place for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. As part of that work, he runs the Shower of Stoles Project, a collection of over 1,100 liturgical stoles from queer clergy and religious leaders. The collection is exhibited around the country over 100 times a year, serving as a testimony to the huge loss of leadership suffered by the Church because of its own unjust policies.
Max
Max (Maximus Padimus) became Pastor James' son at 8 months. He was a rescue - sadly, had been abused and secluded in his early puppyhood.
Max is a trained therapy dog - he has spent time with homeless and group home youth and has spent time (1x week) in nursing homes in Milwaukee and Madison.
Max's favorite past-time is swimming - he will swim forever and has swum for 4 hours straight. Max usually likes to swim next to Pastor James when he kayaks.
He doesn't dig other dogs - kinda a loaner - and prefers his own breed or other retrievers/sport dogs. He loves anything chicken! And he digs cookies - but who doesn't!?