Pastor Lois Graper
50%-time Pastoral Leader
Lois has been a lifetime member at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda. She has a husband, 2 daughters, 2 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. She lives in rural Pella. She was a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal System and retired from those duties in 2013.
Lois has been accepted into the TEEM program (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries). This is a program offered through Wartburg Seminary that is designed to provide alternative preparation for those who will provide pastoral ministry in emerging ministry contexts throughout the church. These contexts include ethnic specific, multicultural, rural, inner city, and ministry with deaf communities. Candidates for the TEEM program are nominated by their synods and approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Normally TEEM candidates are age 40 or older. Each candidate works with a Capacities Assessment Panel (CAP) to design a program of study to complete all of the TEEM educational requirements. The parish advisory council has voted to support Lois in this educational opportunity, and looks forward to her becoming ordained at the end of the program. In December, 2014, Bishop Gerald Mansholt of the East Central Synod of the ELCA authorized Lois to preach and preside at Holy Communion and serve as Lay Pastoral Leader for The United Lutheran Parish.
On September 22, 2018, Lois was ordained and installed to The United Lutheran Parish. It was a wonderful service and we look forward to many years of her pastoral leadership!
Jim Hartleben – Lay Minister
Nicole Voelz – TULP Office Manager
Nicole joined TULP in February 2018 after working for First Presbyterian Church in Shawano for 3 1/2 years. She lives with her husband and daughter on his family farm. She has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Northcentral Technical College.