Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries

Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries, a partnership organization of over 20 area Lutheran churches, has now begun its third decade of ministry to our churches, and to Rockford and surrounding communities.

Last year - our 20th anniversary - offered exciting opportunities to celebrate the many ways we work together to make Christ known through imaginative and creative ministries of witness and service.  Our culminating anniversary event was the appearance of Rick Steves in Rockford! Rick, famed travel guru and ELCA Lutheran, visited Rockford on November 3 and spoke to virtual sell-out crowds! 

In this, our 21st year, we have focused our energies on bringing to fruition our dream of Katie’s Cup coffeebar on Seventh Street in Rockford. A groundbreaking celebration occurred in January, the building permit was granted in March, and exciting renovation work of the old Lantow Pharmacy building is now in progress. Katie’s Cup, named for the hospitable Katherine von Bora Luther, is planned to be a community gathering place for conversation, free-trade coffee products, books and entertainment. The project is a collaborative effort between Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries and ZION Development Corporation.

While construction is underway, the community has been given interesting glimpses into the plan for Katie’s Cup through “Katie’s Cup Conversations.”  These Conversations, held several times each month, are designed to encourage stimulating discussion on a variety of topics of interest to members of the community. In 2006 to date, Conversations have included several book signings, a Narnia-focused discussion, a Bonhoeffer speaker, and an introduction to eschatology and cosmology.

Regular Lutheran Ministries’ programming keeps pace with our new ventures: area Lutherans are building our 8th and 9th “Lutheran” Habitat houses this summer; we continue to support Habitat efforts financially through a recent successful House of Prayers campaign and our upcoming Magic Waters Family Fun Night; the Park PLAYers are in the midst of summer programming focused on conflict management for our community’s young teens and children; our marriage preparation seminars and divorce recovery workshops are offered regularly to those in need; and our ministry to singles, Singles Together Across Rockford, continues to draw people from throughout the northern Illinois area for both volleyball/game nights and for our dances, which attract upwards of 300 people.

On October 15, we will welcome Elizabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of Baron and Maria von Trapp to Rockford for what we believe will be another huge community event. Her concert, scheduled at First Lutheran Church, will include community children who will sing beloved Sound of Music songs with her. The concert will benefit the Katie’s Cup coffeebar. You are all invited!  

As always, we are ever aware of, and grateful for, the generous support and encouragement we receive from our member congregations and pastors and from Bishop Wollersheim, his assistants, and the staff of the Northern Illinois Synod.  Thanks be to God! 

The Reverend Janet Wold, President, and Mariel Heinke, Executive Director,

Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries