Spirituality center gets OK for move to Parkside Church

A “spirituality center” sponsored by St. John XXIII Catholic Parish can set up shop in the Parkside UCC church in Saukville after it was approved by the village Plan Commission on Aug. 13.

The center is currently located in Port Washington at the former Goebel Woodworking site.

“We have so many people coming by, we’re running out of space,” Center Director Kelly Lemons told the commission. 

Organizers of the center needed a certificate of compliance and a sign permit from the village in order to move to the Saukville church. 

Both were granted unanimously by the commission, although member Chris Lear expressed concern about the signage on the church,  at 166 W. Dekora St., which includes a large electronic sign and smaller signs for ministries housed there.

“My biggest concern is at what point do we have too many signs,” Lear said. “I think we’re pushing the limits.”

“A Place to Be Spirituality Center is a sacred space that welcomes everyone,” according to its website. “Rooted in Christian values and led by the Holy Spirit, we are dedicated to supporting anyone in their search for meaning, wholeness and the Divine.”

A Place to Be offers Bible studies, “ecumenical worship services,” support groups, counseling and “a variety of prayer “experiences,” Lemons said.

“It’s a ministry of our parish, but it’s truly nondenominational,” parish representative Dan Becker told the commission.

“They (the parish) are our sponsor, but we are ecumenical,” Lemons said.    

Activities listed on the center’s website include Taize prayer sessions, day retreats, Euchre night, an “art regatta” fundraiser, monthly drumming circles, crystal singing bowl meditations and Aglow International meetings for women.

In a letter to Village Administrator Dawn Wagner, Parkside Church Council President Mark Gierach said that while the center is mainly supported by St. John XXIII, “this is truly a partnership that looks to bridge two faith communities in working together to advance Christian values and our faiths.”

Gierach’s letter also indicated A Place to Be will financially support the Lighthouse Port Washington Saukville Ecumenical Youth Ministry formed by Parkside, Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville and Port Washington churches Christ the King Lutheran, United Methodist Church and First Congregational UCC.

“Each church is required to support that program in part through financial giving to (United Methodist Church) for the support of staff and to help maintain the facility in which the programming takes place,” Gierach wrote.

Gierach said the partnership is a step toward “what might be looked at as church re-imagined.”

According to an application submitted to the village, the center has three employees.