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FOR CHURCH PAGE??

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Each day of work is different for Gregory Wismar - his duties may include

being a tour guide, composer, teacher, counselor, chaplain, or archivist. And

it is this diversity that the pastor of Christ The King Lutheran Church has

enjoyed during his 25 years as an ordained minister.

"Not all days are easy," said Pastor Wismar, referring to sorrowful situations

that involve his parishioners, "but each day is very special."

Many of the pastor's antecessors have served in the ministry, including his

father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. They have traced this family

tradition back to the time of the Reformation in Germany. Pastor Wismar chose

the profession because he was familiar with clerical life through his

upbringing, and believed he "had the gifts and disposition to be able to serve

God in that way."

Pastor Wismar's education is extensive and includes a master's in divinity

from Concordia Seminary, a master's of science in education from Southern

Connecticut State University, and a doctorate of ministry from Hartford

Seminary. During seminary years, Pastor Wismar earned money by playing string

bass on river boats and in night clubs.

Now, he "drags the bass out and dusts off the piano keys" once a year to

perform original music written by him and two parishioners, Tom Rucktenwald

and Carl Lindquist. The eighth annual church concert, Something New, will be

July 27.

He also writes lyrics and music for publication, and serves on the

African-American Lutheran Hymnal Committee. The committee has gone to New

Orleans, Chicago, and New York to listen to the music and ways of expression

in order to write the hymnal. The minister, who also writes prose, is the

author of Saints and Angels All Around and editor/author of Prayers For Our

Worship.

Pastor Wismar served as assistant pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in

Danbury, and as pastor at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Naugatuck, Redeemer

Lutheran Church in Cape Elizabeth, Me., Messiah Lutheran Church in Lynnfield,

Mass. He has been pastor at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Newtown since

1987.

Last week, at a brunch held in honor of his years of service, one of his

parishioners asked how many sermons he had given. "I quickly did some mental

gymnastics and came up with about 1,700 regular Sunday morning services -

Wow!" he said.

Add to that 320 baptisms and 130 weddings. "It's fascinating because you care

about each of these people and what happens to them," he said. "It's great

that you're a part of their lives." This is what ministry is all about -

sharing the love of Christ with people and being there for them when they need

you, he said. And his own family - his wife, Priscilla, and four children -

has been there to support him during the years, he said.

Based In Tradition

Newtown is a community where tradition is important. This "fits" nicely with

the Lutheran Church, which also values tradition, history, and memories, he

said.

For the past eight years, Pastor Wismar has served as archivist for the New

England District, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The district archives are

located in New Britain, Conn., and contain the history of parishes as well as

the wider work of the church, such as its orphanage work during the last

century, he said.

"When a congregation merges or disbands, what do you do with the records?" he

said, citing marriages as one example. "We are keepers of the flame so things

and people don't get forgotten along the way." The minister attends national

conferences to learn about preserving photos and documents.

Pastor Wismar has a great interest in exploring genealogical connections. He

led trips to Denmark and Germany, during which he assisted the travelers in

finding their "roots." Often, as people search, they turn to the church for

information. The ethnic tradition of the Lutheran Church is Scandinavian,

German, and Slovak, he said.

"It's fun to study [our heritage]," he said. "And the whimsical historical

things that bring people to where they are."

For instance, the 1840s was a time of great upset in Germany. Those in power

attempted to unite all the various religious groups in the country. Many

people emigrated to keep their particular heritage alive, and usually settled

wherever they could secure passage to - Australia, Canada, or the US. "A lot

of my forbearers came over at that time," said Pastor Wismar.

"As the world becomes more and more mobile and transitional, people look for

anchors," said Pastor Wismar. "Place is not an anchor any longer ... The

church is keeper of heritage, identity, and faith for people. I see more young

people coming back to the church."

For those who will be in the Newtown congregation for only a short time, the

minister said he tries to involve them and give them a good experience so they

can move on. For others, the intergenerational congregation acts as a kind of

surrogate local family.

"One of the joys [in my work] is to see how gracious people can be," said

Pastor Wismar. A few members of the church have adopted children from other

countries, and the congregation has embraced the youngsters, he said. "Again,

God's spirit touches the lives of many people in different ways."

Every six weeks, the Newtown clergy meet with School Superintendent John Reed

to "talk about the fiber of the community" - what each is doing individually,

and what can be done as a team. And when a crisis situation at the schools

arises, the lines of communication are open, said Pastor Wismar.

"Newtown is blessed with wonderful community scenery, and people who care,"

said the minister. His message to his parish and residents of Newtown is:

Realize your blessings, and be thankful.