Lakeside baptism
15 years ago-as a student at Luther Seminary just gasping toward the end of her final semester- Founder Pastor Jodi Houge invited neighbors and friends to gather for a simple liturgy—an informal worship at Fresh Grounds Coffee Shop on West 7th. Enough neighbors had said, “We aren't really looking for a church, but if you started something, we'd come.” Pastor Jodi had already lived on her block for 10 years at that point. She knew her neighbors. And no one was connected to a faith community. There are churches in our neck of the woods—but for a wide list of reason, her neighbors had never crossed the thresh hold. At that time, Jodi's husband was a full-time musician—and they had a lot of friends who are artists. Jodi wondered if they could create a space—a church community for both of these groups. And since no one around was making their way into a church building much less church community, might we might be able to be a church that goes to people? Rather than expect people to come to us and to our building, could we create church where people are already gathered?
We have been worshiping every week for 15 years. We started at Fresh Grounds Coffee Shop, met in homes for a month, moved to a 100-year-old storefront, were homeless for two months so we squatted in a park, and then an another storefront a gallery/art space. We spent a season at Sholom Home-a long-term care facility that happens to be Jewish. So, we learned how to keep Kosher on Sundays.
Our worship gatherings now occur at Art House North. It's a former church turned art space. Which we are now using as a church with a bunch of artists. Plot twist!