Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

February 9, 2011, Page 2

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon 

New Pastor ready to serve in Neillsville

Pastor Judy Anderson-Bauer poses at Neillsville’s Calvary Lutheran Church Friday, Feb. 4.  Anderson-Bauer began serving at Calvary Lutheran Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011.  (Peter Spicer/Clark County Press photo)

By Peter Spicer

Calvary Lutheran Church’s (ECLA) new pastor, Judy Anderson-Bauer, is looking forward to helping others grow in their faith at the Neillsville church.

Anderson-Bauer moved to the area in late January and began serving as pastor Tuesday, Feb. 1; she is in the early stages of learning names, organizing her office and getting to know the community.

Anderson-Bauer grew up in Northfield, MN, graduated from St. Olaf College in her hometown and then attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where she met her husband Loren.  Anderson-Bauer was ordained in 1985.

Anderson-Bauer has served as a pastor for 25 years, including the last 15 years pastoring three churches in the Grand Rapids, MN area in northern Minnesota.  The three church congregations included the Minnesota communities of Bovey, Warba and Jacobson.

Children from seven school districts from within an approximately 50-mile radius attended confirmation at one of the three churches Anderson-Bauer served at. 

Anderson-Bauer’s husband, Loren, is currently a pastor at a Duluth, MN area church, but he hopes to move to the area this summer.

Anderson-Bauer has two grown children, including Benjamin, 25, and Cynthia, 23. Benjamin is attending graduate school at the University of Arkansas to earn a Master’s degree in writing. Cynthia lives in the Twin Cities in Minnesota and is involved with an AmeriCorps Project titled “Admission Possible,” in which she helps area high school junior apply for college admission.

Calvary Lutheran is the fourth parish Anderson-Bauer has served in; Wisconsin is the third state she has pastored in, along with Minnesota and South Dakota.

After 15 years in northern Minnesota, Anderson-Bauer stated “It felt like it was time for something new.”

Anderson-Bauer attended a Calvary Lutheran Sunday service for the first time Sunday, Jan. 30, and served as pastor in a Sunday service for the first time Sunday, Feb. 6.

Anderson-Bauer stated “It’s been really fun” meeting the community thus far and “They’ve been very kind.”

Serving as pastor in a small community suits Anderson-Bauer just fine.

“I like small towns,” said Anderson-Bauer.  “I think they’re the best.”

Anderson-Bauer is ready to help the congregation with everything they’ve already been involved with and doesn’t have her own agenda to push.

“The church belongs to the people,” said Anderson-Bauer.  “I come ready to help people here on their agenda.”

Anderson-Bauer enjoys working with congregants of all ages, including children and senior citizens, and wants to be a spiritual consultant for them.

“I like working with kids,” said Anderson-Bauer, who explained she values helping young people grow their faith in this busy world.

Anderson-Bauer also enjoys working with senior citizens and values their input. “[Senior citizens] have so much wisdom and experience,” explained Anderson-Bauer.

Anderson-Bauer also looks forward to working with other community churches, including Neillsville’s United Church of Christ (UCC) and other denominations.

Anderson-Bauer stated she doesn’t limit herself to helping just one denomination and is willing to work with any churches willing to work with her.

“I like cooperation,” said Anderson-Bauer, who explained churches can accomplish more by working together.

Anderson-Bauer joked about the difficulties of moving from one place to another during the winter but stated with a smile, “It worked out just fine.”

“I’m really glad to be [in Neillsville],” concluded Anderson-Bauer.  “I think I’m going to enjoy being here.”