We are a small, progressive-thinking, interfaith community that meets to explore the theological, spiritual, social, and political insights found in a variety of traditions. We gather, also, to celebrate life, reflect upon life’s meaning, support various social justice causes, and offer each other care and support upon life’s journey.
Our Sunday services begin at 10:00.
During the cold-weather months most Sunday liturgies are held at
ARCh (Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps)
419 Frederick St. Waukesha WI 53186
In warm-weather months we meet at Bethesda Park, 560 Dunbar Ave, Waukesha 53186, although we gather at ARCh if it’s raining or too cold, with an email sent by 8:30 to confirm.
Our part-time ministers Sandy Peters and Katherine Zakutansky each plan a liturgy and presentation for one Sunday per month. On the remaining Sundays other CLS members provide homilies or lead discussions. We also enjoy occasional guest homilists.
Other activities include book discussions, social events, and providing support for various social-justice-oriented groups and human service agencies in their educational and fund-raising efforts.
For more information call, write, or contact us through the ‘Comments’ section on the website ‘Home’ page.
CLS mailing address and phone number:
1807 E. Main St. Apt. 306
Waukesha WI 53186
(262) 875-2718
CLS STAFF AND BOARD 
CLS MINISTERS
Sandy Peters
Katherine Zakutansky
CLS ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
Linda Vincent
CLS BOARD
President – Bonnie Birk
Vice-President – Sandy Villa
Secretary – Patty Sarvello
Treasurer – Laraine O’Brien
Liturgy Chair – Joanne Riordan
Education Chair – Julie Vogelsang
Social Chair – Marilyn Baus
SOPHIA Executive Board Representatives – Sandy Peters and Chris Brown
SOPHIA Criminal Justice Reform Task Force Representatives – Chris Brown and Laraine O’Brien
SOPHIA Religious Leaders’ Caucus Representatives – Kate Jolin and Sandy Peters
COMMUNITY WITNESS
BASIC YEARLY DONATIONS TO AREA AGENCIES:
(Often the amount is considerably more than what is listed below due to fundraising events and memorial donations.)
Plowshare $400
Waukesha Free Clinic (formerly St Joseph Medical Clinic) $750
Hebron House $750
La Casa de Esperanza $750
SOPHIA $1500
Hope Center $1500
The Women’s Center $1500
Food Pantry of Waukesha County $1500
A CLS Synopsis:
CLS is a progressive group in terms of its religious and political views. While most of us have a Christian background, we like to consider ourselves ‘interfaith,’ promoting inclusivity and welcoming all. We find enrichment in exploring the resources of many faith traditions and in using words of wisdom from many other sources as well. These ideas are incorporated into our personal and communal spiritual journeys. Our weekly Sunday liturgy is our main focus, and we find the experience inspiring as well as energizing for the week ahead.
CLS has a strong social justice emphasis, not only in terms of outreach but also as a topic of relevance in weekly homilies and educational discussions. We from the start made the decision to forgo possessing a building so that monetary resources could be used for charitable purposes. Members’ personal involvement in social justice causes and/or activities has always been of great importance, and has indeed been very inspiring to others. This emphasis extends to our care for each other as we work toward enhancing each other’s lives and providing support in times of need.
Because of our social justice emphasis, we are interested in current theologies that stress the justice aspect of religion, such as feminist and liberationist theologies, creation spirituality, and eco-theology, among others. Many members are interested in the ‘universe story’ and ‘evolutionary faith’ as well. Our own life stories are also rich sources for comment and discussion.
We see ourselves as fully capable ‘ministers,’ relating to each other as such and finding inspiration in each other’s lives, activities, and thoughts. Many of us enjoy planning liturgies and like to work with our ministers in discussing and planning many facets of our community experience. We think of our relationship with our ministers as mutually enriching and nonhierarchical.
Our members have a broad spectrum of individual religious beliefs, ranging from atheistic and agnostic, to exploring diverse cultural spiritualities, to a connection to fairly traditional religions. We have found that it is important, when speaking about our own religious beliefs, to avoid language that suggests or assumes that others believe the same as we do. A focus on social justice awareness linked with the desire for spiritual and personal growth takes for granted individual differences along the journey, so a wide range of beliefs is seen as truly interesting and enlightening.