Meet the Pastor

Rev. Dale Ziemer, Transitional Pastor
*Born in West Bend, Wisconsin
*Went to school at Wartburg College
*Hobbies include playing with grandchildren, outdoor construction, gardens and cooking 

​Pastor Dale grew up in rural Wisconsin just north of Milwaukee, and graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Social Work.  He served as a church youth director before attending Wartburg Theological Education and spent his internship year in San Diego, CA.  His first two calls were Pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Rome, WI and Associate Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Palatine, IL.  Then, after completing an M.A. in organizational development, he received a call to serve in specialized ministry. He served for 29 years on the staff of the Center for Parish Development, a church research and consulting agency.  During these years, Pastor Dale served in numerous congregation settings in Chicagoland as interim or transitional pastor.
Pastor Dale and Beckie were married in 1973.  They have two sons, Jason and Jeremy, both married with children in metro Chicago and Iowa.  Beckie’s mom lives downstate, while Pastor Dale’s siblings are Cheese-heads, and their extended families are spread across the country.  While not at church, Pastor Dale’s interests include backyard construction projects, gardens and birding, along with cooking and rock music – but he is most energized by getting on the floor and playing with the kiddos! 

Pastor Dale says...
“Transition” and “change” are certainly as descriptive of our lives as “stability.” Our lives are always changing.  So is a church, so is the society in which we live, and our neighborhoods too. God specializes in times of transition and change, for God says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19).  It is as though God were saying to us in times when we face changes or transitions -- “Watch what is about to happen! Keep your eyes open!”  
Do you wonder what is God up to in your life?  What God is up to at Peace Lutheran, what God is up to in the world today?  Enter at any level into this community of faith and you may be caught up not only into wonder, but also into love and praise – for God is doing a new thing!  What an amazing world we live in. What challenges and opportunities await us together! It’s a great time to be the church.