"School Ministry to Ethnic Populations"

from Ethnic Ministry Symposium

We have children of many different ethnicities in our district pre-schools and schools.  What are the special opportunities and difficulties that this aspect of our ministry brings?  How can we integrate these people into our congregations’ ministry?

Dr. Fred Kramer received his B.S. in Education from Concordia College, River Forest; his M.A. in Administration and Curriculum from Northwestern University and his PhD in Educational Research and Statistics from the University of Portland. Fred served as Teaching Principal of three Lutheran Schools in the Midwest from 1949-1963, served as full time professor at Concordia Portland from 1963-1991, and then in modified service at Concordia Portland from 1991-2003. He served Concordia Portland in a variety of capacities, including Professor of Education and Psychology, Registrar, Director of Institutional Research, Academic Dean, Director of Pacific Rim Program, Founding President of Concordia College Japan, and Assistant to the President in Modified Service. Since 1998 Dr. Kramer has served as Volunteer Coordinator of Latino Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Portland. He has led, organized, administered and participated in the following activities: Emergency Food Program; Community Garden; English and Computer Classes for Adults and Bible Story Classes for Children; Transporting Children to Sunday School; Spanish Worship Services; Arranging for Scholarships for Latino Children to Attend Trinity School; and Directed a Four Week Academic Summer School for Immigrant Children.

Denise Pacilli is currently the Director of Sunbeams Lutheran School at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Kent, WA.  She has been a part of the ministry at Sunbeams for the past 8 years. Sunbeam is a multi-culturally diverse school with 18 languages spoken among its 115 students and their families. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Concordia Nebraska, and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia Chicago. She has taught at Lutheran Schools in Denver, CO and Farmington, Missouri, before coming to Washington, as well as being an educator in Missouri’s Parents as Teachers Program for 14 years.  She also created an early childhood program at New Hope Lutheran Church in Pacific, WA, where she taught for 5 years. She is married to Pastor Dino Pacilli, has 3 grown children, and 4 grandchildren.  Her greatest joy is teaching children about Jesus, and His love for them!

Return to Ethnic Ministries Page